Page 86 of Break

“N-No,” she hiccups. “I-I just… I-I’m being ridiculous.” Leaning back, she looks up at Ethan with red-rimmed and puffy eyes. “So s-sorry… for c-crying o-on you… l-like this.” Sniffling, she uses the bottom of her shirt to wipe her eyes. Her breaths are coming out quickly and she’s shuddering each time she releases it.

“Not ridiculous. Understandable.” Ethan is quick to reassure her, pulling her back against his chest and running a hand up and down her back.

She lets out an adorable little growl, and it sounds so unnatural that Vincent barks out a loud laugh.

Smacking him on the back of the head, I glare at him. “Shut it, you ass.”

Choking back a sob, Mina actually lets out a small giggle before devolving back into tears. “I’m just so… soangry!”

Vincent shuffles closer to her, resting a hand on her thigh. “Tell us what you’re angry about, sweetpea.”

Blowing out another frustrated half growl, half whine, she clenches her fist in Ethan’s shirt. “He’s… Do you mind if I swear?”

This time, I laugh with Vincent. “Please, Mina. Swear away,” I urge her, locking my arms across my chest.

“He’s so damn delusional!”

Chuckling, Vincent teases her. “For the first curse word I’ve ever heard you utter, I was hoping for something a little stronger thandamn, but I’ll take it for now.”

“FUCK!” she cries out, and we all freeze.

My eyes widen, completely fucking shocked by her outburst.

“Fuck me,” Vincent whispers out, then holds his fist out for her to bump. “That’s what I’m fucking talking about, Mina.”

Ethan is covering his mouth, stifling his laughter. When she sees him, she covers her own and starts laughing, her shoulders bouncing while trying to hold it in.

Grinning at her, he pulls her hands away and shakes his head, letting her know not to hide herself from us.

She snorts, and starts to slip to the side, laughing again, but Ethan catches her and sits her upright again. We’re all grinning at her ear-to-ear, enjoying this unexpected reaction from her.

Eventually, her giggles subside, and she sighs deeply, closing her eyes. “I’m just so furious that he’s doing this, sending me letters, making me afraid to go outside, controlling mylife. It’s not fair, and he has noright!”

Ethan gives her another hug. “It isn’t fair, and you’re absolutely right. But just keep reminding yourself this isn’t going to last forever. It’ll all be over sooner than you realize.”

“You’re right. I know you’re right. I’m so sorry for this.” She waves her hand at her face and then at his chest.

“Don’t apologize. Never apologize for this.” I’m firm with my words, and when her eyes lock on me, she nods almost imperceptibly.

“You ready to get out of here?” Vincent asks, standing up and stretching his knees out from where he was down on the floor.

Nodding her head, she blinds us all with her smile.

“Screw Danny for trying to scare me. I want todosomething.” I’m surprised by the vitriol in her words, but also loving this angry side of her. It looks good on her.

Get angry, little dove. You have every right to be.

Snickering, Vincent pulls her against him for a hug after Ethan helps her stand. “Whatcha thinking about, sweetheart? We could go shopping and grab a shitload of junk food and pull an all-nighter watching terrible B-rated films.”

She seems embarrassed by what she wants but swallows it down and shocks me for the second time this afternoon.

“I want to get drunk.”

Chapter 39

This Motherfucker…

Vincent

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