Kayden watches me pace as his fists clench at his sides and his jaw flutters with aggravation.
“Dani, I would do anything for you,” he grounds out, “but this I refuse to budge on. From the moment I first locked eyes with you in that house, I knew you weremine. Whether you want to accept that or not is a moot point. You’ll come around eventually.”
Kayden abruptly stands from his spot on the bed and stops in front of me.
“Listen to me closely, spitfire. I know you have feelings for me, and you’re probably scared as hell about them. I know you’re scared as hell about Andrei, too. I know this is a lot to process, but I’m confident you’ll understand where I’m coming from in due time. Andrei is going to be eliminated—one way or another. You won’t have to look over your shoulder anymore.”
“Yeah, not from him at least. But fromyou? Yeah, I’ll always be looking over my shoulder foryou. Or worse—you’ll keep me prisoner, hoping one day I come around.”
“Dani, please. Just see this from my point of view.”
“I see perfectly clear, Kayden. You’re taking away my choice in the matter, plain and simple.”
I go to move around him and exit the room, but he blocks my path. I narrow my eyes at him, daring him to try me.
“Move.”
“Angel. Where are you going?”
“I need time to think. I need to process everything you’ve said, how I feel, and where I go from here.”
“You’re not leaving Eden.”
“I never said I was,” I reply, throwing my hands up as I’m completely fed up with this conversation.
“I have a ring to dismantle this afternoon and I won’t be back until this evening. Promise me you’ll really think this over. I can’t lose you, Dani. I refuse to let that happen.”
“Therein lies the problem, Kayden.”
He shakes his head and moves out my way to grab a duffel bag at the foot of the bed that I hadn’t even noticed. As he turns to leave, he looks back briefly over his shoulder but refuses to meet my gaze.
“I’ll be back before dinner, and then we can talk again.”
I cross my arms. “Yeah, whatever, Kayden.”
He turns back, opens the door, and leaves. The moment the door shuts, I scream as I grab a pillow and throw it at the door. I crumple to the floor in defeat. I don’t understand how this conversation took such a drastic turn. I was so close—so ready—to pour every feeling at his feet. I thought I loved him, but I don’t know how to love someone that takes away my choice—someone that would hold me prisoner again.
An hour passesbefore I finally lift myself up from the floor. I spiraled, went completely numb, and literally just sat there trying to make sense of my situation. My resolve has hardened though. I refuse to be caged again, to lose my freedom of choice.
Me
Hey, Melody. I need a favor, and I need you not to ask questions.
Her reply comes seconds later.
Melody
Oookay… what do you need?
Me
I need to get away. Somewhere I can think on my own.
Melody
Is this about Kayden?
Me
