Page 50 of Shattered Union

“Fuck. it’s time to leave. The last thing we need is that sick and twisted bastard on our trail,” the woman hisses, her voice growing closer. “I told you if I found out you carried on your affair I’d destroy you.”

Oh my God. It’s Denis’s wife.

“You had to get pregnant, didn’t you?” she whispers. “You’ll pay for that,” she hisses at me.

“End this,” she instructs the bastard who hurt me.

“My fucking pleasure,” he replies. My vision swims as he lands a punch against my temple. “It’s a shame I didn’t have time to play,” he snarls. “It would have been fucking beautiful.”

He punches me once again. This time there’s no pain. I feel as though I’m swimming through darkness.

* * *

“Callie,” I hear the pained voice.

Stephen’s here? Why is he so upset?

“Oh, Callie girl. Open your eyes, please?” he pleads with me.

I can’t move, the pain is too much; the darkness is calling me once again.

“Fuck,” he yells. “Her pulse is dropping, we need to get her to the hospital.”

“Christ,” that painful whisper sounds like Freddie’s voice.

What’s going on?

“Stay with me, Callie girl. Okay?” Stephen says, his voice gentle and hoarse.

Before I can say anything, the darkness pulls me under.

15

Callie

Stepping in front of the mirror, I give myself a once over. My face, even though heavily made up, still showcases the bruising. My lip had to have six stitches in it. It hurts to talk, to eat, or to do anything. But I’m alive and so are my babies.

My hands slide down to my stomach. The fear I had that night when I woke up in the hospital, unable to move or open my eyes. It rocked through me. Made me rooted to the spot. I thought I had lost my baby. The relief which wove through me when the doctor told me they were okay was paramount. Not to mention finding out that not only am I having one baby, I’m carrying twins.

I was stunned to silence, but hearing their strong heartbeats settled me in a way I never thought possible. It was as though a calming presence had taken over me, and I could breathe again.

They’re both okay. That’s all that matters. They’re growing perfectly for twins, and I’ll eventually be okay. It’s going to take some time to get back to normal. My house is going up for sale. I will never be safe there again. The move to London is growing closer. Ava’s spent the past week scrolling through houses for us.

Stephen and Freddie have become my bodyguards. They’re never far from my sight. I guess running into my house and finding me unconscious and in a bloody state would do that to them. I’m grateful they got to me so fast. They’ve been trying to figure out who the man was. It was dark, and I didn’t get a good look at him. I hate that I’m no help, but Stephen is a force to be reckoned with. Between him, Freddie, and my family, they’ll have the answer in no time.

My family is dangerous. They know a lot of people, and they’ve made sure everyone knows there’s a reward for information. From the bankers to the homeless, everyone is keeping their ears to the ground, knowing if they give Uncle Jer or Uncle Butch the information, they’ll end up in their good graces.

Eventually it’s all going to come out. The full truth and when it does, I know there’ll be fireworks.

The voices from down stairs rise, I sigh. It’s time for me to make my entrance. God, I’m not looking forward to this at all. I have one last sweeping glance over my outfit. The black dress fits me like a glove. My hair is styled perfectly, thanks to my mam, but I hate I’m going to have to go down there and act as though I’m happy.

I move out of the room, my ribs protesting with every step I take. That’s the worst pain of it all. I can deal with the bruising around my face. The headaches are more frequent. But the constant pulling whenever I move, the way it makes my breath catch. It hurts like a bitch in heat and I don’t want to take any painkillers as I’m pregnant.

The lights in the ballroom brighten, and I take a steadying breath as I reach the bottom step. It’s time to get this over with. All I want to do is crawl back into my bed.

“I want to thank you all for being here to celebrate with me tonight, it’s not every day you turn fifty,” Uncle Jer’s voice rings out. “Tonight is extra special,” he continues, and I know how happy he is to have his son here.

A son who happens to be Denis’s son. Jesus, it’s completely fucked up what that bitch Zoe has done. My uncle Jer has always wanted kids, and he was heartbroken when he found out he had a son. One who’s happy with the father he has.

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