Page 115 of Break the Barrier

But fuck, she hurt me.

I am man enough to admit that my feelings were hurt.

I’m finally called back, and Stetson waves me off, claiming he was getting coffee. I follow a nurse to a room, and she leaves me to it.

The sight of Thea in the hospital is not one I’ve ever wanted to see. Unless maybe she was fresh off having a baby, but that was most definitely not the case.

On her left wrist was a splint, holding together her fractured wrist. Her hair had been pulled up by someone in a ponytail, and she was working with a rag on her face to wipe away grime around her bruising face.

I knew under her blanket had to be a mountain of bandages from where he sliced her up.

Thank God he didn’t hit anything vital.

“Hey,” I start and clear my throat when I hear how rough it is.

She stops her movements and looks at me, her expression worried. “Hey.”

We stare at each other for a few minutes, and when I’m expecting her to start talking, she starts to cry instead.

As mad as I am, I’m not heartless, and her tears move me to come rest on the edge of her bed, opposite the side of her injured leg. I carefully pull her into me, holding her while she cries, and I admit that a few tears escape my eyes as well. Overwhelming relief that she’s okay has me emotional.

“I’m sorry.” Her words are soft and quiet, and I let her go when she starts to pull back.

“I know,” I say, sighing and running a hand through my hair. I have no idea where my hat ended up in all the chaos, but I don’t care. “What were you thinking, Thea? He could have killed you.”

Her eyes find mine and narrow slightly. “I was thinking he could have killed you too. And Lue. And how would I feel if I was responsible for that?”

I see being kidnapped put a bit of fire back in her.

“Like shit, but I wouldn’t have let that happen.”

She scoffs. “You think I let him kidnap me? He set fire to my restaurant to try to get me! You think he wouldn’t have done that to your house? With Lue in it? He has no compassion for human life. None. He would have done whatever he could to get to me, hurting others be damned.”

I stand, smirking slightly to myself with no humor attached. I pace away from the bed, angry, tired, and ready to fight.

“I was ready to take this on for you.” I turn back to her and place my hands on my waist. “I married you, Dorothy. I fell in love with you. I dreamed with you. And when trouble came knocking, you left? That’s not how this works.”

“This is not your problem!” Her chin trembles and her eyes shine, but I don’t allow myself to be pulled back in, we have to hash this out.

“This is my problem! You brought me into this!”

“I never meant for you to be so involved.” Her words absolutely gut me. Didn’t she know anything about me?

“Iwantto be involved, Dorothy. I am asking that you let me in.”

“I can’t.”

I take a breath, shaking my head. “Can’t what?”

“Can’t let you get too close.” Her voice breaks. “Can’t let you or Lue get hurt.”

I clench my teeth, my brain unable to comprehend the lack of faith my wife has in me.

It cuts me to the quick.

“I would never do anything to hurt my daughter, and neither would you. But pushing us away, breaking us, is not a solution.”

Her tears fall, and I have to resist the urge to comfort her, even as anger overwhelms my senses.