Page 7 of All My Broken Pieces

Grumbling to myself, I slip one hand into my pocket to pull out my phone, keeping the other on her face. Without taking my eyes off hers, I answer the phone. “What?” I snap into the line.

A chuckle sounds, both further irritating and relaxing me simultaneously. “Well, hello to you too, Ree.” Andrew laughs.

Stroking my thumb on Fallon’s cheek, I blow out a breath. “Hey, Drewbie. Now’s not really the best time.”

“Oooo are you with the missus?” He quips, making me smirk.

Fallon may not be my wife yet, but she will be one day. When she’s ready.

Keeping my eyes on hers, I answer, “Matter of fact, yes I am.”

He laughs again, one of those deep belly laughs that are impossible not to join in on. My lips twitch at the force it takes to hold my own back. Fallon cocks her head at me, curiosity filling her expression.

“Damn, maybe I should have FaceTimed you instead.” He teases.

Rolling my eyes, I push to my feet and place a soft kiss on Fallon’s forehead before turning to leave the room. “Yeah, you would, you pervert.” I quip back, walking down the hall. “What’s with the call?” I ask once I’m out of Fallon’s earshot.

I hate keeping secrets from her, but I can’t share this part of my life. Not after what she went through and how much it still affects her.

“Ar-Arriana.” Fallon sobs into the phone.

The sound breaks something inside of me. I’m no longer a human, the sound of her broken cries turns me into a cold-blooded machine with one directive.

Destroy whoever caused her tears.

“Ple-please help me.”

“Mi vida, I’m coming for you. Do you hear me?” Before she can respond, the sound of a struggle filters through the line before Charles' voice sounds.

“Hello, Arriana.”

My fingers tighten on the phone. “Don’t you fucking touch her. If I find a single hair-”

“Save your threats. It’s not you or her I want.” He sighs, cutting off my very real threat.

It’s both a pity and probably for the best, because the ideas I have flowing through my mind at what I’m going to do to the man who dared to touch what was mine…Let’s just say he might do something drastic to get away, and I really can’t have that.

“Tell Killian that if he doesn’t want this girl’s blood on his hands he needs to come to me. His life for hers.”

My eyes dart between Killian and Ava. I can’t help but wonder briefly if he would be willing to offer himself up. But, as I watch their protective stances as the two cling to one another, I know it’s a pointless thought.

Returning my focus to the man who just moved his way to the top of my hit list, I can’t help but chuckle. “Oh, youarestupid.” A near hysterical rage bubbles within me. “You might have been able to handle one of us, but both of us?” My laughter dies off as I warn, “You’ve just signed your own death warrant. Touch her and I’ll show you what crazy really looks like.”

Taking a bottle of water out of the fridge, I chug it and try to remain focused on the present.

She’s okay.

I remind myself, even as my stomach churns at the lie it is.

She may bephysicallyokay, but she’s not been the same since. Fallon still often wakes up choking in the middle of the night, gasping for air and looking around wildly with sightless eyes.

My fingers tighten on the bottle, splashing some of the water onto the floor.

If I could take away the memories, the nightmares, I would. But I can’t. Instead, I can only try to protect her from further trauma.

Andrew says something but my mind hasn’t quite returned. “One more time.”

Sighing like I’m the biggest inconvenience in his life, Andrew repeats his question, “You down for the job? They need it done ASAP.”

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