Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 146417 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 732(@200wpm)___ 586(@250wpm)___ 488(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 146417 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 732(@200wpm)___ 586(@250wpm)___ 488(@300wpm)
Beck smiled, a predatory expression. “We don’t need therapy. Go on, Walt. We’ll head out in thirty minutes. I don’t want to leave until I know you’re watching.”
Walt was right. This was a fight they should have in private. “I’m going to leave sooner than that. And thanks for everything, both of you. Please let Nick and Brody know how much I appreciate what they did for me today.”
Walt frowned. “What should I tell Damon? That you’re splitting up? He’s going to want to know what’s happening. I think Big Tag told Rene to expect two of you.”
“And there will be two of us,” Beck announced with arrogant finality. “Go on, Walt. I promise she’s safe. I didn’t wreck my life to turn around and let her fuck this mission up. We’ll be fine.”
She felt her fists clench. That hadn’t taken long. She should have known this was some weird impulse of Beck’s that he would regret as soon as the bullets stopped flying. She watched as Steph and Walt left, the door closing behind them with an audible click.
“You want to explain to me what this crap is about?” Beck asked, turning on her like she was some teen caught after curfew. “You almost got taken by that fucker. You want to give him another shot? Is there something I’m missing? I know you like it rough sometimes, but this is taking it too far.”
She couldn’t help it. Her hand came out and she slapped the fuck out of him. Not a punch. A punch would mean a fight. This wasn’t a fight. She open-palm slapped him because he was being small and petty. Because this was the way he treated her now. “Fuck you, Beck. And no, I do not need you. If accepting all this help means listening to you call me a whore, then I’ll make my own way.”
She started for the door. She would have to risk going to her place. In her mind she was already thinking about how to sneak in. Levi would have someone watching, but without a car or her purse or a single weapon, she didn’t see another way to go.
“Kim, stop.” Beck sighed, an exhausted sound. “Please.”
It was the please that did it. He was so rarely polite to her. She took a deep breath and turned to him. They needed to ratchet down the emotion. It was what always tripped them up. “I don’t think we can work together.”
“We certainly can’t if I continue to be a massive asshole.” He moved toward her, putting his hands on her shoulders. “I’m sorry. You’re still a touchy subject for me.”
She nodded, unable to say a word for fear of unleashing a tidal wave. Not seconds before she’d told herself to tamp down the emotion, but here it was, threatening to overwhelm her and all he’d had to do was touch her.
“How about we agree that Levi Green is a problem for both of us and we work together to solve it,” he offered. “Kim, we’ve been going in circles for years. Maybe it’s time we find a way to move on. I know I’m tired of hating you.”
She stepped back. She couldn’t have his hands on her when he used that word. It was wrong when all she’d ever done was love him. “Ariel pointed out that it would be easier on both of us if I stopped showing up in your life.”
His gaze softened. “Would it? I didn’t see you for a couple of years and it didn’t feel any easier.”
She let a moment pass. How was it she felt even more vulnerable than she had when she was with Levi? “I know. I’ve tried to move on. I don’t seem to be able to.”
His hands moved as if he wanted to touch her, but he seemed to rethink the idea. “So maybe we should go about this another way. Maybe we should take this time and do what we didn’t do before. Talk. Try to find a way to get through this. I’m sorry I said what I did about you and Levi. It still hurts and I’m lashing out. All I know is when I thought you were in danger, I knew I couldn’t sit on my hands and let it happen. I can’t do it now either. Let me come with you. Let me help fix this.”
No. It was the only word she should say to him, and then she should turn and walk out and never look back. If she let him in, he would hurt her no matter how good his intentions were. Beck had always had a well of rage inside him that he wouldn’t deal with, wouldn’t acknowledge even existed. He hadn’t changed.
“Okay.” She hadn’t changed either. She was still helpless when it came to this man. She was still in love with him and likely always would be.