We all salute for his final send-off.
Chapter 60
The Old Me
SHADOW
Present Day
Ihave about twenty minutes to freshen up for my second-chance introduction. I am absolutely livid. If Dimitri wasn’t in the room with me, Owen—that asshat—would be dead right now. It took all my will and control not to end his fucking life. I knew it back then, and I know it now. He was always in love with my Princess.
I place my hands on the bathroom vanity and take several deep breaths. “What the hell is wrong with me?” I grumble to my reflection. I’ve come such a long way from the twenty-two-year-old kid who couldn’t handle all the different emotions reintroduced to me.
Since then, I built a reputation that scares anyone who even thinks about me. I’m a ruthless, fearless Alpha of the Obsidian Pack. If anyone can afford my services, I’m merciless, cutthroat in court. When it comes to Jessica, though, I can’t seem to rein it in. This jealousy I always harbored toward Owen brings out the worst part of me.
I splash water over my face and grab the nearest towel. “What if she doesn’t choose me? What if everything I did to keep her safe ends it all?”
Do you believe that she doesn’t love you anymore? Based on the intense sex, I think she still has feelings for you.
“She’s afraid of me. I felt her fear.” In every encounter I have had with her through the years, she’s always been afraid of me. The knot sitting low in my abdomen tightens with that reminder.
I remove my shirt and lay it on my untouched bed. Standing before the full-length mirror in my room, I inventory every single one marring my skin—constant reminders of that nightmare I survived six years ago. I finger the fading scar in the crook of my neck, the only scar I didn’t receive during that time in hell.
A soft knock on the door breaks through those memories. Sixes stands in the threshold, and I move to the side, letting her in. Her smile indicates she holds some kind of secret, but it fades as she sees my scars.
“I brought you an outfit to wear. I think it will meet Carmen’s approval,” she explains.
I take the garment bag from her, expecting her to leave.
She crosses her arms. “What snuck up your ass?”
I huff. She sounds exactly like Emily.
She raises a brow waiting for my answer. “Well?”
Just tell her. Otherwise, she won’t leave. Besides, if she’s an ally, it might improve your chances at winning Jessica back.
I turn away from her and rub the back of my neck. “I saw Jessica kissing Owen Kaminari.” I wince at how juvenile I sound, like I’m tattling.
She snorts, covering her mouth, and clears her throat. “You realize that this is a dating game, and she has the right to explore how she feels about some of theothercontestants. That may or may not include kissing.”
My right eye twitches. “Forget it,” I mumble and hang the garment bag on a hook on the closet door.
In the reflection of the mirror, she holds up both hands. “Alright. Fine. But you needed to hear that because that’s how it’s going to be for the next several weeks. I’m sorry you had to see that, though.”
I turn around to face her.
Studying me with her eyes, she continues. “Now use your words and tell me exactly how you saw them kissing, where, and what about it made you twist your panties in a knot.”
Now she really sounds like Emily. I miss her so much. I wish she was here to help get me through this like she always had.
“I know I’m not Emily, but I know your secrets. I’m still your friend,” she says softly.
“Fine…” I sigh in defeat. “I ran into Dimitri, coming in after his introduction. Truth is I was a little pissed he was here.”
“Why? Because you thought that little loophole your brother discovered in the betrothal contract was enough to keep him away?”
Why do people ask questions when they already know the damn answer? “Partly. He’s also one of my closest friends, and he knows how I feel about Jessica.”
