Chapter 65
“Get up,” Zane orders.
Aaron hesitates, just for a beat.
“I said get the fuck up p>
Aaron plants his good hand on the floor and pushes himself to his feet. He sways slightly but straightens, pain clearly something he’s forcing down.
Zane’s arm tightens around me.
“Have you learned your lesson little spitfire” he asks me.
I stare at him, disbelief burning through the shock.
“You shot him,” I say. My voice cracks. “You fucking shot him p>
“That wasn’t the question p>
My chest feels too tight, I can’t get a full breath in.
“Yes,” I say, the word tasting like metal. “Yes, i have learned my lesson p>
His gaze searches my face as if he’s deciding whether he believes me or not.
“Good girl p>
Then, without looking at Aaron, he says, “Leave p>
Aaron hesitates again, looking at me like he is worried about leaving me alone with Zane when he’s like this.
“Now, Aaron don’t make me repeat myself ” Zane adds.
Aaron’s eyes meet mine again and there’s something apologetic there.
“I’ll be fine,” he says quietly. “I’m sorry p>
“You have nothing to be sorry for,” I choke out.
Zane shifts slightly behind me, a silent warning.
Aaron turns and walks out of the room, his steps careful and his injured arm held tight against his body. I watch him go, every part of me screaming to follow, to do something, anything to help him.
The door closes after him and the moment it clicks shut, I explode.
I twist in Zane’s grip, hitting his chest with my fists, shoving, scratching, anything I can do.
“Let me go,” I scream. “You sick bastard. You’re a monster and I fuckin hate you. I hate you so much p>
He doesn’t release me immediately. He lets me fight, lets me wear myself down, he waits for me to burn my self out.
“I hope you rot in the deepest part of hell” I sob. “I hope you die alone p>
Finally, he lets me go.
I stagger back a step, chest heaving and my hands shaking.
Before I can move again, he’s in front of me.
His hand comes up fast, gripping my jaw, fingers pressing into my cheeks, forcing my face up to his. Not rough enough to hurt, but firm enough that I can’t pull away.
His eyes are cold and menacing when they meet mine, empty of anything that looks like regret.
“I was merciful, that was me being merciful wife.” he says quietly. “Remember that p>
Tears spill despite my best efforts to hold them back.
“And the next time,” he continues, his voice low ad dangerous, “you put yourself between me and another man, it will be the day he takes his last breath. Do you understand me p>
I don’t answer.
His grip tightens just enough to make the message clear.
“Do. You. Understand p>
“Yes, yes I do” I whisper.
He releases me abruptly.
I stumble back, nearly losing my footing.
Zane turns away without another word and walks out of the room, his steps unhurried, as if nothing out of the ordinary has happened.
I’m left standing there alone, the smell of gunpowder still faint in the air, blood drying on the floor where Aaron knelt.
My hands curl into fists at my sides.
I don’t cry anymore… not yet.
I leave the room. The hallway is quiet, my feet make soft sounds against the floor as I walk.
I get halfway down the corridor and the world tilts for a second so much that I grab the wall with my hand to steady myself. I stand there until it the dizziness passes and my heart is beating fast for no reason. I count to ten under my breath, then straighten and keep walking like nothing happened. Fuck I might have less time than my doctor said.
I don’t know where Aaron went, I don’t even know what I’m going to say when I see him.
I just know I can’t sit back in my room pretending I don’t care.
I turn the corner and almost run into Margaret.
She’s carrying folded laundry, walking slowly like she always does. She looks up when she sees me and freezes when her eyes landing on my face.
“Oh, child,” she says quietly. “Are you alright p>
I nod. “Yes. I just… do you know where Aaron is p>
She glances down the hallway behind me, then back at me.
“He’s in the staff wing,” she says. “Second door on the left. He insisted on cleaning himself up first p>
I swallow. “Thank you p>
She hesitates. “Elaine p>
“I know,” I cut in, not trusting myself to let her finish.
She doesn’t argue… just watches me walk away.
I slow down when I reach the second door and lift my hand to knock.
I knock once then push it open.
Aaron is sitting on the edge of the bed his sleeve rolled up. There’s dried blood on his arm and he’s pressing a gauze to it with one hand.
He looks up when he sees me.
“You shouldn’t be in here ma’am” he says.
“I know p>
I step inside anyway and close the door behind me.
He shakes his head. “If he finds out p>
“He won’t,” I say even though I know that’s not entirely true. “I just need a minute p>
Aaron sighs and looks down at his arm. “I’m fine.
“You’re still bleeding p>
“It’s handled p>
I take another step closer but the room spins again so I stop moving and wait it out, my hand clenched at my side so he doesn’t notice.
When it settles, I speak.
“I’m sorry p>
He looks up at me again.
“For what p>
I say. “For pulling you into thi p>
He lets out a short breath. “Elaine, don’t p>
“I mean it,” I say. My voice comes out rough. “You didn’t deserve that p>
He studies my face like he’s deciding whether to argue.
Then he drops the gauze into the trash and shrugs carefully. “I’ve been shot before p>
“That doesn’t make it okay p>
“No,” he agrees. “It doesn’t p>
Silence settles between us.
“I should’ve listened,” I say. I just didn’t th p>
“You didn’t think he’d do that,” Aaron finishes.
I nod.
“He doesn’t like being challenged,” Aaron says. “Especially in front of other men p>