He clenched his eyes shut—the same way people did when they’d suffered some grievous injury and were trying to collect themselves.
When his lids opened, the sparkle I’d seen only seconds before was gone. In its place was harsh resolve and a darkness that chilled every part of me.
His voice was so low, I almost missed it. “I’ll kill him.”
I followed him as he stormed up the stairs. “Sebastian!”
He barreled down the hallway toward his room, entered the code, then strode inside.
I managed to catch up just in time before the door clicked shut and locked me out. “What are you doing?”
He vanished into the bathroom and then his closet. “What I should have done months ago.”
I skidded to a stop in his closet door as he swiped up his wallet and ripped a jacket from a hanger. Fear rocketed through my heart. He’d shut down when I’d lied about being in love with Link. And now he was like a dark tornado, twisting and wrathful.
“Stop, please.” Alarm bells sounded in my mind, and I was certain I’d just put Link in grave danger.
“Not until he’s gone.” He snagged a pair of shoes. “You don’t have to love me, but you sure as hell won’t love anyone else.” Brushing past me, he strode toward the hall door.
If he left and the door shut behind him, I’d be trapped here with no way to help Link. Panic erased any care I had for myself as I imagined what Sebastian was capable of. Link wouldn’t see it coming.
I rushed around him and plastered my back against the hall door. “Don’t go.”
“I have to. Don’t you understand?” He rested his fingers on the keypad. “For us. He has to go.”
“I lied.” I peered into his eyes and hoped my confession would be enough.
“Of course you’d say that to protect him.” His sneer sent a blade of fear deep inside me. He was serious. Link wouldn’t see another day if I didn’t do something.
“It’s true. I’ve never told him I love him.”
He rested his palms against the door on either side of my head, caging me with his body. “Saying it doesn’t mean anything. Do you feel it for him?”
“No.” The truth flew from my lips.
“I want to believe you.” He leaned closer, his eyes filling my vision with promises of violence.
I thought fast. “Remember when you picked me up that day I thought I was going to the airport?” It seemed like a lifetime ago. “Link told me that he loved me.”
He grimaced. “This isn’t helping your case.”
“I didn’t say it back. I couldn’t, because it would have been a lie.”
He recoiled, his anger dissipating a fraction. “I saw that.” A slight smile teased the edge of his mouth. “He looked like a kicked puppy when you got in the car.”
“That’s because I didn’t say it back.”
His frown returned. “But the fact that he said it to you. I should kill him.”
“You’ll get caught.” I had to change my tack.
He moved closer, his presence invading every cell in my body as he leaned his forehead against mine. “I’ve never been caught. So many dirty deals, so many lives destroyed just because I could. Link would be no different.”
“I don’t love him.” The truth, in all its ugly glory.
“I wish I could believe you.” He sighed.
“I’m telling the truth.” My voice cracked on the last word as his warm breath ghosted along my lips.
“If only there was some way you could prove it to me.” His cruel smirk had returned, and he rested one warm palm at my throat.
“How?” My breath hitched as he squeezed the sides of my neck gently.
“I have a few ideas.” He brushed his lips across mine.
Goose bumps raced along my arms. “I’m not having sex with you.”
“Not yet, but you will.” His lips grazed mine again, and an unwelcome thrill shot through me from the heat of his touch. “So let’s make another deal. Though, I’ll warn you, this one has higher stakes than your botany books. What will you give me for Link’s life?” His thumb stroked back and forth along my jugular.
Could he feel the chaotic beat of my heart?
“Another kiss.”
Heat sparked in his eyes. “Deal, but I get to choose where I kiss you.”
“No.” I pushed against his chest.
His eyes darkened. “Fine.” He moved his hand to the right and started pressing buttons. The beep of the keypad made the panic rise inside me.
“Wait!” I clutched his shirt and wrestled with my next words. “If I give you what you want, will you promise to never hurt him?”
The beeping stopped. “If you let me kiss you here”—he cupped my pussy with one hand—“then I’ll never harm that pathetic white knight unless you ask me to.”
“I have your word?”
“Yes.” He didn’t remove his hand. “But there’s still a problem.”