Page 92 of Beyond the Cage

My voice breaks on the last two words. He walks to the chest of drawers, opens a drawer, and comes back with my emerald ring.

“I don’t want it back. You can give it toher.”

I turn away from him so he doesn’t see the fresh tears in my eyes, pick up my carry-on off the bed, and place it on the floor.

“I’ll go stay with Chels tonight and get out of your hair.”

My feet are heavy as I drag them to the door. He grabs my hand, and I turn to see a desperate man. Falling to his knees, he wraps his arms around my waist, burying his face in my stomach. He tightens his hold when I try to pull away.

“I have to go,” I choke out.

He allows me to remove his arms, and I turn to leave.

“I love you.”

CHAPTER 24

Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same. – Emily Bront?

Shocked to my core, the handle of my carry-on slips from my fingers and I spin on my heels.

“What did you say?” I almost screech.

He clears his throat nervously and rises from his knees. “I love you.”

He’s talking. I can’t believe it! And the first thing he says is that he loves me. The tears are flowing freely now.

“You don’t know how long I’ve wanted to hear you say that.”

He steps forward, reaching for me.

“And you choose to say itnow? What, you think it will make the situation magically disappear?”

How dare he? Does he think he can manipulate me into staying by telling me what he thinks I want to hear?

“Nothing happened.”

“Because I walked in too early!” I yell.

“Jas!” Chelsea’s voice precedes her mad dash into the room. “Oh! Sorry…I heard voices and you shouting…” She looks suspiciously at him, and then me. “Wait…I heardvoices. That washim?”

“Finally. He’s trying to convince me that nothing happened between him and the chit.”

“Jas…he’s telling the truth.”

“Don’t –”

“No…after I threatened to kick her ass, the trick admitted that she came on to him but he wasn’t having it. He was trying to kick her out when she dropped her dress.”

I shake my head in disbelief. I can’t believe she’s taking his side, all on the word of that bitch.

“That’s what I was trying to tell you that night, but you just Usain Bolted it outta there. After I saw what happened, Jared got her to admit that some guy paid her to do it. She said he approached her that night we first saw her. I guess we know now who that was.”

Shit. I played right into Mikhail’s plan.

“Look…” Chels continues, “I’m gonna go. You two need to talk.”

She steps out, closing the door behind her.