Total pages in book: 43
Estimated words: 39300 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 197(@200wpm)___ 157(@250wpm)___ 131(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 39300 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 197(@200wpm)___ 157(@250wpm)___ 131(@300wpm)
He hesitates, hazel eyes searching mine, before sighing heavily. "The day I was released from jail, and I saw you with Triton, I started looking into him." His jaw clenches. "I was jealous as hell, afraid you were in love with him."
My nose wrinkles at the thought and Dalton shrugs ruefully.
"I didn't know he was your cousin," he says. "I stopped looking when I found that out, but when he was so fucking angry about the marriage, I asked my investigator to dig deeper."
He pauses, and I hold my breath, terrified of what he might say next. Terrified it will shatter the already cracking foundation of my world.
"Triton hates me because he's after your company, baby."
My brows furrow. "Dalton, that's not…"
"I know you don't want to believe me, but I'm telling you the truth, sweetheart," he says gently, cupping my cheek. "He didn't want this marriage to happen so the company would go to him. He owes people money—a lot of money. He's been holding them off with promises that Evernight would pass to him soon."
"No," I say again, louder this time, denial welling up from the pit of my stomach. "He wouldn't do that, Dalton. He's my best friend. I'd know if he owed people money. If he wanted my company."
But even as the words leave my mouth, I know. As much as I don't want to admit it, as much as I want to cling to the image of the cousin I love, the best friend I trust…I know.
Everything Triton has said, everything he's done, all the hateful things he's tried to convince me about Dalton… He's been manipulating me, pouring poison in my ear to convince me that Dalton will never love me, that he could never love me. And when I married him anyway, he was angry, furious, even.
He needs me to believe our marriage is a sinking ship headed for doom. It's the only way he gets what he wants.
And I let him do it.
I scramble off Dalton's lap as shame and guilt crash through me in a tidal wave, threatening to bowl me over. My chest feels too tight, my lungs incapable of drawing breath.
Dalton rises to his feet, following me.
"Don't," I rasp, my voice shaking as badly as my hands. "You can't just…"
But he's already there, those strong arms closing around me from behind, pulling my back against the solid wall of his chest.
I choke on a sob, the sound tearing from my throat.
"I can, Tempest. I will," he growls, his breath hot against my ear. "Don't you get it yet? You're my entire fucking world, baby. I love you."
"Dalton," I whimper, his name a plea. Tears spill down my cheeks, hot and shameful. "He's m-my b-best friend."
And he tried to destroy everything.
"I know, baby. I know." His voice gentles, his hold tightening as I shatter in his arms. He turns me to face him, tucking my head beneath his chin.
I burrow into him, violent sobs wracking my frame as I mourn the man I thought I knew. The man trying to destroy everything I have—my marriage, my trust in Dalton, everything.
And god, I almost let him. All this time, all those little seeds of doubt he's been planting have been taking root, growing, sprouting. They turned into bands of poisonous ivy, trying to jerk me from Dalton's arms.
"I'm sorry," I gasp, clinging to Dalton like he's the only thing keeping me from drowning. "I'm so sorry."
He scoops me up effortlessly, cradling me to his chest as he carries me back to the bed. As he lowers us, he shifts me onto his lap.
I bury my face in the crook of his neck, wrecked, guilty.
"Never apologize to me, baby. You've done everything right. This is on me for not getting my head out of my ass sooner, and on him for being a manipulative, selfish prick."
"I'm so stupid," I mumble into his throat, my tears soaking his skin.
He cups my face, tilting my head back to meet his fierce hazel gaze. "No, you're not. It's not stupid to trust the people you love." His thumbs brush my wet cheeks, his expression hardening. "But he isn't fucking touching your company, Tempest. You're mine to protect, my world. I'll burn his to the goddamn ground before I let him hurt you again."
The conviction in his voice and the unyielding steel of his eyes send a shiver racing through me. In this moment, I have no doubt that he would raze everything Triton holds dear to ash and rubble. For me.
Because he loves me. Fiercely, wildly, in a way that steals my breath. Certainty fills me, burning hot as the sun as it brands it's way onto my soul. This man isn't incapable of love. It's been right there all along, beating in his chest like a thing alive.