Page 93 of Redeeming the Villain
Stepping back through the threshold, I realize it’s too late. They’ve already seen me. I can’t run and hide, as much as my body is telling me to.
“Hey.” Alora’s face lights up when she spots me.
Mustering as much joy as I can into my voice, I flash a smile. “Hi.”
“Where are you off to?” Blair asks, nosy as ever.
“I’ve got to run a couple of errands,” I respond, hearing the coldness to my voice, even colder than the chilly air whipping around us.
Alora walks up to me and snakes her arms around my waist. I freeze, feeling like my consciousness is separating from my body.
She notices and looks up at me with worry. “What’s wrong?”
God, I hate how attentive she is right now. I can’t hide anything from her. “What? Nothing. I’m fine.”
Blair eyes me angrily, and I wonder if my words came out crueler than I realize.
“Need some company?” Alora’s doe eyes tempt me, but I need space right now, especially from her.
I’m not ready to tell her the truth. Frankly, I don’t want to tell her at all. I don’t want to hurt her with the secrets I keep.
“Not right now,” I snap, stepping back from her embrace.
Pain strikes her eyes, and my heart constricts, the thorns digging into my flesh.
“Oh … okay.”
Blair walks toward the door with Lumi. “Alora, we’ll meet you inside.”
She turns to me and scolds me with her glare—mentally threatening me, I’m sure.
The door closes behind them, leaving Alora and me all alone.
“What’s wrong, Malik? I can tell something’s up.” She pushes her question again.
But I can’t tell her. Especially today. This is his day, and I won’t let a Briarwood, even her, take that from him.
She reaches and touches my hand. I jump back from the contact as it shocks me. I can’t. I just can’t. Not today.
Her eyes start to well with tears, and I bite the inside of my cheek so hard that blood bursts in my mouth.
“Alora, please.”
“Please what?” she whimpers. “You haven’t told me what you want me to do. You’ve barely said anything at all.”
“Just go inside,” I say, telling her what I want her to do.
“Why are you being so cold right now? I don’t understand. Everything’s been going so well.” Confusion contorts her face as a mask in her eyes falls back in place.
This isexactlywhy I didn’t want to see her today.
Reaching up, she cups my cheek, and my throat burns.
“Talk to me, please. Don’t shut me out.”
Lightly grabbing her wrist, I remove it from my face. There are a thousand words I want to say to her. A million things I want to share. But I can’t even muster enough bravery to open my mouth.
“Fucking pathetic. You’re a fucking coward.”My uncle’s words echo in my mind, and for the first time, I agree with him.
