Page 120 of Beautiful Lies

She hangs up on me.

For a moment, I just stare at the screen.

The call log glows back at me, her name sitting there like a goddamn taunt.

My pulse hammers. My breath comes out too slow. Too sharp.

I want to reach through the line, drag her back, and rip Chad’s fucking head off.

A muscle jumps hard in my jaw, and the rage hits fast, hot, then simmers into something far more dangerous.

Dorian takes one look at my face. “Knox. Did I seriously hear right? Chad is here?”

“Yes. He’s here.” I grit my teeth. “I have to go.Now.”

“Need me to go with you?”

“No. I will deal with this asshole once and for all.” Clearly, Chad doesn’t know who he’s screwing with.

I see red as I head out the door. But it’s the focused kind. The kind that makes me want to burn the world down.

I take the blame for leaving Isla to work. That’s on me. But nobody takes what’s mine. Nobody touches what’s mine. Especially my wife.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Isla

I shovemy phone back into my purse, still shaking with rage from Knox’s call.

I’m sitting at a little café in the village, at one of the tables outside by the river. Chad is inside at the counter waiting for the pastries we ordered.

People at the surrounding tables glance my way with curious expressions. Even though I didn’t argue with Knox and kept my voice calm, my reaction must’ve said everything—the balled fists, the red face, the murderous look in my eyes. All telltale signs of someone about to snap.

Earlier, I’d wanted so badly to hear Knox’s voice that I should have been glad hefinallycalled.

But I couldn’t be. Feeling glad would’ve felt like another defeat to my heart, another crack in the wall I’ve built to keep the devil out.

The moment he spoke, fury grabbed at my insides and squeezed and squeezed and squeezed.

Everything that enraged me came flooding back, and I couldn’t stop it. I wanted to make him as angry as he made me.

And when he became the possessive, demanding dick telling me to leave, he pushed me right over the edge.

It wasn’t the time to argue, either. Not with Chad here.

God, of all the things to happen to me.

I still can’t get over the fact that Chad is here in Italy—and yes, Knox, I know he’s lying. It’s onehellof a coincidence that he’d have business here at the exact time I’m on my honeymoon.

What’s worse is that I’m alone, and Chad knows that.

So, forgive me, universe, if I’m pissed as fuck.

I’m furious at Knox, at the situation, at my stupid heart for the way it reacted the second I heard Knox’s voice. And I’m furious that I’m stuck in this twisted mess with Chad.

I hate it even more that Knox isn’t here, but Chad is.

I look at him waiting in line. He glances over his shoulder at me and gives me a little smile.