Page 45 of Broken Skulls

And of course, that is what I get.

“I’ll take you over there. I promise,” she assures her.

Jesse coughs behind us.

Fuck.

She snaps for the two of us to back away from Elizabeth. Then, she steps between us before grabbing my woman’s face in her hands. Surprisingly, Elizabeth locks eyes with her.

I’m not sure what silent conversation is happening between the two of them, but the room is so fucking heavy it’s crushing me.

Jesse continues to stare at her, and when tears begin to build in her eyes, I’m sure that I have no fucking idea what is going on. Jesse doesn’t cry often.

“I’m sorry,” she says quietly to Elizabeth before abruptly turning her focus on me. “I’m sorry,” she repeats.

I literally almost fall over. She slaps me in the arm.

“Stop. You know I can admit when I’m wrong.”

When I right myself, I pull her in for a hug. She tries to push away at first, but she gives in pretty quick.

“Thank you. She’s going to need a bad bitch like you to get her through,” I whisper into her hair.

She leans away from me. “She’s already gotten through; she just doesn’t realize it yet.”

Before she steps out, she pauses. “I vote we set him on fire.” She snaps her gum between her teeth loudly. “We snuff him out, and then we light him all over again.” She flicks her lighter once before backing out of the room.

Lily just shakes her head, apologizing for her friend. “She’s all bark and no bite.”

I let out a laugh. “Don’t listen to Lily. That woman will absolutely bite. I’ve seen her do it.”

Elizabeth doesn’t laugh, but I do see a smile tug at her lips.

“Okay,” I say, rubbing my hand down her arm. “Let’s leave it on a good note, yeah?”

She nods, but as I step away, she reaches for me. “Wait.”

I pause my step.

“I won’t be able to bear it if anyone gets hurt.”

As quick as lighting, I turn, wrapping my fingers around her throat and squeezing tight. “Stop. There is no choice in this for you. There is no reason for you to feel any guilt.”

Lily makes a little grunt, but I ignore her. I know what my girl needs. She needs a fucking break. She needs someone to lighten the load she’s been carrying most of her life, and I’m just the motherfucker to do it.

“This is one hundred percent my decision. If someone gets hurt, it’s on me. Do you understand?” I continue, increasing the pressure on her neck when she doesn’t respond.

She tries to nod her head, but she doesn’t get very far because my lips crash down on hers. When I back away a few minutes later, she sways toward me. Lily grabs her around the waist, preventing her from falling on her face.

I point to her. “Better get to dreamin’, baby, because your life is about to begin.”

Chapter Nineteen

Elizabeth

Dreaming.

How do you dream when your whole life has been a continuous nightmare?

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