Page 9 of Beautiful Vows

After stepping into the gym, the automatic lights flicker on just as the scent of lemon air freshener greets my senses, and the spacious room stretches out before me.

It's filled with exercise equipment and mirrored walls that cast my reflection. I look tired, a stark reminder of the battle that burns within me and the days I’ve spent ridding the world of anyone who will harm my wife and our babies.

The rhythmic thud of my footsteps echoes through the space as I make my way to the center. The cold, hard metal of the weights beckoning me, promising an outlet for my pent-up emotions, and with a sharp exhale, I grab a barbell and load it with heavy plates.

Gripping the bar as frustration surges through my veins. Or is it anger? Ready to be unleashed as it has since someone shot my wife.

With a primal grunt, I lift the steel. The burn in my muscles mirrors the searing rage that rushes through my veins.

I grunt with each repetition.

My breathing gets heavier, the sound filling the room, drowning out the fury that plagues my mind.

Fury for those trying to harm my wife and babies.

I grab my cell and call my brother.

“Hey. Where are you?” Rafe asks the moment he answers.

“Home. How’s Lia?”

“She’s fine. Resting in the apartment. She’s asked about you a few times.”

I smile. “Has she?”

I release a heavy breath, my resolve strengthening. Her darkness consumes her. Mine consumes me. But it’s time to confront her, to face the truth head-on and offer her an alternative because she wants me, despite her protestations.

She also knows I can’t let her go, regardless of how much she is planning a life without me in.

And I can’t give her up.

“Yeah. We all need to sit down and talk about how we keep her and the babies safe. When is your castle due to be complete?”

I chuckle. It’s big but hardly a castle. “A couple of weeks. Cade just needs to sign off the security now the furniture and internals are finished.” I don’t trust anyone to not try to bug my home while it's being finished.

“I’ll let Cade know. But I need to go because we’ve had a few problems at the club tonight. Come to the apartment tomorrow and we can sit down and talk.” Rafe disconnects.

I step away from the weights and walk to the punch bag. Throw my arm back and smile when the sound of my knuckles connects with leather, reverberating through the room. Each strike causes the bag to swing in response to my powerful blows.

Sweat pours down my forehead. My muscles strain with each punch of the bag. But the sting in my fists is still not as bad as knowing Lia didn't want me to know about the babies.

“Lia...” Her name slips off my tongue, intertwining with a mixture of anger and longing. The image of her face stirs a storm of conflicting emotions within me.

As beads of sweat drip down my face, I can’t help but question why she hid the pregnancy from me, but I know she isn’t the only one at fault.

I slam my fist into the punch bag again. Then my foot. As I punch and kick, the ache in my muscles reminds me of the battle I’ve had with her ever since the day outside the Brisbane Courts.

And now she is carrying my babies and wants a divorce.

I don’t think so, Lia.

And now I have one more thing to do, because her safety is bigger than getting one over on my father.

Another quick punch and then a kick of my foot, and I’m getting closer to feeling like myself.

Now it’s time to eliminate every threat.

I grab my phone and make a call.

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