He’d let me explain, take me in his arms, and tell me everything would be okay because I needed him.
Blade glanced over when we entered the chapel. He immediately rose from the table, leaving Rogue, and strode toward Hana.
My gaze landed on Dozer. The hard line of his mouth obliterated any hope for his understanding. His dark eyes narrowed on me. Tension ticked in his jaw.
Anger and jealousy radiated from him. A black cloak of hate shrouded me, swarming through me like a stinging hive of hornets. I couldn’t breathe. I tried to swallow the raw burn in my throat. He wasn’t going to let me explain.
A hollow ache, where my heart should have been, stole my breath.
Levi turned to me and smiled. “Hi.”
Dozer grabbed onto her hip before she could step toward me. “Don’t,” he gritted out. I barely heard him but read the words on his lips. “You were right. She’s a lying, fucking bitch. Just another Heller whore.”
Pain knifed through my chest, and tears burned behind my eyes.
“What the fuck, Dozer?” Hana bristled and stepped in front of me.
“Why aren’t you in class?” Blade asked.
“Don’t,” I said, grasping Hana’s arm. “Don’t say anything. Please.”
Romeo stepped from the back rooms.
Seeing me with tears on my face, he rushed over. “Pip, what happened?”
“Nothing.” I stared into his eyes. They focused on my face. Worry knit his brows as he brushed a thumb over my cheek. It was too much.
I chanced one last glance at Dozer. The loathing and betrayal reflected in his eyes gutted me. Levi shoved his chest and rushed toward me. The papers slipped from my fingers. I turned and fled from the building.
“Pippa, wait.” Romeo followed me.
More tears burned behind my eyes. “I can’t.”
He grabbed onto my arm and spun me around. “What happened?”
I shook my head. “It doesn’t matter. He thinks I’m a whore.” I just fell for the wrong Heller. I yanked open my car door.
“Pip, you know that’s not true.”
“I’m sleeping with you, sleeping with him, and I slept with my professor. There are a few others on the list. I’ll own the label. But I never cheated on him.”
He hugged me close. “I’m sorry. I’ll talk to him.”
“Don’t. He’s mad, and I’m done trying to get past his issues.” I’d thought he needed me the way I needed him. My phone rang. “It’s Gabi. I need to go.” I pulled the door closed and answered the phone. I tried to keep my voice from cracking.
“Hi.”
“Pippa, I don’t mean to be bitchy, but this has to stop.”
I started my car and waved to Romeo as I backed out of the parking stall.
“I just got another call from the security company. I told them it’s another false alarm. Apparently, they have a limit on how many times they are going to let your boyfriend break into the house. They are going to start charging me fifty dollars.”
“It’s not going to happen again. I’m pretty sure we’re done.”
“Oh, Pippa. I’m sorry.” She sucked in a breath. “Wait, what?”
“It’s a long story, but he has trust issues.”