Page 52 of The Darkest Knight

His visible relief made her cringe, but then his next words tore into her like a knife.

“Finally you state the truth. I am not capable of love, I am not capable of caring.” He clenched his jaw. The muscle on the side of his face pulsed.

Tammie took a step back and held her hands up. “Don’t say something you’ll regret Niall, I’m warning you.”

His gaze did not waiver from hers. The caring she’d seen just minutes earlier when they’d kissed and held each other was completely gone. The man who stood before her was a complete stranger.

He didn’t care for her. The acknowledgement was like a punch to her stomach.

If he noticed her distress, he didn’t demonstrate it, his stance firm, hands clenched at his sides.

“I can assure you of one thing Tamara; I do not care for you or ever will be capable of loving you.”

The slice of pain seared like a hot poker as it cut through her. She stumbled back a couple of steps before gaining enough balance to go to the door. Blindly, she ran down the stairs and made it out past the living room and straight outside. Gulping for air, she stood in the garden, holding on to the short wall, waiting for the dizziness to subside.

“That bastard,” she ground out. “I can’t believe I love him.” Hot tears spilled down her cheeks. This was it, the end of everything. She was done, and more than anything, needed to get away from him. Away from Scotland.

Perhaps it was what her mother had tried to save her from, the worst heartbreak of her life.

While she paced, a light drizzle began to fall. She was glad for it, preferring it to a brighter sunny day. After a few moments, she made two decisions. She’d never speak to or see Niall MacTavish again, and she’d go home.

She entered the house and went directly to the library. Once there, she went to the desk and started the laptop. Tammie prayed as she typed in the familiar website. Let there be a flight that leaves first thing in the morning. Her mother was right. She should have never come to Scotland.

“What’s wrong?” Gwen entered the room, a concerned crinkle between her brows. “Have you been crying?”

Tammie nodded. “Yes, I have been bawling my eyes out over that no-good asshole man. And you know what? I’m done, I’m leaving.”

Her fingers tapped away as she began to enter the information, her blurry vision making it hard to see the screen.

“Tammie, you can’t leave like this. You’re too upset. If Niall refuses to be rescued, then he’s probably returned to the alter-world by now. He won’t return here. Come.” Gwen took her hand and pulled her gently to her feet. “Let’s talk.”

Talk was obviously something she wasn’t prepared to do. When she opened her mouth to repeat Niall’s cruel words to her sister, she began crying again. Gwen held her, patting her back, telling her all would be all right.

Tammie sat back, accepting a tissue her sister seemed to keep handy. She blew into it, took another one, and wiped at her eyes. “You know the worst part?” A loud sniff interrupted her confession. “I think I’m in love with him. I am in love with a guy that would rather die than be with me!” She fell back against the armrest. “How could I let this happen? I’m an idiot.”

“I’m so sorry,” Gwen told her, “You’re not an idiot. I just can’t understand why he said those hurtful things. It’s not like him. Niall has always been distant, but from what Tristan says, he rarely said a cross word to them in all those years.”

“Well, I guess I brought out the worst in him,” Tammie replied, huffing indignantly. “I bring out the jerk in men.”

“Oh honey, no you don’t.” Gwen smiled at her, trying to reassure her.

“I need to return to Atlanta, throw myself into my art, and forget about him.” Tammie told Gwen looking back towards the laptop.

“Wait a couple of days at least,” Gwen said. “Let’s talk it out with Sabrina. At least stay long enough to say goodbye.”

“Fine,” Tammie grunted, “but don’t mention his name, don’t talk to me about him and if he reappears, I will not be held responsible if I bash his fool head in.”

Her entire body seized, it was as if she’d touched a high voltage wire. Gwen leaned toward her, eyes wide. “What is it?”

“I ... I don’t know. But someone needs my help.” Tammie closed her eyes to concentrate.