Page 117 of Ramsay

Unfortunately, he’s the last person I want to share my past with because in my heart of hearts, I want him to see me as the bad ass bitch I show the world—another facade I use to fool the masses.

Really, I’m just a fucking woman who’s afraid she’s already disappeared.

Ramsay tips my chin, forcing me to focus on his stare. His cool blue eyes bring me back to reality and with a silent scream, I let go of my dreams and accept my nightmares.

This is who I am. I can’t change it and maybe I shouldn’t have to.

Sensing my resolve, although I don’t know how, he nods, his mouth curling into a smile. Still, I’m taken aback when he rasps, “Whatever he did, I’ll kill him.”

My heart stutters before taking off and because I can’t handle the heartbreak that’s waiting on the other side of this, I raise a brow and sneer, “Diem’s own cousin?”

His left eyelid droops before he says with a ferocity that makes me shiver, “Yes and anybody else who causes you pain.”

“Lies,” I whisper, turning my head. I can’t with him, I just…can’t.

But he won’t let me hide from his passion and he grabs my hair before wrenching my head back. “Love, you don’t seem to get it. You bleed. We bleed. Diem’s cousin is as good as dead.”

Is he?

I don't know what to believe but the request tumbles from my lips before I can stop it, “I want to do it.”

Ramsay’s brow darkens and he searches my gaze before nodding. “Fine. We’ll talk about it later. Let’s go.”

“Fine.”

I duck into the bathroom on the way out to gather my thoughts. I’m really fucking confused but beyond that, I’m scared. Crush won’t give up and Ramsay’s word means nothing.

There will be time enough to worry about it when I’m not in Paddy McCafferty’s home though. I can fall apart when I’m home. I just have to hold it together for a little while longer.

Resolved, I open the door only to pause when I find Iris waiting for me on the other side. She pushes me past the threshold and closes the door behind her before saying, “Cherry, I have something to tell you.”

I’m not sure I’m up for anymore revelations but Iris’s insistence is greater than my ability to decline. Not to mention she’s a fierce bitch when she wants to be.

“What?” I ask through dry lips.

Her brow furrows and she touches her wrist, all of which ratchets my paranoia before she says, “Look, two years ago, Ramsay approached me about you.”

“Me? Why?” How is this possible? I didn’t know Ramsay two years ago. Did I?

Regardless, it feels as though the last damn piece of the puzzle is falling into place.

“I don’t know,” she says. “He wanted to know who you were, who you hung around with and shit.”

Two years ago? What the fuck?

“There’s something else,” she says, grabbing my arm.

∞∞∞

All the way home, I contemplate their assertions and Iris’ confession. If this is the truth well then, they’re all seriously fucked up individuals. Either way, all I can do is continue forward and if I’m lucky, I’ll get to torture the fucker who hurt me.

Ramsay, other than programming his number into my phone, has been quiet during the ride which I’m grateful for but I know I should be worried. I guess I’ll worry about that tomorrow.

When we roll up to my house, he grabs my chin and searches my eyes before pecking me on the lips. “Don’t leave your house, hm?”

“Sure,” I rasp, pulling away but his brows drop over his eyes and he says, quietly, “I mean it.”

With a wan smile, I close the door and trudge into my house, the sound of the vehicle driving away echoing in my ears.

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