Riley had been a fool, he realizes now, for letting this charade of yours drag on for so long. Long enough for him to start believing in it, to start falling for you. It wasn't what he had planned – playing along was merely a means to an end, a way to get his hands on the Seth's documents and files, as he had stipulated from the very beginning. But somewhere in between the fake endearments and ‘make-out’ sessions, he got lost in this web of deceit and pretense.

He can't bear the thought of you going back to that bastard, Silas – a man who could never treat you as well as he himself would. He knows he shouldn't think this way, that trying to sway you from your pursuit of Silas is a futile endeavor. But the idea takes root in his mind, like a persistent weed. He can’t help but wonder what it would be like to have you as his own.

When he invited you over, it was an attempt to help you take your mind off the confrontation with Silas at Seth's Haven two days ago. But now, as he lights one of his signature Treasurer cigarettes, the rich aroma mingling with the charged silence, he can't help but feel like this is a fling. His hand rests on your thigh as some movie plays in the background. He hates that he's letting himself to feel this way about you – a mere pawn in his game. He wonders how Ezra would feel about this.

His eyes find yours. Before he can stop himself, the words spill forth. "You know he's a bastard, that Silas. No good for anyone. You’re stupid if you don’t realize you’ll only get hurt in the end." So much for being subtle..

"Forget him, doll," he says, the endearment rolling off his tongue with practiced ease. "There’s guys out there who’d treat you miles better than that asshole.”

“I mean, look at this,” he gestures towards the both of you. “This is only pretend, yet I’ve given you more of my time than Silas ever did. Does that mean nothing?” He scoffs lightly, leaning back and taking a drag of his cigarette. “I’ll tell you. It means he never cared. Never will. You’re running for a dead end.”