Page 277 of Entangled

Dom flinches.

Truth and lies. Truth and lies.

I can practically hear Heather replaying it back in her head. How I tended his wounds. How I brought him the soup that he never ate. I’m not sure how she reasoned it to herself before—bad timing maybe—but I’m sure she sees the truth on my face now.

IletAlastair live.

“He killed Tommy,” Heather screams at me. “How could you, Eden? I trusted you.”

I blink hard, fighting not to cry. I can’t. Not now. But God, the pain in her voice is like a thousand knives to sensitive flesh.

Dom’s is worse.

“You didn’t...” He sucks in a ragged breath. “Tell me you didn’t set them free?”

Shame clogs my throat so thickly I can’t breathe.

“A and M,” I hear Jasper say behind me, and I can’t stop myself turning. His beautiful face is soft with shock and realization. “That’s what you meant in your journals.”

Beside him, Lucky is shaking his head, over and over.

“Oh, darlin’, no,” Beau breathes.

They all know.

My tears do spill over then, and I look back at Dom. His golden eyes are disbelieving.Hurt.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper through tears.

He stares at me, and the betrayal takes a long, long time to dawn on his face. When it does, it’s crushing.

His jaw clenches as he swallows, and I see the sheen in his eyes as he looks away from me. I didn’t know he could look so vulnerable.

I feel wrong in my own skin. Filthy. Dom shouldn’t look like this. Just hours ago, he told me I was his best friend. He was flirting with me with dangerous energy, and confidently—finally—in control.

The way his shoulders curve in now is like a mountain tumbling down, and this time, when he slumps into a kneel, he doesn’t look powerful.

He looks defeated.

My king has been dethroned.

I see the group of men behind Alastair start pulling together, muttering. There are similar ripples around us. Alastair’s pale, calculating eyes sweep over them, testing the room, and his grim expression frightens me.

“Alastair is our ally,” I insist quickly, trying and failing to keep the shame and panic out of my voice. “That’s why I saved him. I saved himtwice.”

It’s as much a reminder to Alastair as the rest of the Sinners in the room. I hate myself for the desperation I can’t hide. I need to think. I have to, but Dom is like a living, breathing wound beside me.

Dom’s breath comes out heavy and hard, but I force myself to ignore the tormented sound. Alastair is in charge. Weneedthese men to think we’re on their side.

“Bristlebrook and the Sinners can live in peace. W-we want the same things. Alastair will free the women and children, and.. .” I trail off as Alastair stiffens.

He gives the slightest shake of his head, and the detached resignation I see in his face ices my veins.

Why does he look like that? What does that lookmean?

“What the fuck is she talking about?” one man snaps.

Another grizzled man leans over the balcony. “I’m not giving up Sadie. I’ll kill you first, Alastair.”

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