And that’s about the only thing he could say that I’d believe. Because that is the Saint I know.
“He’s telling the truth. I acted alone.”
Blood boils in my veins at the sound ofhisvoice. Slowly, I turn around and face a barely recognizable Galen Lennox. I mask my shock behind an impenetrable facial wall. He’s doubled over, clinging to the door frame, his mottled face contorted in pain. His left eye is swollen and a blue-black color. His lip and nose are busted, and bruising covers most of his cheeks and jawline.
I don’t need to ask to know the guys did this to him.
Warmth spreads across my chest until I shut that shit down.
All of this could be for show.
I cannot trust them.
They are still my enemy. Maybe, they always were.
Or it could be the truth, that annoying inner voice whispers in my ear.
“As if I’d believe a word that comes out of your conniving mouth,” I hiss, gnashing my teeth at Galen.
“I didn’t have all the facts when I made that deal with Knight. I never would’ve gone there if I’d known the truth. I swear.”
Naked aggression blankets me until I’m almost drowning in anger. “Try peddling that bullshit to someone who buys it!” I roar, stalking toward him like the living embodiment of the avenging angel inked on my back. My hands clench and unclench at my sides, my lips curl into a snarl, and fury pummels me from all sides. I’m shaking with rage and a multitude of other emotions as I stand before him. My chest heaves in and out as I bore holes in his damaged flesh, and I’m seething, my entire body trembling, as we stare at one another.
I could kill him.
The thought has crossed my mind a thousand times.
But then, I’d be no better than him.
And I’m nothing like that reckless, arrogant asshole.
My thoughts force me to calm down somewhat, reminding me to stick to the plan. But it’s challenging, because he wanted me dead. And besides the obvious, that hurts.
Keeping his eyes locked on me, he straightens up even though it’s obviously killing him.
“Who cracked his ribs?” I ask, glancing over my shoulder.
“It was a team effort,” Caz says, walking to my side and lacing his fingers in mine. I let him only because it’s part of my plan.
“I’m sorry, Lo. I—”
“Save it,” I snap. I grip Galen’s chin, digging my nails into his bruised skin. “Not so pretty now, huh, Lennox?”
“I fucked up.” The remorse on his face appears genuine. But I couldn’t give two shits.
I slap him hard. “You didn’t just fuck up, asshole. You tried to murder me!” I shove at his shoulders, and tears prick his eyes from the pain. “Instead of, oh, I don’t know, asking me to my face if I betrayed you, you deemed yourself judge and jury and decided I was guilty with no trial.”
“I was wrong, I shouldn’t—”
“You were more than wrong, you fucking idiot!” I shout, and I know I need to rein my emotions in, but I was unprepared for the extent of my feelings when confronted with the man who wanted me dead. My entire body shakes with rage as I bend over, grab my knife from my boot, and hold the sharp blade against Galen’s neck. Tension is thick in the air as I glare at him. “I made a promise to myself when I was thirteen,” I say, pressing the blade in and drawing blood. “I promised that no one would ever hurt me again and live to tell the tale.”
“Do it,” he says, surprising me. “I deserve it.”
“Harlow.” Saint’s tone is cool as he places his hand on my arm. “You don’t want to do this.”
“You’re defending him now?”
“Fuck no. I want to gut him as badly as you do.”
