Page 116 of Broken Bonds

“You deserve it!” He squeezed tighter, nails biting into my skin, and I screamed, begging for someone to help me.

“Wake up, baby girl. Wake up.” Ace was shaking my shoulders, his face above mine in the dark room. I sobbed, a tear rolling down my cheek. My heart was racing so fast, it hurt. “It’s just a dream. I’m here. I’m here.” He pulled me into his chest when I reached for him.

“It was so real,” I cried, my lips trembling.

Ace held me tighter. “He’s locked up; he can’t touch you anymore. I won’t let anyone hurt you ever again.”

Resting my head on his chest, I let the steady beat of his heart lull me back to sleep. And Ace didn’t let go.

“What the fuck is he doing in her bed?” Someone’s loud voice woke me the next morning. Opening my eyes, I glared at the intruder, only to see Ryan standing over the bed, arms crossed over his broad chest, eyes glaring at Ace.

“Morning,” I sarcastically muttered. Ryan scowled at me just as Ace moved behind me, his arm moving from beneath my face. Ryan’s mouth hung when he saw the bruises covering my face, now starting to fade from the dark blue they were.

“Celine, what happened?” Ryan demanded, his attention momentarily off his ex-best friend.

Tears pooled in my eyes as he continued to stare at me like I was broken. I hated it. This was why I didn’t want him to come home. He couldn’t help but always look at me like I was one word away from breaking. Like I was too fragile to survive in the real world.

“Julian hit me.” It was the first time I’d said it out loud. Ace’s arm tightened around my waist, reminding me he was there. That I wasn’t alone.

Would he stay this time, even if Ryan pushed him away again?

“And him?” Ryan nodded to the sleepy man behind me.

“Amber called him.”

“Why didn’t she call me?” Ryan’s voice cracked, and I could hear the pain from not being told first, from not being there to prevent this.

I shrugged. “She didn’t want you to come home.”

“My baby sister was used as a punching bag by one of my friends,” Ryan growled. “Of course, I’m coming home.”

I flinched at the bluntness of his statement. “I’m going to be okay,” I insisted.

“If you’d been here, none of this would have happened.” Ryan was looking over my shoulder at Ace. I glared at my brother.Hehad been the one to insist that Ace leave.Hehad been the one who had pushed and pushed until Ace finally listened. Howdarehe put this on Ace?

“No,” I snapped, glaring at Ryan. He looked at me in surprise. “Don’t you dare put this on him.You’rethe reason he left, remember? You pushed and pushed until he finally walked away.Youdidn’t think he was good enough for me.Youinsisted he would hurt me. But you couldn’t even see through Julian’s facade. You just saw someone with some trauma and thought they would turn all that trauma on me. Pinning this on Ace isn’t fair, and I won’t allow you to.”

Ryan was quiet, his brows pulled low over his eyes. Mom came into my room before Ryan could say another word. Ace slipped out of bed and left the room, probably to go get my pain medicine. Ryan followed him, his expression turning stormy. I sighed.

Mom sat on the corner of my bed, holding a tray of food. “How’s the pain today, Honey?” she asked, moving the tray to my lap after I had situated myself against the headboard.

“A little better than yesterday.” The smile of relief from her was worth the white lie. Truthfully, the pain level hadn’t changed. It had remained the same sharp throb since I woke up in the hospital for the first time.

“He means well—Ryan,” she told me after a minute. I grunted. “He’s always protected you, ever since you were a little girl. You have to let him protect you and understand that no matter how old you are, he will always feel responsible for you. That’s his job as your older brother.” Nodding, I slowly sipped the cup of coffee.

“I can’t handle seeing the guilt in his eyes every time he looks at me, Mom. All of you look at me like that.” She guiltily looked away. “It’s hard enough already, and then you all look at me like I’m a broken doll.” Pausing to catch my breath and slow my heart rate, I looked at her through the silent tears falling down my heated cheeks. When had I started crying? “I’m not broken; I’m going to be okay.”

“My sweet child, you are so strong and brave,” she whispered. “You will be okay. I know you will. Don’t cry anymore.” She reached forward and swiped some tears off my cheeks. “Don’t let that monster be the reason for any more pain, my darling.”

Sniffling, I put the coffee cup down and leaned toward my mom, needing the comfort her arms always brought.

“I’m so sorry I never told you. If I knew…” Her hand ran the length of my hair, calming me.

“Shh, my child, I know. I know. You’re going to be okay. You’re a survivor.”

“I keep falling for the wrong ones.” Crying into her shoulder, my body shuddered.

“Not all of them are bad, Honey.” She stroked my back, kissed the top of my head, and held me tightly as I fell apart in her arms.

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