Page 89 of Wrecked By You

“And what you want is Johannes Kingcaid?”

My lips parted. He knew. He knew everything. Oh God.

Ignore. Don’t deny.

“I don’t love you, Mateo,” I whispered.

“You married me. That means you belong to me. Forever.”

I shook my head. “I don’t belong to anyone. I’m not a possession.”

His lip curled, and a dart of fear shot into my bloodstream. “Oh, my darling girl. Your innocence is what drew me to you all those years ago. I knew I could mold you into the perfect wife, the perfect mother. I did it once. I can do it again.”

“No. It’s too late.”

“Too late.” He nodded, pacing back and forth, his fingers drumming against his thigh. “You’re right. It is too late. For some things. But not for us.”

My mouth dried up. Something in his tone… Malice? Or triumph? I tried to swallow, but I couldn’t. “What do you mean?”

“Unfortunately, not everyone has escaped your little adventure unarmed. Take that poor sap, Johannes, for example.”

His lips lifted into a cruel smile, and something inside me cracked. No. Not that. Please God, not him.

“What have you done?” I whispered.

“He should have known better than to touch what’s mine. Kiss what’s mine.Fuckwhat’s mine.”

“He didn’t know, Mateo.” I shook my head. “He didn’t know I was married to you. It’s my fault, not his. Please don’t punish him for my mistakes. Punish me. I’m the one who deserves your wrath.”

“Too late.” He moved closer, his lips hovering a few millimeters from mine. “The desert around Las Vegas is so vast, isn’t it? And there’s Lake Mead, too. So many bodies hidden in there.” He laughed. “At least he’ll have company.”

He smiled again, his eyes two soulless orbs set in a wicked face. My knees gave way. I stumbled and fell, jarring my spine as I hit the floor. “No.” The word left my lips on a groan. “Please, no.”

“You brought this on yourself, Eloise. And you’ll have to live with the consequences of what you’ve done.” He tossed the remains of the piece of toast at me. “Now eat your breakfast like a good girl, and don’t give your guards any more trouble.”

The door slammed, and the lock slid into its housing. I curled into a ball, pain enveloping me, seeping into every part of my body and soul.

Johannes.

No.

Not him.

Please, God, help me. Don’t let this be true.

Mateo was right. This was my fault. Mine. I’d lied to Johannes. I’d brought trouble to his door. I was gullible and naïve and selfish. My actions had put him in harm’s way, and he’d paid the ultimate price.

That would be my real punishment. Not being back here with Mateo in this gilded prison. Johannes’s death would be my penance, his blood on my hands.

And I’d have to live with what I’d done for the rest of my life.

Chapter29

Johannes

The answers are always there.

You just have to know where to look.

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