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“It means I want to start over. Start new.”
“Without me?”
“I’ve explained to you how I feel about your lifestyle. How violence has already taken so much from me, and my family. I can’t put myself in that position again.”
“Last night, you said things. You can’t deny you were worried about me.”
“Last night was last night. I said things that I know can never come true. Words that are only meant to be said in the dark.”
“You took care of me. You let me stay here.”
“You’re right, I did all those things because I was worried, and I do care about you, but anything further can’t happen.”
Mamba pushed himself up on the bed.“You’re not making sense.”
“I’m making perfect sense. Probably for the first time. What happened last night with you and my brother made it all clear.”
“He was beating on you.”
“I’m not excusing him, but I’m also not subjecting myself to that lifestyle anymore.”
“It had to be handled.”
Her gaze flicked to the gun resting on top of his clothes. “With a gun?”
“Did you forget what he did to me?” He raised his arm. “I wasn’t gonna take any chances.”
“And right there explains how one violent act breeds another.” She shook her head. “No more.”
“You’re just upset.”
“I’ve never felt calmer and more in control.” She motioned toward the door. “Mama took Achilles for his physical therapy so you’ll be alone, but I think you should leave before they get back.”
“Mandy, don’t go, just—”
“Please don’t make this any harder than it has to be. In time, you’ll see I’m right. You’ll realize this was best for both of us.”
She turned on her heel without a backward glance and left the bedroom. He pushed the tray away as the food soured in his stomach and sat there for a few long minutes trying to process what she’d said and what had just happened.
Her voice was so somber, yet direct and without emotion. Mandy didn’t spit out bullshit to get a reaction, and she didn’t play games to get her way or to manipulate. Her honesty was one of the things he loved about her.
Loved?
Fuck yeah, admit it, asshole, you love her—with every bone in your scarred-up, battered body.
CHAPTERTWENTY-FIVE
“Ijust don’t understand why you wanted me to come with you,” Mandy complained as she trudged across the grass field of the fairgrounds.
“I thought it might be nice for you to get out and have fun. You do remember fun, right?”
“I’ve been busy working.” Mandy had used that excuse more than once over the last two months.
“And all you do is work or listen to tutorials or read blogs about how to start your own business.”
“You know my goal is to open my own nail salon someday.”
“Well, let me be your first employee. Lisa is impossible to work for or be with since Ajax ran off.”
