Page 28 of Betrayed

“I don’t deserve your help.”

“Why not?” he asks.

“Because—”

But I can see in his eyes that he already knows. Someone has told him. Or he’s figured it out on his own.

His dark eyes flash with impatience. “Babygirl. Speak.” My time is up.

I expect him to cross his arms. To stare down at me with disdain. Instead, his warm hands press into my lower back as he drags me to him. Our bellies press together, and I let myself rest my cheek on his chest.

Even though I don’t deserve it.

Because I’m a big fat liar. Liar by omission, but a liar all the same.

And a runaway. Because I was too scared to face him.

He strokes the back of my head, smoothing his hand down my hair. His gentle touch sends those delicious, heavenly tingles through the back of my body.

Finally, finally, I’m forced to say the words that have hung so heavy around my neck since the night we met. I don’t allow myself the satisfaction of a deep breath; instead, I push the words forward like an exhale.

“I was sent to betray you. That first night. Something you had in exchange for something they needed.”

“You were meant to steal it?—”

“And you gave it freely?—”

“The key to what was left of our world. What they didn’t burn to the ground. The few places they didn’t destroy.”

“So, they could finish the job,” I admit, tears in my eyes. I cling to his shirt. “But I couldn’t let them. Not once I met you.”

“Took you long enough to decide,” he says, bitterness in his voice. “You avoided my calls. I missed you every minute, Erin.”

“I missed you, too. And I wasn’t deciding.” My voice breaks. “I knew I wasn’t going to give it to them.”

“Good.” He holds my gaze.

“I was trying to come up with a plan to get us all out safely. And I couldn’t. So I came to tell you…but then...”

My words drop off.

Finally, I find the truth. “I was scared.” I want to tell him about his dream, his murmured words, but those belong to him.Instead, I say, “I didn’t tell you. And I should have told you. Everything. Way sooner. And I’m sorry I didn’t.”

He scoops my chin in his hand, forcing my gaze upward. “And this was your plan? To come here alone and do…what exactly?”

The foolishness of my actions suddenly hit me, making me cringe. “Honestly?”

“Yes. Some honesty would be good right now.”

“I have some information that could get him arrested. And I’m currently gathering more,” I say, quickly adding, “And I have a knife. From the kitchen drawer here.”

Along with a second weapon, which is hidden in my fridge. But he doesn’t need to know about that yet.

I’m in enough trouble as it is.

His eyes close for a beat. When they open again, they’re blazing, vengeance heating his words. “You really think I’d let you face him alone?”

“I didn’t give you a choice.”