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MONROE
Broken Doll
“THIS ASSHOLE.” I growl and stab my dagger into the table in the lobby. “Do we have any connections with the others? There has to be something we can do. Buy them off. Threaten them. I’ll chop off and choke them with their dicks.”
My whole body trembles with my anger, and I clench and unclench my fists, trying to get my muscles to relax. We should’ve seen the setup from a mile away. I want to kick myself for not being smart about things. I was just so concerned about Hayley that I didn’t think about much else.
“Walcott is pulling up with her. You need to get your shit together, Monny.” Tatum pats my back and leans forward, looking into my eyes. “I’m sure she’s scared out of her mind and will just need you to be strong.”
Sawyer sighs and knocks his fist to the table. “Let us handle everything for a while. I’ll make some calls. Collect on some debts. Your job is to get Hayley settled, make sure she’s okay after all that bullshit, and ensure she knows that we’re going to fucking take care of everything.”
I crack my jaw, loosening the pressure of my teeth grinding together. “Maybe Knox should take her today. I’m not sure how good I’ll be at any of that. I just want to destroy the fucking city.”
“No, Monroe. I’m just as pissed as you. Hayley needs your kind of psycho today. You will help her. Me? I’ll just want to fuck her pain away.” Knox puffs out a breath.
Knox, Sawyer, and I agreed that it might be overwhelming for Hayley today, so only I’m supposed to hang out with her for a while. She has this engrained nature to serve and please, and with all of us, she might spread herself too thin before she can handle the change in her life. It doesn’t help that she lost her caretaker. Opal was motherly, and her connection to the vampire was strong enough that she struggled over leaving.
And then there is also her friend.
Govan had asked us permission to bring Mya to the Bella, and we agreed. It’s not like we could deny him after all the bullshit he puts up with us. Sawyer thought it would help ease Hayley’s stress if her friend was here. If only shit didn’t go down. Govan was lucky he even made it out with his head. But the fucker shouldn’t have tried to bring Mya’s family too.
The sound of the entrance beeping steals my attention from Knox and Sawyer, and I straighten my back, steel myself for what I’m sure might be the poutiest face and saddest eyes I will ever see. I might be tough and won’t hesitate to take some asshole’s head, but when it comes to tears? I’m scared as fuck.
“Fuckers, we’re home,” Walcott calls, his voice bellowing through the air.
I race toward the glass doors, trying to keep my shit together. I swear Walcott better have not said anything stupid. I’ll kick his fucking ass. I didn’t even want him to pick her up, but Aris made it clear that it had to be someone else. His silent threat included Sawyer and Knox, and shit’s bad enough.
I spot Hayley strolling through the door as Walcott holds it open for her. She keeps her eyes trained on the ground, looking completely lost and defeated. My chest tightens, and another wave of anger crashes through me. I hate Aris. I hate the leadership. I fucking hate the damn universe.
Walcott doesn’t linger, vanishing to join the others. I swallow my nerves and stride forward at a human pace as to not startle Hayley. It takes everything in me not to scoop her up and rush to my room before finding out the state of her mental health. What she went through? It was fucked up. As fucked up as The Divide.
“Little bird, welcome home,” I say, keeping my voice soft.
Hayley snaps her gaze from the floor and surprises me, throwing herself toward me. I release a breath and engulf her in a hug, burying my face into the crook of her neck. She sniffles and the warmth of her tears soaks through my cotton shirt. I don’t know what to say or if I should say anything at all. I know she struggles to speak before spoken to, but damn it. I just want to cuddle the hell out of her.
“Can I take you to my room? I have a meal ready and waiting.” I stroke my fingers up and down her spine, taking care not to shower her with promises she might not believe.
I can’t read her mind, but with how vulnerable she looked on stage, I could tell that her hope died in front of the audience. She might not be receptive to any of my words until I can show her proof. Because I will fix this. I’ll kill anyone who even thinks of putting their hands, fangs, mouths, dicks, whatever within reach of my beautiful woman.
Hayley sniffles again and eases away from me. “Alexander wouldn’t let me bring anything.”
It dawns on me that she’s empty handed. I hadn’t even noticed that she wears Walcott’s jacket. I was too focused on her arrival, which might’ve been a good thing. But now? I want it off her. Call me jealous. I can’t help it.
I suppress the urge to offer my jacket instead and say, “I’ll get you taken care of. As soon as we get you fed and settled, we’ll pick out a room and fill it with anything you need.”
Her brows scrunch together. “My own room?” Fear lines her voice, and she sucks her bottom lip between her teeth.
“We thought you would like your own space,” I murmur, flicking my eyes from hers to the sidewalk outside. It remains empty this close to sunrise.
“Oh,” she whispers. “Okay.” Nodding, she tries to soften her features, but she can’t hide her frown.
“Unless you want to stay the day with me? I don’t mind. I love your company.” I smile and caress my knuckles to her cheek.
She nods quickly, her eyes lighting up with my words. I can’t stop the smile from crossing my face. Hugging her close, I brush my lips to hers and relocate us to the elevator. Hayley practically attacks my mouth with hers, sliding her hands into my hair and ensuring I don’t pull away from her. Not that I’d want to. Her lips taste fucking amazing and the warmth of her body even better.
I rush us blindly down the hall until we reach my room, and it takes everything in me to set her on her feet. “I’ll go grab some clothes for you to choose from. One of the elderly men volunteered to make your meal, so we couldn’t fuck it up. I hope you like pasta.”
Hayley grabs my hand, stopping me in my tracks. “Don’t leave. Please. I don’t want to be alone. I just—I don’t know.”
