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“Why do you insist on lying to me? His smug face said it all when our cars passed outside.” Even with him fuming, I couldn’t help but breathe him in. His shirt was untucked and unbuttoned. Blood stained the white material of his rolled-up sleeves as it tightened around his arms.

Now is not the time to admire him, Ana.

“Wow, you can tell everything just by his face? Don’t you think that’s what he wanted? That this,” I used my fingers alternating between us, “is what he wanted?” I pinched the bridge of my nose, feeling somewhat defeated. “I know what happened.” I glanced to the bottom of the stairs as Red, Emmet,and Gino joined us. They were all wearing worried expressions at what one of us would do.

“Yes, you do.” He backed me against the wall, my hip bumping into the glass table that housed a beautiful antique vase, sending it tumbling to the floor.

He quickly stepped away from me with his hands raised as if in an apology. Guilt flashed across his face as he seemed as though he instantly regretted his decision.

But it was too late for him to regret anything.

“You can believe what you want to believe.” I sighed.

“I can see it in your eyes.” He continued, and I didn’t have a clue how he could see anything right now, his eyes were glassier than the damn window.

“I hope you also see how much I fucking hate you. Because I do hate you. With everything I am, I hate you. You’re unlovable. I’d be out of my mind to ever want someone like you.” I pushed his chest but all he did was stand there.

“You don’t hate me, Ana.”

“Put those hands anywhere near me and I’ll feed you your own dick.” I sidestepped him, the smashed vase crunching beneath my feet as I darted down the stairs.

“Red, can you drive me—” I paused, wanting to say home but I didn’t have one anymore. “Anywhere but here?”

“Ana…” He wore a look of defeat as he spoke, like I punched him in the gut.

The three of them looked at me, unsure of what to say, too torn on whether to stay loyal to Lorenzo or help me.

I knew who they’d pick. I was nothing to any of these men in this house. Especially not the one I was forced to marry.

“Don’t you dare drive her anywhere, Red,” Lorenzo called from the stairs. “She’s not leaving.”

“Ana, I’m—” Red started, but I cut him off.

“It’s fine. He’s your friend and your boss.” I nodded, accepting it. “I don’t need his permission to leave, I don’t need a chaperone either.”

I let out a steady breath as I walked through the kitchen towards the garage.

“You’ve got another thing coming if you think I’m going to let you walk out of here.” Lorenzo was on me in seconds, his large, calloused hands grabbing my waist and turning me to face him. “Did you sleep with him?” His chest heaved as he spoke.

“If I wanted to fuck him, I’d have done it when we lived under the same roof.” His hands gripped me tighter as I continued. “But you know what? I was taught to never give myself to anyone other than my husband, and I obeyed that rule. But now, being here with you, makes me wish I hadn’t.” I shoved him away from me, not wanting him near me. “Now, I can either walk out of here alone, or Red can take me where I want to go, but I will not stay here with someone who doesn’t believe me.”

“Red, take my wife where she wants to go, if that’s what she truly wants.” Lorenzo had given up the fight, even if it was just this once.

“Will do.” Red responded, following me out of the door to the garage.

I left that kitchen and never looked back. I would never give him the satisfaction.

I would never allow anyone to break me.

Especially not that bastard.

15

I watchedmy wife walk out the door, and I did nothing to stop her.

What the fuck was wrong with me?

Of course I believed her, but I let my mouth run away with me just as it always did. I vowed to myself to never feel something for her, never let her see the man I once was, but in doing so all I managed to do was push her away and fuel her hate for me.