Beautifully Destroyed (Beautifully Broken)

“I won’t.” He pulls away. “I’ll see you in six weeks.”

I nod, struggling to hold back the tears. Lifting my chin, I put in one last effort to be brave for Dad.

He takes a long look at me before climbing in the back of the cab. I stand rooted to the spot, my chest burning while the car drives down the road, and when it disappears around a bend, I run back into the house.

I come to a stop in the living room, tears threatening to overwhelm me. My phone beeps, and thinking it’s Dad, I quickly grab the device off the coffee table. But there’s only a text from an unknown number.

I can’t believe you left me for that guy.

Someone probably sent the text to the wrong number. I drop the device back on the coffee table, then slump down on the couch.

Six long weeks without Dad.

A heavy sigh flutters up from my chest, and then the tears come. Bringing my legs up, I wrap my arms around my shins and press my forehead to my knees.

My phone vibrates again, but I ignore it as I cry because I already miss Dad, and he’s not even at the airport yet. It’s always been hard to say goodbye to him, but it’s a million times worse after the attack.

After crying my heart out, I climb to my feet and walk to the door to lock it, then head to the bathroom to wash my face.

I try to stay busy, cleaning the house and doing whatever laundry there is until it’s time to head to the bakery.

I stop in my bedroom to get the pepper spray and taser, shoving both into my pockets before leaving the house. I walk along the beach, and when I pass by Ethan’s place, he comes out and jogs down the steps.

“Hey. Did your dad leave?” he asks.

I nod, still feeling miserable. “Yeah.”

“You heading to the bakery?” he asks.

“Yeah.”

“Want a ride?”

My eyes dart up to his. “Sure.”

I wait for Ethan to lock up before we head around the side toward the back where his truck is parked.

When he opens the passenger door for me, a flush spreads up my face. It’s the first time a guy’s done that for me, but then, I shouldn’t be surprised because Ethan’s no ordinary guy.

I climb inside, and I’m instantly hit with Ethan’s cologne, earthy with undertones of cedar and citrus.

Damn, he smells good.

I take a deep breath while he walks around the hood, and when he climbs in behind the steering wheel, I force a smile to my face.

The engine roars to life, and as he steers the truck down the road, he says, “It must be hard with your dad working overseas.”

You have no idea.

“I got used to it,” I lie, instead of telling him the truth.

“You’re very close with your dad,” Ethan states as he turns up the main road.

“I am.”

He pulls up to the bakery and switches off the engine before turning to face me. “What time do you get off?”

“At five.”

“I’ll be here.”

A frown jumps to my forehead. “What? No. You’ll be at work.”

“I’ll be here, Finlay.” His tone clearly states he’s not taking no for an answer, and it makes heat pool in my abdomen because I find it hot as hell.

“Ah… okay.” I push the door open and climbing out of the cab, I add, “Thanks.”

Knowing he’ll be with me when I go home makes me let out a breath of relief.

ETHAN

David asked me to watch over Finlay, and come hell or high water, that’s what I’ll do. She’s mine to take care of until he comes home, and I won’t let him down.

She’s mine.

The possessive thought brings a smile to my face. We’ve been dating for two weeks, and it’s been amazing. I don’t even care that we have to take things super slow because every second I get to spend with her is enough for me.

I’m parked outside the bakery ten minutes before closing time, having rearranged my entire day around Finlay. I now take the morning shift for private training sessions and take care of the self-defense classes during the four hours Finlay’s at the bakery.

I watch the girls lock up then reach over and push the passenger door open for Finlay. Quinn waves at me before she crosses the street to Eli’s hardware store.

Finlay climbs inside and gives me a tired smile as she pulls the seat belt over her torso. “You’re early.”

“My mom taught me to never keep a woman waiting,” I say as the engine roars to life. “Do you need me to stop anywhere on the way home?”

She shakes her head. “Thanks for picking me up.”

“From now on, I’ll take you to work and pick you up.”

“Ethan,” she gasps, her eyes widening. “No. That’s too much trouble.”