Page 20 of Broken

“It’s beautiful.”

“That’s the damn truth,” he agrees. “After we meet your landlord, we’ll unpack your shit and go get your car. I’ll pick up a pizza.”

“You know you don’t need to be doing all this,” I tell him.

“How about this is what friends do for one another, Gabby? Is that a hard concept for you to grab?”

“Well, the only friend I’ve truly had was Jazz, and well, she didn’t exactly talk to me after I fucked up Dom's and T’s lives.”

“Did I miss something?” he asks, sparing me a glance before he turns his attention back to the road.

“What do you mean?”

“Well, I know T and Lyla are damn good. So, aren’t Dom and Thea happy?”

“Well, yeah. I mean, I don’t keep up with them. Last time I spoke to her and Dom in person was when I apologized and told them I hope they have every happiness and congratulations on their baby. They were good then.”

“You apologized?”

“Yeah. I’ve been going through therapy. I can’t get past how twisted I had become. The therapist said I needed to find closure and put my relationship with Dom and Thomas behind me. Apologizing was my somewhat lame attempt to try,” I mutter with a shrug, my attention going back to the window and thebuildings we pass. “I apologized to Lyla and Thomas, too. I like her. She’s perfect for him.”

“Yeah, she is. I imagine none of them made that easy for you,” he says quietly, his hand coming over to squeeze mine.

I give an attempt at a smile. “They weren’t bad, honestly. If you think about it, they could have spit in my face. I deserved that, or worse. Thea was nicer than any of them, which surprised me. She was better to me than I deserve. She still texts me now and then to check on me and see how I’m dealing with Diego’s death.”

“That’s good, sweetheart.”

“It is,” I answer, ignoring his throwaway endearment. “I know it’s weird, but it has helped me push my past behind me a little more.” King doesn’t respond, but he squeezes my hand again.

I go quiet as he pulls into the drive of my rental. Excitement fills me. This will be my first home for me and my child. I don’t know how to express all the feelings that I have surging inside of me. It feels like I’m finally taking control of my life. I’m not going to be beholden to anyone any longer. The future ahead of me and my jellybean will be what I make it. When King shuts off the truck, I quickly open my door and step outside. The first thing I do is take a deep breath as I smile at my new landlord, who is on the front porch. As oxygen fills me, I taste it.

Freedom and new beginnings.

Nothing has ever been so sweet.

Chapter 11

King

I seeit in her face.Fuck me.I see it. She’s feeling happy as we walk toward the landlord. It’s a man. For some reason, I was expecting a woman. He’s watching Gabby and I donotlike the look on his face. I wrap my arm around her, my fingers resting on her hip. I feel the minute Gabby tenses up.

“What are you doing?” she whispers, annoyance clear in her voice.

“I don’t like the looks of this guy. I’m letting him know you’re claimed.”

“Claimed? Have you lost your mind?”

“Woman, if it keeps you safe, let him think what he wants.”

She stares at me, swallows nervously, and pastes a smile on her face. “Fine,” she murmurs. I get the feeling she’d say a lot more if we weren’t almost to the guy. I lean down and kiss her forehead. Her eyes lift to take me in and I grin down at her as they dilate while surprise lights her features.

“Gabby. It’s good to see you again.”

“Hey Mick. Thanks for agreeing to speed up the process. I decided I didn’t want to wait.”

“I’m happy to. I had a lot of interest in this property. I wanted it to go to someone I knew would take care of it. It can be hard to find good renters these days.”

“We’llbe sure to take good care of the place.”

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