“He does. And hedoeshave right on his side, and I do think you probably do need to know.”
Turning back to him, I could feel my frown. “Then why did you tell him to back off?”
“Because I think I should be told first, don’t you?”
“What?” Stepping back, I looked him over. I could feel my defenses rising, rushing to protect me from theverbal blow that was coming. “What difference is there in me telling you and Jett versus me just telling you?”
“You know why, don’t insult us both.”
Clutching my book bag strap over my shoulder, I gave him a tight smile. “I thought you were being kind, I thought you understood. I didn’t know you were playing bad cop, worse cop.”
“I’m not playing, Quinn.”
With a derogatory laugh, I walked away from him. “You’re always fucking playing,” I snarled as I climbed my stairs. “Thanks for walking me home.”
As I unlocked my door, I felt him behind me, his body pressing into mine as his breath tickled my ear.
“You can tell me what happened, all of it, today or next year or in ten years, I’ll never push. But what I won’t allow, and you willnotdo, is disregard my right to know.”
Gripping the handle, I pushed the door open. “You know everything you need. I have nothing else to tell you. Today, tomorrow, or in ten years.”
His hand pulled me back into his chest as his arm wrapped around me, holding me tight. “You’re a heartless bitch.”
His words hurt more than a physical blow ever could. “Then let me go.”
His warmth was gone as quickly as it had come. Taking a few steps into my apartment, I turned to look at him and faltered when I saw the pain radiating from his eyes.
“Gray . . .”
“You can’t even tell me to my fucking face? You were always nothing but a coward.” His mouth twisted in a sneer as he looked at me.
“I’m not a coward.”
“Then tell me to my face, look me in the eye, and fucking say it,” Gray demanded as he took a step closer.
“Saywhat? What else do you think I need to tell you?” I cried.
Swiftly, he was in front of me, his hand curled around the nape of my neck as he drew me close to him, his mouth hovered over mine. “Tell me that it was mine.”
“Gra—”
“Donotlie to me.” His arm was shaking; his whole body was shaking with rage or adrenaline as he watched me. “So help me, Quinn, if you lie to me right now, I won’t be responsible.”
“Please, Gray,” I pleaded even as my heart was breaking. I could feel it happening all over again. “Don’t do this.”
I felt his hand tighten as he pulled me closer. “Tell me.” His voice was a tortured whisper. “Tell me that you were going to give away our baby.”
The tears were falling rapidly now. I couldn’t stop them, and I wasn’t sure if I would ever be able to stop them as he looked at me. I could see every ounce of pain that he carried, pain that I had hidden and tried so hard to hide, but he wasn’t hiding his right now.
“I wasn’t,” I gasped when his hold got even tighter. “Iwasn’t. I changed my mind; I couldn’t do it.”
“Swear.” Gray’s head dropped to my shoulder before his head sought the crook of my neck. “Swearit.”
Hesitantly, I wrapped my arms around him as I felt his lips pressed to the side of my throat as his head burrowed into me, as if he too couldn’t bear to see the pain he felt reflected in my eyes. “I swear, I swear to all that is holy, I told them no.”
“Which is why they chased you?” he asked, his voice muffled against my skin.
“Yes.” My whisper was so quiet I didn’t know if he heard me until I felt his body stiffen, and I knew the words that I had never been asked directly were coming.
