Page 148 of Beautifully Shattered
“Change?”
“Into the monster. Into the rage that consumes me.”
“I think she’s watching when she needs to, Angel. And you need to do what you feel is right, no matter who’s watching.”
A small smile tugs at her lips as she gives me a nod.
“I think Hope is with her.”
“Yeah, me too, Angel. They’ve got each other.” Leaning forward, I press my lips to her wet hair. “Come on. Let’s get you inside.”
When we step inside, I ignore everyone until I’ve got Abbey safely in the bathroom so she can clean up. Given what’s happened here today, she’s surprisingly light-hearted by the time we step out again, and I reluctantly let the Doxies lead her away to huddle in front of the fire, chatting to her like she’s an old friend.
Shit. I hope she finds friends among them. Family even. A found family, just like the one I found when I needed it the most.
“How many bodyguards do I need?” Smitty’s voice has me turning as he hands me a stubbie.
“To protect you frommeor mywife?”
“Pfft.” He rolls his eyes. “Your wife, of course. You, I can handle. Her…” We both glance across the room to where she’s smiling at Darla, who seems to be recovering well. “She’s fucking scary.”
I bark out a laugh. “You’re scared of that little thing?” I lift a brow his way, and he nods.
“In my opinion, there are two kinds of crazy,” Smitty rasps, taking another swig of his drink. “The kind that’s obvious in everything someone does. Like me.” He flashes me a toothy fucking smile, completely proud of that. “I know I’m a crazy fucker.Youknow I’m a crazy fucker. It’s no fucking surprise. But the kinda crazy your wife is…” He blows out a breath. “Man, that’s the sort of crazy you don’t see coming. It’s calculated, and full of unforgiving rage. No fucking way do I want to be alone in a room with her.”
I know he just called my wife crazy, but honestly, I’m fucking proud.
Her crazy wasn’t born in her. It was created from her environment. She’s learning to adapt. To evolve. And I’m glad she’s embracing it, because it makes her so much stronger.
“Well, man,” I clap my Prez on the shoulder. “Guess you’d better watch your back then.”
His smile falls, and he leans in. “Really? You think she’d really come for me?”
“Dunno. She’s fucking crazy. I never know what she’s gonna do next.” I lie, and his eyes widen.
“Why the fuck did you marry a crazy woman?” he hisses, and I shrug.
“Seemed like a good idea at the time.”
“Well, now, I can’t fucking kill her, can I?” Smitty huffs. “Not without declaring war against you, and you know damn well I’d never do that.”
I chuckle, shaking my head at my deranged President. “Should I remind you thatyouwere the one who demanded I marry her?”
Smitty’s shoulders drop. “Fuck. I did, didn’t I?”
“Yeah, man. You fucking did.” I chuckle at his expense.
“So how do I get her on my good side?”
“Not threatening or pretending to shoot my friends is a good start.”
Smitty stiffens at my wife’s voice, and fuck, my smirk grows wide.
“Fuck… she’s right behind me, isn’t she?”
I nod, glancing over his shoulder to the blonde head of hair, now dryer than it was before.
“Better be careful. She’s carrying a gunanda knife.”
