Deceive Me

Jared

They say love and hate dance together along the same line.
My feelings for Layla don't dance on the line; they destroy it.
It's been seven years since she disappeared without a trace.
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.

***Part One of the Broken People Duet***