Page 95 of His Dark Vendetta

“Sorry. I know you don’t want me wearing your clothes, but…” She stopped in front of me and wrapped her arms around her middle. “It’s warm, and it smells like you, and I wanted to sit outside on the deck.” Her smile turned sheepish. “I must’ve fallen asleep. It was so cozy out there with the big blanket and your sweatshirt.”

The ends of the knot around my heart pulled tight. I slammed the scotch.

She placed her hands on my chest and tilted her head. “I’m glad you’re back.” Her lips twitched with a hint of a smile.

The knot strangled my aching heart, and for a moment, I couldn’t breathe. Nausea swelled, and a wave of dizziness washed over me. I willed myself to push her away and tell her to get on her knees. To drop my pants, pull out my dick, and pull out her phone. But I didn’t. Instead, I stared into eyes that looked up at me with so much love, I thought I might be sick.

I stepped back, and her hands fell from my chest. I shoved mine into my hair and tugged, hoping the pain might force air back into my lungs. My eyes darted, looking anywhere but Siobhán’s adoring face, but the knot around my heart continued to suffocate me from within.

“I can’t do this,” I mumbled and stumbled into the living room.

“Do what?” Siobhán’s voice was soft and concerned. “What’s wrong? What happened?”

I crouched in front of the entertainment center, unlocked it, and grabbed her purse. I quickly shut and locked the doors.

“Luca?”

I couldn’t look at her. I set her purse on the island, took her cell out of my pocket, and dropped it in. I braced myself with both hands on the counter and let my chin fall to my chest, staring at nothing. “Go get your stuff,” I said in a low rumble. “I’m taking you home.”

The blood rushing in my ears sounded like a torrent amid the silence.

“Right now? It’s—it’s three in the morning.” Her hand landed on my back. It moved up and down along my spine and with each touch meant to soothe, the knot tightened, and stars danced before my eyes. “Why don’t you come to bed. We can talk about this tomorrow.”

“There’s nothing to talk about,” I said to the counter. “I told you I’d keep you here until I figured out what to do with you, and—” I swallowed. “I’m taking you home.”

She dropped her hand. “So that’s it? You’re done with me?” she asked, her voice shaky and confused.

I didn’t answer.

“I see. Couldn’t figure out how to use me, so you fucked me instead and now you’re done?”

I ground my teeth. What was I supposed to say? That I was going to hurt her family by hurting her. That I wanted to use her and her feelings for me to create as much pain for them as I’d endured for the last thirty-five years. That I needed her out of my life, because I couldn’t do it, and every day she stayed was one more day my father remained unavenged.

I pushed off the counter. Her blue eyes flashed with hurt and contempt.

“You asked me not to break you. I’m trying—” The words caught in my throat, and I swallowed.

She nodded to herself. Her lips twisted and trembled as she fought tears, but worse than that was the look in her eyes. They weren’t bright with rage or downcast with sadness. No. They brimmed with disappointment. Disappointment for herself. Disappointment for us. Disappointment in me.

“Coward.” She spat the word out, showed me her back, and marched up the stairs, leaving me alone with my vendetta.

ChapterTwenty-Eight

Siobhán

Thump! Thump! Thump!

I folded the pillow around my head and burrowed deeper under the covers. The last thing I wanted to do was get up, much less talk to anyone.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

My front door rattled with the pounding. It was louder this time, even muffled through my pillow.

“Go away!” I shouted.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

“Siobhán!” Ciarán’s deep voice boomed through the door. “If you’re in there, you better open up, or I’m calling the cops!”

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