Page 96 of Taking What's Ours
They’re talking, but I can’t hear the words.
She steps closer to him and runs her palms up his chest. His hands latch onto her wrists, but he doesn’t push her away, and my stomach drops like a stone. I move against the wall, anguish suffocating me. Because I can’t stand it, I peek again.
Desiree goes up on her toes and kisses Baja’s cheek. I dart back and press against the wall. I cannot believe this is happening. He told me she meant nothing, but there they are, kissing.
A door at the end of the hall opens and closes, then I hear heels clicking down the hall, coming closer.
I wait. It has to be Desiree. I contemplate punching her in the face the moment she comes into view, but I fight the urge.
When she comes around the corner, she’s startled to see me.
Her hand flies to her chest. “Jesus Christ. What the hell are you doing?” She pauses, looks down the hall, then a smirk fills her face, and her hand lands on her hip.
“Oh, you saw us, didn’t you?”
“Back off him. He’s mine.”
“Really? Then why was he at the Cherry Bomb the other day? Why was he taking my hand and leading me to a private room for a private dance? Let me tell you, bitch. He got his money’s worth.”
“That’s a lie.”
“Is it? You sure about that?” She leans toward me. “Do you know what you are?Revenge. That’s all you’ve ever been. Baja plotted to ruin his brother’s wedding. Did you know that? That’s why he went. That’s theonlyreason he went. And he came back with his brother’s bride. Mission accomplished, I’d say.”
“That’s not true.”
“You sure?” She huffs a laugh. “Payback. That’s all you were. That’s all you are. Baja will do anything to get even with his brother. The sooner you figure that out, the better. There’s nothing here for you. Go back to Denver.” She pushes through the door into the clubhouse.
I follow her as she heads outside. I move to a window and watch as she throws her car in reverse and roars off, throwing gravel.
A sick feeling fills my stomach. Is what she said true? Is any of it true? Is that why Baja was so determined to talk me into leaving with him the night of my wedding? Is that why he convinced me I needed time to think about everything? Is she right? Is that all this was?
Despair washes over me. Have I done it again? Have I picked the wrong man again? One who’s only interested in getting revenge?
Everything Baja told me… It was all a damn lie?
I taste bile, my stomach churning, and suddenly Darko is standing by my side.
“You okay, sweetheart?”
“I think I need to get out of here.” I turn to him. “Will you take me?”
He hesitates only a second, his eyes going toward the hall. “Sure, honey. Where do you want to go?”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Baja—
When I emerge from Rock’s office and stride down the hall, the main room is unusually quiet. The talk took longer than I expected, and I hate I left Elaina out here so long. At least she had Darko to keep her company.
Approaching the bar, I only see our VP and the prospect. I rest my hand on the bar and stare at them. “Where’s Elaina?”
Darko takes a sip of his whiskey and signals to the prospect, who sets another glass on the bar.
Darko picks up the bottle and pours me one.
I take a seat. “She in the john?”
“She used the restroom earlier. Drink up,” Darko tells me.