Free The Last Time by E. L. Todd

her. I didn’t. Please give me a chance to defend myself. I love Hazel and I need to get her back.”
    She shook her head slightly. “You really shouldn’t be here. You could have called.”
    “I didn’t have your number and I knew no one would give it to me.” I didn’t make a step closer.
    She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “I don’t know…”
    “I just want to talk and then I’ll leave.”
    “Sean won’t like this…”
    I knew that. But I had to see this through. “Please.”
    She sighed then opened the door. “Fine. Come in.”
    I stepped inside their mansion and followed her to the kitchen table. She sat across from me.
    “So…?”
    An older woman came into the kitchen and her eyes widened when she saw me. “Who’s this?”
    Scarlet stilled. “This is my friend Flynn. Flynn, this is our housemaid Olga.”
    “Hi,” I said quickly.
    She stared at me like I was a piece of trash, her eyes lingering on my scorpion tattoo. “Do you think it’s wise to have company?”
    “He’ll only be here a few minutes,” Scarlet said.
    Olga shot me a glare then walked off.
    “Wow,” I said. “She’s protective.”
    She rolled her eyes. “She’s like a girl version of Sean.”
    I chuckled slightly. “I’m sorry.”
    “You’re telling me.”
    I liked that Sean and Scarlet teased each other and picked on each other like friends, but they loved each other fiercely. It reminded me of Hazel and I—the relationship we used to have.
    “Flynn, tell me why you’re here.”
    I took a deep breath. “I didn’t cheat on Hazel. I didn’t. I know it’s hard to believe based on the evidence, but I swear I didn’t. My ex-girlfriend is crazy and she set me up. She’s doing this so she can get me—which is never going to happen. She tricked me into getting her way. I understand why Hazel doesn’t believe me, because she’s too emotional to see the situation rationally. But I know you’re known for it. Please believe me and help me get Hazel back.”
    She sighed. “I don’t have any evidence to believe you.”
    “I wouldn’t have moved in with her if I wanted to have an affair,” I snapped. “You’ve seen me with Hazel and know how much I love her. I haven’t looked at another girl since Hazel came into my life. I understand that you don’t know me very well, but cheating isn’t in my nature at all. I talked to Sean earlier and he seemed to be softening toward me. I was hoping if I could convince you, you could convince Sean, and then maybe the rest of the group. Together, we could talk to Hazel.”
    She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Why not just tell your ex-girlfriend to admit what she did?”
    “She won’t,” I said immediately. “She didn’t plan this sabotage just to confess her crimes. I’m not bothering with that. And getting me to talk to her is exactly what she wants. I don’t negotiate with terrorists.”
    Scarlet held my gaze for a long time. “Even if I did believe you, and we managed to convince everyone else, even Cortland, there’s no guarantee Hazel will listen to us, not without proof.”
    “We have to try. I’m not giving up on her. I’ve worked my ass o ff to keep this relationship together because I love her so damn much. And I’m not letting it fall apart based on a crime I didn’t commit. I’m not letting her go. Sean was tricked by his ex, and I’m going through the same thing. Please help me. You’re the alpha of this group.”
    “Alpha?” she asked with a laugh.
    “Yes, you’re the leader. You control everyone and everything. They are loyal to you. Shit, you got four people to move to the other side of the country just because you asked them to. If anyone can persuade Hazel, it’s you.”
    She stared at the table for a long moment. “Even if I did have that kind of power, I couldn’t use it on Hazel until I knew without any doubt you were telling the truth.”
    I sighed in frustration. “I don’t know how to prove it to