All My Broken Pieces (FindingLight #2)

Chapter 2

Arriana

Three weeks later

“Are you fucking kidding me?” I grumble under my breath, staring at the phone in my hand.

Things have been…tense. I don’t know what happened, but something happened at that wedding. Fallon has been more and more distant every day since and it’s been driving me crazy. I know it’s not technically their fault, but I can’t help but blame Killian and his wife . Which has made work a little stressful.

Drewbie

New job - this one would probably be best if you both handle it

Grandpa

Ok

I sigh, running my hand down my face.

This is work. Separate your personal shit. Plus, there is the promise of some murder and that always helps.

I tuck my phone away, opting to reply later. Turning toward the hall, I make my way down to the extra bedroom, knowing I’ll find her there. I come to a stop outside the room, leaning against the doorframe and watching her.

Fallon is scrawled across the large cushioned chair she insisted on getting, claiming it was a reading necessity. Not that I minded, I would get her the moon if she asked. Her long blonde hair has been tied up into a messy bun, her thin frame covered in a pair of baggy sweats and an old ratty t-shirt.

She’s never looked more beautiful.

She doesn’t notice my presence as I study her, too lost in the story. Her lip is trapped between her teeth, eyes scanning the words. She pushes up her glasses as she flips the page, holding her hand to her chin and leaning closer to the book.

My mind drifts, desire pulsing through me as I imagine what she must be reading on those pages. Sure, I might not be entirely into all the shit she reads. Cocks never really having been my thing. But it gets her going, and for that I’m grateful my girl has a bit of a porn addiction. Word porn. But porn nonetheless.

Unable to keep my hands to myself any longer, I push off the frame and make my way inside.

Must be a good book.

The thought crosses my mind as I come to a stop beside her and she’s still yet to acknowledge or even notice me. Reaching a hand out, I trail my fingers down her throat.

“Oh fuck!” She squeaks, nearly toppling out of her chair as she slams the book closed. Her cheeks bloom at being caught reading her naughty book .

I chuckle, bending to place a soft kiss on her cheek. “Hi, baby.” Raising an eyebrow, I nod at her book. “Enjoying your story?” A smirk crosses my face as hers reddens further.

Fidgeting, she sets the book down, avoiding my gaze. “Um, yeah. It’s good…” She still refuses to look at me and it doesn’t sit right.

Grasping her chin, I pull her face toward me, forcing her eyes on mine. “You know I don’t care what you read, right?” I ask, genuinely concerned by her reaction.

Chewing on her bottom lip, she nods and relaxes just the slightest bit. “Yeah. Sorry. Force of habit, I guess.” She mumbles.

I study her a moment longer before I’m satisfied that it’s the truth. “Okay, baby.” Closing the distance between us, I brush my lips against hers. “As long as you're happy, I’m happy.”

A quiet sniffle reaches my ears and I pull back, cupping her face between my hands. Fallon averts her gaze again, her eyes darting to the side. The same concern I’ve felt in the weeks since the wedding returns at her avoidance.

Stroking my thumbs, I wait for her to voice what’s wrong. When she still doesn’t say anything, I release a small sigh, sinking to my knees in front of her. “What is it, mi vida ?”

Peering down at me, she sniffles again. “I just…I-” Before she can finish her sentence, the sound of my ringtone fills the room. Her lips snap shut, as if the sound broke whatever courage she had.

Grumbling to myself, I slip one hand into my pocket to pull out my phone, keeping the other on her face. Without taking my eyes off hers, I answer the phone. “What?” I snap into the line.

A chuckle sounds, both further irritating and relaxing me simultaneously. “Well, hello to you too, Ree.” Andrew laughs.

Stroking my thumb on Fallon’s cheek, I blow out a breath. “Hey, Drewbie. Now’s not really the best time.”

“Oooo are you with the missus?” He quips, making me smirk.

Fallon may not be my wife yet, but she will be one day. When she’s ready.

Keeping my eyes on hers, I answer, “Matter of fact, yes I am.”

He laughs again, one of those deep belly laughs that are impossible not to join in on. My lips twitch at the force it takes to hold my own back. Fallon cocks her head at me, curiosity filling her expression.

“Damn, maybe I should have FaceTimed you instead.” He teases.

Rolling my eyes, I push to my feet and place a soft kiss on Fallon’s forehead before turning to leave the room. “Yeah, you would, you pervert.” I quip back, walking down the hall. “What’s with the call?” I ask once I’m out of Fallon’s earshot.

I hate keeping secrets from her, but I can’t share this part of my life. Not after what she went through and how much it still affects her.

“Ar-Arriana.” Fallon sobs into the phone.

The sound breaks something inside of me. I’m no longer a human, the sound of her broken cries turns me into a cold-blooded machine with one directive.

Destroy whoever caused her tears.

“Ple-please help me.”

“ Mi vida , I’m coming for you. Do you hear me?” Before she can respond, the sound of a struggle filters through the line before Charles' voice sounds.

“Hello, Arriana.”

My fingers tighten on the phone. “Don’t you fucking touch her. If I find a single hair-”

“Save your threats. It’s not you or her I want.” He sighs, cutting off my very real threat.

It’s both a pity and probably for the best, because the ideas I have flowing through my mind at what I’m going to do to the man who dared to touch what was mine…Let’s just say he might do something drastic to get away, and I really can’t have that.

“Tell Killian that if he doesn’t want this girl’s blood on his hands he needs to come to me. His life for hers.”

My eyes dart between Killian and Ava. I can’t help but wonder briefly if he would be willing to offer himself up. But, as I watch their protective stances as the two cling to one another, I know it’s a pointless thought.

Returning my focus to the man who just moved his way to the top of my hit list, I can’t help but chuckle. “Oh, you are stupid.” A near hysterical rage bubbles within me. “You might have been able to handle one of us, but both of us?” My laughter dies off as I warn, “You’ve just signed your own death warrant. Touch her and I’ll show you what crazy really looks like.”

Taking a bottle of water out of the fridge, I chug it and try to remain focused on the present.

She’s okay.

I remind myself, even as my stomach churns at the lie it is.

She may be physically okay, but she’s not been the same since. Fallon still often wakes up choking in the middle of the night, gasping for air and looking around wildly with sightless eyes.

My fingers tighten on the bottle, splashing some of the water onto the floor.

If I could take away the memories, the nightmares, I would. But I can’t. Instead, I can only try to protect her from further trauma.

Andrew says something but my mind hasn’t quite returned. “One more time.”

Sighing like I’m the biggest inconvenience in his life, Andrew repeats his question, “You down for the job? They need it done ASAP.”

My eyes dart toward the hall, an uneasiness settling in my chest. Pushing it aside, I grunt, “Yeah, count me in.”

I can practically hear Andrew’s grin in his voice as he exclaims, “Great! You’re the best, Ree!” Rolling my eyes, I disconnect the call.

I swear there’s no way he’s in his thirties. The man acts like he’s nineteen half the time, and the other half? Well, let’s just say Killian isn’t the only one who can get a tad grumpy.

Rubbing my eyes, I chug the rest of the water and head into our bedroom to quickly change.

My mind keeps wandering back to Fallon’s face as she was finally about to share what has been eating her up.

I should go back, should go see what she wanted to say.

But I can’t.

A part of me knows I don’t want to know.

Hopefully by the time I’m back, whatever it was won’t be bothering her anymore.

I know it’s a pointless hope, but I can’t help but cling to it anyway. I’ve never been great at delving into the deep stuff, and I’m terrified that I won’t have the right words to work through whatever this is.

So, instead, I close the door behind me and pretend everything is okay.