Page 214 of Merciless Desires

The wall of my chest thickened. “That’s not important. You wanted to know what happened. That’s what happened. And no, it wasn’t provoked. It was done to me on purpose. I was a victim.” I sighed angrily. “It takes a lot for me to admit that.”

Her gaze searched my face, her pupils widening. Her lips were soft and wet. I wanted to slip my tongue between them. Then something else cut through her gentle features. Hatred. For whoever had done this to me. I changed the subject.

“What about your scars? How did you get those?”

She closed her eyes as if retrieving a memory stored in the very depths of her mind. “I was hanging out with a guy who lived close by. It wasn’t long after I met you. My stepfather had moved in and was kind of taking over our lives. I used to hang out at this guy’s house just to get away from it all.”

“Who was this guy?”

She looked away for a brief moment. “No one important. A local artist. I used to hang out in his garden studio. One time I was in there studying and the place went up in flames.”

My insides twisted with venom. “Was it an accident?”

She closed her eyes again. “No.”

An inexplicable charge of rage darted up my spine.

“The fire wasn’t meant for me. I managed to escape but he didn’t. He died in there.”

“Do you know who caused it?”

Her chin tilted and she gazed up at me. “Does it matter?”

I ground my teeth together before replying. “Yes.”

“Why?” she asked, the corner of her mouth curling upwards.

“Because I will kill them.”

The corner of her mouth flattened like she couldn’t believe I’d just said that.

“I mean it Rose. If I ever find out who did that to you, I will fucking kill them.”

Her eyes darkened and she stared at me.

“If you care so much, why are you sending me away?”

I ground my teeth. “Because you deserve better.”

She stood abruptly. “Do you really believe that?”

“With everything I am.”

“And I can’t convince you you’re wrong.”

I cast my gaze to the floor. “No.”

Seconds passed and silence stretched between them. I closed my eyes, unable to look at her, even for one last time. I only looked up when her quick footsteps carried her towards the barn exit.

“Where are you going?

She spun around and shrugged, her arms flopping in defeat. “There’s a car waiting for me. I’ll be back in London before I know it, right?”

My heart pierced with pain. “That’s right.”

“Goodbye Dax.” She spun back around and stalked out of the stables.

I was numb when I returned to Rinka. I went through the motions untacking her and sponging her down. Usually, it was a groom’s job but I insisted; it helped strengthen the bond between horse and rider. And considering I was destined to bond only with animals, it was all I had left.

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