Page 111 of Beautifully Reckless

Does he actually want to marry me?

Before he can say anything else, and before I change my mind, I turn and run straight for the house.

19

Following Abbey into the house, I don’t run like she is. I fucking stroll, knowing she’s heading to my room, and will likely lock herself in my bathroom again.

She doesn’t know I can get in there even if it’s locked. I let her have the space she needed yesterday, but today, she’s shit outta luck.

I ignore my ma’s concerned voice as I pass through the main living area, feeling like a cunt for being so rude to her, but I need to sort out this mess I made with my Angel. I need her to understand why I’m asking so much of her.

Once inside my room, just like I expected, I find the bathroom door locked, so I find the key hidden in my wardrobe, before unlocking the door and stepping inside.

Abbey is huddled in the empty bathtub, her arms around her knees, head tucked down, her body bouncing with nervous energy.

“Angel,” I rasp, stepping closer, and her head snaps up, those wide, disbelieving eyes locking onto mine.

“Of course.” She throws her hands up in a huff. “How stupid of me to think you couldn’t get in here.”

“You’re angry.”

“And you must have a really high IQ to be able to figure that out.”

“Ouch.” I slap a hand over my heart. “You’re nasty when you’re angry.”

Her lashes flutter as her face falls. “Shit… I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry, Angel. Jols is right. I fucked this up.”

Even as she scoffs again, I catch the smirk she tries to hide.

Fuck. I’ll take her smile over her tears any day.

“Will you let me explain?” I ask, even though I’m not going to leave this room until she hears me out.

“I get the feeling I don’t have much choice.” She bites back.

Lowering my arse to the edge of the bath, I stare down at her, even as she shifts her gaze out through the window that overlooks the back of the property where a small stream runs.

I’ve seen a few different versions of my Angel since the day I stole her. There’s been a lot of tears. Fear. Heartbreak. But there’s also been strength. Playfulness. Sass. All brief flashes of the person I think she used to be, but none more than today.

None more than right now.

This woman here is strong, fed up, and willing to do everything in her power to protect her child. This side of her isnotthesubmissive. This is the independent woman she was growing into before her family and ex stripped her of everything.

I don’t want to smother that fire in her. I want it to burn fucking bright and blind anyone who dares challenge it. But I can’t fucking do that if I can’t protect her, so now, I have to somehow get her to see my reasoning behind this huge fucking ask. Because even if I don’t like it, her protection requires a ring and vows.

“You saw Molly?” I ask, and her gaze snaps back to mine.

“Yes. What happened to her?”

“Well, Ayden’s parents’ apartment wasn’t the only place that got raided, Angel. Officer Allen issued an Amber alert for you, saying you are underage. That gave them grounds to enter and search any place they ‘reasonably believed’ you might be. Even without a warrant.”

Her eyes widen. “An Amber alert? But I’m eighteen.”

“Yep.” I reach out and brush my fingers over her cheek, for no other reason than I just need to touch her. “The cops also raided the Western. A few of the men got locked up for possession. They roughed up a couple of Doxies, and Molly got shot.”

“Molly got shot!” Her sweet voice is loud, bouncing off the walls.

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