A Monster's Beauty (In the Arms of Monsters 3)

“I do love you, Preacher.”

He took possession of her mouth. It wasn’t easy admitting fear, and it wasn’t the true extent of his feelings either, but it was a start and right now, it was more than he could ask for.

****

“I don’t like having them in my house,” Elijah said.

Bear snorted.

Anne looked at her husband. “It’s my house as well, and they’re friends.”

“Since when did you become friends with a bunch of bikers?”

“Around the time I finally accepted you couldn’t keep your dick in your pants. We both have something that happens that we don’t like. So deal with it. I have to.” She finished off her wine glass. “Now I’m not going to keep on fighting about all of this. If you’re not happy with my friends, divorce me.”

“What?”

“I know we said we’d keep everything together for the kids and I still want to try that, but I’m not going to keep putting my happiness on hold just because you can’t stand the kinds of people I’m friends with. I have to put up with the gossip behind my back. All you’ve got to do is deal with the people I make friends with. No one gossips about me. Deal with it, or divorce me. I need some air.”

Anne stepped outside, pulling her robe around her. She took several deep breaths, trying to feel calm. This couldn’t be happening. She thought she could stay with Elijah and make all of this work, but each time he was near her, she kept finding it harder to even put up with him.

Was she being strong keeping her family together for the sake of her kids? Or lazy? Or complacent? Should she divorce him, deal with her upset kids, and find some happiness for herself?

The door opened and she turned to see Bear coming closer.

“How are you?” he asked.

“I’m fine. Or I will be when I know what the hell I’m doing. Nothing makes any sense to me anymore. I’m trying to keep it all together but at every single turn, I seem to always be failing. I don’t know what I’m doing anymore.”

Bear grabbed her shoulders and held her tightly. She shouldn’t be having feelings for this man, but as he pulled her back, she couldn’t not want him. It was wrong. He was at her house, and she had to show some respect at least.

“I can’t do this.”

“We’re not doing anything wrong.”

“No, you’re not doing anything wrong, but I am. I’ve got to get my shit together. I’m sorry, I can’t do this. I’m so sorry.”

Anne walked away and as she did, she couldn’t help but feel she was leaving part of her soul behind.

Chapter Ten

“I shouldn’t be surprised I’d find you here. I mean, after all, a no really doesn’t mean no to a guy like you, does it?” Principal Arnold said.

Preacher lifted his feet and placed them right on top of the man’s desk. “I don’t know. It depends on if you set me certain boundaries.” He smirked as Arnold looked angry. “Now I tried to do this amicably, but you’ve gone and made it all a little personal, which is more than fine, believe me. I can handle whatever bullshit you throw at me. It’s not a problem, but you’re hurting Robin.”

“No, what I’m doing is simply saying she can’t come and have the best kind of education your dirty money can buy. Robin failed to graduate, and well, we all know what happens to women who fail at school. She has become just another impressive statistic.”

Preacher sighed. He stared at the man opposite him and ran his tongue across his teeth. This was pissing him off. It fucking annoyed him. Arnold was a piece of work. The world judged him because he wore his true colors on his leather cut. This was who he was and he wasn’t ashamed of the world knowing him, of seeing him, of all of it.

“You know, I’m growing tired of all of this bullshit.” He slid his boot across the desk, sending all of the contents spilling to the floor. He released a breath. “Ah, that feels so much better.”

He did the same with the other foot until the desk was empty, at which point he got to his feet.

“You’re going to let Robin back in and do you know why I know you’re going to let her back in?”

“Because you’re going to torture me if I don’t?”

“There is that, and I’ve got to say I do love the sound of that, but it’s not the only reason. No, you’re going to let her in because if you don’t, I will make sure this is front-page news.”