Secret (Betrothed #9) - Penelope Sky Page 0,27

was the skull ring he always wore, glittering in the candlelight.

I was frozen to the spot, unable to believe this was real.

It couldn’t be real.

He would really do this to me…after everything that already happened?

The waiter brought the bill, and Heath reached into his pocket and grabbed a wad of cash before he slipped it inside the tab. Then he and the woman rose from their seats and headed to the main doors, his arm around her waist.

Then he grabbed her ass.

The same emotions that hit me in my bedroom rushed back to me, suffocating me, drowning me. The betrayal was like a knife to the throat, cutting my windpipe so blood flooded my airway.

Heath told me I was wrong, even made me apologize for it, and then he did this shit?

Tears burned in my eyes because I was devastated.

Fucking devastated.

I should just leave and cut him off from my life, block his phone number and change apartments so I could get rid of him for good. But taking the high road was never my style, so I went after him, ready to release my wrath.

I pushed through the double doors and watched them walk down the sidewalk, his arm still around her waist.

“Hey, asshole.” I walked fast in my heels, as if I were wearing flats.

He didn’t turn around.

“I’m talking to you, piece of shit!”

He halted and slowly turned around, his blue eyes narrowing on my face like he was annoyed.

Fucking prick.

Instead of slapping him like I always did, I did something worse. I pulled my elbow back and punched him hard in the face, getting a clean shot to his cheek that actually made him step back because he hadn’t been expecting it.

He groaned and stumbled back, his hand on his cheek as he looked at me incredulously.

I could kill him right now. “I can’t believe I bought a word you said. I can’t believe you had the audacity to tell me to trust you when you’re a lying, worthless asshole.” I moved toward him again.

The brunette stepped in front of him. “Touch my husband again and see what happens.”

Heath placed his hand over her stomach and gently pushed her back, moving forward so she was behind him.

My hand slowly lowered, my breathing more labored, my eyes stinging with painful tears. “Husband?” How was I so stupid? How did I not see any of this? How did Heath hide everything from me without giving me any clue?

He raised his hand, as if he was ready to catch my fist if it launched at him again. “I’m not who you think I am, Catalina.” He lowered his hand. “I’m Balto…Heath’s brother.”

I had no idea why I laughed, but I did. “How stupid do you think I am? I know I shouldn’t have believed you before, that’s on me, but I’m not gonna fall for this bullshit.” I pointed at his hand. “You think someone else has the exact same ring as you do?”

“Yes.” He spoke calmly. “Because there are three. I have two, and Heath has one.”

I rolled my eyes. “Be a man and be straight with me. Don’t hide behind these lies. It’s so fucking insulting—”

He suddenly pulled his shirt over his head and extended his entire arm out to me.

That shut me up.

“Heath and I are twins. I guess he didn’t tell you that.”

I stared at his naked arm, seeing nothing but skin and muscle. There wasn’t a single tattoo anywhere, not on his stomach or chest either. “Oh my god…” I was relieved that this wasn’t real, that it was just a mistake, but I was also more mortified than I’d ever been. “Oh my god…” I covered my face with my hands, unable to handle this horrific reality. I’d just punched his brother in the face and unleashed insult after insult. “I’m so sorry.” I lowered my hands and looked at his bruised face, knowing that was going to be worse in the morning.

He stared at me with the same cold expression his brother gave, his intense gaze impossible to read.

When he told Heath what I did, Heath would be pissed at me again…because I didn’t trust him like I said I would. I assaulted his brother and caused a scene on the sidewalk, ruined any chance for him to ever like me. “I’m so sorry…” I turned around and walked away even though my car was in their direction. I was so mortified, I’d rather round the corner and wait for them to leave