Page 88 of Shattered Diamonds

“The wedding has been planned for six months. Why do you think your brother brought you here with him this time?”

“Six months?” I push him off me, furious. “You’ve known for six months, Finn? You wait until a few days before to try and tell me? What the fuck, Finn?”

“I’m in love with you, Haven.”

Feckin hell.

“Finn?” I shake my head as a show of my confusion.

“Come on, Haven. Don’t tell me you didn’t know.”

“I knew no such thing.”

“Why do you think I distanced myself from you? You were a job, Haven. A job. A fucking paycheck. I shouldn’t have developed feelings for you, but I did.”

Seems like that is all I am to everyone. Just a job.

“You didn’t!” I fight back against his truth. I knew he watched me when I was dancing late at night, but I loved having a secret audience. It made me feel good.

“I did, sweet girl.” His hand reverently comes to my face. His eyes become tender. He gazes at me with a softness I have never seen on him before.

“This is too much.” I turn away from him. “I’m married, Finn.”

“I tried to stop the nuptials from happening. I begged your brother for your hand in marriage. He flat out denied it. He gave me a choice. I could stay your bodyguard if I could handle seeing you with someone else or he would reassign me. I knew I couldn’t let that happen so I detached my feelings and separated myself from you as best I could so I could continue protecting you.”

“You did a hell of a job protecting me, Finn. I’m married to a man who is in love with another woman. A man who just said his vows and cemented that with anI love youwhile another woman carries his baby.”

“He’s good at getting people to believe him, Haven. He is a major player in importing and exporting diamonds. You are now married to a man with layers of DNA coating his hands. Think about that every time you let him touch you. Those diamonds are tainted, dripping in red before they are washed, polished, and sold. No, let me verbalize this in a way you will better understand. Heistheonlyplayer, Haven. He is the Godfather in the diamond district. Yes, he works under the real Godfather of the organization, Mr. Heart, but he is the man. The face everyone knows to fear. He is brutal in his dealings. Merciless. A cold-blooded killer. He makes their organization millions. He deals with men from all over the world. His power, his reach, it goes far beyond this city, sweetheart.”

“She’s pregnant with his child,” I utter, hearing everything he said but that is the one thing that has my insides twisting.

“I’m sorry. I tried to stop it.”

“I thought it was because I kissed you.”

His head twists, confused at my quick change in thoughts.

“I kissed you,” I quietly repeat.

“That kiss is what solidified my feelings for you. I had to physically force myself to stop the progression that connection was leading us to. I wanted you so badly. I just didn’t want to take your virginity on a twin-size college mattress. You deserved more than that. So much more.”

“It would have been fitting.” I twist my chin and turn my head away. “I have to go.” I push at his chest, needing space. He doesn’t budge. “Let me go, Finn.”

“I’ll take you wherever you want to go.”

I need to think. To come to terms with a deal made over my being. No one asked if I wanted this. No one cared what I thought. No one thought about my feelings in all this. Why? Why would my brother do this? Why would Demetri agree to a marriage? And why did I have to fall in love with him? “I need to be alone, Finn.”

“Haven,” he growls with irritation, his tone gruff and pitching high as he steps back with his arms stretched out wide. “Tell me you’re not in love with him, Haven. Tell. Me.”

“I can’t do that.” I shake my head. “I have to go, Finn.”

“Come with me. It’s not safe, Haven.”

“Then give me your gun.” I hold my hand out.

“Absolutely not.” He takes a step back, giving me more space. “I’ll take you wherever you want to go, but I won’t give you my weapon.”

“You say you love me?” I step up to him with a raised chin. “Then prove it.” I hold my hand out.

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