And, now, I’m quickly calculating the distance to see if I can make it back into my building before he can catch me.
He’s drunk. I might make it.
And it’s like he’s read my mind because he catches hold of my upper arm, gripping tightly, his fingers biting into my skin.
He was never violent with me while we were together, but I’m not feeling so sure that he wouldn’t be that way now.
He steps up into my space, so close that I can smell the rank stench of the alcohol he drank on his breath.
“Let me go,” I grind out, teeth clenched.
But he doesn’t let go. I try to pull my arm free, but it doesn’t work. It’s like he doesn’t even feel me right now.
“God, I loved you, Daisy. So much. You were so good. So pure. Too good for the likes of me, but I wanted you anyway. And the way you used to look at me…”
“Love?” I give a bitter laugh. “You don’t know the meaning of the word. And, honestly, I’d have rather had your hate because look what your so-called love gave me—a six-by-eight room in a prison block.”
Guilt flashes in his eyes. He draws his gaze away from me. “I did the best I could for you.”
I laugh another hollow laugh. “Screw you, Jason. You did the best for yourself.” I run my eyes up and down him. “God, you’re pathetic. A drunk, pathetic excuse for a man.”
I know I shouldn’t keep pushing his buttons, but I can’t stop myself.
“You and your bastard of a brother stole my freedom from me!” I bite. “You set me up for that robbery and then just walked away clean. And you came here for, what? To say you’re sorry? Well, fuck you. If you’re as sorry as you say you are, then you’ll go to the police station, and you’ll tell them the truth. Go to the police right now, and tell them that it was you and Damien. That you both set me up. That you robbed the store.”
His eyes flare with danger, and his grip on my arm increases, making me whimper in pain.
He leans in close to my face. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Daisy.” His voice is low but calm and steady. “My brother and I had nothing to do with what happened that night. All I know is what everyone else knows—that you did the robbery. Your access card was used to get in the store. You were the one who had some of the stolen jewelry found in your apartment.”
Finding strength, I push him away from me, shoving him back. “Fuck you!” I seethe. “I fucking hate you, you bastard!”
“You should hate me,” he says calmly. “And you should be afraid, too. Fear keeps people quiet, and you should be quiet, Daisy.”
I wrap shaking arms around myself. “Is that a threat?” I somehow manage to keep my voice steady. God knows how because my insides are rattling.
“No,” he says softly, giving a slow shake of his head, like the thought is inconceivable. “I love you, Daisy. I would never hurt you. This is me trying to keep you safe.”
“Safe from who? Damien?”
Jason holds my stare for a long moment before he looks away. “Take care, Daisy. And, remember, silence is golden.” He pushes his hands into his pockets, turns on his heel, and strides away.
Thirty-Five
I still went for my run after Jason left. It took me a good few minutes to calm my racing heart and trembling limbs before I was steady enough to move. But I needed the run. I needed to clear my head of everything that had happened.
When my run was over and I was showered and ready for work, I sat across from Cece at the kitchen table, having breakfast. I didn’t tell her about Jason’s visit or that I’d slept with Kas or that he’d lied to me afterward.
I was sitting there with it all on the tip of my tongue, but something stopped me from telling her.
Maybe because I know how she worries about me, and I don’t want her to worry more than she already does.
Jason’s visit has rattled me. Especially the warning he gave me.
And, really, nothing has changed. He hasn’t outright admitted that it was him and Damien who framed me. So, it’s not like I’m going to go running my mouth off to the police because I have nothing concrete to give them.
And I’m still bugging over Kas and his lying ways. And, now, more than ever, I want to know the truth.
Maybe Jason’s visit has increased my need to know. Seeing the reason of why my life was upended and changed forever makes me want to be surer than ever that I’m not making a mistake by being with Kas.
I won’t let anything risk me getting Jesse back.
And that’s why I find myself in Kas’s office right now.
He’s with Cooper in the paddocks. Something is wrong with one of the horses. A vet’s been called out.