Page 281 of His To Erase
Steven’s chest rises and falls like his entire body is coiled around a decision he hasn’t made yet. But it’s not rage I feel coming off him, it’s restraint.What is going on and what the fuck is Sloane doing here?
He doesn’t lower his weapon and she doesn’t blink. She just stands there, completely unbothered.
“Steven—” I twist toward him. “Don’t shoot her. That’s—she’s—she’s my friend.”
He doesn’t lower the gun and neither does the man pointing his right at her.
Sloane—Lauren—whoever she’s pretending to be—just stands there. Watching me. I can’t tell what’s in her eyes, but I know what’s in mine. Betrayal. Recognition. And the sinking, sick feeling that this whole story just cracked open wider than I ever wanted it to.
Steven’s eyes cut to me—still black with rage, but now there’s something else brewing underneath. Confusion.
“How the fuck do you know each other?” His voice is low, but it vibrates like a warning shot.
The woman doesn’t flinch, she just tilts her head with the faintest trace of a smirk on her lips.
Steven takes a step toward her. “How are you not dead?”
She shrugs one shoulder, slow and infuriatingly casual. “Sorry to disappoint.”
My pulse kicks hard in my throat. Nothing is making sense. Not her. Not Steven. Not the way Frank looks between them with smug satisfaction.
“That’s the real reason he’s here,” Frank says, and his voice is smooth now. Confident even. “To finish what he started. Or die trying.”
Okay, I’m starting to get pissed. I don’t know if I’m going to laugh or cry, but I want to know what the fuck is going on.My head’s spinning. There’s something massive I’m not seeing here—and Steven’s jaw clenches like he’s seconds from snapping.
“What does any of this have to do with me?” I snap.
“Everything,” Frank says, his voice sharp enough to cut glass. “You were the bait.”
My breath catches.Bait?
“I only needed a signature. That’s it. But when I found out Stevie here was snooping where he shouldn’t be, I figured—why not kill two birds?” He doesn’t turn—but I feel his grin as he shifts just enough to press his mouth near my ear, voice dripping with cruel satisfaction. “See, I paid your ex to sell you to me, but you were also an investment. I just needed to get you on his radar.”
He nods toward Steven. “I needed time to get your grandfather out of the way. So I gave you a job to do—distract him. While I lured him in and made sure he stayed long enough for me to finally finish the job.”
I think I’m going to be sick.
“You fell for him. Hook, line, and fuck-me eyes.” His voice drops, and I don’t know if I want to hear what’s about to comeout of his mouth. “The second he thought you were mine, I knew he’d use you. That’s who he is. I would know, I trained him.”
His smile is slow and smug, like he knows exactly where to hit—and fuck, it hits hard. It lands straight to the part of me I didn’t realize I’d handed over.
No. That can’t be true.
“He didn’t come to save you,” Frank goes on, chuckling. “He came to find me. You were just the shortcut.”
“Shut your fucking mouth,” Steven snarls. His voice is lethal, but I can barely hear it. My ears are ringing, and my eyes start to sting. I’m furious. Betrayed. Terrified. And so fucking confused, it’s not even funny.
“Steven,” I whisper.
Behind him, another man moves further into the room, keeping their weapon trained on Frank and Sloane. Or Lauren. Or whatever the hell her name is.
When he finally speaks, his voice softens—but his aim never wavers.
“Ani.” His voice is rough now. He steps forward, one hand still raised, not in surrender—but something close. “Dear, look at me. Please.”
Frank tightens his grip around my neck, “Not another step.”
“Yes, I used you. That’s the part he wants you to hear. That’s the part I can’t take back.” His eyes flicker, behind me so fast I almost missed it. “I came for Frank, yes. I thought you were just leverage. I told myself you didn’t matter.”
