Page 139 of She will Always be Mine

Suddenly ripping himself away when I rest my palms on his chest, he goes back to being hard and impenetrable. Fury radiates off of him and it wraps itself around me like a snake. I’ve never witnessed this side of him before. He always kept it on a leash, but not anymore.

His hunter-like gaze holds mine captive as he demands, “The last text. What did it say?”

“He knows I’m back.”

“What else aren’t you telling me, Nyra?” he probes before dropping his voice dangerously low. “Why were you in Zain’s room?”

“I was searching for proof.” I feel my heart in my throat and I know there’s no hiding it anymore. He goes rigid as a statue and I can’t decipher his emotion. “I think he’s my blackmailer.”

You can hear the pin drop with the silence that ensues and it’s fucking deafening.

“How long have you suspected it’s him?” he calmly questions.

I breathe easy that he didn’t immediately discard the possibility. But it also frightens me that he believes Zain is capable of such a deplorable act. Seeing that I have no other choice, I decide to tell him everything.

“I didn’t think of him until I went home. He was the only person to know about our relationship and was against us from the moment he found out. Long before the blackmailing, he confronted me and told to end it because you never will at Uncle’s house. I, of course, said no but I guess he became pissed and chose to take matters into his own hands.” My tears fall like an avalanche because of his betrayal. I always trusted Zain, but he took that trust for granted. Pushing my tears away, I continue, “He has videos of us too, Riaan. It’s so much worse than the pictures. You have to understand I had no choice. Our lives will be ruined if they ever got out.”

“He won’t do it if it means setting you free,” he declares, murderous intent flaring in his eyes. “Otherwise, he would’ve released them a long time ago. I’m more concerned about the fact that he’s threatening you and not me. It isn’t like him.”

He mumbles the last part almost to himself.

“You can’t go after him, Riaan,” I implore.

“It’s not up to you anymore,” he throws, hurt evident in his tone. “I’m disappointed you never once came to me. I would’ve understood if you didn’t know their identity but after suspecting it was my own brother, you fell for his web of deceit and kept meeting his demands. Even worse, had I not caught you tonight, you’d still be keeping it from me.”

“I was scared you wouldn’t believe me,” I say, my voice rising. “I wanted proof before I came to you. I begged you to wait, to trust me, yet you went behind my back.”

“I was supposed to protect you, damn it,” he growls, running his fingers through his hair in frustration and disappointment. “And I failed. It’s my fault he’s after you.”

“No. He’s the only one to blame.” I shake my head and step closer but he backs away, making me jolt. It’s like I’m reliving that night all over again.

Only this time, he’s the one distancing himself.

“If you had come to me sooner, I could’ve stopped him,” he snaps, and I want to curl into a ball. “Because you waited, he now possess pictures of you and that makes him even more dangerous. I hate that I can’t go after him like I want to and risk your safety.”

Bracketing me against the wall again, he tilts my chin up and every pore in my body seizes at his proximity and strength. “If Zain really is behind it, there’s no saving him from my wrath. He’ll regret daring to touch what’s mine,” he vows darkly. “I want to see every text, threat, video, and picture that he’s sent to you. You won’t stand in my way and you’ll block his number. Do you understand?”

“As long as you promise not to risk your life.” I shiver under his gaze but hold myself up. The smile that tilts his lips is nothing less than vicious and violent.

“It’s not my life you should be worried about.”

“Riaan.” I gasp.

“Go to your room, Nyra,” he orders after backing away and taking all my oxygen.

I stare mutely at his back because he has never looked more far away than right now. The second I’m inside the bedroom, I hear the front door slam shut. He left me all alone.

They say the truth will set you free, but not before stabbing and pissing you off.

I’ll be damned before I let it tear us apart.

Chapter Forty-Five

NYRA

Darkness swarms my vision when my eyelids fall open and I rub the slight wetness from my face.

It takes me a second to recognize they’re from my tears when I cried myself to sleep. I turn onto my side and notice that Riaan’s side of the bed is still empty and untouched.

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