Page 142 of Piggy

His gaze flicks up. Locked on me now. That deep voice snarls, “What did you just say?”

“I know about your mom.”

His face hardens. “What?”

“And you toldMeghan.Not me. You trusted her with the one thing that damaged you. But not the girl who actually loved you. Me!”

He flinches. Subtle. But I catch it.

I can’t stop. Too hot. Too hurt.

“I asked you. So many times. Ibeggedto know you. To learn about your past. You were so guarded and just threw me scraps. You asked about me to hide you.”

“I didn’t want your fucking pity,” he growls.

“Well, I didn’t want a boyfriend who wouldn’t trust me!” I fire back.

Damn.

It’s strange how I can push back now. Maybe time away from Grayson has made me stronger on my own. Living completely single. Surviving without him. Taking care of my brother. Doing well in my new career.All by myself.

Yeah!I don’t need to worry what this liar thinks of me! Therefore, I keep going, stern and filled with pride.

“You know what, Grayson? It wasn’t about pity. You were just scared to tell me.”

He leans in, voice gravelly. “No, I wasn’t scared. Meghan could handle it. You couldn’t. Look how dumb you’re acting now.”

“Nope. You’re are just acoward.” I bite my bottom lip, holding back, but the words break free. “You like hurting women because you hate your mom! That’s why you’re a sadist!”

The whites of his eyes double, causing my breath to catch.

Did I say the wrong thing?Be calm, Charlotte.I’m getting too upset... But he deserves this! He didn’t let me in. He let Meghan in!

I shoot up to my feet, fists clenched. “And you think I’m too weak? You can barely look at me. And the fact you still talk to that awful woman! Over me? Well...” I suck in a deep breath, then blurt: “Fuck you, Grayson!”

He’s up in an instant, chair scrapping floor, cuffs clinking.

The guards turn, watching. Hands on holsters.

He’s towering, making my neck bend way back. His voice dips just enough for me to hear, dark and simmering with hatred.

“I dare you to say that again, you stupid fucking...”

Not this time.I can’t back down. A room full of guards is perfect. I’m safe. Thus, I square my shoulders and interrupt.

“Your name isn’t even Grayson. It’s Rowen. I didn’t know you because you wouldn’t let me. So guess what? That means I never loved Rowen, and I never loved Grayson. So I never loved you!”

The shift is instant.

His eyes go dead. Face blank, jaw muscles loose. Stunned. Gawking at me.

My heart races. I can’t breathe.

Then slowly, too slowly, his lip curls. A smile. But it’s not warm. It’s wicked.

“The bitch found her bite,” he murmurs.

Reflexively, I start to turn to add distance between us.