Chapter 80 80. What Are You Hiding?
I turned, one hand still on the doorknob. "I was just going to grab some water."
"Liar." He stretched out his left hand toward me. His eyes were heavy-lidded, barely open, but golden irises still smoldered despite the exhaustion. "Take off that robe."
The fabric slipped from my shoulders and pooled at my feet. I stood there, naked, as his gaze dragged over every inch of me.
"Come here."
As I reached him, he flipped off the duvet I'd so carefully tucked around him moments ago. He lay there completely bare, taking my hand and guiding me so I straddled his pelvis. His thighs came up behind me, supporting my back. One of his hands went to rest behind his head while the other settled on his chest, rising and falling with each breath.
We just looked at each other.
The silence stretched between us, heavy with something I couldn't name. His eyes held mine with that intensity, made me feel seen in a way that was almost too much to bear. I looked away for just a second, needing the reprieve.
"Don't." His voice was rough. "Don't look away from me."
"I haven't slept in days." The confession came out raw. "Not really. Maybe an hour here, two hours there. But never through the night. Never peacefully."
I saw it now. The heaviness in his features wasn't just from our passion tonight. There were shadows under his eyes I'd missed before, a weariness that went bone-deep.
"Every time I close my eyes, I'd see you in that hospital bed after I had you shot. Or I'd see you in handcuffs being led away. Or I'd imagine you in prison, wasting away where I couldn't reach you." His throat worked. "So I stopped trying to sleep. Started working through the nights instead."
My chest ached. "I'm sorry things have come to this."
"Don't be." His eyes held mine. "Just don't leave my side." His hand left his chest to grip my hip. "Don't leave this bed. Don't leave me. Not tonight."
The desperation in his voice made me realize this was more than just sleep. This was about the fear of losing me or, about the impossible choices closing in around him that I knew nothing about.
"What aren't you telling me?" I searched his face. "There's something else. Something you're not saying."
His jaw clenched. For a moment I thought he might tell me. But then he pulled me down, pressing my chest against his, wrapping both arms around me tightly.
"Stay," he whispered against my hair. "Please."
So I stayed. Curled against him, listening to his heartbeat gradually slow, feeling his breathing even out. And this time, when sleep finally claimed him, I didn't try to leave.
I just held him back.
"You were supposed to text me!" Maya burst through the apartment door, dropping her bag with more force than necessary. "I waited at that bar for three extra hours, Cami. Three hours! I even ran into Rafael and Javier. Do you know how awkward that was? I had to get a hotel room because I couldn't come back here."
"I'm sorry." I didn't look up from the lock I was practicing on. The bobby pin slipped again and I cursed under my breath. "Lucien stayed the night. I forgot."
Maya's anger evaporated instantly. "Wait. He really did?" She rushed over, grabbing my shoulders. "Oh my god. Oh my GOD. Tell me everything. Every single detail."
"There's actually nothing to tell."
"Bullshit! You had sex with Lucien Hayes and you're going to sit there and pretend it's not a big deal?" She squealed, bouncing on her toes. "How was it? Was he good? Was he huge? Did he do that thing where rich guys are all dominant and commanding?"
"Maya!" But I was smiling despite myself, my face burning hotter.
"Come on! Give me something. Was he gentle? Rough? Both?"
"He was... attentive." I focused very hard on the lock. "Very attentive."
"Attentive? That's all I get? Attentive?" Maya groaned. "Did he at least make you come?"
"Multiple times." The confession slipped out before I could stop it.
Maya's squeal was so loud I worried the neighbors would complain. "I knew it! I knew he'd be good in bed. That man has big energy. You know what I mean? Big energy."
"Can we not talk about this?" I finally got the lock open and moved to practice on another one. "I need to focus on tonight."
Maya's expression sobered. She crouched beside me. "You're really doing this?"
"Yes."
"Camila..."
"I have to, Maya. I can't just sit here waiting for Lucien's lawyers to save me. I need to do this myself." I pulled out the pins I'd hidden in my bra earlier, checking they were secure. "You'll record everything from here. It'll be admissible because it's a phone call recording. And I have these pins as backup in case he tries to take me captive again."
"You're walking into the house of a man who kidnapped and drugged you." Maya grabbed my hands, stilling them. "At least tell Lucien what you're doing."
"No. He'll try to stop me."
"Because it's dangerous!"
"Which is exactly why I'm only telling you." I squeezed her hands. "I need to fight back, Maya. Forcing out the confession to clear my name is the only way right now."
Maya stared at me for a long moment, then sighed. "Fine. But I'm coming with you."
"Fuck no."
"Not inside. But I'm driving you there and waiting in the car. Non-negotiable." Her expression was fierce. "You don't go alone, Cami. Not to that place."
We argued for another twenty minutes, but Maya was immovable. Finally, I agreed.
Now, hours later, we sat in her car several blocks from Ronan's estate. The best spot to park without drawing attention to the gate security.
"You have your phone?" Maya asked for the third time.
"Yes."
"The pins?"
"Secure." I reached over and hugged her tight. "Thank you for everything."
"Just come back safe. Please."
I got out of the car and started walking. The evening air was cool against my skin, carrying the scent of autumn leaves and expensive cologne from the nearby estates. Each step felt heavier than the last.
Halfway there, my phone buzzed.
"You are my girl, and I love you, no matter what happens."
The flutter in my belly was immediate. Those three words never stopped to make me squirm.
I typed back: "And you are my naughty boy. Try not to miss me too much tonight."
The message showed as read almost immediately. But no response came.
I reached Ronan's gate. The security guard barely glanced at me before opening it.
He was expecting me.
I pulled out my phone, called Maya and started our fake convo.
"Cami, please reconsider. You know what he did to you before. He's dangerous."
"I know. But I'm doing this anyway." I kept my voice steady, making sure the recording would capture everything. "I'm scared, Maya, but I'm not backing down."
The front door opened automatically as usual. I stepped inside. Nothing had changed in the foyer. Still pristine, still cold, still had those artwork Ronan couldn't name.
And in the living room... i found my villain.
Dressed in all black, Ronan sat in a high-backed leather chair. One leg crossed over the other, a glass of amber liquid in his hand, the picture of casual power. His head was freshly shaved, gleaming under the soft lighting.
He flashed me an ugly smile. "Camila. Right on time."
The TV screen flickered with some kind of broadcast, but I barely registered it. All my anger, all my hatred, focused on the man who'd destroyed my life.
"Why are you doing this to me? What did I ever do to you to deserve such?"
"Deserve?" Ronan laughed, taking a sip of his drink. "Oh, Camila. I told you, didn't i? This was never about you."
"Then what is it about?"
"My brother." His smile widened. "It's always been about Lucien."
"So that's why you turned me to a-" A familiar image on the screen caught my eyes. My entire world stopped.
Lucien. On his knees. In a tuxedo. Cameras flashing around him.
And Jessica Bloom standing in front of him, hands over her mouth, tears streaming down her face.
He was holding out a ring box.
"No." The word came out strangled.
"Oh yes." Ronan's voice dripped with satisfaction. "What did I tell you about Men like Lucien?"