Page 14 of Wade’s Wrath

“Did he hurt you tonight?” she asked.

She looked down at the water bottle as she thought about lying to him, but she couldn’t. “Yes.”

Wade went completely still. “What did he do?” he asked.

She swallowed. “Does it matter?”

“Yeah,” he breathed.

“Why?” she asked.

“Because I asked.” She looked up at him, and his expression softened slightly. “Was that the wrong answer?” he asked.

That almost made her laugh. “Definitely.”

He rubbed a hand over his beard. “How about it’s because I want to know what happened to you?”

Harlow studied him. “Why?” He didn't answer immediately, and she hadn't expected him to.

Finally, Wade shrugged. “Can't explain it.”

“That isn't very reassuring,” she said.

“Didn't say it was.” She took a drink and let the cold water soothe her throat. She had cried so much that her throat felt raw. “He grabbed me,” she said out of nowhere.

Wade's eyes returned to her wrist. “At the wedding?”

“Before the wedding,” she said.

“How long before?” he asked.

“It happened right before the ceremony was supposed to start,” she admitted.

His jaw flexed. “I told him I wasn't going through with it, and he didn't take it well.”

No surprise crossed Wade’s face. “What did he do?” he asked.

Harlow looked toward the window at the rain still tapping softly against the glass. “He grabbed my arm and dragged me into a room away from everyone.” Wade remained silent. “He told me I was embarrassing him. That there were hundreds of people waiting and millions of dollars involved in the wedding.”

“Fuck the money,” Wade growled.

A small laugh escaped her. “That was basically what I said.”

“Good for you,” he praised.

“Frank didn't agree,” she said.

“I'm shocked.” She looked at Wade. He was trying to keep the conversation light for her, and she appreciated it more than she wanted to.

“He squeezed my wrist until I thought he was going to break it.” Wade's expression changed, and the humor behind his eyes disappeared. “He told me if I tried to leave, he'd make sure I regretted it.”

“What did you do?” he asked.

“I agreed to go through with the wedding,” she admitted. “It was the only way that he’d release me.”

Wade's brows drew together. “But you ran.”

“Eventually, yes,” she said.