56. Renee
I get one step out of the bathroom before I run into someone I didn’t expect to see.
But Deacon certainly looks like he was expecting to see me.
Before he even breathes a word, I feel myself wanting to scream. He looks mussed and crazed. Just off, in a way I can’t quite explain. There”s something not right about him, which is saying a lot, considering I don”t think Deacon”s ever looked on.
”What are you doing here?” Then, when I consider how convenient this little run-in was, I ask, ”Are you following me?”
Deacon rolls his eyes. ”Hardly. I had a curiosity about this little… event. And I decided, while I was here, I wanted to come to some closure with you.”
I look at him suspiciously. “‘Closure’? What the fuck for?”
”You are my ex-fiancée. And to be blunt, you blindsided me and humiliated me in front of my colleagues. Perhaps in the last few days I”ve come to terms with some feelings and I would like to bring them to you before we part ways entirely.”
Honestly, I should tell his ass to fuck off. He”s an abusive piece of shit who only ever wanted to be with me because it was his meal ticket into my family”s fortunes. Now, he”s a sitting duck with nothing to show for his shamelessness—and I couldn”t be happier about it.
Maybe, if I give him this moment, it”ll truly be the last time I have to deal with Deacon Carrington for the rest of my life.
”Alright. But we”re going to make it quick. I have people to talk to. I actually work for a living.”
Deacon”s expression looks like murder, and it satisfies me as we head outside. Interestingly enough, Deacon”s car is still out front and the valets are nowhere to be found..
”Okay,” I say, turning to him. ”Say what you need to say.”
”Out here?” He looks around, like he”s above the space he”s in. ”I thought we would go for a ride.”
My eyes narrow. ”I don”t think so,” I tell him. ”Let”s get one thing clear: I”m never going to be boxed in somewhere with you ever again. You”re a woman-beater and a piece of shit in general. I”m not stupid.”
An angry glint crosses Deacon”s eyes. ”I”m just trying to have a civil conversation, Renee?—”
”We can have it out here.”
That glint darkens in Deacon”s eyes. Before I can react, he snatches me close to him. There”s something sharp pressed to my side and I inhale, but I don”t struggle.
”You can”t just do what you’re told, can you?” He jerks me closer, snarling into my ear. ”I said, we”re going for a little ride. Now, be a good girl and get the fuck in my car.”