The words are true. Deep down, Iamscared that I’m not enough for him anymore, even though the fear would never drive me away from him. The risk of him leaving me, I’ve decided, is one I’m willing to take.
He’s still staring at me, expressionless, and it kills me more because now I know it’s his automatic response when he’s trying to hide his emotions.
“It’s better to just end this now,” I say, hoping the plea in my voice is enough to drive him away. The longer I remain in this courtyard, with him looking at me the way he is, the closer I come to spilling the truth.
He absorbs my words, quietly tracking the endless tears that have started falling down my face.
“I don’t believe you,” he says softly. There’s a crack in his facade and I watch his eyes fill with anguish, fear, and an unmistakable hint of possession.
When he lifts a hand to cup my cheek, I have to fight the urge to take my words back with everything I have. To tell him that I’m his forever and always, that there will never be anyone else for me. The sheer force of it makes my hands shake.
“You know I will never leave you again Gianna.” His soft words are spoken with promise. “I’ll die before that happens. I told you this.”
I let out a choked sob, but the moment is interrupted by a loud clearing of a throat at our side. Both our heads snap toward the sound.
“Hope I’m not interrupting anything.”
Despite me thinking it couldn’t, the night just got a whole lot worse.
34
Ipull away from Zayn and step back. His hands fall to his side as he stares at Daniel with unbridled contempt.
Daniel stops by my side, standing way too close for comfort. I want to move away, especially when Zayn’s eyes narrow dangerously at the minuscule distance Daniel has left between us, but I stay rooted to the spot.
Hostility permeates the air like phosphorus. This is bad. Zayn might have believed I was scared to get my heart broken again, but he will never believe that I chose Daniel over him.
“Now, now, Gianna, you’re not rebuking on our little deal are you?” Daniel says, his hot breath coating my ear as he speaks. Bile hits the back of my throat. My skin wants to crawl off my flesh and get as far away from Daniel as possible.
“Deal?” Zayn asks dryly, his voice controlled. He’s slipped back into his blank mask. His gaze slides to mine, dark and assessing, and I can see the calculation behind hiseyes. And something else. A hint of relief, maybe? What could he possibly be relieved about?
“Yes, our deal. Mywifeand I have decided we will no longer be needing your services,” Daniel says, pausing before he adds, “Professional or personal.”
Zayn’s gaze bores into mine, waiting impatiently for me to explain. I can’t find the words.
“What is he talking about, Gianna?”
My family flashes into my mind as I wipe tears from my face. Leo. My unborn niece or nephew. How this monster beside me would bankrupt them to get back at me. I feel the walls closing in on me. How could my family take that money and not tell me? Especially after knowing I had left Daniel! Did they not think it would affect me in my divorce? That I had a fucking right to know? I close my eyes and take deep breaths to calm my racing heart.
“We’re going to counselling and we’re going to fix our marriage,” Daniel answers, impatiently, when I don’t respond to Zayn. “So I suggest you stay the fuck away from my wife.”
My eyes fly open. Zayn’s staring right at me. “He’s blackmailing you.”
Daniel has the nerve to scoff beside me.
“How dare-”
“What does he have on you?” Zayn says, cutting him off like he isn’t even there.
I open my mouth to speak, but I can’t. The truth gets stuck in my throat, suffocating me. I won’t let Zayn buy me out of this mess. It’s my problem to fix, I won’t become his burden.
“Nothing,” I answer quietly.
Anna’s worried face appears at the window, Percy by her side. I give her a silent nod to let her know I’m okay.
“Tell me, Gianna. I can help.”
I find Zayn’s eyes and try to plead with my own.Please, Zayn, let me deal with this.
