Page 86 of Inked Desires

“Why?” I whisper.

He tilts his head slightly. No emotion crosses his face.

His tongue slips against my lips, seeking entry. Disgusted, I grit my teeth, strike his chest, and try to pull away.

In a desperate reflex, I raise my knee and slam it hard between his legs. He immediately lets go, a grunt of pain escaping his mouth.

I sway without his support. My legs tremble.

Who is this man before me? If this memory is real, I have to run.

“You stabbed me!” my voice screams uncontrollably.

“You remember?” he pants.

“I remember you deliberately driving that blade into my stomach!”

“I had to. Jace ordered me to eliminate you. It was the only way to make you disappear,” he tries to explain.

“You’re FBI! You had no other choice?!”

“I was undercover! If I’d blown my cover, I’d never have been able to protect you again,” he defends himself, standing straighter.

He takes a step toward me. I back away immediately.

“Don’t come near me!”

“Calm down! I would never hurt you. It was necessary so that you’d be safe now.”

I shake my head, raise a hand. Finally, he stops.

“I’m leaving. And you’re going to let me go.”

Robert clenches his fists. His ragged breathing echoes in the room.

“Where do you think you’re going?” he demands.

“None of your business. Leave me alone. You should have told me the truth. I don’t know if I can forgive you.”

I walk around Robert and rush to the entrance. This time, he doesn’t stop me, and I’m grateful. I wouldn’t win a fight against him.

As soon as my shoes are on and my jacket on my shoulders, I slam the door and dash into the freezing night.

In the parking lot, I stop, furious. Where to go? I should have thought this through. I have no money, no car. It’s too cold to stay outside.

I pull out my phone. Only one person can help me.

It’s a line I cross. Nothing slow, unlike what we agreed. But I have no choice. I have no one else.

The tone rings out. A few seconds pass, then his voice rises.

“Andrew?”

“I need your help.”

CHAPTER 20

ARÈS