Within Temptation

Fourteen (Broken)

"Is it safe to assume congratulations are in order?"

Remington's voice is not what I expect to hear in the morning. I vaguely remember waking up to a text message from Ben. I replied back with shaking hands. Rage fueled every word. Andy didn't need to put a wedge between Ben and me. He did it himself. I lost count of how many times I'd apologized for what happened between Danny and me. I wiped tears from my eyes doing my best to keep my composure. It did nothing to quell the pain I felt in my chest.

"Did Yumi ask you to keep an eye on me while she is training Ben?" I meet the eyes of the King of the Damned. He sighs heavily running a hand through his dark hair.

"Yes, she did." He answers. "Andy told you."

"He knows I don't like it when things are kept from me. He asked me to become part of your world and I accepted." I slowly get out of bed. "So, to answer your earlier question, yes a congratulations are in order."

"I see what you're doing, Corinne Bruce." Remington rises from the chair I'm fairly certain he's been sitting in all night. "An Enforcer is instructed never to hesitate when faced with one who breaks the rules. By tying your life to Andrew, you're giving them the impossible choice."

"It's never been a wise choice to get on the bad side of the women in my family. The same can be said for false accusations." I grab a change of clothes. I check my phone finding messages waiting.

To: Corinne Bruce

From: Danny Worsnop

Surprise Wi-Fi connection at the cottage. This should help keep the little tyke busy. We also put your hubby on probation, love. Hope he turns up with a logical explanation soon.

To: Corrine Bruce

From: Ben Bruce

I am not giving up, Rin. I will explain everything in time. I love you.

To: Corinne Bruce

From: Andy Biersack

Good morning beautiful, I hope you enjoyed yourself last night. See you tonight?

To: Corinne Bruce

From: Yumi Amaterasu

Cori, I am so sorry. I owe you the truth. I'll be at the cottage soon.

The remaining messages are from coworkers running ideas back and forth for future orders. All final checks go through me. I sent a reply saying I'll look through them in a moment. Having internet access here is proving to be more of a curse than a blessing. I make my way into the bathroom showering and getting dressed. I put my hair up in a bun and head into the living room.

"Mama!" Orion exclaims.

I grin from ear to ear crossing the room and placing a kiss on the top of his head. He's playing with his stuffed hedgehog. Jo must have dressed him; the Bengals jersey makes me chuckle. My old man would most certainly be rolling in his grave now. Hadlee has herself comfortable in the nook. She offers a smile setting her tablet down on her lap.

"We got Orion taken care of this morning." She states.

"Where are the dogs?" I ask curiously.

"Jo took them for a walk this morning after taking care of them. She's been glued to her phone ever since she discovered the Wi-Fi. They've fallen asleep in the back room." She answers. "She's in the garage now tuning her motorbike."

I head towards the kitchen grab a Pepsi and go into the garage. Yumi's text had come in fairly early this morning. She'd be coming around at any time and with her arrival would come a lot of questions. Jo had her music at full volume a surefire sign Yumi had texted her. Jo could hold grudges like no one's business. I hoisted myself onto the workbench. Jo glances over slowly sitting up.