Craving The Wrong Brother (Sloane and Knox) novel Chapter 179

Chapter 179

Just as I say “Ten,” I see Ryan take a reluctant step back. Soon enough, I notice it’s not entirely by his choice. Emily’s fingers are wrapped tightly around his arm, pulling him away from me. Her face is set in a hard line, eyes blazing with an expression I can’t name.

Ryan tries to shrug her off, but Emily holds him firm, blocking his path.

“Emily,” he says. “What the hell are you doing? I’ve told you so many times not to involve yourself in these fights. Let me handle Julie.”

Emily doesn’t budge, doesn’t look away. Her voice is cold, quiet, but beneath it, there’s a fire bubbling up, one I’ve never seen from her before. “That woman,” she says, eyes fixed on him, “just survived a near-death experience. Do you really think she won’t go through with her threat? That she won’t burn this entire house down if she wants to? I have properties worth a lot scattered all over this place, Ryan. You’re not going to make her light them up. Do yourself some good and calm the fuck down.”

Ryan’s face slacks, his shoulders dropping. He stares at her, stunned. She might as well have slapped him. For the first time in a long while, he’s silent. It’s Emily, of course, his precious Emily. What else would he do?

As they stand there, their backs half-turned to me, I feel something strange rise in my chest. They’ve both been eating away at my life, piece by piece, turning it into something I barely recognize, and now when I look at them, I feel nothing. Absolutely nothing. I’ve been so stupid. So, so stupid.

“If you’re quite done with your ted talk,” I say, “could you step aside? You’re both in my way.”

Ryan doesn’t move. His eyes bore into mine, searching for something I refuse to give him. For a second, I fear he’s going to speak, start another fight as usual, but he just stands there, silent and brooding. It’s Emily who eventually pulls him away, giving me the space I need to walk through. I can feel their gazes on my back as I head down the hallway.

I’m almost at the door, my hand on the handle, when I hear Ryan’s voice behind me. “Are you actually serious? You’re leaving? Where in the world would you go? You have no one, Julie. No friends. I’m the only person who gives a shit about you. So if you leave me, where the hell will you go?” His words stab at my chest, each one laced with poison. “I bet your siblings won’t accept you either, not after you’ve put their mother in jail. You’re on your own, Julie. Completely and utterly alone. Turn back now while you still can.”

I can’t lie, it hurts to move. But I walk anyway. I don’t stop, don’t even turn my head.

When I reach the door, I slide my hand into my handbag and pull out my car keys, letting them drop to the floor with a metallic clink. I do the same for my ring, struggling to get the diamond band out through my fingers. It bounces once on the floor before settling, and I turn just enough to look over my shoulder.

“Here,” I say. “The keys to the Bentley you bought me as well as the diamond ring you’ve caged me with for years. Give them to your mistress. I’m sure she’ll appreciate the gesture.”

I step out into the cool night air, pulling the door shut behind me.

I can’t remember the last time I was in an Uber-definitely months ago, maybe longer-but here I am, staring out the window, having my first breath of fresh air in months. New York at night, dark and electrified, is the only thing I’ve missed since my college partying days. It feels surreal, like the city itself is waiting for me, like it knows I’ve been holding my breath

for this.

The cab comes to a slow stop at the curb.

“Ma’am,” the driver says, pulling me away from my thoughts. “We’re here.”

I see the sleek glass-front of the hotel lobby. The driver catches my eyes in the rearview mirror, his brow slightly raised as he

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