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He gently reaches for me, checking me over. "Shall I call the police?"
I shake my head. "No, it's okay. Honestly. He's not taking our break-up well and I'm hoping that he's finally listened. I'm so sorry for bringing this to school grounds."
He shakes his head. "Please don't apologize. It's not your fault. Are you sure you're okay? Should I call someone for you?"
"No," I say quickly, a little too fast. "I'll be okay. I just want to get home."
He purses his lips. I can see that he's struggling with my words. "You let me know as soon as you're home. If you're in need of medical attention, please seek it out."
"I promise, I will, but I'm okay. I'll be fine once I'm home."
He nods as he steps backward. "Please, Esme, ensure that you let me know when you're home safely. I'm not entirely sure that I should let you go home alone."
My heart restricts at his words. "Thank you for caring, but I assure you, I'm okay."
"Alright," he says with reservation. "But if you need it, please seek help."
"I will," I promise. "Thank you."
I slip into my car and pull out of the parking lot. My entire body aches as I drive toward home.
I'm angry. Harry's up to his shit again. Everything is always about him, always about what he wants and what's best for him. I'm done. I won't do it. Not after everything he's done to me. I'd rather die.
I pull into my driveway and glance nervously over my shoulder. I hate what he's done to me. I'm broken and I'm scared. I have no idea what's going to happen to me. I know that Harry's not finished. He's not a man who takes no for an answer, and if today's anything to go by, he's only just getting started.
I sit in my car for a long time, trying to figure out what I should do next. Tears form and my vision becomes blurry as I try to push back the emotions I don't want to feel. I was so stupid to believe that I was finally free of him, that I was able to start my life again, to grow from everything that happened. I was wrong. Boy, was I wrong.
My body trembles as I slide out of my vehicle. Pain erupts from my side, and I release a low moan. God, I fucking hate Harry.
Once I’m inside, I glance in the mirror behind my front door and see a bruise is already forming on my temple. My fingers tremble as they reach up to touch the spot on my face where he hit me the hardest. Anger boils in my chest and tears fill my eyes. How could this happen? He'll never learn. He's always going to be an asshole.
It takes me about twenty minutes before I'm able to climb into the shower. The moment the hot water cascades down my back, I can't control my emotions anymore. I sink to the floor of the shower and begin to sob.
God, what the hell is he going to do next?
CHAPTER19
REAPER
Pulling up outside Esme's house, I note that the lights are on. She's home. I ignore the way my pulse races at the knowledge I'm going to see her again. This woman has gotten me sunk. It's crazy to believe that someone can change your entire fucking outlook on life. That's exactly what Esme's done.
The anger from today's meeting is still coursing through me. Those fucking Jacobson’s have made enemies out of all of us and they're going to live to regret it. Going up against the Italians, Irish, and us is fucking crazy. There's no one who's gone against us and lived to tell the tale, and I can fucking guarantee that those asshole Jacobson’s won't be the first to do it.
Raising my hand, I knock on her door. I hear her shuffling toward the door, and I grin. Fuck, seeing her brightens my day, and the moment she opens the door, I'll have her in my arms. But my world fucking tilts when the door opens and I see her. There's a bruise forming on her temple. Her eyes are red and puffy, tears spilling down her face, and she's trembling.
What the fuck?
I step into the house, closing the door behind me and pulling her into my arms. She doesn't hesitate. She sinks against me, sobs wracking through her body. "I'm sorry," she cries. "I didn't want to be crying when you came. I just can't stop."
"Honey," I say thickly, trying my hardest to tamper down my rage. "What happened?"
She stiffens in my arms. "I'm okay," she says, a tremor running through her body.
I don't think I'm going to get an answer out of her. I lift her in my arms and walk with her to the sofa. She wraps her arms around my neck and buries her head into me, her tears soaking into my skin. Her sobs are like a fucking cut to the heart. Each one is like someone's slicing through me. It's without a doubt one of the worst sounds I've ever heard.
"Baby," I say softly.
She shakes her head, her cries growing louder. "Don't—call—me—that," she cries. "Please, Gray—don't call me that."
