Page 68 of Under Their Protection

“This isn’t you. The woman I know isn’t flat-out mean to people,” Rowan snaps at me.

“Do you really want to do this in a fucking parking lot?” I snap back with venom in my tone.

“She’s right,” Max says softly. “Let’s just go inside and talk.” Rowan nods to him and drops his hand. The moment he takes a step back I push past him and go inside. I am fucking everything up with everyone. Rowan is mad at me. Theo is probably mad. Max is the fucking middleman so I’m sure he will get sick of me soon, too. It’s not fair to any of them. None of them should have to deal with my bullshit issues.

They were all happy until I came into their lives and dragged my shit with me. Now if Isaac comes after me, they are in danger too.

“Hey, pretty lady,” Quinn says with a smile.

“Hey,” I say flatly.

“You okay?” he asks.

“No, but I’ll be okay. Thank you for asking,” I say.

“Let me know if you need anything,” he says as he gently squeezes my shoulder. I force a smile and continue walking to the back. I wait for Max to unlock the door, and everyone is dead silent.

I walk straight over to the couch and sit down. Theo is the one to come over but before he can sit down with me, I get up and move away from him. I expect him to take a more aggressive approach, but he doesn’t. He gently grabs my waist and backs me against a wall before boxing me in. Rowan and Max stand and watch us from a distance.

“We need to talk about this,” he says simply.

“No, we don’t. I’ll be fine. I always am.”

“Tell me what’s going on. I know it’s something to do with me,” he says.

“You seem to have figured everything out, so you tell me,” I say simply.

“It’s not my place to speak for you. Talk to me.”

“I’m fine,” I say flatly.

“Okay, we both know you are not fine, so at least stop lying to me.”

“Fine. I’m not saying it,” I declare.

“Why?”

“Because I don’t have to,” I huff.

“Why?”

“Are you going to just keep repeating yourself?” I ask.

“Yes. Why?” he asks. “I can do this all night, Anika.”

“Because I don’t want to fuck things up between everyone,” I say.

“Interesting,” he says.

“Don’t fucking patronize me,” I snap.

“I’m not. It’s interesting that you would think that something you could say would hurt everyone else,” he says softly. “The only way we can figure this out is if youtalk to me.”

“You can be mad and punish me all you want. I’m not saying it,” I say.

“Talk to me, Anika.”

“Will you stop repeating yourself over and over?” I say, raising my voice slightly.

---