Page 29 of Unmasked Heart

Now the tears fall freely from Annie’s clumped lashes.

The red haze fades from the edges of my vision and the outrage seeps out of me with a sigh. My mouth flattens and I swipe my thumbs beneath her eyes, smearing her makeup more as I wipe away the tears. Annie hiccups and turns her face away from me.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to yell or hurt you. I’m still that guy, Annie.”

I will her to believe me. I did all of this for her, to show her that marrying me wouldn’t be the end of the world. I need her.

Swallowing past the tightness in my throat becomes difficult. As I look at the girl I’m supposed to marry, the one I want to marry, reality crashes around me.

For the first time, it feels like I might have pushed Annie too far. Taunting her and riling her up to get a rise out of her is a sick addiction of mine. But is it worth it when I could really lose her over this?

Not a fucking chance.

My pride is one thing. It’s the armor I shroud myself with. But a life without Annie in it?

That’s the scariest thought that’s ever crossed my mind.