Page 193 of On a Fault Line

I’m going to be alone.

Turning, I look back at Collins standing in the middle of my living room. Tears continue falling like a waterfall from my eyes.

“Don’t leave me.”

Then I rush to him, falling at his feet.

“Please don’t leave me.”

My arms circle his ankles, tugging him. But he doesn’t budge.

I’m lying in a heap of limbs at his feet, and he stands stoically still.

I am stupid.

Carelessly stupid.

My teeth chew at my inner cheek, puncturing the tissue from the force. This physical pain will never compete with the emotional breakdown I am having now—one-sidedly.

And in my humiliation, I vow to never give Collins an opportunity to break me again. That no matter how much of an asshole he is tonight, I’m the bigger one for ever thinking that a contractual relationship would end any other way than it is now.

Rolling to the fetal position, I look up at the man hovering above me.

“I hate you,” I mouth.You won.

I know my message was received based on the flinch of his eyes, but he doesn’t move to me or make me get up. Instead, he just stares—his hollowed-out eyes haunting my every twitch.

Crying to myself silently, I wonder if this was his endgame all along. Was this an inevitable act to a temporary situation?

Then Collins takes a step back away from my broken spirit and walks to the door to exit.

A guttural sob escapes the trap set with my lips, bursting through my mouth like a raging fire in search of oxygen.

I hate him.

My stomach works its way up to my throat, expelling bile and acidic juices right into my mouth, before lodging itself into place. Coughing, I sputter out the liquid burning my tastebuds, doubling over as I take in the influx of knowledge, hurting my brain.

It’s over.

Collins and I are over.

38

COLLINS

“Is it done?” Graham asks, as I make my way into the hallway outside Penny’s apartment.

“Yes.” The single-syllable word comes out as a growl. And the entire experience gutted me.

I know the Hoffman brothers only want what they think is best for their sister, so I’m not holding a grudge, but dammit, that could have been handled differently.

“Good.”

I’m more angry at myself for not going to Graham or Nic first before they had the chance to find out another way. I’d be having the same feelings of betrayal if the situation were reversed.

It’s why I didn’t fight back and accepted my punishment in the ring. Oh, and because my level of self-loathing is at my peak. I knew I deserved whatever I got.

“I’ve done more damage”—I point toward the door—“to your sister in there in this one instance than I ever have done since guarding her.”

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