Page 104 of Blood & Lace
I shouldn't have left his side.
"Bella." I licked my lips, pulling him back enough to see his face. His makeup had been minimal for tonight. Still, I wiped away the gray lines of running mascara. His eyes were red and there were more tears welling up. My chest ached at the sight before me. Air caught in my throat as I opened my mouth, but to say what? In all the time I'd known my husband, not once had I ever seen him cry. Not like this.
I leaned down, pressing our foreheads together.
I'm here.
The words echoed through me, but I didn't say them. The bathroom door opened, and Onyx jumped. It took me no time at all to pull out my gun and have it aimed at the man standing at the door.
"Fuck, sorry." Just as fast as he'd stepped in, he ran back out.
I wanted to ask if that was the man who'd upset Onyx so badly, instead I grabbed my husband, lifting him a little under his ass. He didn't let out a sound. His arms naturally went around my neck. His face was buried in the crook over my throat as if he was trying to hide away. I’d shield him from the world if that was what he needed from me.
The door opened again, and I was ready to pull the trigger. Fuck it, Damian and Nash would be pissed but they'd deal with the shit. Before I could shoot, a familiar head with dirty blond locks gelled back came into view. Nash took a cursory glance around checking for bodies or threats. His gaze finally settled on us before he nodded.
"There's a car out back."
Onyx took a shuddering breath, and I squeezed him, reminding him that he wasn’t alone, that I’d always be there. Words could convey so much but actions told everything. I pressed a kiss to his head, the soft strands of hair tickled my flesh. I breathed in the soft coconut scent and let out a sigh as I forced myself to relax for him.
"I should stay." Onyx didn’t sound all that convincing. His lips were pressed against my throat. “We didn’t get to check out every program or speak to everyone.”
"I'll put some charitable donations down in his name." Nash’s lips were set in line, and I knew he wanted to ask what happened. I was glad he didn't. I had no clue, but there wasn't a doubt in my mind the moment I knew, my family would have my back in getting rid of said problem.
"Anything you need?" Nash asked. His question wasn't aimed at me but Onyx instead.
My husband took in a shaky breath, pulled back, wiping his face and plastered on a fake smile that made my skin itch. That wasn't my Onyx. He pushed at me, but I wasn't putting him down. Hell would freeze over before I let him go in his time of need.
"Lucero—" He tried again and I fixed him with a glare. "Fuck it." He faced Nash with that same smile on his face. "No, it's a personal matter. I will?—"
"Not sure if that big lug told you, but in this family, personal matters don't mean shit."
"I'm not a part of this family." A tear slipped down the side of his face. He shoved it away before reaching into his pocket and pulling a piece of gum out of its holder. He placed it in his mouth, chewing and avoiding both of our gazes.
"You are," Nash said, ignoring Onyx. "You two go ahead of us." He turned to leave but stopped short. "Lucero said a few people here are your clients. Let us know who so we know which ones not to expect paychecks from." He let the door shut behind him, leaving the both of us alone once more.
"Does your entire family not understand the word no?" Onyx asked.
I put my gun back in the holster under my jacket. I grabbed Onyx's chin and turned his head to face me. "Baby, he's not wrong. You're not in this alone anymore. You have me and my entire family."
Onyx's mouth opened and closed. There was a look in his eyes, one that was fleeting. I swore he wanted to give in and I so desperately wanted to help him.
"Lucero—" By the way he said my name, I knew he was going to shoot me down.
I took him by surprise instead and kissed him. Onyx snapped his head back so fast he almost fell out of my arms.
His delicate fingers covered his mouth. "I threw up."
"I don't care."
He avoided any more kisses, keeping his mouth covered. "That's fucking gross." Onyx slipped out of my hold, and the moment his feet hit the ground he attempted to run from me.
Oh, baby, you will never escape me.
The bathroom wasn’t exactly grand with a lot of space to go anywhere. Three stalls and a wall of urinals. I had him cornered and I didn’t even have to try. "We're married, Onyx, we share everything."
"Not this. You're taking it too far." Onyx looked around before sprinting for the door.
Oh no, you don’t.
