My Heart

Damien

"A criminal," I finish for her, my tone bitter. "Yes. And I know what you're thinking. That you should run, that you should hate me for not telling you sooner. And you'd be right."

She stares at me, her face pale, her hands trembling slightly. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because I didn't want you to look at me the way you're looking at me now," I admit, my voice rough. "Like I'm a monster."

"I'm not—" She cuts herself off, taking a shaky breath. "I'm just trying to process this. You've been keeping this from me the entire time we've been together?"

"Yes," I say, guilt heavy in my chest. "Because the moment you knew, you'd be part of my world. And my world isn't safe, Riley. It's brutal, ruthless, and full of people who wouldn't think twice about using you to get to me."

Her gaze drops to her lap, her fingers twisting together. "This is why you've been so distant," she murmurs. "Why you've kept me at arm's length."