Page 10 of Unbroken

Deep down, in the recesses of my hope, I didn’t want it to be possible. I wanted to believe that what we had was everything. That our connection was soul bound and never to be broken or matched. I was desperately wishing to show up and find her single. I spent the night playing it out in my head. But it feels like I’ve just been handed a life sentence in purgatory.

The fucking monster who’s responsible for this, the one who stole my life and ripped her away from me is going to feel every bit of my pain. I’m going to make it to where he’s begging for me to take his life. And then…I’m going to have his ass thrown in prison and let Red show him what fears are made of.

I’m not sure what the hell to do. The decent thing would be to start my engine up and drive on out of here, let her live her life without stirring up old shit and creating problems for her in her new life. But the devil inside, the one jaded from what I’ve seen, the one who loves this girl with all my fucking heart, wonders what would happen if she saw me. I wonder what would happen if I told her the truth: how the letter was all a lie. If I explained the reason I sent it. I should at least apologize, shouldn’t I? I shouldn’t let her go on believing the lie.

The corruption that bleeds inside my bones has me searching my phone for the nearest place to stay, so I can get showered up and clean for when I reconnect with my girl. I’m typing in my search when Monk’s text buzzes in.

Monk: Looks like your girl owns the diner. Bought the place four years ago. By the way, the address I sent you last time is wrong according to what’s listed on the tax records for the diner. Looks like she lives at 512 Forrest Point Drive now. Her previous listed address is the house she inherited from her grandmother. As of two years ago, she started renting it to a woman named Fran Farley. You need anything else?

And I’m guessing the reason she’s moved is because she met someone and moved into his place. Fuck me. That means they’ve been living together for two years. Which means they met sometime before that. Which means…she got over my ass real fucking quick, didn’t she? If my math is correct, it took her no more than two years to move on from me. And now, I’m fucking furious.

Yet, what did I fucking expect? I made myself out to be the biggest asshole on the planet. I made it easy for her to get over me. I’m sure the guy who gave her that huge-ass ring has made damn certain she knows how incredible she is. Because she’s fucking amazing. Sweet. Smart. Beautiful inside and out. Grounded, and so fucking good in bed. God, I would beat myself off to the memories of our time together.

Me:Thanks, man. Appreciate it. Just one more thing. Can you find out who she’s engaged to?

Monk:If you’re okay with me hacking into her phone, I can find out everything. When she met him, all their text conversations. How much he has in his bank account.

Judging by that huge rock on her finger, I’m sure he’s got plenty in his account. And I’m guessing he’s the reason she bought a diner in this town and set up shop instead of touring the world.

Me:Yeah, I’m fucking okay with it. Whatever you can get me will be much appreciated.

Monk: Shouldn’t take more than a few days. I’ll be in touch.

A few days? I’m going to be waiting on the edge of my seat. I want to find out everything about the guy who slipped in and stole her from me. And then… I’m going to figure out how to steal her right back. Yeah, I’m fucking psycho, but ask me if I give a shit. Told ya they bred a criminal inside. Now, it’s time for me to go find a place to stay so I can get ready for my girl. In fact, I think I’ll contact a realtor and see about buying something. Iplan on making myself as a permanent fixture in Wren’s life. Then we’ll see what happens. May the best man fucking win.

CHAPTER 7

Wren

Day 2,251

The ghost of my past.

“Wow, Miss Wren. Did you go off and get yourself engaged?” Mr. Granley is staring right at the diamond ring on my finger. “Who’s the lucky fella, and where you been hiding him?”

I decided to put on my grandmother’s ring to ward off Miles along with any of the women in this town who want to try to set me up with their sons or their grandsons, but I didn’t really take into consideration the questions that would come. I can’t exactly point the finger to anyone in town because everyone knows everyone here. And it’s not like I’ve ever mentioned dating anyone long distance. Then again, I keep my personal life locked down. But still. As soon as I say anything, it will be spread across all of Cheyenne before noon.

“It’s my granny’s ring, Mr. G. Just missing her is all.”

“Yeah, she was a fine woman. You remind me so much of her, Wren. I’m thankful you stayed in town, because it feels like a part of her is still with us.”

Great. And now, I’m going to start my day in tears again. “Thanks, Mr. G.” I pass his apple turnover to him. “It’s on the house this morning.”

“Well, aren’t you a doll.”

He takes his usual seat, and I pour him a cup of coffee. When the bell chimes over the door, I’m hoping like hell it’s Fran so I can take a moment in the bathroom. My granny is the only one who understood my pain. She held me every night as I cried, healing me as much as anyone could. She didn’t judge, and she never pushed. She just promised that if I kept on ticking, eventually, I would have a purpose that would make the pain worth living for. And I think I just realized my purpose. To keep her memory alive.

“You mind if I get one of those blueberry muffins and a cup of hot joe?”

The voice has the hairs on my arms standing up. My mind is clearly trying to fuck with me again. As if thinking about him just now is making his voice ring in my head. I turn from the counter with the coffee pot in hand, nearly letting it slip from my fingers.

“Wren.”

I must be imagining things. This can’t be real. I must’ve finally snapped and lost my mind because there’s no way he could be here. He’s in prison with another fourteen years left on his sentence. He’s locked up in a cell. The man standing before me is a mirage. A hallucination proving just how insane I am.

“Baby, you might want to put down that coffee you’re holding. It’s about to pour out of the spout.” I look at the pot, then over at Mr. G, who’s looking curiously over at the mantalking to me. I’m not imagining it. He’s here. Kayden is here. But how? And why? When did he get out?

The air doesn’t want to push through my lungs. My heart is echoing in my ears. A sheer panic is settling in. I pull out a mug and pour the coffee straight to the rim, my hand shaking nervously, sloshing coffee everywhere. I can’t do this. I’m not sure what he wants or how he even found me, but my heart can’t take it.