Gold(48)

When she’d brought him home, she’d never thought there would be danger here.

After all, she’d assumed Cliff hated her. That’s how it had seemed. She’d never thought in a million years he wanted her and would go this far to get her.

“What is it?” he asked. “Why were you talking to him, then?”

She sighed, steeling herself for the pain of what she was about to do to him. But unless she wanted to see her gorgeous love torn apart by a dozen cat shifters, she had to do this.

Because she realized deep down now that she loved him.

“I’m… getting back together with him,” she said dully, avoiding Dante’s eyes.

He gripped her shoulders, shaking her slightly. “Do you even hear what you’re saying? He terrifies you. I can see it.”

Yes, she thought. But I don’t have a choice.

“Why? Why are you doing this?” Dante asked, exasperated. “Is it because I said I loved you? I know that pushed you away, but we can—”

Her eyes welled up. Because you’re human, and I don’t want him to tear you apart. “Don’t make this harder on me, Dante. This is what I want.”

He stopped pacing and looked at the ground. “So what, you want me to leave you tonight? Right now?”

“I’m going to the wedding with him tomorrow.” To marry him, because I have to.

Dante stared at the ground, his hands clenched into fists, mouth pressed into an angry line. “I love you, Ella. I meant that.”

She gave him a look that was supposed to be defiant. “I know. And I still want you to go.”

Cliff and his friends had pulled out and driven away, so at least she would have a night without him.

But she couldn’t afford for him to come by in the morning and not have Dante gone.

She’d figure out something, but she had to make sure Dante was safe. She was the one who got him into this situation in the first place.

“Fine,” he said tersely, his expression going blank and cold. “I can see you’ve made your decision. I’m not going to make a fool of myself any longer. But I really do love you, Ella. I’ll leave because you told me to, but I’m not giving up.”

She just stared after him as he went back into the house and stormed up the stairs. She walked in and heard him rummaging around, presumably packing.

Moments later, he was headed past her with a suitcase. He stopped, looking like he wanted to kiss her. Then he leaned in, taking advantage of her shock to give her a quick kiss on the forehead.

“All I want is for you to be happy.”

“I know,” she said in a croak.

And then he was gone, climbing into a cab he must have called while upstairs packing. As he faded into the distance, she sank to her knees.

She could still feel his hands all over her.

Now she could never feel them again.





Fifteen





The next day, Ella woke up feeling empty. She couldn’t believe Dante was gone. A part of her had feared he wouldn’t leave her no matter what she said. But he had.

And immediately.

She shouldn’t have been surprised. He’d always done what she wanted, whether it was going at her speed, wooing her, standing up for her. He’d always listened to her wishes, treated her like a queen.

And saving his life had been all she could do for him.

She changed into her bridesmaid gown, because her sister had made a friend her maid-of-honor, and looked at herself in the mirror. It was a pretty dress in periwinkle. The color of bluebells. Made of chiffon in sheer, feminine layers with off-the-shoulder sleeves.

She’d been excited to show it to Dante. After she figured a way out of this and got back to town, maybe she could win him back over. Maybe she could run right after her sister was married and escape in the confusion.

She was a grown-ass woman, and she didn’t have to fall to the whims of an overgrown cat.

But she had to be careful not to let him know anything was up first.

She pinned on small, silver ball earrings and pulled her hair into a low, curly knot, leaving a few pieces out around her face. She went minimal on makeup, just a hint of blush, some mascara, and some lip-gloss.

She sighed in the mirror, trying to make her expression look less tragic. It would be best if Cliff thought she was fine with this. Not excited, but fine.

She heard her family talking downstairs, loudly, and realized they were probably only finding out now that Dante was gone.

She slipped her matching heels on and grabbed her clutch and walked out to look over the stairs.

Cliff was there, wearing a black suit similar to the groom’s, but with a blue tie instead of a black one. It was less fancy as well. His stupid dark hair was groomed carefully to the side, making him look even oilier.