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

"What do you remember?" I don’t want to say more than I have to as I sit down on her bed.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   


Layla’s hand leaves her hip, and she marches over to me. "No. That’s not how this is going to work. Tell me why Chester shot me!" she whisper-shouts, and I reach out to touch her, but she moves aside, out of my reach.


"He was there for me. The bullet was meant for me." The truth stings worse when I say the words out loud. Layla getting shot was my fault.


Layla jolts back until she leans against the wall. Her lip wobbles, and she nibbles the pink flesh. "Jesus Christ, Jared. Why? Why would he want to kill you?"


"We had a fight, and it was retaliation."


Chapter 60: Jared