Page 229 of Quinlan

That sobers me right the fuck up.

“What were you thinking, going there on your own?” Softness seeps into my voice. A sliver of it, anyway.

The valet in our building walks up to us. I roll the window down. One sternnofrom me, and he’s back to his station. He won’t get to smell her cunt. She’s ours.

“I hate him.” Her cheek is pressed to the car seat, tired eyes searching mine as I drive to my parking spot. “I had to tell him I hate him. Scream at him. In his face. He needs to hear how much I hate him.”

“Because of everything he’d done to you?” I slam the brakes harsher than necessary.

Narcissistic fuck. He’s hurt herthatbad.

I’m going to gut him. I planned on a little knife play, tit for tat, before I slashed his throat and was done with him. He won’t get off that easy now. For all the years I wasn’t there for Quinlan. Forthe childhood he stole from her. For the guilt he’s planted in her head. He and her toxic fucking parents are dead.

“No, Damien.” Her fingertips land ever-so-lightly on my cheek. Her gray eyes glisten. “For what he’s done toyou.”

My scruff is far too rough for such delicate fingers. She deserves better. So much better.

She’s never getting it. All she has is me.

“Damien.” This plea. She’s asking me for something.

For the truth. My truth.

If there was ever a moment to tell her what happened to me, this is it. We’re both exposed nerves. Me from worrying about her. Her, so beautiful with her anger and her sense of mission.

Rex’s days on this planet are numbered. Numbered as in two more weeks. She could run off again during that time.

She could stop believing me during those two weeks.

Unless I said something.

“Shh.” I plant a kiss on her knuckles, placing her hand down at her side.

My lips curve up, an attempt at pacifying her.

Her pout and the pain that bleeds from her hurt me more than anything.

Failing her hurts. Not to my ego. It’s my goddamn soul that’s crumbling within me.

This. Isn’t. The. Place. I can’t hug her the way I want. Can’t look into her eyes and then spank her if she pities me.

“Damien, what’s going on?”

She didn’t pity Rome. Didn’t pity Liam. If I give her a reason to feel sorry for me, she’ll take it. Quinlan will give me what she thinks I need.

Her pity won’t just wound me. That shit will stay with her and end up coming between us.

Unacceptable.

“I’m fine.” My fingers snap around her wrist faster and harder than I’ve ever held her before. Her pulse roars beneath the pads of my fingers. Fear.Good. I’ll soothe her again later. I’ll always find ways to bring her peace.

“Stay where you are.”

“Okay.”

My body goes on autopilot, overriding my need to hug and kiss and fuck her. I don’t tear at the buttons of my shirt, baring my soul to her. My scarred skin.

I do none of that, nor do I try to appease her by smiling or cracking a joke.

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