Page 117 of Diem

Trust. What a riot.

Shaking my head, I stare at him before I whisper, “Why would I trust you?”

His brows slam over his eyes and he searches my flinty expression before he drops his forehead to mine and says, “I’d burn the world to the ground for you.”

The ferocity of his tone sends a flame of desire racing down my spine. This man could light my world on fire, and maybe everyone else’s too. However, the words are too little too late, and don’t make sense at that.

Since when does Diem carry a torch for me? How about never…

Ignoring the thump of my pulse I pull back to look into his dark eyes and ask, “Why?”

Grabbing my cheeks, he smooths his thumbs under my eyes, wiping away the tears before rasping, “Because you’re my fucking queen.”

Once again, my traitorous heart thumps and I wrench away, grabbing my hair and pulling at the roots. The sharp pain grounds me and I suck in a breath. No, I will not fall for his shit again.

“Diem,” I say. “You’re not making sense.”

He just shakes his head, his jaw ticking as he looks over my shoulder. Does he know what he’s done?

Raising to my toes, I press my lips to his and whisper, “If you’re going to burn anything…you’d have to start with yourself.”

His giant frame shivers before he pulls me close and I regret pressing against him when he returns the favor, the skin of his lips silky, as he says, “You’re mine, and maybe you don’t get it, but I’m yours. We’re going to rule this world together.”

Wide eyed, I shake my head and say, “You’re delusional. What’s the angle this time?”

“Mae—“

Hasn’t he done enough? How can he stand here and spill more filthy lies?

“No, go. Get out,” I say pointing to the window.

“Fuck! Fine, but this isn’t over,” he mutters heading for the door. I bite my tongue at that, hoping my parents are gone and cringe when the door swings open before he can reach it.

What? Expecting my dad, I get the shock of my life because standing on the other side is Hailey’s father and the implications cause bile to rise in my stomach.

What’s he doing at my door at nine o’clock at night?

His weird ass smirk fades when he spies Diem, who says slowly, “Mr. Moore?”

Mom appears over his shoulder with a siren smile that falters when she sees Diem.

“Oh, um…” she says, grabbing Mr. Moore’s arm. He shakes her off and glances between us before backing toward the stairs.

Mom musters a weak smile and says, “Diem, what are you doing here? Ollie isn’t around.”

Diem eyes her strangely before saying, “I’m here for Mae.”

“Why?”

I snort at her genuine confusion because I guess she nailed it. Why is Diem here? It can’t truly be about me.

“Because,” Diem growls, closing the door in her face.

After, he stares at the wood before saying quietly, “She’s fucking Mr. Moore.”

“Something you didn’t already know?” I sneer.

Turning to me, he pauses, before saying, “Mae?”

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