Page 181 of Ignite

“Get off me!” I scream, slamming my fists into his chest. “Get off!”

He finally moves, sitting back on his heels, and I suck in a desperate breath.

“Hallie. Look at me. Please, baby.”

I scramble backwards, stumbling to my feet. He rises too, and I step further away.

“Stay away from me.” My hand flies out to stop him, trembling violently.

His face—God, his face—is all anguish. And it almost ruins me.

Good.

“This is the real you?” My voice cuts like venom.

“Unfortunately. Yeah.”

His breath stutters. Mine breaks.

“I’m so sorry, trouble. Please, let me explain.”

I hide my shaking hands behind my back. I won’t let him see me fall apart.

“Nothing to explain. I’ve just lived it.”

“It’s not what you think.”

“Conan. I want to go home. Or am I now eliminated?”

My voice is cold. Detached. But inside, I’m dying.

Would he kill me? I know too much. I know everything. I’m a liability.

“I’d never hurt you, Hallie.”

I laugh. Hollow. Shattered.

“You wouldn’t? Well, what the fuck do you think you’ve just done to me? You’ve not just hurt me, Conan. You’ve fucking broken me.”

This isn’t pain.

This is annihilation.

“I—I didn’t know it was you. Before it was too late.”

“Now you’re just fucking lying to my face. How is New York, by the way? Training hard?” I seethe.

He lets out a ragged breath. His eyes, they’re full of sorrow. Like, he really is telling the truth. But how can he be?

He is just trying to save himself. He’s been caught. And now, I’m doubting if anything is real. I need to leave.

My chest starts to close in on me and I rub along my collarbone, trying to relieve the pressure building.

“I just want to get as far away from you as possible.”

His bloodshot eyes lock on mine. I can’t breathe.

“I’m sorry. I’m so fucking sorry. How can I make this right?”

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