Page 51 of Filthy Beginnings

“Smart. Right. You keep saying that,” He laughed. “But this is who I am, Scarlett. I’ve been trying my whole damned life to live up to my brothers. To be smarter. More cunning.” He spread his arms wide. “But this may just be as good as it fucking gets.” Pain flashed in his stare. “And if that’s not good enough for you…”

“You’re twisting my words.”

“Or are you finally giving me the truth? You’re so damned good at pretending, I sometimes wonder if I know you at all.”

She reared back. “What does that mean?”

“It means half the time you’ve got that pretty smile on your face, I wonder what you’re actually thinking inside when you look at me, your brother, Egan, or even Kadon Stormhart. You’ve been behind the consortium’s display case looking out for so long, I wonder if you even know what you’ll want once you’re on the other side, ‘cause if it’s Stormhart, tell me now.”

“You’re being cruel. And ridiculous. All because you’re jealous.”

His amber eyed streaked red. “Maybe I fucking am. But something is going on with you and Stormhart. I saw you with him, that time you were beside his father and Egan. You said Kadon just asked if you needed a drink, but I know it was more. I saw the way you looked at him. Touched his arm. I waited for you to tell me, but you never did. But I know I’m not crazy. There’s something between you. If you want him, just fucking say so.”

His high emotion fueled her own. “You want the truth? I like him and I want him to like me. I think he’s a good Alpha. But I never thought he was the male for me.” She fisted her hands by her sides. “I never thought any male was until you, but now I’m wondering. Have we been too rash? Was my brother right all along?”

“What the hells does that mean?”

“It means maybe I need to be smarter too. The moment you showed up, I put aside every other plan and focused on you. Now, I’m afraid I’ve been a short-sighted fool.”

He snarled. “You don’t mean it.”

“I don’t know what I mean.” The pain in his stare dampened the worst of her anger, leaving her feeling stripped bare, and alone. “I’m just… scared. You said you could keep control. You said I could count on you.

“You can.”

A sharp knock had them both spinning to face the washing room entrance. Damien moved in front of her.

“Enough stalling.” Nars pounded on the door once more. “It’s time to go—unless you want me to get Egan.”

Pasting on a smile, she stepped around Damien and started forward.

A hand clasped her forearm. “Scarlett—”

“Don’t.”

“Meet me tonight.”

She shook off his hold.

“Please. You were right. Jealousy and anger, Egan, Verish, Stormhart, and the tournament,” he exhaled another deep breath, “it all got the best of me. I’m just… I’m riled up. I can’t lose you, Scarlett.”

“You will if you keep acting like this.”

“I know.” He slid in front of her once more. “I’m sorry. I’ll do better. None of this fucking matters unless I have you.”

The wounds inside her remained, but they bled less.

Her emotions were volatile. His, too. The stress on both of them was tremendous.

“You told me before that we were part of a team. That we each have a role. I’m dancing for Stormhart, and following Egan’s orders, because all I want is for this tournament to be over and for you to win me and that money. Everything I’m doing is to be with you. If you distrust that, there’s no point in meeting you.”

“Fuck. Yes, I trust that.” He reached for her—and then stopped himself, his hand dropping to curl by his side. “I won’t let you down again.”

“We’ll see.” She unlocked the door and, opening it as little as possible, slipped through.

* * *

Guilt churned through Damien.Shame too. He’d hurt her. Let her down. Made her doubt him and their chance for a future together.

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