Truth (Betrothed #10) - Penelope Sky Page 0,28

head slightly, showing how much that irritated him. “You’re smarter than this, Catalina. Even if you two are Romeo and Juliet, the infatuation and lust aren’t worth your demise.”

“Damien, it’s not infatuation and lust—”

“It must be because you would never love someone who’s hurt your family.” He came closer to me, starting to yell again. “I refuse to believe you would be that disloyal, so I’m going to give you the benefit of the doubt and assume this is a really potent hit of lust. You want to fuck him? Fine. Fuck him and move on.”

“I told you I loved him—and I meant it.”

He stepped back, rubbing the back of his head. “I can’t believe you’re going to do this. I can’t believe you’re going to hurt your family like this—for a guy. Come on, look at yourself.” He raised both hands at me. “I’ve never had a poorer opinion of you than I do right now.”

That hurt—so fucking bad. My eyes immediately watered. “Don’t say that to me…”

“That’s how I really feel, Catalina. I’ve always been proud of you as my sister because you’re strong, fierce, independent, and so fucking smart that I’m pretty sure you’re smarter than me…and this is who you want to be with? It’s like a princess wanting to be with the assassin that tried to murder the king—her father. It’s like you’re brainwashed or something.”

“Look, you don’t know what we have. You’re seeing it from an outside point of view—”

“I’m seeing it objectively.”

“He’s not the same man, Damien. He didn’t just change because he wants something from you. He’s changed because…he’s changed.” I wanted to tell him what had happened to me, that Heath had rescued me when he could have easily walked away, that the incident more than vindicated him. But if I did…it would hurt Damien beyond repair, to know what had happened to me.

He rolled his eyes.

“You just said how smart I am. Could you please just take a leap of faith for me? Could you please just do this for me? Just try? It would mean—”

“No.” He slid his hands back into his pockets. “Heath and I have a long history. He’s walked into my office so many times and made me feel like his bitch. This hatred runs deep in my veins for many reasons, not just one. You’re asking me to forget all of that.”

“No, I’m asking you to forgive all of that. Just try—”

“No!.” Now his eyes were wide, matching the loud sound of his voice. He ended the conversation when he unleashed his rage.

The words left my throat.

“You have no idea how hard it was for me to drop my vendetta.” He lowered his head and stared at the floor for a while before he looked at me again. “How hard it was for me not to avenge my father, the woman I’m marrying…but I did it for you. Because I love you. Because I don’t want to hurt you by hurting him. That’s the most I can give, so don’t ask for more.”

Seven

Heath

I sat on the couch for hours, in the dark, staring out the window at the city beyond. My back leaned into the cushions, and I rubbed my fingers across my temple, trying to numb the gentle pulse that would soon become a headache. All I had to do was take a couple pills, but that seemed like too much work right now.

I couldn’t stop thinking about the exchange that just happened, the way Damien had ordered me away, treating me like a stray dog no one wanted to adopt.

I was scared.

I was scared of what Damien would say to Catalina.

That he would convince her to leave me.

It’d been hours, and she hadn’t called. She hadn’t texted me.

She was already on the fence, hardly agreeing to stay until I talked her into it, so if her brother was that furious by my presence in a public place…I could only imagine what he said to her behind closed doors.

That he would never stop hating me.

And then she would leave…and rip my heart out of my chest.

When midnight arrived, I was certain Catalina wasn’t with her brother anymore, so I called.

It rang…until the voice mail picked up.

“Fuck.”

I texted her. Baby.

No response.

Why did I go to her show tonight? Why didn’t I pay attention to my surroundings? Why didn’t I treat this situation with the delicateness it deserved?

Fuck.

I texted her again. Answer me. Or I’m coming over.

The three dots appeared right away.

But then they disappeared and