Jared
They say love and hate dance together on one line.
My feelings for Layla don’t dance on the line; they destroy it.
It’s been seven years since she disappeared.
And now she’s back, but things have changed—I’ve changed.
I’m no longer the Jared she remembers, the boy who wanted to protect her.
I’m very much my father’s son, and I take what I want, and what I want is Layla.
But this time, I’m keeping her forever.
Layla
Seven years—that’s how long it’s been since I’ve seen him.
After painstakingly putting myself back together, I’m finally ready to start a life without his memory chasing my every step.
Imagine my surprise when my new beginning leads me straight back to him.
Only he’s not the boy I remember.
He’s angry.
Damaged.
Hiding secrets that want to destroy him.
He hates me. He wants me.
I’m not sure I’ll survive the man he has become. His demons threaten to destroy us both.
Broken People Duet: Deceive Me is created by Vi Carter, an eGlobal Creative Publishing signed author.

Broken People Duet (1): Deceive Me

Blood.                                                                                                                                                                                       


I’m staring down at the stark red liquid flowing across the white tiles. I can’t look away as the warm liquid pools around my bare feet. I’m tempted to step back, but I’m captivated as it makes a path around me. It’s like water. I see my reflection in the blood. The light is dim in my parents’ bathroom, but I can still make out my face. A vibration races across the liquid, and my image wavers. My eyes travel a little further ahead. His chunky silver watch catches the light, and before I can raise my gaze any higher, the world turns dark. The image before me disappears, and I am airborne as my mother lifts me from the tiled floor of the bathroom. The scent of her Eternity perfume surrounds me. My feet are still warm. I want to tell her about the red liquid that I stepped in.


Chapter 52: Jared