Page 52 of Cherished Union

Gabby: It’s a date. We can’t wait to see you.

My grin stays on my face as I look at the screen. The news is still showing the harrowing scenes from the shootings. I should feel remorse, but I don’t. I’m not sure when I lost the ability to feel sorrow for those who get hurt, but somewhere along the way, I did, and I’m not even saddened by the fact that I have.

Losing Vivi has made me realize that the only people I care about are those who are closest to me. Hayden, Elio, Dario, Jade, Rocco, and Nonna. Liam and Edwina are amazing and have been a huge support for me since I married Hayden, but I don’t know them well enough to have the relationship I have with Jade.

“Mrs. Gallagher?” I hear said from behind me. Turning, I see Matty standing in the doorway with a gentle smile on his face. “Are you ready?”

I take a deep breath and nod. Since Vivi died, Hayden has wanted me to be able to protect myself. Since he’s the type of man that when he wants something done, he expects it to be done. So I find myself three times a week being trained to protect myself by Matty.

I get to my feet and follow him to the basement. The first few times, I was bruised and battered from this, but I’ve gotten better. I’m able to not only protect myself if something were to happen, but I’m also able to incapacitate someone if need be. Something I wasn’t so sure about. I’m still not. I’m not like Hayden and my brothers. This is all they’ve known. It’s what they’ve worked hard to become. I can’t be like Jade or the other women in Hayden’s family. The thought of actually killing someone makes me sick to my stomach.

Thankfully, Hayden isn’t trying to turn me into a killer, but to give me the best chance at survival should anything happen.

The earbud is pulled from my ear, and I open my eyes, startled. “Sorry, Dove, I didn’t mean to scare you,” Hayden says softly. “I called out, but you didn’t hear me.”

I wiggle my toes, the water splashing around me. “I needed a bath. My body is sore after Matty went at me like a man on a mission,” I say with a scowl.

He chuckles. “Then he’s finally doing his job. I’m impressed with how much you’ve learned, Addie. You’re doing well.”

I smile at his praise. “You had a busy day,” I retort with a grin.

His eyes flash with anger, but it quickly fades. “I told you I’d make them pay for what they’ve done. We’ve sent out a message today, Dove, that we will not tolerate anyone coming for us. The Masters have lost every single man they had.”

I swallow hard. “There’s just him and his daughter left?”

He nods. “They’ll be next,” he promises me.

I stare into his whiskey eyes, so clear and beautiful. I’ve fallen head over heels for this man, something I hadn’t ever planned on doing. “Thank you.”

He shakes his head. “Never thank me for making you safe, Addie.” He rises to his feet, his finger trailing along my cheek, over my scar. The first time he did it, I tensed and recoiled, but he does it so often now that I’m used to it. I hate that he touches the ugliness, but I know that no matter what I say, he’s not going to stop.

“Get dried and dressed, my dove. Tonight, it’s just you and me.”

I smile, loving that we finally get to spend time together. His men are usually around, staying close, making sure we’re safe.

“I won’t be long,” I promise him.

Once he leaves, I climb out of the bath and wrap a towel around me. Once I’m dry, I stare at the clothes in my wardrobe and wonder what I should wear. Before I got my scar, I’d always wear sexy underwear, knowing he’d be peeling my clothes from me. I’d see it as a present for him, something I knew he enjoyed doing. But I can’t bring myself to be sexy anymore. I don’t view myself like that. My scar is so prominent that it’s hard to miss. I feel ugly and disgusting.

I pull on my matching lacy underwear and my robe. I stare at myself in the mirror, wondering if this is the right thing to wear. My scar is red and ugly. Nothing I do will ever change it. I can’t tear my gaze from it. It’s where my eyes zero in whenever I’m in front of a mirror.

Hands slide around my waist and lips press against my neck. I still as my gaze finds Hayden’s in the mirror.

“Dove,” he says thickly. “You are and will always be the most beautiful woman in this world.”

My breath hitches at his words.

He fingers the belt on my robe, opening it up and letting it slide from my body. “That scar doesn’t alter how fucking sexy and gorgeous you are. It just adds to how phenomenal you are.”

I swallow hard, his hands caressing my body. I can’t help but burn with need for him. It’s been too long since we’ve been together. I want him. I always have.

“You think if I thought you were ugly, my cock would be this fucking hard?” he snarls, thrusting his cock against my back. “You think if I didn’t want you, I would be here?”

I shake my head. “You deserve someone who doesn’t look so—"

“Say it,” he snarls. “Fucking say it, Addie, and watch me tan your ass so fucking hard you’ll not be able to sit for a month.”

I stare at him in shock. He’s never spoken to me with such an angry tone before.

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