Page 42 of Toxic

She shakes her head. "I don't need your help."

"Open, or I'll make you, Bridge," I softly warn, refraining from saying anything else, trying to erase the thought of that thug's hands and lips on her.

She reluctantly obeys. I carefully brush her teeth. Then I hold a cup of water to her mouth. "Swish."

She sniffles and does it. I comb her hair then carry her to the bed. I slide her under the covers then go back to the bathroom and brush my teeth. When I turn off the lights, I put my phone on the table and get in bed next to her.

"My kids hate me," she whispers.

"No, they don't. They're just upset," I insist near her ear. I tug her into my arms, cocooning my body around hers.

"They do." She turns to me. "You don't know what I've done."

"Regarding the kids?" I question.

She squeezes her eyes shut and nods.

"Yeah, I do. Killian and Arianna told us their side of the story."

More tears fall. "Then you know I'm a horrible mother."

I wipe her cheek. "No, you aren't. What I know is that the O'Malleys want to see the kids. I also know the kids want to see the O'Malleys. What I don't know is why you made this choice. But not a bone in my body thinks you wouldn't have if you didn't have your reasons."

"Well, you're the only one in the entire world, then."

I tuck her wet hair behind her ear. "Then I guess you have one person on your side."

She closes her eyes, and her lips quiver.

I trace her jaw, trying to ignore my cock that's growing harder by the minute. "Why were you in the club, Bridget?"

Darts fly at me from her eyes. Her tone turns ugly. "Why were you there?"

"Do you really want an answer to that?"

She turns away so her ass is against my cock, seething, "Of course, same old Dante. Are you and Gianni still swapping?"

"Why would you care if we were?" I ask, pissed she's bringing that shit up after all these years. I told her so many times how sorry I was for all the sordid crap I put her through in high school before I knew she was dating Sean.

"Guess some things never change," she mutters.

I flip her over so fast, she gasps. I cage my body over hers. "We haven't done that since we graduated high school. But I'm not a saint and won't pretend to be one. You, on the other hand..." I lick my lips, trying to regulate my heartbeat, refraining from dipping an inch lower and taking what I've always wanted to be mine. "You have no business in that club."

More tears and pain fill her orbs. Her voice cracks. "Why? Because I'm a widow? Because I'm a mom? Or is it because Sean would hate me touching anyone else?"

My chest tightens. "Jesus, Bridge. No. You're too good for anyone in that club."

Her forehead scrunches. "I didn't know. Cara told me to pick her up. I-I was already drinking in the car and... I don't know why I didn't leave. But—" She takes a few shaky breaths. "It felt nice not to think for a few hours. Not to be hated."

"No one hates you."

"Everyone does."

I drag my knuckles over her cheek. "I don't hate you."

"You don't know me anymore."

"Yes, I do."

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