“Love,” Hendrix said quietly, “doesn’t look the same for everyone. Ryder’s just learned the hard way that love doesn’t always save people. It can destroy them.”
I couldn’t sit still any longer. The urge to move, to pace and peel at my skin, was too overwhelming. Getting up, I grabbed the knife before making my way towards the trees. I expected Hendrix to follow but was thankful when he remained where he was.
I just needed space, a moment to breathe, to think, to quiet the storm building inside me before it tore through everything I had left.
The cool metal of the knife bit into my palm, and I found myself flicking it open before closing it again. Over and over, fidgeting as if the motion could calm me.
I walked aimlessly, the wind teasing. After a while, I found the source of the running water, a small stream that I followed until it widened into a lake, a crooked boathouse perched on the edge.
“Hi, blondie.”
I shrieked in surprise, flicking the knife out as I turned, only to find Ryder leaning against one of the trees facing the water. I stepped forward on instinct, moving until I had the blade pointed only an inch from him.
“Ryder,” I whispered, my heart hammering so hard it hurt. “You left me.”
“I did.” Reaching for my wrist, he tugged me closer, until my breasts hit his chest and I automatically lifted the knife so I wouldn’t cut him. “But I came back.”
“You think that makes it okay?” I tried to pull away, but his grip tightened around my wrist until he held the blade against his skin. “God, you act like you have your own atmosphere. Like you’re untouchable, and that your actions don’t matter. But they do, Ryder.”
His eyes searched mine. “I’m sorry.”
“I don’t believe you.” My voice cracked, and it took everything in me not to tremble beneath the rush of anger. “I think you fill this void where your heart should be with meaningless things and money, but it’s not enough, is it? I don’t think it’ll ever be enough for you.”
Red decorated the tip of the knife, a single drop glistening that had me trying to pull away. Ryder grabbed my arm, twisting hard until my back slammed against the rough bark instead of his.But he didn’t let go of my arm, instead forcing the knife up until its blade pressed against his throat.
“I’m sorry,” he repeated.
“Fuck your sorry!” I screamed, trying to pull back, his blood hot as it dripped onto my hand. I didn’t actually want to hurt him, but he kept me pinned. “You left me there, with those men.”
His fingers tightened enough to bruise, but I didn’t have time to feel trapped. Not when I was too busy blinking back the stupid burn behind my eyes that came with my anger.
“You’re right. I sold you out, and I never planned on coming back.”
I shoved him with my free hand, but he didn’t move an inch.
“And yet,” his voice dropped lower, rougher, “I did. Because of you, Violet.”
I was breathing heavily, the coolness of the night long forgotten with Ryder’s body heat pressing against mine.
“I broke a rule,” he continued.
I stared at him. “A what?”
“A rule.Myrule, and you made me break it.”
I stared at him like he’d lost his mind. “Ryder, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
His jaw flexed. “I don’t kiss, Violet. Ever. But I kissed you.”
My brows furrowed in confusion. “What’s that?—”
“I don’t care aboutanyone,” he cut in, his head dipping closer. “Not unless they benefit me. But here I am, risking everything. Going against my own fucking nature, for you, and I hate it.”
My pulse hammered, my chest tightening until it hurt. “Ryder… I don’t… this is too much. You betrayed me, tied me up but… I just… I can’t do this.”
“No.” The word barely left his mouth before he pulled back the knife and drove it into the bark beside my head.
“Let me go,” I whispered, every nerve in my body vibrating.
