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Your first full-blown fight and it’s all over your dumb, drunken theatrics. How you feeling now, asshole? How’s that PTSD treating you?
I can’t shake the thought, and I have to close my eyes against the wave of self-loathing that rises up within me.
“Let. Me. Go.”
The fury in Clara’s voice smacks into me.
Good job, asshat. She’s really pissed at you now.
Chapter 31
Clara
My entire body is brimming with rage as I try to shove past Luke. This is already the worst day on record, but it looks like fate just needed to up the ante.
I have no idea why Luke is acting like this. He’s being defensive and frustrating as hell. And he’s being downright bossy.
It’s like he’s some fucking caveman or something.
“Clara. You have to listen to me. I need to deal with these fuckers.”
I yank my arm out of his grip, jabbing a finger in his direction.
“What you need to deal with is the drinking.” He recoils from me, but I’m done. “Yeah, glare at me all you want, but don’t think I haven’t noticed.”
My stomach has been a mess since this morning, and then Dr. Carter…At this point, I have nothing left to throw up, but it’s still unsettled.
But apparently, Luke and I are finally having this conversation now. No time like the present, right?
“I can’t just ignore it anymore. I see how much you’re struggling, and you have to accept that you need help.”
Stepping back from me, Luke turns away. He’s no longer concerned about me staying.
“I’m fine. It’s the Cobras that need?—”
“Would you stop?” I cut in. “You can’t keep this up. I’ve been living with you, for fuck’s sake. I’m not blind, Luke.”
“Clara, don’t. You don’t know what you’re talking about or what I’m dealing with. Just drop it.”
Shaking my head, I fume silently as I close my eyes. This is way too much. I’m supposed to have this man’s baby?
No. No way. I’m not putting my life or our potential kid’s life on the line because of his damn issues.
I’m done.
“Drop it, huh? But you get to boss me around? Shove me this way and that. All for my safety, right? Well, I’m over it. Absolutely not. I will not be a party to this anymore.”
At once, Luke spins around, glaring at me even as the hint of something he won’t own up to flickers over his gaze.
“You do need to be kept safe. They’re still out there.”
Shaking my head again, I hold up my hands, waving him off.
“No. Need I remind you that you’re the one who brought these assholes into my life? Maybe if you and your brothers would have stayed out of it, they wouldn’t have attacked you.”
Luke opens his mouth to speak, but I stamp my foot down.
“I’m not done. You can’t just come into my life and take over. That’s not a relationship. That’s not helping me. You brought the Cobras into my hospital, so yeah, I can see why you’d feel guilty. But you don’t need to. I’m fully capable of taking care of myself. This could have been something else, what’s between us, but I’m not sure you’re ready for that. Not after this.”
