Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 74022 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 370(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74022 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 370(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
Malakai’s eyes study my face, and then he nods. “You’re a fuck load stronger than any of us ever gave you credit for. Looks, in your case, are most certainly deceiving.”
I smile, but it’s weak.
He nods, and reaches out, squeezing my shoulder. “But I thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for what you did for him. You are part of this club, no matter what. And you have earned more than our loyalty, you’ve earned our respect.”
I bite my lip to stop from crying, and nod, “Thank you.”
“Chan!”
I look behind him to see Saskia running into the room, her face flushed, her eyes wide and teary. Malakai lets me go, smiles, and walks off to the group of guys all waiting to see how Boston is. I know he’s going to be okay, but they need that reassurance, too. Saskia hits me hard, and throws her arms around me. I embrace her, squeezing tight.
“I can’t believe what I’ve heard. I can’t believe it. What you did...” she pulls back and looks at me, “you’ve lost your mind, and yet, I am so in awe of you.”
“I did what I had to,” I say softly.
“Scared the life out of me when Mason told me the news. Don’t you ever do that to me again!”
I hug her once more. “I won’t, at least, I hope I won’t have to. I need to tell you, Sas, that I saw Yolanda before I went to Enzo. She said he had been hurting her, and she was leaving. I actually think now, she was telling the truth.”
Saskia pulls back and nods, “I saw her. And yeah, I think she might finally be figuring things out. But Enzo isn’t going to be a problem for her and her unborn baby anymore, thanks to you.”
My stomach coils, but I don’t let her, or anyone else know, that already it’s bothering me.
Not much.
But the pain is there.
The guilt.
The questioning myself.
“I had to save him. I’m sorry. I hope you understand,” I say, holding her eyes.
She cups my face. “Never apologize or try and explain yourself to me. What you did...took a hell of a lot of guts, more than I’d ever have, and all you have done is rid the world of a monster. I don’t think there is anything wrong with that.”
Don’t cry.
Don’t cry.
Don’t cry.
I need to change the subject.
Or someone does.
Stat.
“Have you told him yet?”
I blink and exhale, knowing exactly what Saskia is asking me. “No,” I whisper. “I haven’t.”
She squeezes my face again, and then steps back. “You need to, honey.”
“What if...what if it isn’t what he wants? I just got him back, I sacrificed so much for him...if he’s unhappy...”
Saskia shakes her head. “No, I know Boston, and I promise you...he’ll be okay. I know he will. You need to tell him, honey.”
I nod, swallowing.
I glance at the room, then back at the guys.
I guess it’s now or never.
~*~*~*~
NOW – CHANTELLE
“How are you feeling?” I ask, picking up Boston’s hand and staring down at his bruised face.
He’d never show it, not for a second, but he must be in some serious pain. He has to be. Yet he is holding it together, keeping his shit strong. I admire him for that. Pain is a tricky thing to ignore.
“I’m fine, babe,” he murmurs, looking up at me. “Thanks to you.”
I smile, but it’s weak and shaky. I’m scared. I don’t know how to tell him this. He told me once he doesn’t really want kids, and that has never left my mind. What if he doesn’t want me anymore? What if he tells me to get rid of it? I don’t know that I can live with that. I’ve fought so hard to be right where I am now.
Here I am, with the man I love.
And that might change.
And there might be nothing I can do about it.
“You’re hurtin’,” Boston says, studying me. “Can see it written all over your face. You’re not okay with what happened to Enzo, are you?”
I swallow.
Do it, Chantelle.
Be honest.
“I mean, that is bothering me,” I whisper. “It really is, but I know I’ll get through it, with time. That isn’t...that isn’t why I look like this right now.”
He narrows his eyes. “Then what is makin’ you look so fuckin’ afraid?”
He reaches up, cupping my face, and my heart swells. It feels like it’s going to explode. And I want nothing more than to curl into him, and make it all just go away.
But I have to tell him.
“Boston, before you made a choice, before Enzo took you, before it all...I found something out. And I debated whether to tell you, because I didn’t want it to sway your decision. I didn’t want it to be the reason you picked me...and so I kept it to myself.”
He stares at me. “What’s goin’ on, Chan?”