Page 89 of Beautifully Shattered
Ugh.
“Well… what is it then?”
“It doesn’t matter.” His fingers start moving again.
“The hell it doesn’t. Don’t keep secrets from me,” I snap, not in the mood for games today.
I’m not ready.
Sighing, Ringo reaches up and cups my cheek, and I instantly melt into his touch, fighting to hold it together.
I’m not ready.
“I’m not trying to keep secrets from you. I’m sorry for upsetting you, Abs. I’m honestly not used to having someone to share this stuff with.”
Abs.
I love it when he calls me that.
“I’m your wife now. I don’twant there to be secrets between us.”
“I know. Me either.” He leans forward, pressing his lips to my forehead before pulling back to stare into my eyes. “Payment for their protection will be a favour. I’ll owe them.”
My brows shoot up. “Why don’t I like the sound of that?”
“Probably because that payment will likely be something risky. Something big.”
Tears sting my eyes at the thought of him being in danger.
I’m not ready.
“You shouldn’t have agreed to that. I’ll pay them. I’ll find the money somehow.”
He shakes his head, a crooked smile kicking up his lips. “Money isn’t valuable enough for the Marx family.”
“But… what if…” I shake my head, not wanting to think of all the horrible things that could happen. “I don’t want to lose you.”
“You won’t, Angel. The Marx family are ruthless, but they aren’t cruel.” He leans back as the car slows, his gaze drifting out the window. “It’s nothing we have to worry about today.”
When the car starts turning off the road, and I recognise the gates of Ringo’s property up ahead, panic crashes through me so hard that I feel like I might stop breathing and die right this second.
“I’m not ready!” I blurt loudly, thankful there’s a partition up between us and the driver.
Turning to the door, I reach for the handle, desperate to jump out, but Ringo stops me, his hand closing around my wrists, keeping me in place.
“Abs, look at me.”
“No. I can’t do this. I’m not ready!” I cry, hot tears spilling freely, my eyes already red, raw from crying myself to sleep last night.
Ringo’s big, warm hands frame my face, gently forcing me to look at him instead of out the window.
“Abbey, listen to me. We’re gonna get through this together. I’m here. Lexi’s already waiting. Your friends are here too. We’re all here to help hold you up, Angel.”
A loud, choked sob lurches from my lips as unbearable pain grips my heart.
“I don’t want to bury her,” I cry, shaking my head still in his hands. “I don’t want her to be gone, Cameron. Why is this happening? Why?!”
“Shhh, Angel.” He pulls me onto his lap, wrapping his strong arms around me as I fall apart. “I’ve got you, Abs. I’ve got you.”
