Page 20 of Love Unwritten

“Stay here,” he mutters in a low voice. I’m stunned into submission as I stand in the front entryway, twisting my hands in my pocket while I wait for the inevitable.

Rafael takes his sweet time getting Nico ready for bed, all while my heart feels close to launching itself out of my chest. Although I could definitely use an edible or two to take the edge off, sneaking into my room after Rafael’s request to stay put would only make my situation worse.

Is that even possible?

I curse to myself as a door closes in the distance. Goose bumps spread across my skin as Rafael’s steps echo off the vaulted ceiling. He walks out of the dark hallway and motions for me to follow him into the living room.

Walking behind him feels like I’m trudging through quicksand.

“Sit.”

I follow his command and drop onto the couch across from his favorite leather chair. He heads over to the bar cart in the corner and pours himself a drink before taking a seat diagonal to me. Neither one of us says anything as he brings the glass to his lips and takes a sip.

His eyes remain glued to mine while his Adam’s apple bobs as he swallows. My skin flushes, and I look away as blood rushes to my ears. “I can explain.”

“Don’t bother.”

“But—”

He balances his glass on his muscular thigh. “I have one question for you.”

“Okay.”

“You knew.”

“That’s a statement.”

His jaw clenches so hard, I fear for the state of his molars.

“When I talked to you yesterday about him, you knew?” He enunciates each word with a sneer.

“Yes, but—”

“Then that’s all.” Ice rattles as he draws the glass back toward his mouth.

“I’m so sorry. I wish I could take it all back. I had no idea something like this could happen, or—”

He cuts me off with an icy glare. “You can’t, though, can you?”

“Nico begged me not to say anything.”

“If I wanted an explanation, I would have asked for one.”

“I deserve a chance to—”

“You deserve nothing,” he hisses under his breath.

If I had gone against Nico’s wishes and said something like I had wanted to, this wouldn’t be happening right now.

But it did.

I take a deep breath to center myself. “Regardless, I am sorry. Nico getting hurt was an accident.”

“So was hiring you.”

My sharp inhale only seems to annoy him more.

He doesn’t bother looking at me as he says, “I should’ve known better than to trust someone like you.”