“Because you hurt me, you asshole,” I bite out. “I was only nineteen. You broke my heart.”
“You were in love with me.”
“You wish.” I try to jerk out of his hold but he tightens his grip.
“You were. You’ve never dated anyone again. And now suddenly you’re getting married?”
Unease slips through me at his words and I glare at him.
“Have you been keeping tabs on me?” I try my best not to let my fear show, keeping my expression impassive, my stance casual. When all I want to do is bolt.
He finally lets go of my arm and I rub it absently, wishing he’d never touched me.
I can literally still smell Perry on my skin. I hate that Seamus just had his hands on me, even if it didn’t mean anything.
“What can I say? You left an impression on me. And it’s always smart to keep track of a Lancaster.” He grins, the bastard.
I take a step back, needing the distance. “You’re nothing but a stalker.”
He chuckles. “No, I am someone who recognizes an asset when I see one. I just didn’t realize someone else had a plan and moved in faster than me to acquire said asset.”
“What are you talking about?” He’s talking in circles and my tired brain doesn’t get it.
“As if you don’t know. Your impending wedding to a Constantine? I know a setup when I see one.”
All the blood in my body seems to drain into my feet, leaving me lightheaded. God, how did he know? “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I’m not stupid.” His expression shifts, morphing into the charming man I remember who swept me off my feet. “You should give me another chance, Charlotte. I know you believe I betrayed you, but I didn’t know how to tell you about my girlfriend—who I broke up with after you left, just so you know.”
I shake my head, hating how easily he gave up on her as well, which makes no sense. “You lied to me.”
“And I’m sorry.”
“You told me I was the only one.” He did. He promised me that, but I was referring to the other girls in class. The ones who stared at him just as hungrily as I did. “I felt special. Like you chose me over everyone else.”
“I did. I still do.” He pauses. “Choose you.”
I shake my head. “I don’t want you. Not anymore.”
Not ever.
“It’s only been a year,” he reminds me. “We weren’t together long, but it was intense. Special. No one makes me feel like you do, Charlotte.”
His deep, lyrical voice sounds so sincere, but I know better now.
“I’m not that same, stupid girl any longer. I won’t be fooled by you again.” His words, that pleading look on his face don’t matter. “Forget about me, Seamus. I’m getting married today.”
“What if I told you that your fiancé isn’t what he seems? That he comes from a family who will stop at nothing to destroy whoever gets in their way? Do you want to be a part of something like that?”
His words don’t surprise me at all. I know the Constantines are ruthless, not that Perry ever acts that way—toward me, at least. Winston? Oh yes. Definitely. Their mother?
Caroline Constantine probably sends people to their death on a regular basis.
But I wouldn’t put my father past doing something like that either. Or my brothers. They’re all terrible.
“My family is no better,” I admit, which is the truth.
“You’re used to that kind of treatment, then.” He says it as a statement, not a question.