Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 82524 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 413(@200wpm)___ 330(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82524 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 413(@200wpm)___ 330(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
“Yes, exactly—“ I stop myself and narrow my eyes. “You knew already, didn’t you?”
“I monitor your phone.”
I grit my teeth. “You asshole.”
“What did you expect?” He’s got a smug smile on his face. “I practically told you already.”
“I didn’t think you’d be reading my message in real time.”
“You should have.”
“Alright, let’s set that aside. It makes sense bringing Marnie here, doesn’t it? There’s plenty of space and she’d be safe, right?”
Rafe lets out a low rumble. “You have no idea what you’re asking.”
“She’s in this position because of us. I owe her so much more than this. Please, let me help her.”
“If she comes, there’s no leaving. Not for a while, at least.”
“She’ll need a while to heal.”
“And if she’s better before I can guarantee her safety? What if she leaves and gets attacked again? Or worse, what if she leaves and has some stupid ideas about trying to get you help? To save you from your big, bad husband?”
“I’ll tell her not to,” I say quickly, heart racing into my throat. “I mean, you saw the texts earlier, didn’t you?”
He turns to look into my face. His expression is hard. “I did see.”
“She offered to do something like that already and I turned her down.”
“Who’s to say she’ll listen? Who’s to say bringing her here won’t cause problems?”
“Rafe—“ I feel desperate and angry. “I’m not going to turn my back on my friend just like you didn’t turn your back on me and Hattie.”
“That’s different. Hattie is my daughter.”
“But I’m not your blood.”
“You’re the mother of my child. You know it’s not the same.”
“We have to do this.” I cling to his arm. “Please, Rafe. I’m begging you. Do this for me. Let Marnie come here. I’ll set up space. I’ll organize nurses—“
He shakes his head. “June—“
“Please.”
He blows out a long breath. It’s obvious he doesn’t want this. He’d rather let her stay where she is and not have to deal with the complication.
At some level I understand. His priority is me and Hattie.
“I will pick the nurses,” he says at last. “I will help with the space. And she can only come if she understands that she cannot leave for an unspecified amount of time, and when she does go back home, she can never speak of this place to anyone. And you will convince her that you’re happy to be my wife.”
“You’re serious?” My heart stutters. “I mean, absolutely to all of that!”
“I mean it, June. You’re going to make her understand. You’re madly in love with me. You’ve always wanted this relationship. Finally, your daughter has her father. Do you understand?”
“I understand.” On impulse, I lean across the invisible barrier to keep the monster at bay and I kiss him. I kiss him hard, hungry, joyous that he’s doing this for me. I didn’t think he would, and now—
I pull back in surprise. He stares at me darkly, eyes hooded, lips slightly swollen from mine.
“Sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.”
“You never have to apologize for kissing me.”
“I know, but—“ My cheeks flush pink as I retreat to my side of the bed. “I’m happy. This is going to be good for her.”
“And maybe for you and Hattie, too. I know you’re lonely. There’s only so much I can do right now. Only so much company I can give. Having Marnie here, even in her current state, will help.”
I cover my face with my hands. I don’t want him to see me crying. Because he caught me, struck right at my heart.
I have been lonely. Or at least I’ve been desperately missing my friends. Beth’s been easy to forget about—she’s safe and healthy—but Marnie’s been like a barnacle on the back of my mind.
And it’s such a relief knowing she’s coming here.
Assuming she agrees to the rules, but I’m confident she’ll come around.
“Thank you,” I whisper into the night. “I promise I won’t let you down.”
He’s quiet. I start to think he’s falling asleep. But as I’m drifting off too, I hear him murmur, “No, June, you never could…”
21
JUNE
I’m strangely nervous and excited.
What’s Marnie going to think of this big, crazy house?
She grew up in a normal row home like I did. We met back in middle school and were close ever since. There were years where we drifted apart for all the stupid reasons kids sometimes do, like cliques and fights and boy drama, but in the end we came back together, no matter what.
Even when Marn got married to that asshole, she never disappeared. And when he broke her heart?
I was there to pick up the pieces.
Now she’s suffering because of me and it’s like a dagger in my guts.
I pick a room close to ours. It’s big but hasn’t been used in a while. I clean it up, refusing any help from Rafe’s staff. It feels wrong, letting someone else prep for Marnie, when I’m the one who should be doing penance.