Page 59 of Beyond Repair: Part One

My hand cramps and spasms. The force of Nina's panic radiates through my knuckles and up my wrist. "Home. NOW!" I snap, and scoop my baby girl up into the safety of my arms.

Chapter 47

Nina

Cool.Socool.

That kid knowsnothing. I have half a mind to find him and scare him straight. Initially, I was in so much shock I had no choice but to listen to the stupid words that came out of his mouth. Then, by the time I registered the awful things he was saying, I shut down.

I know I scared the guys, Trevor especially, but processing the fact that someone thinks what I went through iscoolwas a completely new situation to be in.

Henry's hand enters my line of sight with a frantic wave. "Nina, I'm going to need you to stop staring at the scissors like that, please."

Blinking, I tear my gaze away from all the sharp objects on Henry's desk. He's converted my basement into a workstation so he can continue working on restoring books and fulfilling special edition orders. I didn't hesitate to offer him the space down here considering I would never choose to spend my time in a basement ever again without one of the guys.

"Sorry," I mutter, shifting around to shake off my angry thoughts. Trevor was getting on my nerves with the wholedrink this, eat thatmumbo jumbo, so I retreated down here to hang out with my calm Henry.

Henry eyes me and wipes down another tool. "I haven't seen you look like that since the day Ridge convinced the umpire he foul ticked the baseball and it wasn't a strike."

And just like that, my annoyance reaches for the surface. "He absolutely didnottouch that dang ball."

Henry laughs quietly and steps between my legs where I sit on the marble counter in the mini basement kitchen.It really is a nice space down here...

He tucks some hair behind my ear and runs his thumb along my cheekbone. "Whatcha feeling, Nina? I expected you to retreat a little after this morning's ordeal, but this frown and steam coming out of your ears in unexpected."

My eyes roll to the ceiling and stay there. "I'm just so...so...ugh!" I throw my hands in the air and Henry catches them.

"Hey," he scolds and places my palms on his chest.

As I force myself to blow out a breath, I meet his eyes. "I'm angry and I don't know what to do about it." Anger obviously isn't a feeling I have very often. Indifference, self-pity, sadness, hopelessness. Yeah, I feel those things. "No part of what happened iscool! Who says that?!"

It's all bubbling and boiling now, and there's no stopping the frustrations from overflowing. "And how inappropriate to approach me like that! I was clearly panicking, and what if he triggered me? I just can't believe someone would say those things to a known victim."

"Nina, hedidtrigger you."

"No, he didn't. I'm not sobbing in a ball under the stairs." I shake my head, frowning up at Henry.

The lines between his brows soften. "There's more than one feeling to have after being triggered. You don't get angry often, do you?" I shake my head. "Youshouldbe angry about how that kid treated you. That's a healthy reaction, but letting it fester until you're about to pick up my scissors isn't."

He winks, so I know he's just teasing me. "I wouldn't have done that." My protest is light and airy, just like how I'm feeling after unleashing some of the crap in my head.

"Mhmm," he hums and eyes my mouth when I wet my lips. "I'm so proud of you, Neen. I love you."

He doesn't give me a chance to respond before his mouth is on mine and I'm melting into his firm grip.

Anyone clearing their throat would have pulled me from the moment, but when a loud cough sounds through the mini kitchen and it sounds like a woman, I jump and spring from the counter. The move puts Henry behind me like I'm going to save him from my very red-faced mother.

"Mom! What-what are you doing here?" I peek back at Henry and notice he's eyeing her with a mixture of amusement and embarrassment.

She crosses her arms and cocks her hips. "Well, hello to you too, daughter. I just had a very peculiar conversation with Ridge, who is now getting the third degree from your dad."

I swear my heart scurries into its hiding spot in my throat. "What did Ridge say?"

Mom raises a brow. "I think it's time we had a chat, sweet Nina."

For the love of everything, ever, please don't make me have this conversation with my mom.We bypass dad sitting at the kitchen table with Kai, Ridge, and Trevor looking ready to either flee or fight.

Mom doesn't even spare the man behind us a glance. "Henry, why don't you join the boys, hm?"Oh god..."We'll be outside having girl talk. Will, bring some wine when you're done, please?"

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