Page 136 of Deceit

Asher gives me a tight lipped smile, as he nods and moves to where a black Rolls Royce is parked slipping into the driver’s seat. Liam follows after him and I’m about to as well when a hand comes to my back.

I turn to see Vincent there, his black hair falling into his face. I’m about to walk away because I can’t deal with him right now when he stops me, gripping my cheeks together and squishing them with one hand as he speaks through clenched teeth.

“If you’re gonna be pissed at me, be pissed at me, but never fucking walk away from me again. Do you understand?” he asks, giving my head a small shake as he emphasizes his seriousness.

“I’m gonna do shit that pisses you off and maybe even makes you hate me at times, but that doesn’t mean you go off on your own when there is someone out there watching you, Siren. Sonext time, just punch me or slap me or something, but don’t you fucking run away from me.”

He releases his hold on my face slightly so I can speak.

“It’s not like I was alone. I was with Asher.”

Vincent scoffs. “Yeah, I trustthatPutnam with your safety about as far as I could throw a goddamn elephant.”

I frown at that. “Well, maybe you should. He’s going to be my husband.”

Vincent bristles at that, dropping his hold on me altogether.

“Don’t fucking remind me.”

He storms away, but not without taking me with him. His hand is wrapped around my bicep as he practically drags me to the car, opening the back door before ragdoll tossing me inside. Liam is in the seat beside me waiting and thankfully helps break my fall.

“What the fuck!” Liam snaps as Vincent sits in the passenger seat, shutting the door with a hard thunk.

Liam’s fingers are featherlight, dancing over my cheeks that are no doubt red. Anger transforms his features, a look I don’t often see on him as he reaches between the front seats and hits Vincent right in the face.

Vincent whips around, ready to leap for him as Liam speaks.

“Piece of shit! You hurt her!”

His attack on Liam pauses as his eyes come to me assessingly. He reaches out to touch me and I pull back slightly, causing his fingers to hang in the air. Regret splashes across his face, a look I’ve really never seen on his face before. He slowly turns around, speaking only to Asher.

“Drive,” he rasps.

Asher’s eyes come to mine in the mirror. Anger and frustration in them, before he puts the car into gear and pulls out of the parking lot. Liam lifts his arm up, allowing me to lean closer to him and I take every opportunity for his comfort. It’s not like I’msome battered woman who is terrified of Vincent. I know it was an accident, he was just trying to get my attention and keep his anger in check. He needs to do a better job of that, though.

Chapter Forty Seven

Asher

My knuckles turn white from the grip I have on the steering wheel. It’s taking everything in me not to shoot Griggs right in the head. Blow his brains all over this fucking car, because the world would be much better off without him in it. Fuck knows Skyla would be.

Liam had to physically pin me against the seat to hold me back. From the instant I saw him pinch her face like that, I was ready to kill him. Coming from the man that is so goddamn concerned about her safety, so protective, he sure is fucking rough with her.

No doubt, that comes from the double life he leads. It must be hard to murder people in cold blood, literally rip them to pieces then take a quick shower and be forced to obey normal social constructs.

Oh, did you think I was being sympathetic? Fuck no, I’m being sarcastic as fuck. Develop a split personality disorder if he has to, go to therapy, fucking whatever it takes, but something I will not tolerate is him letting that side seep over intomyfiancée’s life.Absolutelythe fuck not.

We ride the rest of the way in silence and thankfully, we get to Ronan’s in no time. I throw my door open first, stepping out as everyone else does the same.

“Siren, can we talk?” Griggs asks, his tone surprisingly gentle.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Liam says.

“I agree, fuck that,” I add in.

He shoots us both a dirty look, before softening and looking back at her. She bites the inside of her lip and nods, pressing a kiss to Liam’s cheek before moving over to the front yard of Ronan’s for some semblance of privacy.

Liam and I seem to be on the same page, neither of us wanting to give them privacy, though, and Skyla turns to us with a tired huff.

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