Page 122 of Hate You Forever (Hate 1)

“You told them about us?” He seems shocked that I would.

“What better way to arrive than with a surprise?” I smile widely, hoping it’ll somehow distract him from how much of a terrible idea this is.

“You sure about that?”

Absolutely not. Terrified, actually. “Why, you nervous to meet the parents?” Here I go again, covering up my fear with sarcasm.

“No. I’m not sure just throwing this at them, with me showing up as well, is the best idea.” He’s being practical, as usual. Something I should really start doing myself, but not this time.

“I thought you could charm the pants off anyone, Your Highness.” My tone is teasing, with a slight challenge at the same time.

“There’s one person I know I can’t.” He looks somber, and I know he’s talking about me. He doesn’t need to charm me though—I’m already falling for the asshole I know him to be. I figure if I like that version of him, I’ll definitely like the charming version.

Instead of spilling my guts about how he messes with my head, I avoid his comment entirely. “So you free tonight or am I going to have to drag your ass there?”

“I’ll be there,” he says firmly.

“Okay, good.” A genuine smile tugs at my lips, knowing I won’t be alone in this. “Well, I’ll let you get back to staring at yourself in the mirror while you pretend to work out.” He shakes his head and chuckles, but turns back to the weights to finish his workout.

I glance at him one last time, before heading back to my room. I feel lighter, knowing he didn’t seem too scared to meet my parents. It felt like there was a spark of happiness from him when I mentioned it, like he wants to know them.

Unfortunately, it’s too bad if they like him—it’s not going to last.

Breaking up with the family is almost as hard as the breakup itself sometimes. I love Marnix’s mom already, and if he likes my parents too, that’s going to be rough in the end.

Fuck. I’m feeling that overwhelming sense of anxiety creeping up my body. If I don’t let it out and get in the right headspace, I’ll be a mess for my parents tonight, and I can’t have that. I need to be focused and prepared, ready for their drama.

Maybe I’ll head over to Lya’s soon to train. I’ve been keeping her updated on my mess of a life, and she just finds it hilarious. It’s especially hilarious to her that I’m finding myself in the situation I’ve always thirsted for, and yet it’s nothing but drama.

I’ve always joked with her about allowing me to join her harem, so I too could have three sexy men to take care of all my needs. But now that I’ve got these men, I’m not sure how to handle it. I’m not even sure I do have them, if I’m being honest.

I have feelings for all three of them. They each bring something different to my life. Marnix is my complete opposite, always keeping me on my toes. Cohutta is sweet and funny, but also broken. Rush is so protective, and someone I can just talk to about anything. I think they’re in the same boat—I get the impression they each feel something for me in return—but the thought of them all being cool with sharing me is something I doubt will happen.

Not to mention one minute I’m hot and the next I’m cold with them. I want each of them, but I also want to push them away to protect my heart. The last time I let someone in, I almost died. I’m not sure I’m willing to risk myself again to be destroyed by three men this time.

My phone rings again, startling me from my thoughts. Without looking, I answer, knowing my dad probably forgot to tell me something the first time. “Yes, Papa?”

“Mmm, I could get used to you calling me that. I prefer Daddy though.” The chilling voice that sounds through the phone has my entire body going still.

“What the fuck?” I look at my phone, regretting that I didn’t check who was calling me in the first place. The name Spawn of Satan displays clearly on the screen, and I cringe.

“Surprised you answered, dahlia.” His deep voice seems so at ease. Like he’s got all the time in the world for a casual conversation.

“It was an accident,” I spit out. Not that I want to talk to him, but maybe it’s a good thing he called. I can finally give him a piece of my mind, and end this once and for all. Probably not, but I can hope.

“I don’t believe that for one second. I know you’ve been waiting for me to call. I’ve been in your head since I left your favorite flowers at your apartment.”

Always so sure that I’d be waiting on him hand and foot. Expecting me to still be in love with him after all that he did to me.

“What do you want, Zayan?”

“Isn’t it obvious? I want you. I’ve always wanted you. Seven years was too long, dahlia.”

My heart almost stops. His words would sound sweet if they weren’t coming from a complete fucking psychopath. One who’ll stop at nothing to have me under his control again.

“I’m off the menu.” My voice is firm, not caring to play his bullshit game.

“For now.” I hate how fucking confident he is about that.

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