Page 44 of Lie to Me

I don’t respond. I know exactly why Finn left on that parting note.

And I, too, feel disbelief. But not about him talking about the weather. What I can’t believe is that Finn O’Brien, head of the Irish Mob, basically just asked me to look out for his sister while he’s out of town.

I know me and Finn have always gotten along. And I know he’s thankful for what I’ve done for Sloane since she came back to the city. But that exchange was different, that was basically him giving me his blessing. Not that I needed it, but he’s basically just played matchmaker.

The fucking O’Brien twins continue to surprise me at every turn.

Finn was right about the storm. I watch through the windshield as rain pelts the glass and thunder crackles through the air.

I’m meant to be giving her space. I’m meant to be staying away from her. But how the hell can I leave her all alone when I know she hates this weather? When I know she’s at home alone and panicking?

I’m sure she’s probably gotten a hold on how she reacts to storms in the last ten years, but I can still hear the fear in her voice from the first time there was a storm when we were together.

She may be okay on her own, but I’m not taking that risk.

She can refuse to let me in, she can push me away, she can choose not to talk to me, but I’ll sit on the damn floor outside her apartment until the storm’s over if I have to.

I take one last look at the sky before climbing out of the car and running into her building. I’m soaking wet by the time I’m inside, but I couldn’t give two fucks. The light in the lobby flickers and I choose not to chance taking the elevator in these conditions. I’m not taking the risk of getting stuck in there and leaving Sloane alone for even longer.

I reach Sloane’s door and pound on it. “Sloane, it’s me,” I call out after a moment of silence.

“Are you crazy?” she bursts as she opens the door. “I’ve had someone breaking into my apartment and you think it’s a good idea to just start pounding on my door?”

Shit.

“Fuck. I’m sorry, baby. I didn’t mean to scare you.”

She huffs, but opens the door further and motions for me to come in. She disappears down the hall and comes back with a towel. She throws it at me and I quickly catch it before using it to dry off as best as I can.

“What are you doing here?” she asks and bites her lip. I take a moment to take her in, noting her puffy eyes and rosy cheeks.

She’s been crying.

That’s not the only thing that has changed, though. There’s something different about her, something haunted.

That thought alone breaks my fucking heart.

“I’m here because of the storm,” I say and motion towards the window. “Wanted to make sure you were okay.”

A tear drips down her cheek at my admission and all I want to do is pull her into my arms and never let go.

“Are you okay?”

“You should have told me,” she whispers, and she must see the look of confusion on my face because she continues. “What did he threaten you with?”

Bile crawls up my throat at the thought of telling her what happened that night, how my actions ruined us forever. She’s right. I should have told her; we could have gone to my father and he would have helped us. I know that now, I just wish I knew it back then.

“He tied me to a chair and made me watch as he tortured and killed a girl who looked just like you. He told me that if I didn’t end things with you, then he’d do the same to you. I was fucking scared, Sloane. I didn’t know what else to do, so I broke us.”

A harsh sob leaves her as her legs give out and she collapses back onto the sofa. I crouch in front of her, careful not to touch her, but staying close enough to offer my support if she needs it.

“Was it really a lie?” she asks between sobs.

I love you, Sloane. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. You’re my everything, so much so that my world begins and fucking ends with you. I love you, so fucking much.

“No,” I choke out. “Every word was the truth and I’m so fucking sorry I made you think differently.”

Her body trembles so much I think she might actually end up falling from the sofa to the floor, so I sit myself next to her and pull her into my lap before wrapping my arms around her. Sloane buries her head in my chest as I tighten my arms around her.

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