Page 45 of Broken

“You can’t change the past, King. You have to face it.”

“You don’t know, cause you’ve not spoken to her. Gabby will never tell you, but she figures nothing she can do will heal the wounds she made. Still, I’ll share that she and I are tight. We’re getting closer, and I want her and I to be an us. I want that in away that it’s in my damn blood. Your speech the other night? I don’t have to ask which type of woman she will be, because I see it crystal clear the more time we spend together.”

“It won’t be easy. The kids will be … resistant. It’s not like Gabby will enjoy being part of the family get-togethers, either.”

“I don’t really care. No offense. If you want a place in my life, you need to make room for Gabby. If any of the others do? The same rule applies.”

“So, you’re just going to cut us all out? After everything?”

“I’m not cutting you out. I’m drawing a line in the sand. Gabby is scared of becoming a mother. She’s terrified of her parents’ reaction to anything, because her fucking father blamed her for her brother’s death. You and I both know that isn’t what happened. Gabby wasn’t the one volunteering her brother for positions in that op. I’m not saying it was Skull’s fault either. We live this life. Every time there’s trouble, death can be a reality. We all know the risks. To try to put that shit on Gabby is wrong. While that’s fucking with her head, she sees her mom heartbroken and she’s buying into the shit her dad is shoveling, so that’s on her shoulders.”

“I get it?—”

“She’s dealing with nightmares no woman should carry and I don’t give a fuck about her past. No woman deserves that shit. In between, she’s trying to rebuild her life and make amends. No one told her to do that. It was damn hard for her to walk up to T and Lyla and apologize. They weren’t receptive and while I get that, tell me, what the fuck did Gabby really cost them? T went running and found the woman he was made for. Lyla found T. They have a family. They’re happy. Adding more shit on her is all they’ve done. Now, Dom and Thea, I can see some of the shit they feel. I get it, I really do. Yet they have one another. They got a baby. They’re good.”

“Are you telling me some woman tried to trap you by getting pregnant—and doing that shit in a way that should have ended with her in jail—that you wouldn’t be pissed if the roles were reversed?”

“I would, but once it’s done. I’d end it. They don’t have to forget and forgive, but they can close the fucking door. Gabby shared with me that Thea texts her to check on her. What the fuck for? Maybe she’s just trying to be nice. While I appreciate it, the door is best closed. I will not allow Gabby to keep getting sliced open until there’s nothing left of her.”

“I can see you’re digging in your heels.”

“Damn straight. Gabby’s going nowhere. You want me in your life, Dragon, then you accept her as mine—because that’s what she’s going to be if I have anything to say about it.”

“I’ll see what I can do to facilitate a path in the family,” he mutters.

“No. You will not. You can be a part of my life. I’d be good. It will be up to T, Kayden, and Dom if they feel the same. If they don’t, then straight-up it will be fine. We’ll be cordial, but I will not set my woman up for more pain.”

“Fair enough,” he murmurs.

“And just another head’s up. You donottell anyone about her rape. My woman lives in so much fear of this child hearing that’s how he or she was made that the woman wants to move halfway across the country so no one could mention in front of the kid. That secret lives and dies among the few of us that knows. You got me?”

“Might make her parents more receptive?—”

“Fuck her parents. They don’t deserve her.”

“I know Skull, I could?—”

“Fuck Skull. You tell no one. You do, and whatever headway the two of us have made is gone.”

“I guess I’ll be visiting Tennessee often, then,” Dragon mumbles.

“You’ll be welcomed,” I answer, feeling a weight lift off me.

Dragon slaps me on the shoulder. “Fuck if you aren’t just like me.”

I roll my eyes. “I’ve been hearing too much of that shit lately.”

“I bet,” he laughs, patting me again. “I’ll stay in touch,” he promises.

“Good.”

“You try to move your ass to Denver and I’m going to cause a shitstorm you won’t believe, asshole. Keep that in mind.”

“Depends on Gabby,” I tell him honestly.

“Then we’ll need to stem that option.”

“I’m trying,” I assure him.

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