“Maybe she should talk to someone,” Marcus advised. “Both of you should.”
I nodded. The sling kept my arm in place, but it didn’t stop the irritation. Everything I did reminded me of that night. I couldn’t ride Spades.
Couldn’t get out in the rows like I used to, I couldn't pick or feel the grapes myself. I had to stand there and tell somebody else what I already knew how to do.
That part pissed me off more than getting shot.
So I stayed inside more, handling all the shit I usually ignored until I had no choice. But that wasn’t even the worst of it.
Now, Rory refused to touch me.
She’s so paranoid she’d break me, the only time she’d even lay hands on me was to change my bandages. And with my arm like this, I couldn’t exactly impose my will onto her as a Dom right now.
Ironic how just when I felt comfortable enough to let someone into my space, finally allowing someone to hold me, Dillon took that away from me when I needed it most.
It wasn’t fair. None of it was. Especially to Rory. Because of me and Dillon’s…fighting, she was in a weird position. Some nights she’d wake up screaming. Others she’d just say with Orim. And she was so traumatized by the events, she barely went to Alice anymore, so Hartland and Patch took over.
I spent most of my free time on the phone with my brother or with Chewy. I’d walk him everyday. He became my new companion here, since everyone around me seemed to be walking on egg shells.
I peeked over my desk to see him sleeping on my chair.
“I think you’re right.” I answered Marcus. “Thank you, by the way. You really stuck by me these past weeks. I appreciate that.”
“Of course, little brother.”
I chuckled. “I’ll let that one slide.”
“Yeah, yeah. Are we still playing golf in May?”
“Nigga, I don’t got a working arm right now!”
“Fine, I’ll play and you watch.”
I groaned. “Bye, Marcus.”
“Night, bro.”
I hung up and looked over at Chewy. Still sleeping.
Good, I needed to take a scroll and find his mother anyway, so I picked the paper back up and headed out.
I foundher at the reception desk.
Not behind it but under it. Half her body was crouched down with the drawers pulled open and files stacked around her like she had been at it for a while.
She was digging, so damn focused she didn’t even notice me walk up.
I stepped closer, watching her reach deeper into the cabinet. Her head came up quick and I moved without thinking. My hand braced against the edge of the desk right where she was about to hit it.
She bumped into it anyway, but my palm took the impact.
She paused and looked up.
“Marley? Hey… what’s up?”
“You left out early this morning,” I reminded her.
She shifted, pushing herself up a little but not fully standing yet.
