Savage Love (Back Down Devil MC #7)(6)

“Shh,” he whispered. “I don’t want to wake Beck.”

Ella nodded.

Jerry slid his hand away.

“Downstairs,” he whispered. “Let’s talk.”

Ella nodded again. Jerry came forward and planted a soft kiss to her lips. That kiss used to mean so much to Ella. But not so much lately.

She left the room and shut the door without a sound. She went downstairs and met Jerry in the kitchen. His gun and badge were on the counter. He had an open beer.

“How was your night?” Ella asked.

“A f*cking nightmare. You’re lucky you get to be here all day.”

“I’m sorry.”

“You’re always sorry. Worried when I leave, sorry when I come back.”

“What do you want me to say, Jerry? I stand there with the baby and wonder where you are. What you’re doing. If you’re okay. If you’re…”

“If I’m what? Fucking other women?”

“I never said that.”

“You think it.”

“Look, I know we haven’t been close…”

“Christ, Ella. Give it the f*ck up. You don’t want me to touch you. Or f*ck you. I wonder if you’re f*cking someone on the side.”

“Don’t you dare say that,” Ella said. “I’m here with Beck all day. And since you took my keys…”

“Oh, is that what it is?” Jerry yelled. “Fine. Here.”

Jerry took out the set of the keys and threw them at Ella. She tried to catch them or swat them away. They smashed against her cheek. The keys hit the floor and Ella clutched her cheek.

“Asshole!”

Jerry launched around the island right at her. He put her against the counter and lifted her up. “That’s right, baby. Get nasty with me.”

“Stop this.”

Jerry’s hands moved to her inner thighs and up to her panties. “You f*cking need it. I know you do.”

Ella looked at her fingers and saw blood. “You cut me. You hurt me.”

Jerry hurried and put a hand to her neck, pushing her back against the cabinets. “That’s all you can think about! Yourself. I f*cking know everything, Ella.”

“Know what?” she asked, shaking from deep within her body.

“You heard me talking. I know it. You were f*cking faking sleep. Like you always do. I’m a goddamn cop. I’m trained to know everything.”

“I didn’t want you to get mad at me,” Ella said. “You woke me up. It wasn’t my business.”

“You’re goddamn right it’s not,” Jerry growled.

He pushed harder with his hand to Ella’s neck, his other hand between her legs, pressing against her panties. She quivered, hating the feeling.

“I didn’t hear anything,” Ella said. “And if I did, who am I going to tell?”

“I’ve had a bad f*cking day. Now open your legs and let me take some worry out.”

“Jerry, not like this. You have me scared. I can’t…”

“What? Your * can’t get wet for me now?”

“Look at you. Look at the way you’re acting.”

“What? You don’t like it rough?”

“No. You know that.”

Jerry stepped away from Ella. He lifted his right fingers to his nose and smelled. Then he shook his head.

“You can’t even get wet for your f*cking husband,” he said. “You wonder why I have to do what I do.”

“So you f*ck other women?”

“I’ll f*ck anyone I want.”

Ella swallowed the lump in her throat. “You look like shit, Jerry. You keep it up…”

Jerry swung his hand. The pain stung Ella’s face. Jerry then stepped back to the island and put his hands to it, still facing her. She touched her cheek and stared at her husband.

“You don’t…”

“No,” Ella said. “No.” She slid off the counter. Her body was still shaking. She tried to step and Jerry was right there, reaching for her. Ella wiggled free. “Fuck you!”

Jerry grabbed her shoulders. “Fuck me? Let’s go!”

He shook Ella and she threw her hands up and out, breaking her husband’s hold. She made fists and pounded at his chest, which was stupid. Her mind told her to go for his face. Claw his eyes out. Or kick him in the balls. Yet she couldn’t help but remind herself that Jerry was the chief of police. That if he went to work with cuts and scratches on his face, there would be questions and problems.

So Ella pounded on his chest.

Jerry backed away, putting his hands out.

“Goddammit, woman,” he growled.

“Fuck you!” Ella yelled again.

Beck then let out a cry from upstairs. Jerry snapped his head to the side and curled his lip. Then he shook his head. “Look what you f*cking did.”

“You did it,” Ella said.

She moved and Jerry grabbed her, pulling her back to his front. An arm around her neck, keeping her tight to him.

“No, woman,” Jerry said. “You wanted a f*cking baby. I didn’t. This is all bullshit because of you. Now go take care of your kid. I’m leaving.”

Jerry threw Ella forward. She stumbled and caught herself. She looked back, wanting to say something to really get to Jerry. But she feared the backlash. So she rushed upstairs to the bedroom.