Page 141 of The Reluctant Hero

I look at each of them in stark fear. I put my faith in them. Just like I did with Blake. Mrs. Danvers is right. I will always be an idiot.

They all look so angry. I can’t say anything anymore. My throat feels swollen closed with fear.

My eyes meet Gabriel’s frozen expression. There’s no smile there now. He looks as cold as the day I first met him. As if I’m a stranger. That hurts so much it almost staggers me. It’s more painful than Blake’s betrayal at the beginning of this mess. All of the fight washes out of me in an instant.

I felt more for these assholes than I did for the man I married.

“Itrustedyou,” I choke out in disbelief.

Why did I do that? I saw this office. I knew he was like Loser. I met Jake and Cade and saw who they really are. Ace’s betrayal guts me. He’s the one who charmed me and made me think I was something special. And Mikael. Gentle giant, my ass.

Gabriel huffs a dark laugh. “That’s what makes you stupid, isn’t it?”

The question hits me directly in my heart, almost bringing me to my knees.

This much concentrated hate is over the top. Like they’re trying to prove something to me.

That I’m worthless now? That they’ve never had a second of faith in me and now they don’t have to pretend anymore?

“Take her away,” Mikael gives me a disappointed once over as if I’m not already beaten down by their words. “Let her stay in an interrogation room until we’re ready to speak to her.”

My stomach drops to my feet and rolls away. At least it takes the nausea with it. I feel numb on the outside. My brain makes up for it by going a million miles an hour.

If they have all this special evidence, there shouldn’t be any questions. If they come to see me, it will be for a very different reason.

My brain clicks over to all the lunch dates they had with Blake and stalls.

It’s been right in front of my face theentire time.

They’regolfingbuddies.

I’m too shocked to puke at the thought. My taste in men is unrivaled. Holy shit.

They’ve had me here for weeks, highlighting. They know about the photos. Was this all some type of demented torture routine? Put the rat in the maze and see if it makes it to the center?

This has all been one great big play to them, with my death being the outcome.

They have me stealing some money. All the proof in the world and fancy techs to back it up. It’s a slam dunk case. The arrest will be public. At the very least, Harriette will see.

I’ll be escorted to jail to wait forquestions.

And be force-fed a bullet.

Accidents happen.

I’m not going to survive this. What can I do? There’s nowhere for me to go.

I can’t look at them anymore. It hurts too much. It’s so overwhelming my anger can’t top it.

I stumble as the cops pull me away. I can’t think anymore.

Everything inside me cracks down the center, leaving me with a hollow feeling in my chest. I’m dead. Are they going to play with me more before they kill me? Or will the police do that for them? Am I going back to that bunker to die?

I don’t struggle as they take me down the elevator reading me my rights. Harriette gapes as I’m led out of the building in cuffs.

Outside, the sunshine seems too bright. The police cruiser is right in front of the building. So is South. Our eyes meet as her brows furrow. Then, a hand is on my head, and I’m helped into the car.

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