Page 51 of Dangerous Love

Riley’s mouth frothed. He almost ran into my brother, the two men locked in a staring contest. “I never wanted to be part of your shitty mission. I made that crystal clear from day one.” Jarryd slid between them, and Avery took a step back until he was on the bed, his head resting against his hands. Riley’s shoulders dropped. “You wanted her back, you got her back. What more do you want?”

Was this all an act?My heart broke, my lungs trapping the air in my chest until I gasped, choking on a sob. My legs threaten to buckle, and wobbly, I leaned against the wall until my head stopped spinning.He was sent to find me.

All three men turned around, Riley’s eyes bursting out of their sockets when I straightened in front of them. I wiped the spilling tears with my sleeve, not caring how I looked at the moment. Nothing computed in my brain other than the realization that Riley had agreed to being with me out of pity.It was all an act.

“It’s not what it sounds like, Si.” Riley’s tone wavered.

He took a step forward. I took one back. “Don't you dare,” I cried. “I was a job to you. What did he give you?” I screamed as I pointed to Avery. “Your new club?”

“Shit. Shorty, calm down.” My brother patted the space next to him, his forehead running deep grooves along his hairline. Fury fuelling me, I picked up a remnant of the chair by my feet and hurled it at his head. “You can fuck off, Avery. How could you do this to me?”

Avoiding the blow, he gave me a stern glare. “Do what? Everything in my power to help you get over your little Riley crisis?”

I leapt to my feet, clenching my fists as I fantasised about knocking his perfectly white teeth out, but before I could reach him, Jarryd intercepted. He placed his palms over my shoulders, his eyes kind. “Sienna, I’m so sorry you had to hear all that. Both these guys wanted to make a difference, even if it just blew up in their faces. How can I help?”

My bottom lip wobbled as I let my tears fall freely. He pulled me against his chest, and when Riley stepped forward, he raised a palm, stopping him. Riley’s face dropped as he studied me in his adopted father’s arms. “Sienna, let me explain. Please.”

I hardened against Jarryd. “There’s nothing to explain. I got the message, loud and clear.”

Avery puffed a deep breath. “The main thing is that no matter what, you’re safe. You’ve got us now, and we can all move on.”

“Jesus,” Jarryd mumbled, before he loosened his grip on me and turned towards my brother. “I think it would be in your best interest to stop talking, mate.”

“Fine,” Avery snapped. “Sienna, when you’re ready, we’ll chat.” He stomped to the front door and added, “I’m off to find Grace and try to enjoy the rest of my wedding weekend.”

I took a couple of deep breaths, my glare drilling into Riley sitting across the room. He was pale, his dark hair messed up from running his fingers through it too many times. Jarryd thrusted his chin towards his stepson, an awkward grimace on his face. “Are you going to be okay?”

I nodded. As soon as he left, Riley rushed to my side, his forearms attempting to embrace me. I slapped them aside. “Get away from me. I don’t need your hypocrisy.”

“Si, it wasn’t like that.”

“Yeah? How was it then?” I hissed, my arms crossed over my chest.

He sighed. “I just wanted to make sure you were safe. Happy.”

I cackled, the irony not lost on me. Or my shattered heart. “Let me make it easy for you. Did Avery ask you to be with me so I’d come back?”

He closed his eyes. “Yes.”

It’s all true.“That first day at the café? Were you really there by coincidence?” I clenched my teeth as I waited for him to give me the answer I already knew was coming.

“No.”

My breath hitched, and I forced the sob down. “So, from the beginning, it was all organised between you and my brother?”

“It wasn’t like…”

“I just need a yes or no,” I yelled in the room, my glare pinning him down. No more lies and no more games. I was done.

“Yes,” he sighed, his voice barely audible.

More tears escaped as I tried to contain the ugly crying begging for release. “When you made love to me…” I hiccupped a sob. “Were you feeling guilty all along? Is that why you’ve been pushing me away?”

Riley’s voice grew thin. “That was only one part of it…” He stepped towards me, and like a lamb going to slaughter, he rested his forehead on my shoulder. His body heat taunted me, his heartbeat drumming through my chest. I raised a hand to the back of his neck, my fingers rubbing his tight muscles. He relaxed against me.

Then I stepped back, our eyes meeting, and uttered, “Goodbye, Riley.”

CHAPTER26

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