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

I arrive home, and the moment I open the door, Alex smiles at me. "What do you want?" I ask her.


"I wanted to make sure you were okay. You weren’t answering my calls."


I don’t go upstairs. I haven’t since Layla was shot. "I’m fine." I make my way to my new quarters.


I stop walking and turn on her. "You don’t give two f*cks about Layla. Let’s not pretend."


Alex tries to look shocked, but when I don’t give her a reaction, she drops the act. 


"I care about you." She folds her arms across her chest. The red V-neck jumper reveals just how large her breasts are, which I know is intentional. "You care about Layla. So I care."


I resume walking. "She’s out of the hospital."


Alex’s heels click noisily on the marble floor as she follows closely behind. "I’m so happy to hear it."


I snort at her lie. My bedroom is in darkness. I open the large, heavy green drapes.


"Look, I just want to support you, Jared. Like you did for me."


Chapter 57: Jared