I hate that my pulse quickens at that thought. That he could actually love me. That’s all I’ve ever wanted. For someone to love me for me. Accept me. I thought he had, but it was part of his game.
“Then you ran … and it reminded me what this really was. A job. My anger trumped anything else I had felt for the briefest of seconds.”
Swallowing the lump in my throat, I step toward the couch again. “Ryat …？”
“Earlier in the shower made me realize I’ve gone fucking soft on you, Blake. Know why?” He doesn’t let me answer. “Because you cried. Because another man tried to hurt you. That’s what I’m trying to protect you from. I should be your biggest threat. But instead, I’m falling in love with you.”
My heart hammers, and the blood rushes in my ears. I don’t want his words to faze me, but they do. “Ryat …”
“I’ve been taught since I was young that obedience is important.” He goes on as if he didn’t just admit to loving me. “That power and humiliation go hand and hand. I’ve watched Lords break their chosen ones or their Ladies to keep them in line. And you? You cry a few tears, and I go fucking soft.”
“I’m sorry,” I say through the knot in my throat.
“Sorry isn’t good enough!” He jumps to his feet, shouting.
“Punish me,” I offer, taking another step forward.
He stares at me with a careless look in his pretty eyes. He’s gone. I’ve lost what little ground we made last night. And I hate that my chest hurts. That I even fucking care. He just admitted to me that it was a game. “Cute.” He snorts.
“I’m serious.” I take another step, desperate to hang on to what I’ve spent the past three weeks running from. Yes, he’s made mistakes, but so have I. We’re not perfect. But he was right. I felt those same feelings at the party before Matt came and ruined everything. Before I made the decision to leave instead of trying to understand what Matt was doing.
His eyes drop to my bare legs and run up over my body, pausing on my chest before they reach mine. “I’m no longer interested.”
Panic grips my chest at his confession. “What do you want, Ryat? Want me to beg? Want to teach me a lesson?”
“No, Blake. I no longer want anything from you.” Leaning forward, he picks up the manila envelope and stands. Walking over to me, he places it in my hands, his cold eyes on mine. “Consider this your wedding gift.” With that, he grabs his leather jacket off the recliner and walks out, the slamming of the front door making me jump.
I plop down on the couch and open it with shaky hands. Pulling out the papers, I feel fresh tears sting my eyes. They’re divorce papers. My heart aches as I flip through the tabs and see he’s already signed them.
When I slam them down on the coffee table, the corner hits my ring. I read the engraving on the inside of the band—till death do us part. I slide it on my finger while my stomach knots.
How did we get here? This is what I wanted, except now it isn’t. Yes, we started out with a lie. But I’m not innocent. I only became his chosen because of Matt. Ryat was right. I ran when I should have gone to him after Matt cornered me in Ryat’s bedroom. No matter how mad or confused I felt, running from my problems wasn’t the answer. Even I knew they’d catch up with me eventually.
Leaning forward, I place my elbows on my thighs, my face in my hands, and swallow the knot lodged in my throat. Why do I care that he wants to walk away? Is it the fact that I failed? I felt what he did that night at the house of Lords party, and that’s why what Matt said hurt so much. Because I thought I was finally getting what every girl wants—love and acceptance.
He chased me down. Killed a man for me. Saved me. That’s more than anyone else has ever done. Ryat promised me in the shower that I am safe with him. That he’d protect me. And then this? I refuse to let him off the hook that easily.
Fuck him and these papers.
Standing up, I grip them and walk over to the fire. I toss them in and watch my only escape plan burn.
Till death do us part, he once said to me. And I’m about to make him eat those words. Walking back to our bedroom, I enter the closet and look over my clothes that he had brought over from my apartment. I grab a T-shirt and a pair of white cotton shorts. After getting dressed, I brush my teeth. I’m rinsing out my mouth when I hear the front door open.
Making my way back into the living room, I place my hands on my hips, preparing for a fight, expecting it to be Ryat. He’s come back. He’s changed his mind too. I have no problem arguing it out with him.