Page 116 of Toxic

I'm so blinded by my emotions, I can't even make it to my wing of the house. As soon as we turn the corner, I push Bridget against the wall. Her lips are trembling, and her eyes are a brilliant shade of glistening green. "Dante—"

I plant my forearms on the wall, caging my body around hers. I warn, "Don't lie to me."

She reaches for my cheek. Tingles race down my neck. They're a brutal reminder of how much I love her touch. How much I love everything about her.

She lied. Snap out of it.

She shakes her head. "I'm not going to. I wanted to tell you, I did. But I tried to do the right thing."

"The right thing?" I bark.

A tear escapes, rolling down her cheek, which makes me feel like a bigger pussy. I hate seeing Bridget cry. This time is no exception. A sharp pain rips through my heart. Normally, I'll do anything to prevent or stop it. This time, I have to remind myself she owes me answers.

I sniff hard. "How often do you go there?"

Her eyes widen. "I don't!"

"Stop lying to me!"

She grips my face tighter. "Dante, please! I'm not lying."

I remove her hands from my cheeks. "You told me you'd stay away from all of it."

"I can explain," she pleads.

"You better," I threaten, trying to do the impossible and stop my insides from shaking.

She glances past me then re-pins her gaze on mine. "Can we go to your room?"

I sarcastically laugh, allowing the anger to control my words. "Now you're okay going to my room? All these months of not wanting to acknowledge us or stay with me here, and now you're suddenly okay with it?"

She squeezes her eyes shut. A river falls down her face and drips off her chin. She whispers, "I've been scared."

"Of what?" I snap.

She opens her eyes, choking out, "Of us."

I swallow hard, glaring at her more intensely. I sneer, "Yeah, I'm fully aware."

Hurt fills her expression. I loathe myself for causing it but remind myself she's been going to the club. She reaches for my cheeks again and rises on her tiptoes. In a louder voice, she chokes out, "I'll explain everything. And I'm sorry I've not been easy to deal with all these months. But I do love you."

I freeze, wanting to believe it's true. It's all I've ever wanted to hear her say. Yet, I don't want to be a fool. I finally fume, "Don't tell me more lies, dolcezza."

She squares her shoulders. "I'm not."

I stare at the wall above her head.

She tugs my face so I can't avoid her, enunciating, "I love you. Iwillexplain everything. Nothing is what you think. Let's go to your room."

I study her for a moment then threaten, "If you're playing me—"

"I'm not. I wouldn't. There's not been anyone but you and won't ever be."

Slowly, I inhale another stale breath of oxygen. I finally step back and grab her hand, leading her through the house to my wing. I take her directly to my bedroom, shut the door, then guide her to the couch, ordering, "Sit."

She obeys, and I follow. Instead of staying seated, she straddles me, running her hands through my hair. She softly states, "I've been to the club three times, including tonight. The first time was the night you saved me. The second was a month ago. You were gone for several days, and I hadn't heard from you. I was at dinner with Cara. Gianni called. She told me you were going to the club, so I..." She deeply inhales.

Fresh anger pummels me. "You thought I was cheating on you?"

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