Page 54 of Brutal Obsession

“I’m telling the truth.”

“Why the fuck would you actually do that?” That bitter edge returns to his voice, making each word slash like a switchblade.

Don’t let Cian confine you,a faraway voice reminds me.

Even if my escape attempt for today failed, the only way I’ll have a shot at trying again is if I keep my limbs free and Cian’s trust firmly planted in me. I can’t let him continue with this outrageous story he’s concocted in his mind. I need to prove to him I’m telling the truth, but I can’t unless…I pretend to have other motives.

“Because I want you to believe me.”

“Of course you want me to believe you.” He crushes me against the shelves with the heft of his body. “That’s how you always lure them into the trap.”

An anvil drops through me, breaking everything it touches on the way down.

“What are you talking about?”

I try to play dumb even as panic detonates inside me.

“Remember, Harper Brennan. I know what you used to do for your father in the clubs.”

Cian knew what I was doing, the whole time? He knew I was using what my father taught me to wrap him around my finger?

Shame crashes over me, and I sway on my feet. Obviously he knew. He’s one of the Kings’ top enforcers. Part of his job is to see through more complicated shit than this. Why did I think I could fool him with a few smiles and wide-eyed stares?

He was just playing along, probably to see how far I’d take things.

Cian must think I do this all the time. Kissing whoever I need to kiss, spreading my legs whenever I need to get my way… He probably believed I was a whore for hire when he set foot on this island, and now he knows it’s true. I let him use me.

I even enjoyed it.

His touch was so good, I started to care about him. Just a little.

Joke’s on me, I guess.

Because I’m the only person who got manipulated in this scenario.

Chapter 14

Harper

“Get away from me.” The whimper in my voice disgusts even me.

To my surprise, Cian’s hand drops from my neck, though he doesn’t back up so much as a centimeter.

“Crying won’t get you off the hook this time, princess.” There’s real hatred in his voice when he says that.

I get it. I hate me too.

“Just kill me then.”

His eyebrows knit together. “Kill you?”

“I’d rather die than go back with you.”

His teeth grind. “That’s a little dramatic, don’t you think?”

“What do you care?” I slash my hand between us. “You eat girls like me for breakfast.” When he doesn’t respond, I jut out my chin with all the defiance I have left. “Right?”

“Watch it, Harper.”

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