The vein in his forehead appeared thicker, and the tint of his face showed his rage. “You think I’m the kind of man who will break the Underground code. So, you want to pay me off to keep me off your back?”
I noticed the way his tone deepened, the way his anger intensified. His accusation wasn’t wrong, so I didn’t correct it. There was nothing more insulting than when someone judged your character. But this man didn’t play by the rules—not like everyone else. He was emotionally driven, which made him unpredictable and intense. “I just want to take care of my woman. I’m her man, and I don’t let my woman owe anything to anyone.” I finished my drink and then stood.
His eyes followed me as I moved, the corded veins in his neck swollen. His tattoos were all marked with black ink. Skulls, chains, and brass knuckles emerged from his collar. His blue eyes were the only human feature about him. The rest resembled the features of a monster.
I knew he wasn’t going to say anything, so I didn’t wait around for a response. I turned my back to him, exposing myself to vulnerability because I knew nothing could take me down. Then I walked out, knowing I was invincible—even to his bullets.
2
Sapphire
The sheets felt cold, and the rhythmic breathing I was used to hearing was gone.
I reached over to Conway’s side of the bed, looking for the chiseled physique that kept me warm through the night. I searched for that strong heartbeat, that hard body that could protect me from any storm.
But he was gone.
I opened my eyes and saw the empty spot beside me. I sat up and looked around, squinting in the darkness while I was still half asleep. I ran my fingers through my hair and did the only thing that made sense at the time. “Conway?”
No answer.
I got out of bed and checked the bathroom. Then I went into the living room, expecting to see him sitting on the couch drinking scotch. But he wasn’t there either. His wallet and keys were gone, so I assumed he’d driven somewhere.
Except it was four in the morning.
Where would he go at four in the morning?
The door opened, and Conway stepped inside, dressed in a black suit with a matching tie. He looked crisp enough for a black-tie event. My eyes immediately looked at his hair, seeing it was perfectly styled like always, so a woman hadn’t run her fingers through his strands. My eyes went to his collar next, looking for lipstick marks.
I hated feeling like this.
He stilled when he noticed me standing there. His pupils dilated slightly in surprise before he continued his movements. He set his phone, wallet, and keys on the table, then stripped off his jacket. “Muse, why are you awake?”
“Why are you awake?” I countered. “And where were you?” I flipped on the light and immediately looked at his neck, wondering if I would see bright red lipstick where a woman had kissed him. He told me we were committed now, but I couldn’t think of any other reason why he was out in the middle of the night.
His eyes narrowed threateningly as he watched me stare at his neck. His anger filled the room noticeably, growing heavy in the air and entering my lungs. He didn’t need to say a single word to express his ferocity. “Don’t fucking look at me like that.”
“I can look at you however I want,” I snapped. “Who sneaks off in the middle of the night like that?”
“My business is none of your concern.”
“It is when you’re lying to me.”
He stepped around me and tossed his jacket onto the chair. “I may be an asshole, but I’m not a liar.” He turned back around and gave me a cold look. “I didn’t sneak off to fuck some woman. Give me more credit than that.”
“You lie to your whole family all the time. You look them in the eye and pretend this is real.” My jealousy took the reins and steered me into an emotional meltdown. The idea of him being with another woman always bothered me, but now it killed me.
Now his look was completely different than it’d ever been before. He’d never looked so angry, so terrifying. “Don’t. Fucking. Go. There.”
“Then don’t lie to me. Don’t tell me it’s just you and me if it’s not.”
“It is just you and me,” he snapped. “Just because I had to leave in the middle of the night doesn’t mean I was sneaking around. Now get the fuck out of my room.”
“Our room.” I crossed my arms over my chest and planted my feet. “What were you doing?”
He walked into the bedroom and ignored me. “I said, get out.” He slammed the door behind him, making the walls rattle with the force.