Page 60 of Fierce Secrets

"Why are you doing this?" I turned back to the man, focusing on the more pressing issue despite the knotting in my guts at the sight of that wench.

"I have my reasons." He was already backing away, melting into the mid-afternoon crowd, a smirk on his face.

I was ready to go after him, to demand more answers, but my attention moved to the blonde with her sights set on me.

Logan's mistress stormed over, her heels clicking against the tile like ammunition. "Logan is still in the hospital because of you, you bitch!"

I spied Roman at the doorway from outside over her shoulder. Had he been waiting out there for me? I tried to catch his attention in order to tell him about the man. Hopefully he could stop him, get some answers for us all.

I looked past Miss Home-wrecker, ignoring her moving in on me as I tried to flag Roman's attention, but he was keeping a lookout outside.

I pulled my phone up, preparing to call him as the man got closer to the door.

"How dare you!"

Sudden pain exploded across my cheek, jarring me enough that I dropped my phone. The sound echoed through the now-silent cafe, dozens of eyes watching the drama unfold as the woman who'd fucked my fiancé in my own bed slapped me.

My hand went to my stinging face as I stared at this woman – this home-wrecker who'd helped destroy my life. All the emotions I'd been trying to suppress boiled over at once: the betrayal, the recovered memories, Leo's rejection, the threats, everything.

This little fucking bitch had the audacity to be mad atme?!

My palm connected with her cheek before I could stop myself. "How dare I?! How dare you!" My voice shook withrage. "You're the home-wrecker! You destroyed everything! You fuckedmyfiancé inmygoddamn bed!"

She had the nerve to look stunned as she clutched her own cheek and stumbled back, but I wasn't having it. I'd had enough of all the lies and betrayal, of not knowing anything about my own goddamn life and the people around me.

I lurched after her, intent to hit her again. Too bad Security was on the ball today, and they intervened quickly. Two guards in crisp uniforms separated us as the cafe's patrons watched with poorly concealed interest.

I shook with fury, tugging from the guard so I could snatch up my phone before he grabbed my arm again.

"Ma'am, please come with me. Don't cause any more of a scene," he warned, and I ground my teeth as I glared daggers at the wretched blonde who'd been right at the start of this entire unraveling of my life. At least she was currently being restrained by a guard as well.

Good.

They escorted us to a small office off the lobby, where Roman materialized like a shadow as they sat us down at opposite ends of the row of chairs within.

"Take a moment to cool down, then we will sort this mess out," my restraining guard said as he let go of my arm and turned to Roman.

Roman spoke quietly to him, showing some kind of identification. The guard's eyes widened slightly, and he nodded, stepping back to give Roman space.

The implications of that simple interaction – how quickly the guard yielded to Roman's authority – just added another layer to the surreal reality my life had become.

Although all I could do was glare at the woman at the other end of the seats, wishing I could throw a whole ass punch.

I needed to let out all of my pent up emotions, and she was a perfect recipient right now.

CHAPTER 22

MEREDITH

The security office's reception room felt too small for the tension filling it. The fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, harsh and unforgiving, highlighting every perfect highlight in Shannon's blonde hair, every crease in her expensive silk blouse. She sat down the row from me, arms crossed over her chest, refusing to meet my eyes. My palm still tingled from the slap, but the satisfaction had faded, leaving behind a hollow anger that churned in my gut.

Roman stood by the door like a dark sentinel, his presence both comforting and a reminder of how crazy my life had become in a matter of days. Through the frosted glass window, I could see the shadows of the security guards making their calls within the main office, explaining to our respective employers why we wouldn't be returning from our breaks. Their quiet murmurs filtered through the door, a steady backdrop to the suffocating silence between Shannon and me.

They'd waited ten minutes before taking our statements, taking each of us inside to be questioned one after the other, beginning with Shannon. I'd had to rein in my emotions as I'd explained what had happened and why I'd retaliated. At least the guards had appeared sympathetic to my pain.

"Did you know?" I finally asked, my voice strangely calm despite how my hands trembled in my lap. "That he was engaged?"

Shannon's jaw clenched, a muscle jumping beneath her perfect makeup. Her eyes remained fixed on the wall ahead, but I could see the slight tremor in her crossed arms, the way her perfectly manicured nails dug into her sleeves.

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