Page 55 (2/2)

“She does have spunk,” he said in agreement

“But she also has class and beauty She’s got it all” I drank frolass turned empty “Then my mother told me how proud she was… That I’d beco sick to my stomach”

“That’s the kind of affection every son wants to hear from his parents”

“But I don’t deserve it” I sla it “I hate lying to my parents Makes me feel like shit”

Carter shifted his gaze down to his glass “Then what are you going to do?”

“I don’t fucking know But now I hate myself I hate the way I collected Sapphire like a piece of property rather than a person I hate the way I’ve treated her Hate the things I said to her My family adores her, and somehow, that makes me feel worse If they knehat I did, ive me Vanessa would never look at me the same”

“Then don’t let them find out”

I turned ainst my temple “Secrets always come out…in time”

“Then what choice do you have?” He picked up his cigar again and breathed in the so You’d be out a hundredanymore It could clear your conscience”

That was my best option, but I didn’t like it “I don’t want to let her go…” I wanted her to stay with ht I needed her to inspire me, to pull the best work out of me What would I be without her? I needed her “And she wouldn’t be safe if I did If Knuckles ever figured it out, he would probably come after her”

“That’s her problem, not yours”

My heart thudded harder inher against her will made me sick She deserved to be treated with respect, to live her life freely without fear of rape and torture The only place she would ever be safe was by h to keep the de ever happened to her, I would die”

Carter watched h his nostrils He had the sa at a brother instead of a cousin “You care about this woman”

I wasn’t going to deny it anymore “Deeply”

“Then let it be She’s safe here with you and seems happy”

“Doesn’t right s Doesn’t clear my head”

“Then what other option do you have?”