Page 71 of Depths of Destruction

Anger, confusion, and hurt bubble inside me as I wipe a tear off my cheek. "I didn't know he was going to kiss me."

"When it's safe to go back, I'll drop you off at his door."

"What?"

"Go to sleep."

"No. Stop telling me to go to sleep. Why would you ever say something so vicious?"

"I heard you," he growls. Disgust laced with pain covers his face.

A sick feeling twists in my stomach. "You heard me what?"

"You told him you missed him. Then you kissed him." His jaw clenches and he looks away from me again.

"I didn't kiss him!"

"You did," he angrily barks, and his face turns red.

"I didn't. He kissed me and wouldn't let me go. I didn't kiss him back."

Andre grunts and shakes his head.

I put my hand on his arm, but he once again shrugs me off.

He hates me.

He's never going to forgive me.

I swallow the lump in my throat. "So that's it, then?"

He closes his eyes briefly then pushes the throttle so the boat runs faster. His shoulders stay tense.

The cracking of my heart physically hurts, and my vision blurs with tears. "Why did you even bring me? You could have just left me."

"I promised you I'd get you to safety, and I will."

Suddenly, I'm pissed he would throw us away so quickly without even giving me the benefit of the doubt or letting me explain. "Don't do me any favors. As soon as we dock, you go your way, and I'll go mine." I open the cabin door and crawl into the small space that's only meant to sleep in.

When the door is secure, I curl up and sob.

Everything has fallen apart around me, but this is the first moment I've had to analyze the situation I'm in and how bad things have become.

In a matter of days, I've lost everything—my home, career, lifelong friend, and the only man who's ever made me feel alive. I don't know where Emilia is or if she's safe. The depths of destruction only seem to grow, and I don't know how I'll ever get out.

With Andre, it seemed like no matter what happened, everything would be okay.

But it's not okay. Every part of my life is in pieces.

How am I going to get through this alone?

Like everything else I've gotten through in my life.

Loneliness is a feeling I've had in the past, but at this moment, it grips me harder than ever. Regardless, I vow going forward, the only person I will rely on is myself.

It's the only choice I have.

And Andre Lòpez is a man I'm going to have to find a way to get over.