Page 65 of Forbidden Romeo

“He used me.”

Kate’s eyes turn sad at this. “Whatever you think Jack is going through right now, I can tell you you’re wrong. If he pursued you, he would have had his reasons. I know him; he wouldn’t stoop that low out of mere revenge.”

“He wants to kill my brother,” I say as a fact, although somewhere I hope Kate will deny it.

She simply sighs and replies, “I wouldn’t put it past him, no.”

“You understand why I can’t just accept that. Why do I have to hate him?”

“Sure,” she says earnestly. “Doesn’t make the situation any less shit, though, does it?”

I fall back into the couch. “I suppose you’re right.”

“Usually am,” Kate remarks cheekily. “But Jack? He’s an asshole, sure. But he’s not as bad as you think.”

I scoff. “He’s bad enough.”

At that moment, the telltale creak of the front door opening fills the space between us, and I’m instantly on my feet. Knife ready to strike at a moment’s notice.

When the door opens, and Jack steps through, I falter.

He looks furious.

Chapter Seventeen

Jack

Aimee’s words pierce through me as I listen to their conversation through the door.

What the hell is Kate even doing here?

I only told her I had an asset secured at my apartment. A courtesy, more than anything, considering the apartment used to be hers.

I should have known our newly formed “alliance” would only get us so far.

“He’s not as bad as you think.”

I hear Aimee scoff. “He’s bad enough.”

Something churns in my stomach. I can’t listen to any more of this. I don’t bother trying to be quiet as I open the front door and walk into the living room.

Aimee immediately schools her expression into something so cold, she looks almost unrecognizable, a kitchen knife clutched in her hand. Kate, on the other hand, seems entirely unperturbed. When she glances over at me, she doesn’t even have the decency to look sheepish.

“Oh, you’re back,” Kate says, picking herself up from the couch. “I was wondering what was taking so long.”

“Kate?” I say evenly.

She throws me an unconcerned look. “Hmm?”

“Outside. Now.”

Kate shrugs nonchalantly and does as I ask. She throws a quick glance toward Aimee as she reaches the door. “See you later, Maguire.”

My blood boils. Unable to look Aimee in the eye, I simply follow my cousin outside.

She’s already standing down the hallway examining her nails—a picture of casual grace.

“The fuck are you doing?” I say quietly.

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