Defenseless (Salvation, #5)(62)

“You’re who bugged my car? You’re who put a tracking device on me?”

I knew I would betray him. I didn’t realize it would be like this. “Yes. I should’ve turned it on so I could’ve been gone before you got here. My bad.”

Mark’s eyes narrow, but he says nothing. Rage churns behind those emerald eyes. I hate that I’m so willing to do this to him, but that file holds the answers. I won’t turn away from finding out who destroyed my family. Not for anyone.

“Okay, then,” he finally says.

“That’s it?”

He turns and stalks forward as I retreat. Mark doesn’t stop, though. He keeps plowing toward me, forcing my back against the wall. “Is that it? You have the balls to ask me that? I thought there was something here. I thought you and I had a goddamn moment. You told me your name, for f*ck’s sake. I was willing to do anything to get you to see what you mean to me.”

“What do I mean to you?” I can’t help but torture myself further. I have a feeling this moment right here will be what I hold on to. It’ll be what I remember when I’m alone and wishing I wasn’t so selfish.

“I thought I loved you, Charisma. Or at least I could have. I would’ve let you be the cold bitch you pretend to be.” He steps closer, but I stand my ground. Mark’s hand touches my cheek. “I would’ve pushed you to let me in further. I would’ve protected you, but you’re incapable of loving anyone but yourself. I deluded myself into thinking I saw something in you. It’s fine. I’ll find someone else to wash away your memory.”

My chest is heavy with guilt and pain. If there was ever anyone I could love, it’s him. I wish he could see the lies I’m telling. I do trust him. I trust him more than any man I’ve ever known. I gave him my name. But I’m willing to give him up because my life is one big question mark. If the CIA thinks Mark is a liability, they’ll eliminate him.

“Leave,” is the only word I can get out. I push against his chest, shoving him toward the door. “Go!” I fight back the tears that want to make their way forward. I won’t cry, though. Not now, not with Christopher Asher God only knows where. “Get out!” I use my anger from this entire situation.

If Mazir had never killed my father, I wouldn’t have this fight. If I hadn’t failed in my mission, I wouldn’t be breaking myself apart. If I weren’t so stupid, I would’ve stayed in Virginia Beach and worked it out with Mark. But my life has consisted of choices, and those choices have consequences.

“When I walk out this door, don’t come to me when you need anything. We’re done. We’re f*cking done.”

I step forward and put the final nail in our coffin. “We never were, so we were done from the start. Good luck finding who’s after you.”

Mark grips my arms and pulls me tight. “I’m not the only one who has someone after them. Remember that, Charlie. Remember what happened at your mother’s party.”

“You should go,” I say. I need him to stop talking.

He releases me and opens the door, but then he hesitates. I want to rush into his arms and tell him I’m sorry. If only this were the movies. His shoulders rise and fall as he grips the doorframe. “You should know something.” His green eyes lock with mine. “We were something. We were everything. We could’ve had it all, but you’re too scared. I hope you think about this when you’re alone. I hope you remember just how good we were. I hope it f*cking hurts your stone heart.”

My lips part. I want to say something in return, but Mark’s hands fall and he closes the door behind him. He’s taking away a piece of my heart—and the promise of something that could’ve been fantastic.

I slump in the chair, close my eyes, and wait for the master of manipulation to emerge. When I open them again, I’ll be done with my hurt. Well, as far as anyone can see. Inside is another story.

Inside my heart, I’m broken. I’ve just died, and I don’t think I’ll ever recover. I love him so much that I’m willing to break myself. I’ll hold on to the notion that I did the most selfless thing I could. I saved him.

Christopher’s chair scrapes against the floor. I open my eyes as the file magically reappears.

My fingers slide across the rough file folder. “I’m in.”

“I knew you wouldn’t resist. Go ahead. Open it.”

Without another thought, I flip it open, and ready myself for a mission that will probably be the end of either my career or my life.





Empty.

The file is empty.

I meet Christopher’s gaze and attempt to hide the fury that’s building inside. He tricked me. He forced my hand to push Mark away, and the folder has nothing inside. If I weren’t a hundred percent sure that he has eyes, ears, and God only knows what waiting for me to react, I’d break his neck.

“Well played, Charlie. You surprise me.”

“What do you want?” I fold my hands in my lap. I try to appear as though I knew this was his plan all along. Even though I have no idea why he’s surprised, I’m the one with a blank file.

He crosses his leg over his knee and leans back. Smug prick. “I want what should be in that file.”

My eyes widen as though I’m genuinely shocked. There’s no way I can ever let them know what I have. “And that would be?”