Making the Cut (Sons of Templar MC #1)(66)

“What the f*ck?” Ian spat at Cade.

Cade ignored him, striding towards me, tugging me away from Ian and into his arms. He carried me inside like a bride, I would have found that funny, maybe, if I wasn’t feeling this numb. Cade sat on the couch in the living room cradling me in his arms, Ian hot on his heels.

“That was him wasn’t it?” My brother bit out, shaking with fury.

“That FUCKER is meant to be in prison!” My brother yelled making me flinch.

“Ian, check yourself or get the f*ck out of here.” Cade ordered, glaring at my brother before directing a soft gaze at me.

“You are okay Gwen, you’re here with me and I won’t let anything touch you. You are safe.” Cade told me firmly, arms tight around me. I realized I was shaking.

“Get her a shot, tequila.” Cade ordered my brother, who glared at him a moment, but disappeared to do as he asked.

“Gwen, talk to me.”

I couldn’t reply, my mind was still replying images I had buried deep, images that Jimmy’s words had thrust to the surface. Cade lifted me up and placed me on the couch, kneeling in front of me with his hands at my face.

“Look in my eyes baby, get out of your head. You are safe, always will be.” His words were a promise, eyes blazing.

Ian entered the room, shot glass in hand, which he quickly handed to Cade. Cade held it between us.

“Drink baby.” He ordered, his firm tone rousing me slightly. My shaking hand wrapped around the glass and I threw it back, feeling the burn of the alcohol warm my insides.

“Good girl.”

I stared into his steely grey eyes, finding my strength. Cades previous words sounded in my ears, fighting away the demons. I smiled at him weakly.

“So meeting my brother went well.” I remarked dryly.

Cade looked at me intensely, then pulled me in for a rough kiss, despite our audience.

“You sit with Ian for a bit baby, I’ve got to make some calls okay?”

I nodded slowly and Cade watched me a beat then stood.

“You want to tell me what the f*ck is going on?” Ian asked Cade, face hard. “How the f*ck can that prick call her? He’s in prison.”

My thoughts exactly. Shit was he out? My body started shaking again.

“Cool it and sit with Gwen while I found out what the f*ck is going on.”

Ian looked seriously pissed at being ordered around but one look at me had him joining me on the sofa. He drew me into his shoulder.

“I promise you will be okay Ace, no one will hurt you.” He promised.

I didn’t say anything, I just rested my head on his shoulder, trying to listen to Cade, but only hearing a few raised curses.

“This is bullshit.” I whispered quietly to myself. How the f*ck can this f*cker almost kill me once, hurt not only me but everyone I love and then once I am healed come and rip me open and ruin the first time I see my brother. Fuck that. I was not going to be a weak broken woman anymore.

“THIS IS BULLSHIT.” I yelled suddenly, struggling out of Ian’s arms to stand and pace the room.

“Ace...” He started, standing to approach me.

I threw up my hands pushing him away to continue my pacing.

“Seriously what the f*ck Ian? This cannot happen all over again! I won’t let it! That piece of shit is not going to ruin your visit, and he certainly isn’t getting to me anymore. I am happy. Happy!” I glared at him, my expression contradicting my words, but I didn’t care I kept ranting. “The Prick is in some jail in New York, eating filthy prison food, getting infections from homemade tattoo guns and most likely taking regular ass raping’s from a man named ‘Big Earl.’ I am here, running a successful business living in a beautiful town surrounded by friends. I have a sexy as shit man who cares about me and a brother who has my back no matter what.” I declared fiercely.

Ian directed a sad smile at me. “Gwenevere …” He said quietly using my full name. I held up my hand.

“I’m not finished.” I snapped before stomping up to him, clutching his shoulders to make him listen. “Don’t you see? I will not have you directing those looks full of pity at me anymore, and I sure as shit don’t want you to have to handle me like I’ll break at any moment. You don’t need to. I’m okay, it’s taken awhile and it’s taken that crazy f*cks phone call to make me fully realize it, but I’m okay.” I smiled into my brother’s eyes hoping he got me. I sensed movement out of the corner of my eye and turned to see Cade, face unreadable leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed watching me. I moved my gaze and it landed, surprisingly on Luke, who was in his uniform, looking openly concerned but with a hint of a smile. How did he get here so fast?

“How long have you guys been standing there?” I wanted to know how embarrassed I should be.

Luke’s face broke out into an all out smirk. “Big Earl?” Amusement danced in his eyes.

A lot embarrassed as it turns out.

I shrugged my shoulders. “Hey I don’t know to much prison nicknames, my knowledge goes as far as ‘Shawshank.” I joked, trying to keep the jovial mood.

Luke’s face softened and he entered the room, engulfing me in his arms.

“I’m so sorry sweetheart.” He whispered in my ear.

I opened my mouth to reply when Luke was suddenly standing a good distance away and Cade stood in front of him, anger palpable.