Page 126 of Severed By Vengeance

“You’re not the only one with eyes and ears around here. Let’s just say Zeus is going to receive a very interesting email with photos, audio, and video of you and his wife in various compromising positions. And a detailed audit of where his 10.8 million dollars ended up.”

Ronan growled, holding his trapped hand as blood pooled over the desk. “Bullshit. If you had all that on me, you’d kill me yourself.”

“I’d much rather watch it all play out.” I leaned in close to his ear. “And when I get that green light, I’m going to hunt you down.” Twisting the knife, I reveled in his howls of pain. “Find you, and make you choke on your own dick.”

CHAPTERFORTY-TWO

EVANGELINA

Ten, nine, eight, seven…

I held my legs tighter, forehead resting on my knees as the disastrous revelations from two days ago played on repeat in my thoughts. I’d cried for most of the night once I’d gotten home, but I still managed to drag my ass out of bed for work. Having missed so many days already, there was no way I would call in. I did my best with makeup to cover the puffiness around my eyes and sucked it up, convincing myself I’d have plenty of time to break down later. And I was grateful my new partner knew better than to ask personal questions.

Fresh tears rolled down my bare thighs as the face I tried to purge unsuccessfully from my mind appeared front and center. His smile, those eyes… God, the way it felt to be in his arms. I released a small sob and wiped my eyes against my forearm.

It was a lie. All of it.

I was nothing more than a pawn to him. A cruel plot of revenge for a man who was no longer alive. Couldn’t he have just let it go? Left me alone?

My phone vibrated for the umpteenth time. It was new, so I had no idea how Derek had gotten my number so fast. The thought was terrifying and further solidified how dangerous and unpredictable he was. “Leave me the fuck alone!” I swatted it off the couch and across the living room. Diego, who had been napping close by, was startled and took off up the stairs.

Derek and my father had both been calling nonstop. The former would never hear my voice again, and I wasn’t in the right headspace to hear anything my father had to say. I couldn’t handle any more painful truths.

Loud pounding on the door caused me to jump.

“Eva! I know you’re home. Please, open the door.”

I screamed into a decorative pillow.

My father’s voice boomed from outside again. Maybe if I ignored him, he’d go away.

“Eva, I’m off tomorrow, so that means I can stand here all night. Your choice.”

Coming to terms with the fact that he wouldn’t let up, I shuffled to the front door and ripped it open.

“What?” I bit out, refusing to look him in the eyes.

“I get that you’re upset, but you will not disrespect me.”

“I’m not a child. Respect me by leaving, by understanding why I don’t want to see or speak to you right now.”

On my drive home from Derek’s house, I’d called my dad and left him a detailed voice message, where I informed him not to contact me in the near future because he was a fucking liar.

“Eva, I tried to warn you. You refused to listen. Now, look.”

I pinched the bridge of my nose as tears welled beneath my lashes.

“I need you to leave. Throwing in my face how much of a fool I was doesn’t help. You’re hurting me. Please, go. And you’re just as much to blame here.” I opened my eyes and glared at him. “I’m really, really trying not to think about all the ways you’ve deceived me. And everything I don’t know about you because I can’t take anymore.”

My voice broke, and I put my arms around myself and cried.

“Eva, please let me help you.”

I shook my head. “You can’t help me. No one can.” Looking away from him, I exhaled a shuddering breath. “You’re just as bad as he is. Maybe worse, because we’re family, and you betrayed me. Lied to my face every single fucking day.”

He stepped forward and put a hand on my shoulder. “Princesa, I can’t leave you like this. Please, let me stay. Let me explain.”

I recoiled from his touch. “No! I want you to leave. Now. If you don’t leave, I will.”