Remy stood shirtless at the sink, one hand braced against the counter while the other wiped blood from the corner of his mouth with a rag. His cheek was already swelling and dark bruises stretched across his ribs and back.
My hands flew to my mouth. "Oh my God."
His head snapped toward me. "Baby—" he straightened too fast and winced. "You're supposed to be resting."
I stared at him in horror. "What happened to you?"
"Nothing," he said way too quickly.
"Remel."
He sighed softly then looked away, tossing the rag into the sink.
I stepped closer carefully. "You went over there and fought him, didn’t you?"
His silence answered me.
Tears instantly burned my eyes. "Remy…" I whispered brokenly.
"He was smirking like the shit was funny." His voice stayed calm, but I could hear the anger buried underneath it. "…I snapped too."
I looked over the bruises again and my chest tightened painfully. This was exactly what I was afraid of. Not just Boss hurting me, but hurting him too.
He noticed where my thoughts were going because he reached for me despite clearly being in pain. "Hey." He cupped my face gently. "Don't do that."
"You could've gotten killed!" my voice cracked.
"But I didn't." He stroked his thumb beneath my jawline gently. "And he knows now how I'm coming behind you."
I shook my head quickly. "This is getting out of control."
His eyes held mine. "I know." His forehead dropped gently against mine.
"I'm so sorry," I whispered,
"Ssshhh. It's not your fault. I don't blame you."
"I blame me." I lifted my head. "I should've stopped seeing him at the first red flag and just left his ass with Monroe."
He gripped my hands in his. "Don’t spiral, baby. And don't blame yourself for a grown ass man's action. You had a job. You did it andhetook it too far."
My eyes scanned his face as sadness and guilt gripped me by the throat. "I don't want Melo and your family to see you like this."
"I don’t either," he admitted. "But I'll take a few blows for you," he cracked a smile.
My lips trembled as a watery smile crossed my lips. "I love you."
"I love you more."
I slid into his arms, our hearts beating heavy against one another. I had no idea how to fix this or how to stop Boss, but I knew I had to protect Remy and Melo. I wouldn't let them suffer because of me. Eventually I pulled back, wiping underneath my eyes. "Sit down, let me clean you up."
A small smile touched his lips. "Yes, ma'am."
He sat on the toilet lid while I grabbed the peroxide and cotton pads from beneath the sink. Quietly, I stood between his knees and cleaned the cut on his lip. He hissed softly.
"I'm sorry," I whispered immediately.
"It's okay, baby."
