Page 125 of Savannah Royals
I wait for him to speak, coming to a stop a few feet away.
Target acquired.
“I see congratulations are in order,” Paul rumbles, jerking his head toward my gloved left hand. His eyes glitter with anger and pain.
“What?” I knew I shouldn’t have worn the blasted ring. “How didyou—”
“Come on, Kat. I could see the lump of that rock from all the way across the room. I’m the one person in the world who knows you only wear gloves when you’re hiding something. You don’t think I deserve even the courtesy of a heads-up?”
You’re no longer the only person to know that, Paul,I think stubbornly. Even now, he can’t give Matthew a single ounce of credit. I do feel bad about blindsiding him with the engagement though.
“He only asked tonight, Paul,” I whisper. “I’m sorry. Of course I would have told you.”
“And you said yes.”
It’s a statement, not a question, and I don’t contradict him. I feel his anger building beneath the surface, brewing into quiet fury. I brace myself.
“I just can’t believe this. I really can’t. I cannot believe you want to run off to play housewife for the DaMolin family. Forhim. I can’t believe you would sell out like that. I didn’t think you had it in you.”
“It’s not like that. I’m not selling out.”
“No, you are. Off to greener pastures the minute something better came along. That’s exactly what happened, Katarina. Don’t fool yourself or me. I don’t have the patience for it.”
“If that’s how you need to remember so it hurts less, fine,” I say. “I don’t care.”
“Don’t psychoanalyze me, Kat. I should have tied you to our bed in the bayou loft and burned the whole place down with you inside months ago, the minute you dug in your heels and refused to stop seeing him.”
It’s a sucker punch, those cruel words. “You don’t mean that.”
He tilts his head and licks his lips. “Forget it. I’m done. Just give me the necklace. Now.”
I hesitate. “I don’t want to do this, Paul. Please don’t make me.”
“Katarina, I don’t give a fuck what you do or don’t want. Take it off.”
I unfasten the clasp of the forged necklace and hand it over. He immediately pockets it. I remove the original from my pocket and slip it around my neck. I fight to keep from heaving as I secure it.
“You’re right, Paul. We’re done. For good. Piss off, would ya? And try not to get caught waltzing out the front door.”
“You know what? I don’t think so.” Paul extends a hand, seeming to make a decision. His eyes glint dangerously. “We’re done whenIsay we’re done. Give me the one around your neck too, Katarina.”
“What the fuck, Paul? That’s not the plan,” I hiss at him. “If you take both, I’ll have no cover. They’ll know the necklace has been stolen. Immediately. And the first person they’ll suspect is me.”
“Not my problem.” He pulls the first necklace from his pocket and jerks it in his hand. “I need insurance, doll. You’re the only one who knows which is the real necklace. And unfortunately, the minute you slipped that sparkling ring on your finger, I decided I couldn’t trust you anymore. Your allegiance has changed.”
“You can trust me,” I try weakly.
“I don’t think so.” He’s not buying it. “Fool me once, Katarina, remember?Nobodyfools me. Not even you. Take it off. Now.”
I turn away from him in frustration, showing him my back. He moves forward to unclasp the necklace himself.
“Don’t fucking touch me, Paul,” I say, my voice sharp over my shoulder. “I can do it myself. I don’t want you touching me ever again.”
I feel, rather than see, Paul’s smirk at the fluster in my tone. He lets me undo the necklace before speaking again. “Good, now hand it over to me, Katarina. Like a good girl.”
I do, my pulse racing as I slowly turn right to face him, passing the necklace off with my left hand.
“That’s good.” He pockets both necklaces, satisfied.
