Page 9

BLAISE

I lie next to Jenna under the old oak, her breaths now slow, a smile of contentment on her face. I’m filled with self-loathing. That felt… well… it was too much. It went beyond a simple fuck to something deeper.

I mean, yeah, I told her I loved her, but that was part of the make-her-fall-for-me-then-break-her-heart plan. So why the fuck did it make my insides twist?

“I’m glad you were the one,” she says.

“One what?”

“To give myself to for the first time.”

Her first time. The knowledge should fill me with smug satisfaction, another way to hurt her. To take something precious from her before I destroy her completely. Instead, an unwelcome heaviness settles in my chest.

I turn away, unable to look at the pure adoration in her eyes. This wasn't part of the plan. She wasn't supposed to be so… genuine. So trusting. The memory of her soft gasps and innocent touches haunts me.

"Are you okay?" She props herself up on an elbow, concern etched across her features.

"Yeah." The word comes out rough. I force myself to meet her gaze, to maintain the facade. "Just processing how amazing that was."

Her answering smile is radiant, and for a moment I forget that she helped destroy my family. I forget everything except how she looks right now, hair wild from my fingers, lips swollen from my kisses, completely unguarded.

The guilt claws at my insides. I'm no better than Ronan Kean, using her innocence for my own ends. But then I remember my parents, their bodies in that burning house, and I steel myself against these unwanted feelings.

This is just another step toward revenge. Nothing more.

I pull her closer, pressing a kiss to her temple while she sighs contentedly. Her complete trust in me is a weapon, one I'll use to bring down everyone who wronged my family.

It was almost too easy. A few sweet words, some attention, and she fell right into my arms.

"I love you," she murmurs, nuzzling closer.

The words should please me. They're proof my plan is working perfectly. Soon, I'll have her wrapped so tightly around my finger that when I crush her, she'll shatter completely. Just like my family shattered because of her.

I picture her face when she realizes it was all a lie. When she discovers who I really am. The devastation in those trusting green eyes will be beautiful. Maybe I'll wait until she's totally dependent on me, until she thinks we have a future together. Then I'll tear it all away.

The power I hold over her right now is intoxicating. One word from me and she'd do anything, give me any information I need about the Keans, tell me all their secrets. And she'd do it with that same innocent smile, never suspecting she's helping destroy the family she's so loyal to.

"I love you too," I whisper to play my part perfectly, ignoring the feeling that I’m the biggest piece of shit in the world.

I trace the curve of Jenna's spine, plotting my next move. I need answers. How did such an innocent-looking creature orchestrate my parents' murder? What did Ronan offer her? Money? Status? Protection? Saving her mother?

“You said someone else used to live here?”

“Mmm-hmm. The Ifrinns. But they died when the house burned down.”

My fingers still on her skin. "Tell me more about the night of the fire."

She stiffens slightly, and there it is, her guilt coming through. "What do you mean?"

"Must have been scary, watching a house burn down."

"I try not to think about it." She shifts against me, her voice small. "It was terrible. All those people…"

"But you were here? You saw it happen?" I keep my tone casual, though rage bubbles beneath the surface.

"I was in bed. Mom woke me up when she smelled smoke. By then, the whole east wing was engulfed." She shivers. "The screaming…"

I bite back a snarl. East wing, where my parents' bedroom was. Where Ash’s room where the woman he loved slept. Where Ronan's men trapped them.

"Did anyone make it out?"

“A few, but…” Her voice cracks. "So many didn’t. Mr. and Mrs. Ifrinn. Some of the staff…”

“None of the Ifrinns?”

She shrugs. “Their sons may have lived. Their bodies weren’t found, but they haven’t been seen either. That’s why the Keans stepped in. They took care of everything after the fire. The funerals, the staff, making sure we all had jobs. Rebuilding the house. Keeping the businesses going."

God, she talks about them with reverence like they’re fucking saints. Does she think she’s a saint too for having helped pull it off?

I want to shake her, force her to admit her role. How she showed Ronan the secret access into the house. How she traded my family's lives for whatever he promised her.

"You must have known them well, the family that died."

"The Ifrinns. They were kind to us. I was a kid, but Mom always said they treated staff like family."

The casual way she says my family's name makes me sick. I curl my fingers into fists, fighting the urge to confront her here and now.

But no. I need more than these vague memories. I need her to confess exactly what she did, what deal she made with Ronan. Only then will my revenge be complete.

Jenna traces her fingers along my chest, drawing invisible patterns that leave trails of fire on my skin.

She looks up at me with those damned innocent eyes. "What are you thinking about?"

I'm thinking about how impossible this feels. How someone capable of betraying my family to their deaths couldn't possibly have such kindness in their touch, such genuine warmth in their smile.

"Just… taking this all in."

“Have you ever been in love before?”

“No.” It’s true. Oh, sure, there have been a few women I’d enjoyed spending time with, but love was never a part of the relationship. I don’t have time for that. Not when for ten years my brothers and I have worked and plotted to take back what the Keans stole from us.

“Me neither.”

“Not even Ronan?” I arch a brow.

She gives me another one of the damned sweet smiles. “That was a silly crush.”

She killed my parents over a silly crush.

“You’re different. You’re real. You see me. I’ve never felt like this.” She burrows in closer to me. “You make me feel special.”

Fucking hell. I’m so confused. The calculating traitor who sold out my family doesn't match this woman who is handing over her heart, soul, and body to me.

"You are special," I say, and I hate how much I mean it. It has me questioning this whole situation. Could I be wrong? Is it possible she hadn’t helped Ronan access the house to kill my family?

I quickly dismiss my doubt. The facts are clear.

Ronan told Lucy that Jenna Hart had shown him how to get into the house through a secret passage.

He had no reason to lie considering he was planning on killing Lucy at the time.

No, Jenna helped Ronan. My parents died because of the information she provided.

Jenna sighs contentedly against my chest, and I realize my biggest challenge isn't maintaining my cover. It's maintaining my conviction in her guilt. I need space. I need to think without her disarming presence clouding my judgment. I have a mission. I need to follow it through.

"We should head back." I push myself up, avoiding Jenna's questioning gaze.

She scrambles to get dressed, her movements quick and self-conscious. Different from the bold woman who gave herself to me less than ten minutes ago. "Did I do something wrong?"

"No." The word comes out harsh. I soften my tone. "Just need to get back to work. I imagine you do too.”

Her fingers fumble with her buttons. A lock of hair falls across her face, and I resist the urge to brush it away. Every touch feels like a betrayal now, of my mission, my family, myself.

We head back to our respective jobs on one of the gravel paths. Jenna's hand brushes against mine, and I fight the urge to intertwine our fingers. I maintain a careful distance, shoving my hands into my pockets to keep from reaching for her.

We reach the garden. "Blaise?" Her voice is small, uncertain.

"I'll see you tomorrow." I turn away before I can see her face fall, before I can reassure her and get ensnared by her again.

I stride toward the guard quarters. Behind me, I feel her watching, probably wondering what went wrong, how our perfect afternoon shattered so suddenly.

I wonder the same thing.

This wasn't supposed to happen. I can't let her disarm me. I need to remember why I'm here, why I infiltrated this place. The Keans must pay for what they did, and Jenna… Jenna is the key to making that happen.

Even if something inside me breaks every time I use her for my family’s revenge.