Page 93 of Wade’s Wrath

Harlow stopped at the doorway, and she turned. “I'll see you later.”

Wade nodded. “Yeah.”

Her eyes searched his face. Maybe she was waiting for more, but he didn't give it, because he couldn't. Harlow left, and Princess followed her. Butcher lingered, and Wade glared at him. “Don't,” he growled.

“I didn't say anything,” Butcher insisted.

“You're about to,” Wade said.

“Yep,” Butcher admitted. Wade walked into the kitchen, and Butcher followed. “You're a fucking idiot.”

“Fuck you,” Wade spat.

“She wants you,” Butcher said.

“You don't know that,” Wade insisted.

“I have eyes,” Butcher said.

“She's been through hell,” Wade countered.

“So?” Butcher asked.

“So I'm not taking advantage of that,” Wade said.

Butcher leaned against the counter. “You really think giving her a safe place to live, a job, and letting her make her own choices means you're taking advantage of her?” Wade didn't answer, and Butcher shook his head. “You're scared.”

Wade laughed bitterly. “Of what?”

“That she'll choose you,” Butcher said.

Wade looked at him. “That makes no fucking sense.”

“It does if you think you're not good enough for her,” Butcher insisted.

That hit too close, and Wade's expression hardened. “Get out.”

Butcher smiled. “Thought so.”

“Seriously. Fuck off,” Wade spat.

Butcher walked toward the door and then stopped. “For what it's worth?”

“Nothing you say is worth shit,” Wade grumbled.

“She didn't look like a woman who wanted space,” Butcher said. Wade's jaw clenched. “But you forced it on her anyway.” Then Butcher left and the door shut behind him. Silence filled the house, and Wade stood there alone. He looked toward the bedroom. The bed was unmade. Her pillow still had an indentation in it. Her shampoo was still in his shower, and some of her clothes were still on his dresser. Everything looked exactly the same, except Harlow wasn't there.

Wade walked into the bedroom and sat on the edge of the mattress. Fuck. He'd wanted to give her space. He wanted to make sure she chose him for the right reasons. He wanted to prove he wasn't another man trying to keep her, so he'd let her leave. That was the mature and decent thing to do. It was the right fucking thing to do, so why did it feel so wrong? Wade rubbed both hands over his face, and his phone buzzed. For one stupid second, his heart jumped when he thought that it might be Harlow.

He grabbed it and saw that it was from Butcher.

BUTCHER: She's staying with us, and we’ll keep her safe.

Wade stared at the message and then typed.

WADE: Good.

Three dots appeared.