Page 119 of The Elusive Billionaire

“Now you’re learning. People will always do what I want them to do—even you. The sooner you learn that, the less pain I’ll inflict on those assholes behind me.”

“It’s time for you to go,” Grey says, charging into the room.

Riley taps the save the date I’ve placed face up on the island. “The only problems they have in their relationship are because of you. You’ve ruined lives, Sin. Not just mine, but theirs. You deserve to pay for what you’ve done, and they deserve closure.”

The closer Grey gets, the stronger I become.

“The only thing I did was make the mistake of trusting you when I was a child,” I hiss. “Everything spiraled because you were a spoiled little rich boy who couldn’t take no for an answer.” My voice cracks, and I focus all my energy into controlling it. “If they’re happy and in love, then I’m happy for them. I’ve tried to make peace with them both over the years, but I can’t force anyone to believe something they don’t want to see.”

I step forward, and Grey’s hand catches my hip, as though he’s going to physically restrain me from moving, then with a gentle squeeze, he lets me go.

“Yes, it hurts me to not be part of their lives anymore, but I have zero regrets about the actions I took after you forced me into that car. I have zero regrets about ensuring you stay out of my life. And that’s the truth. So, if you’re here to make threats or issue commands, I don’t care to hear them. You, Riley DeVane, are nothing to me.”

“Maybe not now, but I will be, Sin. I’ve had ten years to think of all the ways you should be punished. But after seeing this”—he points to every person I love—“I know what will hurt you the most, so you can be sure you’ll see me around because I’m not going anywhere. I will haunt your life until you’ve paid for your crimes.”

“And what crime would that be?” Grey demands. He’s a loaded cannon ready to fire. I’m actually impressed that he’s held it together as long as he has.

“She’s the reason my car crashed into the tree. She’s the reason Paige will never walk again. It’s all her fault.” Riley’s devilish grin sends a chill down my spine.

In that instant, I know he means what he says—he has no intention of ever leaving me alone.

A flash of a memory steals my breath. The ugliness in his expression right before we crashed into the tree. He’d looked at me with unseeing eyes and made a promise my subconscious had done everything in its power to block out:You are mine, Sin. Till death do us part, you are mine.

Then he drove straight into that tree, and everything that came after was pain and heartache.

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

GREYSON

Braxton escorts DeVaneoff the property with Wrecks barking at his heels while my mind swirls with so much anger and fear, I know it’ll all come tumbling out when I open my mouth.

“What were you thinking?” I finally hiss. Whirling around to face Savvy, I attempt to rein in my vitriol when I see how pale she is.

She shudders, and I bite back a curse, then stomp toward the fridge, where I pull out all the ingredients for a sandwich. I need to keep my hands busy, and she needs to eat.

“Why would you agree to speak to him in private?” I toss the bread on the counter. “What did he say?” The drawer rattles when I paw around for a knife. “What does he want? How can I fix this if I don’t know what the hell is going on?”

She’s silent as I slap together the sandwich, then slam it onto the counter in front of her.

“Eat,” I demand.

“I—I can’t. I think I might be sick.” I hate how small her voice is. This isn’t Savvy. This is someone retreating into the wounded version of herself, and I want to murder that fucker for sucking her back in time.

“Hey, mate. Take a step back.” Cian is wound just as tightly as I am, but he’s able to maintain his composure enough to keep his voice gentle.

“I—I know Riley,” she says. “If I didn’t hear him out, he would’ve just made things worse.”

“You know him?” I sound slightly unhinged, so I do take a step back, fill my lungs with air, and try again. “Well, do you know me, Monroe? Have I not shown you that I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you safe?”

Okay, so perhaps Cian’s right. I need to calm down.

“I just wanted him away from all of you. I did what I thought was right.”

“No,” I say, proud of myself for finding my composure this time. I slide the plate closer to her. “You did what you’ve always done—you placated him because it’s always been you against the world. Well, guess what, Monroe?”

She shakes her head with dazed eyes.

“You’re not alone anymore. You’re not his, you never have been.”