“I don’t know if you’re just saying this because you feel guilty,” I manage, “but it’s fine.”
“It’s not.”
“I’m fine.”
“I’m not.”
“I think you’re just feeling guilty, and I’m telling you there’s no need. When...when I go back to my world—”
“You’ll marry the other man?”
My eyes go wide.How did he—
“I read your book in Hewhay.”
“Y-You—” Fire bursts in my cheeks as the most embarrassing thoughts flood my mind. Does that mean he knows about how I used to fantasize about dating someone else’s boyfriend, never mind if it’s fictional? And that I even have my own, um, title picked out if I were to be a Greek goddess myself? Oh, when I think about all the things he could read inmybook—
“That’s so not cool,” I blurt out. “That’s like reading someone else’s diary—”
“It can’t be your diary if you didn’t write it.”
He has a point, but...even so.
“It’s still not cool!” I know it’s the silliest thing to say, but I think...I think I’ve finally reached my breaking point, and I just...
“In fact, YOU’RE NOT COOL either!”
I just lose it.
“It w-wasn’t cool, t-the way you t-threw me out—”
“I know.”
“And said I w-was unfit—”
“Let me explain.”
I shake my head. “Just...just go back to your o-original b-bride—”
“You’re the only bride that I want.”
I shake my head even more furiously. “I will never—”
“Just give me a chance to explain,” he grates out. “I didn’t want you hurt, okay? And so I made a mistake in wanting to keep you safe. I made you leave and it was the biggest mistake of my life.” His grip tightens. “I love you, Bailey—”
“Stop.” My voice cracks right down the middle. “Just stop.”
“I will always love you.”
“STOP!”
I shove him. Both hands against his chest, pushing with everything I have, which isn’t much but apparently it’s enough because—
He drops to his knees.
Just like that. The Mafia King of the South who commands armies and makes grown men tremble. On his knees on the cold stone floor, the dust of centuries settling on his perfectly tailored suit.
“I love you.” He looks up at me, and his face is open in a way I’ve never seen before. No walls. No masks. Just him. “Forgive me, my love. Give me another chance.” His voice drops. “Please.”
