Page 49 of Bonita Brynne

“Apologize and mean it,” Dodge replied.

“What he said.” Ire jerked his chin at Dodge. “And don’t let her out of your sight.”

“Give her the respect she deserves and don’t forget she’s pregnant. Those hormones are powerful.” Boxer drank his drink.

“Go grovel on your hands and knees, son. If Tina will even let you near her daughter.”

“Fuck.” I scrubbed my hands against my face. “I suck at relationships.”

“We’ve all messed up with our old ladies once or twice. But what happened earlier can be fixed.” Storm stood and looked at us contemplatively. “Never forget that maternal instinct is a fierce bitch. A woman will always stand in the line of fire if it means saving a child. She will shred us if we get in her way. Don’t risk pissing her off.”

“Then how do I stop Brynne?” My gaze rounded the table, and I made eye contact with each man. “She’s determined to be the one who rescues Raymond.”

“I’ll be the bait.”

I turned around to face Libby. “I can’t ask you to do that.”

“You didn’t.” She smiled and strutted toward us in her five-inch heels. “We’re about the same size. I just need to dye my hair or wear a wig.”

“Grizzly won’t allow it,” Storm told her. “We’ll find another way.”

“Let me handle Grizz. I want to help.” She was something else. “And it’s worth asking your old ladies what they think. Your women are intelligent and creative. I bet they’d devise a plan that would work.”

“I don’t doubt they would,” Storm muttered. “We have a few days to figure out what to do about Raymond. Brothers, if you want to talk to your old ladies about the situation, go ahead.”

“First, I need to get my old lady back.” And beg her forgiveness.

16

Brynne

I hugged the porcelain toilet bowl, and dry heaved into it. My mom passed me a damp washcloth and tied my long hair back.

“Do you want some water?”

I shook my head. “It’ll just come back up.”

“Probably.”

“I’m not sure what I’m more upset about.” My whimper echoed in the bowl. “That he humiliated me in front of everyone or that I broke up with him.”

“Both, I’m sure.” She lightly touched my hair. “It’s been a rough few days. Show yourself some grace, honey. It was all bound to catch up to you.”

“I want to get Raymond away from Dorian, no matter the cost.”

“Even if it means giving yourself to a man who will demand sex? Maybe, force himself on you?”

I gagged at her words. I’d rather die.

“And what about Track and his baby? I know you love him and know what happened to his mother. I wouldn’t dream of encouraging you to sacrifice yourself and your child. Track would be devastated, honey.”

All I could do was sob with my forehead pressed against the side of the toilet bowl. Any other time, I would be grossed out to be hanging all over a toilet. But at this moment, I didn’t give a shit about the germs.

“He never treated me like I didn’t have a brain before. He was an asshole. How can I let that go?”

“He was in the wrong. During heated moments, we all say things we later regret. You caught him off guard. Stunned the entire room with your announcement. But can you honestly not forgive him for wanting to keep you safe?”

“I don’t want to be a piece of property. I thought I meant more to him.”

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