Page 5 of The Marine

“You should have done that all the other times.” Alice softly chastises me.

“Give me his new address and I’ll go around with a shotgun.”

“Trina!” I exclaim quietly and glance around, tugging my long, dark hair over my shoulder as if it’s some kind of protective shield.

“Look at you. He still has you on edge, and he’s not even here.”

I don’t trust that he’s not having me followed.

Kael is...unstable.

Leaving him took a long time. I guess this is what those of us who experienced violent fathers do.

We marry them.

But I found the courage to leave Kael, and I am very proud of that. The fact I left in the middle of the day and had set up an apartment in secret, planning it for months with the help of Alice and Trina, is beside the point.

Kael was mad.

Even when I said he could keep our apartment, he didn’t seem to calm down. It’s me that he wants to control. I know that.

In the end, I had to negotiate with him.

“So, has he signed the divorce papers?” Alice asks.

I shake my head.

“No. I offered him the apartment.”

“Briar!” they both exclaim, and I hold up my hands.

“I know. But he’s using these things as an excuse, and I just want it over with.”

My lawyer was furious when I offered it during negotiations last week without warning.

“He declined,” I told them, shaking my head.

God, I need chocolate. I’ve put on ten pounds since this divorce.

Five, while I was with him.

“So what now?” Trina asks. “Shotgun. Just give me the word.”

I smirk at her and shake my head.

These two women really are the best friends in the universe.

“He wants to try again.” Before the girls both lose their minds, I hold my hand up again. “I know. But I have a plan. If I pretend and let him think I am, then I can get my half of the apartment and move forward with the divorce.”

Their worried faces stare back at me.

Trina swallows and licks her lips.

Alice glances at her.

“He strangled you, Briar,” Trina whispers.

I nod.

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