Total pages in book: 111
Estimated words: 102136 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 511(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 340(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102136 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 511(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 340(@300wpm)
“No one will ever fucking hurt her. I’d kill them first. She’s mine, they’re both mine and I’ll fucking murder anyone who tries to hurt them.”
“Then let them know that, Flame,” Ash said and got to his feet. “I’m on duty at the bar. Most of the brothers are gathering in the clubhouse bar to get shit done and everyone moved to the compound.” Ash looked like he wanted to put his hand on my shoulder. But he pulled his hand away and began to walk away.
“I’m meant to be the older brother,” I said and felt my chest ache. “I’m a shit brother. I…” I hit the side of my head. “I can’t see when you need me. I never know.” I quickly met Ash’s eyes when he looked back. I didn’t understand what I saw in them.
Ash’s lip lifted. “I’m not a kid now, Flame. I can look after myself.” He shrugged. “Plus, who fucking looks after you? I’m your brother too. It doesn’t matter if I’m younger. If you need me, I’ll be fucking here.” He swallowed and looked away. Ash quickly disappeared into the trees.
I looked down at my palms. I wouldn’t hurt Beatrix. She was immune to the flames. She… she was mine. Beatrix was half mine. My stomach rolled when I recalled Ash’s voice saying, you’re hurting Madds, brother…
I coughed when my throat tightened. I never wanted to hurt Maddie. No one was allowed to hurt Maddie, especially not me…
I got to my feet and walked back to the cabin. AK and Viking had gone. Some lamps were on, but the cabin was dark. I walked into the bedroom. Maddie was laid on the bed. Beatrix was in the bassinet beside her. Maddie was watching Beatrix sleep. Maddie looked up when I walked in. She smiled, but it wasn’t as big as her usual smile. Maddie put her finger to her mouth, telling me to be quiet, and got off the bed. She looked tired. She was pale, her eyes weren’t bright. Maddie held my hand and pulled me from the bedroom.
“Are you okay?” she asked when we were in the living room. She put her hand on my cheek. Her hand moved down my neck and along my arm. Maddie looked down. She froze. When I wondered what she was looking at, I saw the red mark from the blade. “Flame, no…” she said, and I heard her voice crack.
“I didn’t do it,” I said and dropped my head to hers. “I didn’t cut myself.”
Maddie’s eyes filled with tears when she met my eyes. “What can I do, baby? Please tell me what I can do to make this better. To help you, I will do anything. Anything to make things better for you.”
“I’m okay,” I said, and Maddie wiped her cheek. “A-are you?”
“I am tired.” She said and smiled. It fucking made my heart crack. “I am so tired. I have not showered in two days.” Maddie looked back toward the bedroom. “Beatrix has just fed and fallen asleep. I am going to shower now.” My pulse started racing at the thought of being left alone. “I will leave the shower door open. She will not wake. I will be out long before she does.” Maddie squeezed my hand. I was a statue as she left for the bathroom. I watched her take off her clothes and turn on the shower. She was still the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen. She climbed in the shower and the steam hid her. I didn’t move. I wanted to tell her I was sorry. I didn’t want her to be tired. I wanted her eyes to be bright again. But I didn’t know how to do it. How to make it all better. How to do any of this shit.
My head dropped and tried to think, tried to think about how to make things right, when Beatrix started crying. My head snapped up and I rushed into the bedroom. Maddie said Beatrix wouldn’t wake up. But when I looked into her bassinet, she was crying. Her eyes looked at me and she cried. My hands shook. My fucking hands shook. I looked back toward the bathroom. The shower was still on. I didn’t know if Maddie had heard her. I rocked on my feet waiting for Maddie. But Beatrix kept on crying. It was loud, and something in my chest was drawing me toward her, like a rope was pulling me close. I looked at Beatrix again. She cried louder. She cried louder and louder.
“Stop crying,” I said. But she didn’t. Tears ran down her red face. “Stop crying… please… Mama will be here soon.” But the shower still ran, and Maddie didn’t come. “Shh,” I whispered, my voice fucking shaking. But Beatrix didn’t shush.