Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 64751 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 324(@200wpm)___ 259(@250wpm)___ 216(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64751 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 324(@200wpm)___ 259(@250wpm)___ 216(@300wpm)
Right away, a flurry of female voices has me frowning.
“Alexis,” Bonnie calls, “it’s just us.”
Us?
Pushing the door open, I’m faced with not just Bonnie, but Myla and Acacia, too. My eyes scan over them, and I’m not certain if I want the company. Myla is holding some bags of food, Acacia some alcohol, and Bonnie has a block of chocolate in her hand. Before I can argue or tell them to leave, Acacia speaks. “We have been shit friends, girl, but we’re here to make it up to you.”
Friends?
They consider me a friend?
“I’m not sure,” I say, my voice croaky from sleep.
“Just give us a chance,” Myla pleads, offering me a smile. “I swear, we can change your mind.”
Oh, what the hell.
I step aside, and I’m rewarded by their triumphant smiles as they walk into the apartment. Myla looks around and then calls out, “Damn, Bonnie. Western is loaded. This is a nice little place.”
Bonnie snorts. “Don’t I know it. The man is always reminding me. I told him maybe he should buy me a house if he’s throwing his cash around.”
Acacia laughs. “Get it, girl.”
It’s hard not to like these girls. They’re so easy to get along with.
“How is the pain?” Bonnie asks me, pulling a pill bottle out from her purse and handing it to me. “Fury instructed me to give these to you. You’ve got him spinning in circles.”
Fuck Fury.
“I hope he spins himself to the ground,” I mutter.
“Well, that’s why we’re here. We’ve got a lot to talk about,” Acacia says, handing me a drink.
I have no idea what it is, but I’ll take it.
“Am I meant to mix alcohol and painkillers?” I ask, taking it.
“It’s weak. You’ll be fine.”
Hmm.
“What exactly is it you think we’re going to discuss?” I question, as Myla begins dishing out some food.
My stomach rumbles.
I can’t remember the last time I ate.
“Drink that up and we’ll get to it.”
Well.
This should be interesting.
“SO, THERE YOU HAVE it,” Bonnie tells me. “What Fury was saying that day was only one part of the story. He doesn’t mean to come across that way, but he’s been so burned in the past that he holds back, but I promise you, he does not feel sorry for you or think you’re weak. Fury protecting you is because he cares because I can promise you, he has not protected any other woman before.”
I stare at Bonnie, a bowl of Chinese food on my lap, a glass of vodka in my hand. She just explained that I only heard part of the conversation she was having with Fury and that after he said what I overheard, she got into him and told him to stop denying how he really felt just because he’s been hurt before. After a back-and-forth conversation, Fury admitted that he did care more than he was willing to let on and that he didn’t think I was weak.
It eases the pain, but I still can’t help but feel betrayed.
She also told me that the last relationship he had ended in him being cheated on, and, because of that, he hasn’t had one since. He hasn’t connected with a woman, and she thinks that I scare him because he feels something. I want to believe she’s right—after all, it makes sense, but I still wonder if deep down he does feel a little sorry for me and that is driving the hero response in him. He wants to help me because I’m a woman, and he doesn’t like that I’m being abused, but does that mean he cares?
It's debatable.
“Maybe,” I say, my voice soft. “I guess I can’t help but think he really does just feel sorry for me, I mean ... who wouldn’t? I’m a pity party.”
“You’re not,” Myla tells me, her voice firm. “You’re a god damned warrior, Alexis. Not everyone can live through what you have. That takes strength.”
“Or weakness,” I point out.
She shakes her head. “I refuse to believe that.”
“Tell us more about what that son-of-a-bitch has on you,” Acacia says. “I have dealt with some sketchy people in my time, I might just be able to help you.”
I glance at her. I’ve heard a few stories about Acacia being the daughter of one of the biggest criminals around, so it wouldn’t surprise me that she has her hand in a few dangerous pies. Do I risk telling them everything? They know I’ve been abused, but Fury is the only one who knows why. If I tell them, they might leave and go to the police.
Something inside me tells me that won’t happen, though.
So, I take another sip of my drink and tell them everything.
When I’m done, the room is silent. Holding my breath, I watch them, scared they might judge me.
“Holy shit,” Bonnie breathes. “What an absolute piece of shit.”
I’m shocked that they’re not at all concerned about the fact that it was my body that slammed into Ella’s and pushed her off the cliff.