Beautifully Broken

“What about your feet?” I whisper.

“Don’t worry about me. Let’s just get you cleaned up and in bed.”

As he continues to wash my feet, I just sit and stare at his face. That worry muscle is jumping over time. He looks like he did back when he found me… like a killer.

He rinses both my feet off and then grabs a towel. “Come on,” he says gruffly.

It feels like a freight train plowed over me. I move gingerly as I get out and then step into the towel.

I look up at Damian and whisper, “What are you thinking?”

I need to know he’s not angry with me.

I need to know I haven’t pushed him away with the panic attack from earlier.

Damian swallows, and then his gaze meets mine for the first time since we came home.

Seeing the heartache and anger on his face, tears rush to my eyes, clogging up my throat. It makes him look wounded, and it hurts so much to see him like this.

“I’m going to kill him,” he says, his voice laced with the promise of death. “We’re going to fly to South Africa, and I’m going to kill Tom.”

The words shudder through me, cold chills racing up my spine.

I shake my head and take a step back from him. “N-no. I don’t want to go back there.” I wrap the towel tightly around me and then grip it hard to my body. “Can’t we just forget tonight and go on as if nothing happened? We’re just starting to make a life for ourselves here in Southport.”

“Forget what happened?” he snaps. An enraged look tightens his features, and then he growls, “I can’t forget, Cara. You… the sounds you made. What you told me… fuck no, he’s dying.”

I rush by him and go to the bedroom. I grab a clean shirt and leggings and quickly get dressed. Damian comes to stand in the doorway, and he crosses his arms over his bare chest, the jeans hanging low on his hips.

“You need to shower, and then let me look at your feet,” I say, hoping he’ll drop this insane idea of his.

“Cara,” he says, sounding calm again.

I start to straighten the sheets when he closes the distance between us. He takes hold of my arm and turns me to face him. When his hands frame my cheeks, his palms are cool on my hot skin.

His eyes lock on mine. “Your uncle took out a hit on your life. He wants you dead, so the mafia won’t use you to get the money from him that he owes them. We have to finish it. We either keep running or fight back and put an end to it. I can’t run. It’s not in me to hide. I have to do this. I have to kill him for what he’s done to you. It’s the only way I’ll be able to live with myself.”

Oh my God.

Uncle Tom wants me dead?

My face crumbles as the blow of betrayal hits.

“You lost your parents because of Tom. He’s put you through fucking hell. Let’s just put an end to this nightmare, baby.”

“I’m not as brave as you,” I whisper, and then the stupid tears come again, making me look as weak as I feel. “I’m not like you, Damian. I’d rather run.”

He shakes his head and presses his forehead to mine. “You’re so fucking strong, baby. You’ve survived so much, and you keep coming back from it all. You’re not a quitter, and that’s how I know you can do this with me.”

He presses a soft kiss to my lips and then locks eyes with me again. “We promised to have each other’s back, Cara.”

I nod, unable to come up with any more excuses.

“Let’s take this war to him and finish it so we can build a life here for ourselves. Let’s close the door on your past.”

I nod again, and then Damian pulls me to his chest, wrapping his arms tightly around me.

“You’re everything to me, and I need to do this to make sure you’re safe.”

I nod again as I soak in the safety I feel in his embrace, and closing my eyes, I whisper, “Thank you for coming for me back then.” I tighten my arms around the man I love more than anything in this world. “Thank you for never leaving me. If it weren’t for you, I would be alive today.”

I have to bite the rest of the words back, but they lie heavy on my tongue.

I love you, Damian.

Chapter 33

CARA

The following week is pretty much uneventful after all hell broke loose Friday night. I go to work as if nothing has changed. Damian said he’s been in contact with his friend Jeff to get us visas so we can travel.

I’m still processing the fact that Uncle Tom wants me dead, and everything happened because of his greed and selfishness.