Page 71 of Paper Thin Love

“I don’t know who I am.”But Dash King does.

“Whoa, slow down. Start from the beginning.” Dom states, but his brotherly tone has vanished. His body flexes as if he’s ready to fight for the honor I tried to give away.

“The beginning,’I mutter, my eyes drifting to the old blanket we have shared so many hopes and dreams on.“I feel everything, Dom, the crushing fear of my trapped future, the excitement of breaking the rules, the rush of finding control, and the aftermath of losing my mind.” I hesitate.“At the same time, I feel…nothing.”

I didn’t disclose that Dash’s arrival completely transformed everything. His icy blue eyes carved open my chest; his cruel tongue wrapped around my heart and squeezed it, forcing it to pump out feelings just for him to devour.

“How can a person feel yet be numb?” I cry.

How can I love and hate the same person?

How can that person trap me yet offer me freedom?

My shoulders rise and plummet as I grip the bottle like a net, trying to catch me.“I can’t survive this world, Dom. I need to leave.” I turn my red and teary eyes towards him.“Help me.”

Why does that request feel like I’m betraying Dash?

“Mila,” he licks his lips as he withholds the truth. He won't help.

“Can you help me runaway?”

His face falls. He’s my friend, but his loyalty is elsewhere. To his father, to my father whom he’d never betray for me.

“You’re having a bad day.” Dom mutters.

“Or a bad life.”

He reaches for the bottle grasped tightly in my hand. He uncoils my fingers and holds them.“Don’t do anything stupid. Don’t let anyone hear you ask that.”

“I already have done something stupid!”

I cut myself!

Made a deal with the devil!

Kissed a King!

Lusted after a broken prince!

I relinquished the sole possession my world couldn’t take away. My heart.

I have nothing left.

I look away out at the field as I plaster a sad smile over my lips.“I’ve been lying to you, Dom. I hate my life. I hate dance. I found someone I could finally shout this to. It felt…so god damn freeing. I felt relieved.” I grab my chest. It hurts so bad. The games have only begun.

How to I stop the pain now that I can feel?

“But he’s like all the men in my life.” A tear escapes.“A master manipulator, but behind his thick walls, I see someone I could love.” I shake my head.“But I don’t think he can love me back. He couldn’t even sleep with me.”

“Who are you talking about?” Dominic growls, his tone full of possession.

“I’m breaking!” I scream suddenly, wishing Dash was here because he’s the only one who can understand me.

My phone rings; I pull my hand free from Dom to grab it. Speak of the devil, Dash’s name flashes on the screen.

I stand and start to giggle.“I want to escape, but I can’t.” I grip the phone like a baseball and throw it into the field.

Dom grabs me in a bear hug slamming me to his chest,“Listen to me,” He shouts in my ear.“Listen,” he shakes me.“You’re having a bad day, but you see that field right in front of us? Look at it, Mila. Tomorrow a new sun will rise and the day begins again. It will get better. There is someone out there who truly loves you and one day you will finally realize that.” I’m taken aback by his sudden kiss on the edge of my lips.

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