“Think about it, Lena—he doesn’t deserve to get away with any of this shit. It’s not just what he put you through. The article says there must be at least a dozen people he’s screwed over.” She points a finger at me. “You see it now? You know what you have to do?”
I know the argument Brady and I had at his apartment. He wanted to fight so bad, and I wouldn’t let him.
I ran away.
I bowed out with his heart, and I even left Dr. Ezzie high and dry.
Chickenshit.
I have to admit, Elle has a point, even if she drives it home in the weirdest ways.
I’m so sick of being afraid.
Afraid of what Harry will do to me. Afraid of what he’ll do to my clinic. Afraid of what it means if I love another man after he hurt me so much.
One man ruined my past and present, but Ilethim.
Do I really want to hand over my future too?
No way.
No effing way.
I’m not turning over my career, my life, and the only man who’s ever treated me better than an annoying cactus.
If I don’t want other people fighting my battles, it’s time to go home and go to war.
“You’re smiling,” Elle says uncertainly.
“Well, yeah. I’m about to open up some long-overdue hell.”
XXII
Rabid Dog
(Brady)
I won’t lie. Punching Harry Jay in the throat feels like a win.
It’s past time that eel had to fight for his life.
The only thing I don’t know is if it’s too late to matter. If Lena will rethink the last few days or decide I’m just another villain in her story.
The condo feels like a mausoleum without her. Queenie aside, I dread coming home, hating how Lena has left her impression on damn near everything.
It shouldn’t be possible to miss a woman this much—especially when love was always an illusion.
Still, I can’t lie even to myself.
I miss her like hell.
When my phone buzzes, I’m grabbing it desperately, but it’s not Lena.
“Luis,” I answer. “What’s up?”
“I think you’ve seen the headlines, yes?”
“Yeah. Would you agree it’s going well?”
