Page 134 of Captive Audience

“Because I didn’t want to argue with you, and now, we’re bloody arguing.”

My throat tightened. “What am I even doing here, Rook? When did you decide to go after the Soul Collector on your own? When did my part in this become nothing but an excuse to keep me bound to you? Were you ever going to let me go?”

He opened his mouth, then shut it.

That silence was the final nail.

“I thought so.” My voice went quiet. “I can’t believe I trusted you. Do you know how hard that was for me? I swore I’d never trust a man again, but I let you in because I thought you were different.” I shook my head. “You’re not. You’ve been manipulating me from the moment you had me in your sights.”

I moved to pass him, but Rook grabbed my wrist and spun me to face him.

“Hate me all you like, Wildfire. I’ll be the bad guy if it’s what you need. But I’ll never compromise your safety, even if it means keeping you in the dark.”

The truth struck like a sucker punch straight to the gut.

Rook would lie to me, again and again, justifying it with whatever weak excuses he sold himself.

But I wasn’t buying it.

“Can I leave now?” I bit out through gritted teeth.

His nostrils flared. “You’ll come back here after. You’re still my wife.”

My lip curled. “How could I forget?”

I tore free and strode to the elevator, Finn in tow.

I kept my chin high until the doors slid shut. Only then did the rage falter, leaving an ache so deep I’d never find the bottom.

I didn’t know if I was angrier at Rook for lying or at myself for being dumb enough to believe he wouldn’t.

49

ROOK

The elevator doors closed behind Asha, and it felt as if they’d slammed on my chest.

She’d walked out of here like she was done with me.

My Wildfire. My heart. My fucking oxygen.

Christ, I’d been a pigheaded bastard. Again. I’d let my scars open up and bleed all over the one person I’d sworn I’d never hurt.

And the look in Asha’s eyes before she’d left… Others had looked at me with fear, loathing, and disgust. I’d earned it all. But I’d never felt it carve me up like that.

I’d told myself I would protect her at all costs, but somewhere along the way, I’d forgotten that keeping her safe meant more than keeping her breathing. It meant keeping her trust, and I’d destroyed that.

But if she thought I’d let her go, she was wrong.

She could hate me. Ignore me. Lock every door between us.

I’d tear them off the hinges.

Because I wouldn’t lose Asha. Not now. Not ever.

50

ASHA