Page 17 of Ruthless Commander

“What is it?” Xael inquired, shoving up from the bed.

For a second, I couldn’t speak.You don’t love her. You don’t…I stopped cold. The words were fucking hollow…and a damn lie. I shoved up from the bed and went to the closet.

“You going somewhere?” she asked.

“Yeah,” I answered.They’ll go after her…Edon’s words echoed, and he was right. I yanked on my clothes and grabbed my bag.

“Hey,” she snapped shoving the covers back and standing up from the bed. “You want to talk to me here?”

Anger burned in her voice. Still, I didn’t stop. “Something’s come up.”

She let out a bark of laugher. “Okay, sure. You’re running, huh?”

I stopped, stunned at how my pulse was a roar in my ears.Don’t do it…don’t do it…don’t—I met her gaze. “This was a mistake, Xael.”

Her lips peeled back from her teeth in a snarl. “Fuck you, Mateo. Fuck you, you lying piece of shit.” She glared at the cell in my hands. “Who the fuck called you?”

“Does it matter?”

Agony raged in her eyes. I saw it, the mortal blow…the stabbing, cruel puncture as any flicker of happiness we might have had was savagely snatched away. I had to get out of here. Had to get the fuck away from her before I—

Before I what?

I dropped my bag, sat on the bed, and shoved my feet into my boots. “Stay as long as you like, Ms. Davies.” I forced the last words and pushed past her, driving my body forward in sheer desperation. I was out of the bedroom and across the living room before she unleashed a scream so guttural, I tasted blood.

“FUCK YOU! FUCK YOU, YOU…YOU…Y-YOU BASTARD!” Her voice broke, leaving shards behind.

You deserved this…

You deserved it all.

But she didn’t.

The thud of my boots resounded in my chest. Hate grew inside me as I punched the button and stepped into the elevator. By the time I stepped out and headed for the garage, I was fucking savage. Hard breaths punctured the space as I climbed in behind the wheel of my Maserati. I reached for the engine button, and stopped.

YOU BASTARD!

Her pain resounded in my head. My fucking hands shook as I clawed the door handle and shoved out of the car. Agony ripped through my chest. I shoved my fist against the roar as the undercover garage blurred and I stumbled backwards until I hit something hard.

Red…

That’s all I saw.

I wrenched the fire extinguisher from the wall. Rageunleashedand spilled free. I yanked the weapon above my head and drove it down with all I had.

BOOM!

I lifted and slammed it down once more.

CRUNCH!

Over and over, until the movement blurred and I lost myself in the sound of destruction. Yellow lights flashed from the once sleek sports car and the piercing siren blared. Others stumbled out of the stairwell door, watching me with wide eyes. I knew what they thought of me. Cold. Detached. Unapproachable.

I screamed my agony, until even the shrill alarm faded.

And when I was done, I left nothing but destruction behind.

For her…and me.