"I don’t care about the situation my sister is alone and needs help ."
"She’s not alone, she’s in a hospital with nurses and doctors and definitely your brothers."
"She’s scared," I snap. "She sounded scared, i need to get to her."
He runs a hand through his hair.
"I’ll send security ahead. We’ll assess it."
"I’m not waiting for an assessnt to see my sick sister in the hospital ."
"You are."
The firmness in his voice makes sothing hot flare inside .
"You don’t get to decide that."
"I do when it’s about your safety."
"I am not a package you lock in a freaking vault Zane."
"You are my wife."
"That doesn’t an you get to cage ."
His jaw tightens.
"You think I’m doing this to control you?"
"Yes you are," I fire back imdiately.
"I’m doing it because soone just torched my property to get to and they would probably co for you if we gave them the chance to and I don’t want to."
"And that has nothing to do with seeing my sister. I am not part of your war."
"You are whether you like it or not."
I step closer.
"She’s been in a hospital bed for days and didn’t tell because she didn’t want to worry . And you’re telling to..... to just sit here?." I say throwing my hands around in frustration.
"I’m telling you to wait until we know what and who we’re dealing with."
"For how long?"
"A few days probably."
"A few days?" I almost laugh. "You want to wait a few days while she’s hooked up to machines?"
His expression softens slightly at that.
"I’ll have Aaron take you," he says after a mont.
Relief fills for a second.
"Good."
"But not today."
It disappears instantly.
"You can’t be serious."
"I have to secure things first."
"I’m going," I say flatly.
He steps closer.
"No you’re not."
The way he says it makes my chest tighten.
"You don’t just choose to ignore a threat."
"I’m not ignoring it. I just don’t think the world revolves around you and your enemies."
He exhales sharply.
"You think I enjoy telling you to stay?"
"Yes," I snap.
His eyes flash.
"You think I like watching you look at like I’m the villain every ti I try to protect you?"
"I didn’t ask for yiur protection."
I swallow, when he doesn’t answer
"You really think they’d co for ?"
"If they think it hurts , yes."
Now why would they think hurting would hurt him, tsk we aren’t even that kind of couple. Buy the seriousness in his tone unsettles .
I cross my arms over my chest.
"I’m not living like this."
"You think I want you to?
"Then fix it."
"I am trying to."
"By locking inside?"
"By eliminating the threat before letting my wife outside"
"Zane."
"I’m not letting you walk into sothing that might endanger your life ."
"And I’m not letting my sister think I don’t care."
He studies for a long mont.
The tension in his face shifts into sothing else. Frustration and fear. But I have to mistaken Zane has no reason to feat for my life. None at all
"She didn’t sound well," I say quietly. "I could hear it."
He looks away briefly.
"I know."
That softens a little.
"Please," I say. "Just let go see her."
He looks back at .
"You wait until tonight."
"That’s hours."
"Yes."
I stare at him.
"And if I don’t?"
His jaw tightens.
"Aaron is outside."
"That’s not an answer."
"It is one I can give."
"You’d have him stop ?"
"Yes."
Anger surges through .
"You don’t fucking own , stop acting like you do"
"I’m just trying to keep you alive!!."
"I’m not in a war zone."
"You don’t know that yet."
He grabs his jacket from the chair.
"I have to go handle this."
"So you’re just leaving here?"
"For now."
He walks toward the door.
"I’ll call when I know more," he says.
I stand there, shaking slightly from adrenaline and frustration.
He stops at the doorway and looks back at .
Then he’s gone.
I look down at my phone.
And a ssage from Ivy lights up the screen.
You coming El?
My throat tightens.
I stare at the door he just walked out
Then back at my phone.
And for the first ti since waking up, I feel torn in two.
Between fear and my family.
But I’ve already made up my mind and If I stand there too long, I’ll start doubting myself, I’ll start hearing his voice in my head. Wait. It’s not safe and just a few days.
A few days is too long, I need to go see what on with Vee.
I grab my bag from the chair near the staircase and head toward the front door. My pulse is still uneven from the argunt, but underneath it is sothing steadier.
I’m not staying here and waiting like a dork.
The morning air hits my face as soon as I step outside...
Aaron is exactly where Zane said he’d be.
Leaning against the black SUV near the gate, his arms folded over his chest, with sunglasses on even though the sun isn’t that strong yet.
He straightens the mont he sees .
For a second, we just look at each other...and it’s kinda off given I.... I well ran out of his custody and most definitely caused issues between him and his boss.
I notice he doesn’t look annoyed though he looks... hurt.
Sothing guarded in his eyes that wasn’t there before.
I walk down the steps slowly.
"We’re going to the hospital," I say.
He doesn’t move.
"Did he clear it?" he asks evenly.
"No."
His jaw flexes.
"Then we’re not moving."
I stop a few feet away from him.
"Aaron."
He doesn’t answer.
Up close, I can see the faint bruise along his cheekbone. Yellowing at the edges. Half-hidden under his glasses.
Guilt slides into my stomach.
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