Page 85 of Whizz

“No.”

“You shouldn’t be aroundme.I’m a fucking monster.”

“You’re not a monster.”Sherounded the punching bag, gripping the edge of the bag.Whizz wasunreachable.

“I almost killedyou.”

“Almost.”There was no point inlying.He did almost kill her, but he didn’t.

“It’s over,” hesaid.

Tears sprang to her eyes.She forcedthe tears down.There was no way she was going to let him leave herbecause of one incident.

“It’s not.”

“Are you fucking crazy orstupid?”he asked.

“I guess if the cap fitsI’ll wear it.”

“I’m not going to do this withyou.You could have fucking died because of me.”He dropped hisface, moving away from her.She released the punching bag, watchinghim as he made his way toward the weights.Whizz started pumpingweights, ignoring her.

“I’m not dead.”

“Get the fuck out, Lacey.Get out and get gone.”

She took a deep breath.“No.”

He glared up at her.“Do you have afucking death wish?”

“I’ve not got a deathwish, but I’mnot going to let you hurt yourself because of what happened.”Whizzdropped the weight.The sudden sound made her jump.

“I could have fucking killed youand you couldn’t do anything about it.”Whizz stepped closer toher, trying to be threatening.She didn’t believe him.His angerwas not directed at her.Lacey knew he was angry athimself.

She placed a palm on his chest,feeling him flinch yet stay for her to touch him.“You didn’t meanto do it.”

“How do youknow?”

“You were shouting at Alan,Whizz.You weren’t shouting at me.”She stared at her palm, movingit up to rest against his beating heart.Tears filled her eyes atthe joy that consumed her from touching him.“You were dreaming,Whizz.I wasn’t there in your dream.You were alone back in thatabandoned warehouse where Alan was torturing you.”

“You’re fucking insane anddelusional.”

“If you could have killed me,Whizz, you’d have done it already.You can’t kill me.You don’twant to kill me, and I don’t want to leave.”She took a deepbreath, letting the tears spill.“I can’t leave you.I’m in lovewith you, Whizz.”

He cupped her cheek.“You’re in dangerwhen you’re with me.”His hand moved down to her neck, cupping herover the bruises.“I did this.”Whizz pulled his hand away as ifhe’d been bitten by her flesh alone.“No, I’m not going to let youput yourself in danger.”

“Tough!”Lacey shoved him hard.His words were causing her a lot more pain than him strangling herin his sleep.“You don’t have a choice.”She kept shoving him asshe yelled back her pain.“You’re not getting rid ofme.”

Whizz gripped her arms.“Stop this.You’re going to hurt yourself.”

“I don’t care.Everythinghurts if you leave me, Whizz.I can’t let you leave me.I love youtoo much.”

“I’m going to hurtyou.”

“I don’t care.”The tears she’dtried to keep at bay fell down her cheeks.“I don’t care if youhurt me or what happens.I’d rather risk moments like tonight so Ican keep all of those moments in between.Please, Whizz, don’tbreak up with me.I want to be in your life.I love you.Pleasedon’t leave me.”Throughout the whole of her life she’d never oncebegged another man to stay with her.She was used to everyoneleaving her.There was no way she’d ever let Whizz leave her or beforced away from him.“I can’t lose you.I don’t want to carry onif you’re not going to be with me.”

Lacey broke down as the emotion clawedat her from the thought of him pushing her away.She fell to herknees, pressing her hands to her eyes.After so long of keepingeverything locked inside, Lacey finally broke, sobbing out herheartache.

Whizz’s arms surrounded her secondslater.“I’m not going to leave,” he said.

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