Page 23 of Fury

“I can’t leave you like this,” he says, shrugging from his jacket.

My heart slams faster in my chest. “I want to be alone.”

“I won’t lay a finger on you, I swear,” he promises, kicking his shoes off. “Let’s sleep on it, and tomorrow, we can forget it ever happened.”

“I don’t want to forget it,” I say, frowning. “Please just go.”

“You’re angry, I get it, but we can’t sort shit out if I’m not here with you.” He continues to undress, and I fight back my tears. “Baby, we’ve had our first argument. It’s normal. Don’t look so sad.”

“I’d like to be on my own,” I repeat.

He shakes his head, a big smile on his face. “I can’t allow it, Xanth. My mother always said you should never leave on an argument. Now, put this on.” He holds out his shirt for me.

“I’m fine in my pyjamas,” I mutter.

“Xanth,” he says, that smile still slapped on his face but with a dangerous glint, “put it on.”

I feel tears building, and I try to swallow them down. “I’ll sleep in the spare room tonight,” I mutter, backing towards the door.

He grins, slamming his hand against it so I can’t open it. I jump with fright. “Nuh-uh. We sleep in the same bed until this is sorted.”

I inhale sharply, desperately trying to stay calm. “I need space.”

“You need to be with me, so we can talk when you’re ready.” He moves closer, gently kissing me on the forehead. He’s not being threatening, yet I feel terrified just by his demeanour. He unbuttons my pyjama top, slipping it from me and replacing it with his shirt. “Shorts too,” he whispers against my cheek. Tears leak from my eyes as I push my shorts down, too scared to deny him. “Good girl.” His praise only sickens me further.

He leads me to the bed, pulling back the covers and patting the mattress. I climb in, a million thoughts racing through my head as he rounds the bed and climbs in the other side in just his boxers. He tugs me into his side, holding me against him while calmly stroking my hair. I swipe a stray tear from my cheek.“Don’t get upset,” he whispers. “It was just an argument.” The fact he’s playing down what just happened screams red flag.

Fuck.I should have listened to Fury.

CHAPTER SIX

Fury

“What’s up with your face?” asks Nyx, sitting beside me at the kitchen table.

I stare at the text message from Donnie. I’m gripping my phone so tight, the tips of my fingers are white. “I’ve gotta pick Donnie up,” I reply.

“It’s shit you gotta work for him like this,” says Nyx, piling bacon onto his plate. “You’ve done well not to smack him in the face.”

“Just biding my time,” I mutter bitterly.

“Don’t do anything to piss Pres off,” says Grizz. “You did right getting outta there last night. If he’d have caught you with his woman, you’d both be dead now.”

“She ain’t his woman,” I spit.

“She ain’t yours either,” he reminds me. “And until this shit with Donnie is done, you need to stay clear. It’ll cause nothing but trouble.”

The second I heard Donnie shout her name last night, I dashed out the back door. But knowing he spent the nightthere pisses me off. Grizz pats me on the shoulder. “Look, she’s probably dumped him. Don’t read too much into that text. He could’ve turned up there again this morning, for all you know.”

I nod, standing. “Yeah, probably.”

I arriveat Xanthe’s and knock lightly on the door. Donnie opens it looking freshly showered in a clean suit. “Xanthe,” he calls, “I’m leaving now.”

She appears in the kitchen doorway, and I ball my fists at my sides at seeing her in his shirt. Donnie turns, going to her, and as he embraces her, our eyes connect. Hers are full of regret, and mine probably match my mood . . . angry.

“I’ll wait in the car,” I mutter, spinning on my heel and forcing myself back up the garden path.

I’m waiting a few minutes before Donnie slides into the back seat. “Where to?” I ask, keeping my eyes on the road ahead.

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