Page 18 of She will Always be Mine

Are we destined to always be unfinished business?

It’s the only explanation why something or someone keeps ripping us apart every time we get closer. They say if you truly love someone, all the forces in the universe work to unite you together.

Then why is it not the same for us? Is our love so flawed? Ugly?

My thoughts get interrupted when Riaan decides to move closer, an inscrutable look on his chiseled face. His aura suddenly becomes dark and fierce, making my heart beat violently.

“You made your choice last night,” he says, “Do you want to hear mine?”

It’s a rhetorical question so I remain still, waiting and dreading at the same time. Our precarious future hinges on his words and if it’s not what I seek—him accepting we’re over—then it would be dangerous. He would burden me with yet another hard decision.

I have to swallow past the sudden dryness in my throat when his lips tilt into a cruel and knowing smile.

“It’s not what you think,” he says, as if he read my mind. “Miles apart or not, you’ll always be mine.”

“I don’t know what you mean,” I lie.

“Just so you know, Nyra, I’m counting each of your lies,” he growls in warning. “You’ll be punished for each one.”

“I’m not yours to touch anymore.”

“That’s another.” Before I can retort, he beats me to it, “You always make the mistake of thinking you’re in control when it comes to us, baby. It’s my fault for letting you believe that. But never again.”

His voice holds a dominant edge that he only ever used in bed while he had me tied up and bound. An involuntary shiver races down my spine and my thighs clench under his scrutiny.

He looks threatening and possessive as he backs me into the wall but doesn’t touch me at all. His words alone is holding me in a chokehold, and it feels as if invisible strings are pulling at my heart.

“Until now, I let you decide the pace of our relationship. I foolishly thought it was enough. That my love was enough, but you disappointed me,” he accuses. “I wish you had killed me instead.”

“No!” I gasp, and I try to touch him but he pulls away, not allowing me to comfort him while my hand falls back down by my side. The way he says it hits harder than any slap my mom could give me, and feels sharper than any knife could stab me.

“Just because I broke up with you, doesn’t mean I have stopped loving you, Riaan,” I whisper brokenly. “My heart will always belong to you. We were together on borrowed time and only fooling ourselves thinking our love would be enough when there is no future for us.”

“It’s because you never gave us a fighting chance,” he shouts. “You made the decision all by yourself, and I’ll never forgive you for it.”

His anger brings out my own frustration and it comes pouring out of me, “What do you want me to do then, huh? Go against our family? Do you honestly believe your parents wouldn’t react the same way my mom did?”

“They are not the ones I can’t survive without. You are,” he admits roughly. “It’s you who breathes air into my lungs. It’s your soul that brings light to my dark one.”

Running his thumb across my lips, he whispers, “Why don’t you get that?

“It’s easy to say this now but when it’s years down the line and our family isn’t talking to us, you won’t feel the same way,” I say the harsh truth and his hand drops to his side.

“If only you had given us a chance, I would have proved you wrong.”

I have to tilt my head when he stands to his full height, no longer leaning into me, and hardens his imploring gaze. “You said it yourself. Your heart will always belong to me. I just need to tear down these walls, and I promise you I will.”

“You can’t because my mom will never send me back.”

“You’ll be back, Nyra,” he swears and the next second, a dangerous glint takes over his entire face. “The moment you step in my city again, I’ll be by your side in a heartbeat and the rules will be changed. You thought I was ruthless before, it’s nothing compared to the beast you’ve just woken. You will have no choice but to submit to me. Mind, body, and soul.”

“I might never come back, Riaan,” I reveal my worst fear, but he only smiles while his eyes hold a violent promise. “Maybe this is the end.”

“This could never be the end, baby. It’s written in the stars,” he promises. “And whether it takes months or years, I’ll be waiting.”

Chapter Seven

RIAAN

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