Page 58 of Toxic Obsession

“Yeah.” His tone was gentle as moisture welled in his eyes.

Relief washed over me, and I sank down onto the foot of his bed. “I thought using your dagger against you was the only way to make you listen.” I set the knife on the mattress, still testing him.Does he really care about me, or is he trying to talk his way out of danger?

Quinn walked toward me and knelt in front of me. He placed each of his palms on my knees. “Nothing I can say could make up for what I just did tonight, but I can talk to people, and we can turn this around together. We can start spreading the truth. Let me help make things right, Wynter. I realize there’s probably no way you want to give me another chance, and I don’t blame you one fucking bit. I’m sorry I hurt you.”

Everything inside of me wanted to believe Quinn. I wasn’t in love with him, but I probably had been on my way before he fucked me over with this evening’s stunt. “What you did was horrible. You literally turned the college against me.” I pursed my lips and glanced away from him. “But if you hadn’t, I would have never been able to speak my truth to someone who knew what my brother had done.” I took a deep breath to steady my nerves.

“I can’t imagine how hard it was for you to see me when you realized who I was. My life changed so much after what Kyler did. I often wished I had died that day too. It was Janine, my younger sister, who kept me going. I was all that she had left, and no way in hell would I let her down the way I’d been let down. As crazy as it sounds, somewhere inside me, even after how I’ve been treated, I still believe that one person speaking out can make a difference. And if only one person listens and takes action, then lives might be saved.”

“I do too. Will you let me help? I think people will listen to me since I lost Bell and I’m trying to clear the air to help you, Kyler’s sister. We will use my voice to speak the truth until people will listen toyours.”

I wanted to believe him, but he had betrayed me in a split second. However, the only way I could find out if he was serious was to let him help me. With each promise he kept, maybe my heart would finally be able to heal, and I could build a future, once and for all. Only time would tell if he was really the guy I had fallen for or if it was all one big show. But the big question? Was I willing to risk everything and take one last chance on Quinn Astor?

Chapter31

Quinn

Icursed myself for not trusting Remington’s warning, and now I had to face the consequences. My desperate need for revenge had cost me any chance of a future with Wynter. Even though Sutton’s report proved Wynter’s innocence for me, it was too late.

The fear and vulnerability in Wynter’s expression clawed at my chest. I wanted nothing more than to take away her pain and protect her, even if that meant I had to take on all the suffering myself. It had taken Sutton’s call to make me realize that Wynter had nothing to do with Kyler’s actions, and I hated myself for believing lies instead of asking her like I should have in the first damn place.

“How can I trust you, Quinn?”

“Unfortunately, you’re going to have to take my word and let me prove it to you. After talking with Sutton and you tonight, I know I was wrong. Just one more chance, that’s all I ask.” I pressed my lips into a thin line. I doubted I would if I were in her shoes, but she was a better person than I was.

Her gaze narrowed on me and her forehead creased. “Quinn Astor, you have one more chance. But if you fuck up this time and screw me over, a little nick on the neck will look like child’s play when I’m finished with you. Something inside me broke tonight when that video played. I’m tired of hiding to stay safe, so if you mess up again, you should know that I’ve trained for the last four years in Krav Maga. I could kill you with my bare hands if I wanted to. Although I’m not the violent type, I have had to learn to protect myself, and if someone puts me in harm’s way, I have no qualms about putting them in their place.”

Was it wrong that I was turned on right now? As she spoke and promised to put me in my place physically, I admired her even more because she wanted to take a stand for herself after all the shit she’d been through.

“I understand.”

A shoulder slumped, and I could see some of the tension ease from her neck and shoulders. I hated that I had caused it. Wynter gave me a quizzical look. “I won’t tell anyone that you’re the Red Dragon at the secret society, but I’m glad I now know it was you. I wish we could start off under different circumstances, but maybe something good will come out of this horrible mess.”

Wynter stood and waited for me to do the same.

It would be a waste of time to deny that I was the Red Dragon. The same knife I’d used on her was in my room. It was hard proof. Maybe being honest with her was a foot in the right direction.

“I appreciate that you won’t say anything. I’m actually the leader of the society.”

Wynter gawked. “Wow. I wouldn’t have ever guessed, but again, no matter what happens, I won’t say anything. If I did, others would be hurt too.”

Although Wynter didn’t trust me, I finally felt as though I could trust her, thanks to Sutton. When Wynter unloaded about Kyler and that she’d tried to make someone listen, it smashed into me like a freight train. Although Sutton had told me what she’d learned, it was the anguish in Wynter’s eyes … she wasn’t lying. She’d tried so fucking hard to save her brother. Not only did I find myself wanting to protect her, but more than ever, I needed to know what pushed Kyler over the edge.

“I have no right to ask that of you after what I did tonight, but thanks.” I rubbed my jawline, wondering how I was going to make things okay with Wynter, or if I even had another chance.

“I should go home. With what you shared with me about Bell, I can understand why you snuck me out of the house yesterday morning before your father woke up. I’m probably not his favorite person, and I get that. Losing a daughter…” She shook her head, grief consuming her beautiful features. “All I can do is tell both of you how horribly sorry I am.”

“I know, but Adam.” My face twisted in disgust. “Adam doesn’t deserve your apologies.” After Sutton’s call, there was no doubt in my mind that Wynter had always been honest with me about who she was. It was me that had been the fucking dumbass.

“Now I have to see how much damage was done. It’s time to see if the girls will hear my side of the story.” She nibbled on her lower lip before she spoke again. “Or if they already packed my shit and it’s waiting for me on the front porch. If they want me out of the house, I have no other choice but to go back to Washington. I don’t have another place to live, and I’m not sure Whitmore will allow me to continue to attend. I might be a liability and distraction for other students.” Her head bowed, then she straightened and braced herself.

Even though she probably didn’t want me to touch her, I took her hand in mine anyway. “Then let me start fixing shit right now. I’ll take you home and walk you inside. I’ll talk to the girls with you, and make sure they listen to what you have to say. If they still want you gone after that, and you want to continue to attend Whitmore, I’ll make sure you have a safe place to live. But Wynter, I’ve known Everlee, Leighton, and Gabby for a few years, and I’ll say that I would be surprised if they didn’t at least hear you out.”

Her body relaxed enough for me to catch it. “You’ll do that for me? You’ll go with me and talk to the girls?” Her forehead creased.

I squeezed her hand. “Wynter, I’m learning there’s a lot that I’m willing to do for you. I know we have a ton to figure out. I have things to tell you, and I assume you have things to share with me about Kyler and Bell. I don’t see my feelings for you changing.” I pressed a kiss to her temple, unwilling to let her walk out of my life. If I stopped and listened, I suspected I would hear Bell whisper in my ear, telling me to ask Wynter to forgive me and make up for what I’d done to her.

She stifled a yawn, clearly exhausted. “I doubt we’re going to get any sleep tonight, but I can buy you some coffee on the way to your place.”

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