Retribution Read Online Free Page B

door. He moved against me, both arms trapping me between him and the wall.
    “Let me go. This is not the place.”
    “Don’t you think I realize that?” He ground his teeth. “Let’s get something straight right now .” He leaned even closer and spoke to me nose-to-nose. “I would never . . . never . . . hurt Eve.”
    “You expect me to believe that after the last beating you gave me?”
    He buried his face in the hollow of my shoulder, and I felt him inhale deeply. “If I could take it back, I would.”
    I went still. I’d guessed he was dealing with some amount of guilt, but I never thought he’d admit it. “Why’d you do it?” I squeezed the question past my constricted throat.
    “Get your hands off her.”
    Gage pushed away from the wall and glanced at Ian, who looked ready to greet him with his fists. “Dr. Kaplan,” he said, his tone unworried. He returned his attention to me, as if Ian’s presence didn’t matter. “Next weekend, Kayla. I’ll pick you up at seven.” He brushed his lips across my cheek. “Wear something sexy.” My face flamed, both from anger and embarrassment as he took off down the hall.
    “What is he talking about?”
    I studied the worn carpet. “He said he’d let me out of the contract if I gave him one more weekend.”
    “And you believe him?”
    I was tired of trying to figure everyone out, of trying to understand my own reactions to a man whose presence should send me running in the opposite direction. “I don’t know what to believe.”
    “He’s gotten under your skin.”
    I wanted to deny it, but it’d be a lie. Gage had gotten under my skin, only I hadn’t realized to what extent until now. Until Ian had thrown the truth in my face. Gage hadn’t just cast the line; I’d opened my mouth and let him hook me.
    Ian let out a curse. “After everything he’s done, how can you have feelings for him?”
    “I don’t.” I stepped back against the wall and folded my arms.
    “Then why are you agreeing to this?”
    “It seems like the best way out.”
    “You could go to the police. It’s not too late.”
    “Not if Jody’s involved.” It didn’t matter if she’d betrayed me as a friend. I wouldn’t drag her through this situation. “It’s only one more weekend, and then it’ll be over.”
    He dropped his head. “I can’t talk you out of this, can I?”
    I silently pleaded for him to talk me out of it, to pull me back, because I feared Gage had me in his sights and there was nowhere to hide. Nowhere for me to go but downhill from here, and what really sucked was how familiar this path was.
    So was the same sense of helplessness I felt.
    His composure fell apart, and he leaned against the wall, his arm hiding his face. “This is my fault. I did this.” Before I could refute or question his claim, he pushed away from the wall. “I’ve gotta go.”
    He bolted down the hall, and I felt more confused than ever.

7. F LIGHT
    The week sped by too fast. Ian was obviously avoiding me, something I had to admit was a relief. Gage and I barely spoke, another source of relief. He’d kept me busy at work with tasks that kept me out of the office for the majority of the workday, and I spent my nights at the hospital with Eve.
    I’d been a nervous wreck all week. I couldn’t help but wonder what Gage had planned for me at the week’s end, and considering how he’d chosen New Year’s Eve to begin our last weekend together, I couldn’t deny I was edgy . . . and curious.
    Now as I slipped into a red halter dress, I recognized something was different about this weekend. Gage had told me on Wednesday that he was taking me out of town—not far in case Eve needed me—which only heightened the nervous flutters in my gut. I prepared my hair and put on my makeup. He hadn’t even arrived yet, but I sensed it; this weekend was significant, only I didn’t know why. It felt more like a date. I floundered at the thought, but I didn’t have time to dwell on it. A knock