Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 101662 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 508(@200wpm)___ 407(@250wpm)___ 339(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101662 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 508(@200wpm)___ 407(@250wpm)___ 339(@300wpm)
“From what I can tell, you don’t have a wife. And Kierra damn sure doesn’t have a husband.”
“That’s not for you to decide. I mean it. Stay away from her and my daughter. Or else.”
I arched an eyebrow. “Is that a threat?”
“It’s a promise,” he said, sliding his hands into his slacks pockets. “You think Kierra is unhappy with me now? Trust me…I’ll make her life a living hell if she keeps seeing you. I will not only destroy you; I’ll ruin everything good she has going for her.”
“You’re a fucking bitch,” I growled, feeling my protective nature grow as he spoke about harming Kierra. “If you hurt her—”
“That’s my right,” he cut in. “She’s mine to have, and mine to handle. So stay the fuck away and stop texting her. You sound pathetic.”
“You’ve been reading her messages?”
“She’s my wife. Mine. I’m allowed to read anything she sends out. And the last I heard, she made it clear that she wanted nothing to do with you. So, do us all a favor and stay far away from us all. You’re lucky I don’t press charges against you for hitting me. A punk-ass hit, too. If I’d had my footing, it would’ve never stuck.”
Sure, Henry. Whatever you fucking say.
“Are we done here?” I said through gritted teeth, knowing he was trying to get a rise out of me. A part of me wanted to step toward the challenge, yet another part worried what he’d do to Kierra and Ava if I did step up to him. If I did knock him out. Because I would. I would knock him out faster than he could say a word.
“I think we are. Pretty sure you got the message.”
“Loud and clear,” I muttered.
He smirked his annoying smirk, smoothed his hands over his blazer, and headed out of the room.
My first thought was to message Kierra, but now I knew he was monitoring her phone. I didn’t want to make things messier for her, but I did need to see her. So, I grabbed my keys and headed over to her therapy clinic, hoping I might be able to catch her at the end of her day.
When I showed up, I found Joseph in the front lobby, finishing up some paperwork with the receptionist. When he saw me, he smiled widely.
“Gabriel, hey there. How goes it?” he asked, walking over and extending his hand my way.
I shook it. “It’s going. I was just wondering if Kierra was free for a few minutes to chat.”
He glanced at his watch. “I believe she has a meeting with a client in about fifteen minutes, but I can see if she’s free.”
“That would be great. Thanks.”
He headed back to Kierra’s office, then emerged with a soft smile on his face. “Come on back, Gabriel. She’s in her office waiting for you.”
I thanked him once again and headed into Kierra’s office. She was standing in front of her desk, pulling on the sleeves of her shirt, which I was picking up was a nervous habit of hers.
After I walked inside, I closed her door behind me and moved toward her. She stepped backward slightly, making it clear that my closeness wasn’t welcome, so I paused.
“Hi,” I breathed out, feeling sick to my stomach. She was so close to me, but so far away at the same time. She looked tired. As if she hadn’t slept for days. Her distance made my mind want to start spiraling into a pit of despair, but I wasn’t ready to go that far yet. Not until I knew she was okay. “How are you?” I asked.
Her eyes blinked, and she looked as if she was on the brink of tears, but she didn’t cry. “I’m fine. Sorry. I meant to get back to you earlier today, but I’ve been—”
“How are you?” I asked again, taking a step nearer to her, repeating the question I asked her earlier that day.
She took a step back. She shut her eyes and took a deep breath. When she reopened them, she looked sadder than before. That broke my heart. She was suffering in silence, yet the pain was clear in her eyes. A deep sadness floating in those brown eyes of hers. “Gabriel, don’t.”
I stepped closer. “How are you, Penguin?”
She stepped back and hit her desk. Her hands fell to the edge and she gripped it. “I’m fine.”
“You’re lying.”
“I’m not.”
I moved closer.
She looked down at the floor.
I placed a finger beneath her chin and raised her head so she’d meet my stare. “Is he hurting you, Penguin?”
“Only emotionally,” she softly replied.
“Has he ever laid his hands on you?”
She shut her eyes and tears began rolling down her cheeks. She didn’t answer me, but the slight shake to her body and the release of the tears told me everything I needed to know.