Page 69 of Undone

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Shattered Dreams

I DON’T KNOW HOW long I sat in the spot he left me in. My anger and passion cooled, leaving me numb. I knew all those months ago, he was a dangerous man and I was foolish enough to let him in, enabling him to run havoc on my heart.

He utterly wrecked, me.

Made me believe I wouldn’t be alone anymore. That every Christmas and Valentine’s Day I’d fall asleep in his arms and wake up the same.

The salt rubbed in my wound is that I’ve fallen for this same bullshit before. More than a few men in expensive suits with polished pedigrees have done a number on me. I was naïve to think he was different, just because he looked different.

Men are all the same: they take from you until they feel satisfied; then leave you behind while they go live their lives.

Never again.

I’ll never be used like this again.

I gave Smith the best parts of me and all he did was smash them to pieces. I winced as I stood; still feeling him between my thighs. The love bites he left on my skin stung. I felt the dried paint in my hair, but I rose and limped forward. I must’ve twisted my ankle when we fell, not even noticing—because when I was with him it was all pain mixed with the same amount of pleasure.

I stood for a moment, to lean on a small table for support, before turning to look at the destruction we made. My eyes widened at the canvas that had gotten knocked to the floor. Covered in spilled paint, Smith and I had come together on it. Streaks of green, blue and orange ran all over it.It was the fall. Our fall.

It was us—in our moment of passion. Our bodies had literally painted it when we moved together as one. I clasped my hand over my gaping mouth, hobbled forward, and picked it up.

After I fixed the easel, I rested the canvas on it to dry.

I couldn’t stop staring. It called to me, the swirl of colors—mesmerizing. I cleaned up our mess the best I could before switching off the lights, reeking of paint, sex, and Smith.

I gathered my things to shower feeling fragile; my heart and body were ready to crack at any second. My phone pinged with a text:

Smith:I’m so sorry baby. I wish I could explain. I’ll stop by tomorrow before I ride out.

But I couldn’t let him inflict more damage. He might be in a war with another MC, but we also did battle, and I was sick of always being the one left bleeding after.

I packed an overnight bag and grabbed my car keys. I was one in a handful who knew the windy, overgrown road where Rog’s cabin was. I needed my best friend. My ankle throbbed as I drove, my headlights cut down the dark lane; alerting the dogs that I was coming.

Barking and the barrel of Rog’s shotgun greeted me as I parked.

“Holy shit, girl. You know people are supposed to call before they come over.”

I shut the driver’s side door behind me and limped into the light.

“Luce? Holy shit! I’m gonna kill him. Federico warned me Smith had gone your way,” Rog barreled down the steps.

“Not if I kill him first,” Dev, breathed. “What the hell happened?”

“We came undone.” I sniffed, letting my tears fall. Dev ran to me, coming out of her stupor at my appearance.

“Jesus, you’re covered in love bites that are already bruising. Let’s go Rog. He’s staying at Sassy’s with the MC? I’m thinking I’m gonna cut that fucker.” Dev’s eyes were crazy.

I shook my head, “No. He didn’t force me. I was just as wild as he was. I left marks on him too. We’re bad together. I didn’t see it before—but I do now. He can’t stay and I can’t keep getting left behind. I need space. I don’t want him to find me. Please. I want to keep building my life here, but he can’t just come and go when he wants—show up at my door uninvited. I love what you did for me in the barn, but I can’t live there anymore.”

Rog nodded. “You’re under my protection now. I’ll handle it.”

Dev walked me into her guest bathroom and turned on the shower. “Get in. I’ll have dinner heated up for you. Rog made a few loaves of French bread and a pot of beef stew.”

“Thanks,” I replied weakly.

“Prez or not—Rog will kick the shit out of him for you.”

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