Page 21 of Hayes
As my name again falls from his thick lips in his deep voice, it’s easy to imagine my name escaping his mouth as he comes.
I grind my teeth together so harshly I might crack a molar, and my fists clench. I need anything to distract me from this feeling between us.
“You’re a male Retribution King, an outcast one slowly regaining his place. You are very much on the opposing side. We’re not the same, you and me.”
He frowns. It feels wrong to see him frown, and I realize now why he never does it.
“I think we are, but only time will tell.” He takes a step back, and I can breathe deeply for the first time since he stepped out here.
“I can’t promise you anything. I wish you’d taken my deal—you shouldn’t have to suffer alone. But in the end, you’ll end up as mine.”
And then Hayes disappears back inside. He thinks he knows me, but he doesn’t understand me at all.
Chapter 11
Hayes
I should have stayed out on the balcony with Lilith. Gage is standing in the hallway when I step back inside.
This can’t be good.
No, I should have thrown her stubborn ass over my shoulder and forced her to go with me. This is madness. She doesn’t have to endure any of it because I can protect her.
And yet she refused me.
Gage is lurking quietly in the dark shadows of the hallway—his dark skin making it even harder to see him. But his intense stare always gets my skin crawling.
“I’m guessing you aren’t here to bid on my girl?” I ask, with a peppiness in my voice I don’t feel. But that’s who I am—the jokester, the fun one. Gage gets to be serious, while I have to laugh and lighten the mood. It’s who we both are, and I can’t change anymore than he can.
He stares at me, and I sigh.
“What’s up?” I ask.
He glances past me, into the full penthouse living room. “What the hell are you doing?”
I’ve known Gage for a long time. He wants what’s best for me as much as I want what’s best for him, but I won’t let him deter me.
“My job,” I answer, yawning.
“Don’t pull that crap with me, Hayes. You’re risking everything.”
“I’m really not.”
“Do you even know who she is?”
“She’s Lilith Hart. She’s brave and grumpy and loyal to her family.” And she has her own agenda I’m still trying to figure out, but I’m not going to tell him that, or he’s really not going to like what I’m doing.
He shakes his head, running his hand over his shaved head. “I don’t like it. Do your job, yes, but don’t sleep with her. Don’t fall for her.”
I scoff. “Am I known for falling in love? I don’t think I’ve ever been in love.”
His dark eyes skim over mine as if searching for a clue. When Gage goes searching, he always finds something.
“I think we should talk to Lennox, see what he thinks about your choices.”
I roll my eyes. “Going to tell daddy on me, really?”
“This is a decision we should all make together.”
