“Sir, we need you to leave,” the bigger of the two guards said to me. I could feel Ally crying into my chest. I nodded to the guy that I would go. Glancing back, I saw Austin with his hands behind his head, watching me… but I could also tell that even he didn’t approve of me with Ally. The one person who I thought had my back really fucking didn’t. When it came down to it, he still thought me unworthy.

“Carina,” I said, “You stay with your friends. I’ll leave. You need to be here for Molly.”

Ally’s head snapped up and her eyes looked huge. “No,” she replied. I caught Cassie cussing from behind.

Ally threaded her hands through mine and turned to her friends, Rome watching us like a hawk. Straightening up, she announced, “I lied about who I was with because I knew y’all would act this way. Yes, I’m with Axel, and I don’t care what any of you have to say.” She looked across to Rome and he shook his head at her in disbelief. “I know he’s done wrong in his past. I know that y’all will find it hard to forget it, but he’s a good man.” Her face flushed and she added, “And I’m twenty-seven for Christ’s sake! I’m old enough to choose who I want. And I choose him. I don’t need, nor do I seek your approval.”

All her friends gaped. I’d never seen a bunch of people look so friggin’ shocked. Then, to make things worse, Rome stepped forward and said, “I’d rather you were with anyone but him. Anyone’s better than a crack dealing junkie that will lead you straight to hell.”

Ally’s head snapped to Rome, her eyes darkened and she said, “Yeah? Well I don’t want anyone else, Axel,” she looked up at me and hit me with a watery smile, “he completely owns my heart.”

“Ally…” Lexi whispered from our side, her hands to her mouth, tears in her eyes. And I couldn’t speak, my chest was too tight at her proudly standing by my side. She was proud to be at my side. What kind of fucked up world had I landed in where Ally Prince was standing proudly at my side?

Ally turned to Lexi. “Please can you keep me informed of Molly’s recovery, Lex? Tell her that I’ll see her real soon, and I’m sorry I couldn’t stay.” Lexi nodded, looking worryingly at Austin. Ally then looked to her cousin. “I know you don’t approve, Rome. And I want to stay for Molls, but I get that you’re pissed at me right now and need us to leave. Because if Axel goes, so do I. But know that I ain’t the kid you feel you gotta protect no more. And I don’t need you to approve my choices.” She took a breath and continued, “If you want me to leave your house, I will. I understand.”

Rome’s jaw clenched as he glared at me, but when his eyes fell on his cousin, they softened some. “You don’t have to leave, Al. You know that, but I can’t get on board with you and him being together. I got no idea how it happened or how long you’ve been together. But I know he’s fucking poison, Al. He might be doing okay now, but he’ll fuck up again. I’ve seen him do it from when we were kids. He’s Heighter for life.”

“He’s not, Rome,” she said coolly. “You have no idea how amazing he really is.”

With that, we turned and walked down the hallway, leaving all her friends behind. We never spoke as we got in the car, we never talked as we drove to my studio.

Wasn’t much to say anyhow.

*****

As we walked into the studio, Ally had her arms wrapped around her waist like she was cold. I stepped back, watching her as she stood still just staring out of the window. She was so damn beautiful I almost couldn’t stand it.

Putting her rental car keys on the table, I moved to stand behind her and turned her in my arms. Her normally bright face was so pale and most of her makeup was gone from how much she’d cried.

As I drank in her unusually sad face, my stomach rolled.

I did this to her.

I did this to everyone. Fucking destroyed their lives, made them sad… made them leave the people they loved.

Rome was right, I was poison. And I probably would fuck up again. It’s what I did best.

“Don’t,” Ally suddenly said in a hoarse voice, pulling my attention back to the moment. I didn’t say anything in response. She wouldn’t like what I had to say anyway.

Ally’s hand pressed in my cheek, drawing me in. “Whatever you’re thinking, stop.”

“We shouldn’t be together,” I replied, even though it was fucking tearing me apart inside to say so.

Dropping her hand from my face, Ally walked toward my bed and began undressing. My dick immediately started hardening as she pulled off her top, a white lace bra underneath. And when her hands began pulling down the zipper of her skirt, her tanned firm ass appearing as she only wore a tiny white thong, I had to close my eyes just to keep my shit together.