“Amy, please.” He turned the full power of his hazel eyes on me, pleading. “We need to talk about it, I know we can get through this.” He paused and whispered, “Don’t throw it all away on a mistake. I love you so much.”
“Let go of her. A voice snarled, so fierce it made me jump. “Or I am going to break your arm. Not at all handy for a doctor.”
Karson loomed over Tom, glaring at him like he was cockroach he wanted to stomp on. Tom wasn’t short, but Karson was taller than him by a foot.
Tom let go. He positioned himself to face Karson. He kept his tone flat but his face hardened. “I’m having a conversation with my girlfriend if you don't mind, mate.”
Karson’s lips drew into a thin, angry line. “I think you lost that title when you slept with her best friend . . .mate.”
The comment struck. Shock, guilt, and then anger stormed through Tom’s eyes. “Walk away. The conversation I’m having withmy fiancéis none of your concern.”
Karson smirked but his darkened and his power flared, buzzing against my body like ice-cold, static. I stopped breathing. “Ex-fiancé and it appears I just made it my concern. I suggest you walk away, while you still can.”
I darted my eyes between them. My heart pounded into my throat. I thought of Simon, the smashed nose, the tooth, probably a broken jaw. Even after everything he’d done, I didn’t want to see Tom hurt.
“Karson, it’s fine, just leave, I can deal with it,” I said, anxiously.
His brow flickered in response, but he didn’t remove his icy stare from Tom, who was completely unaware of the danger he was facing. He’d clenched his fists ready at his sides.
“If you ever touch her again, I will tear your deceitful heart out of your chest and gift to Amelia to use as a doorstop.” A cruel glee glinted in his eyes. “Or perhaps we could send it to Kelly?”
Tom’s jaw clenched and his body stiffened, his demeanour changed from arrogant, to downright hostile. I knew we all stood on a knife’s edge. If he punched Karson, he would break his hand. And if Karson hit him back— Or worse.
Karson stilled. I’ve seen the same kind of stillness in a snake about to strike.
“Enough,” I snapped, stepping in between them. I spoke to Tom, keeping my voice as calm as I could muster. “Tom, please, just go back inside. Tonight, when we’ve been drinking, is not the right time, nor the place, to talk.” I appealed to Tom’s sense of logic. He was practical by nature, and usually remarkably calm.
Tom stared at me for the longest time. Debating whether to stay and fight or walk away.
“Tom, please. Arguing isn’t going to solve anything.”
He let out a deep breath. “Will you talk tomorrow?”
I wanted to say no, but I knew if I refused, he wouldn’t leave. I had no intention of putting myself through the pain of seeing him again. I dropped my eyes as I nodded.
That seemed to satisfy him. He threw a quick, cold glance at Karson, tucked his hands in his pockets and headed inside.
My heart leapt with relief, for as much as I still loved Tom, it was Karson that I felt like I couldn’t live without. Karson, that I needed to hear say he’d made a mistake, and he wanted work things out. He’d came into my life, changed in all the right waysand consumed it entirely. And he’d come out to get me away from Tom. Almost like he’s jealous.
Butterflies bloomed in my stomach as I turned back to him, expecting to see a softness in his eyes. Instead, I was met with a vicious look.
He leaned toward me and grated, “Have I not taught you anything? Never stand in the way of an angry vampire.”
I flinched at the brutality of his tone. Then I bristled. “You don’t get to be angry. You had no right to get involved. You walked away, remember?” As I spoke the words a dagger stabbed my heart.He walked away like I meant nothing.
But he was standing here now.
He must want us, even if we are so vastly different. I needed him to tell me, ‘We should try again. You’re worth it. You’re worth loving, dark bits and all.’
I tried to ignore the fear storming through me as I waited for his response. The night closed in all around us. My heart was hollow with yearning. I clenched my hands in front of me to stop myself from reaching for him.
I was met only with a steady glare and silence. I stood like an impoverished chick, waiting for a scrap to be tossed in my direction, some morsel, an infinitesimal shred of hope. My heart began to wither, gasp, leaving me fighting for air. I tried to read him, for something, anything, to tell me how he felt, but his face was like as cold and impenetrable as the darkness between the stars.
Say something.
A hot lump of coal scorched my chest. Don’t cry I told myself, don’t cry in front of him. With each passing second, the night darkened, choked all around me. The silence snowballed the pain in my chest, until I could take no more.
“Fine, just go back to Rebecca then, Karson,” I breathed.
