“Meirna, you’re clearly upset about everything, babe. And, I get it. But, you need to tell me where you are so I can come get you.”
“No.”
“Meirna. Are you being fuckin’ for real right now? We’re supposed to get married?—”
“I am married. And, thank fuck, it’s not to you.”
The stark silence that sounds on the other line makes goosebumps trail along my skin. I know he’s mad—pissed even.
But that still doesn’t stop the reality of thesituation.
Bobby and I, we’re done.
We’re always going to be done.
“Don’t forget to wrap it up.”
Then I hang up.
Chapter 17
Bronte
I called to tell you to call off your search. There’s no need to waste your time. I’ll send you the text messages and pictures, though, if you need reminding. But I highly doubt you do.
Of course, I eavesdropped.
It’s the only way I can get inside Meirna’s head because she gives nothing away.
She was infuriated when I fucked her last night, fighting every which way to free herself physically and mentally from my space, but she lost.
And so am I.
I don’t know if she feels anything for me now or if she’s biding her time, but my strong need to protect her still remains at the forefront of my mind.
If she’s trying to get back with Bobby, I’m going to end that shit before it begins again. I don’t care if she wants him; I won’t allow my family to drag her down and possibly kill her over debts she didn’t take.
However, my daydream turned into fantasy, transformed into my wife, can hold her own.
I can’t help but be proud.
But what doesn’t have self-respect is my brother.
Who’s currently calling me right now.
“What?” I greet, not surprised that it took him this long to gather up the courage to reach out to me.
When I flew Meirna and I to Prague, I left my number for him to call if he really wanted to know where she was.
Obviously, leaving my shit behind gave him a clear indication of who she was with and what I had done.
Along with a copy of the marriage certificate with both our names printed.
I still haven’t seen my brother since we were sixteen. I didn’t feel the need or the want to show my face, explain what I was going to do, then proceed to lock him inside his penthouse—the one our father pays for, because Bobby can’t handle adult responsibilities—so I sent Alexander.
And that’s how I was able to see Meirna before we got married.
To show up at Silver Pines to look at her for the first time since my birthday.
