𝐃𝐞𝐛𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 | 𝟏𝟖+

49. cry

GABRIEL DALTON

✥

When Poppy was well enough she told me every detail that she was forced to share with Rexx, including shit going down at Dark Suite and some man who tried to dig his way in by being deceiving. Zane knows everything and he's got his place on lockdown before money or employees start going missing.

All the information she gave me, I fed back to Lonzo. Even though I'm still absolutely furious at him for even touching a single hair on her head. We've always had a difficult relationship but I feel like this might have changed everything. Alexia popped by to see Poppy who was overwhelmed with emotion because she's convinced she deserves a worse fate than us fussing over her.

I know there is still a lot more to the story and how she got involved with Rexx. She promised to share everything with me but I was still focusing on her recovery before we got down to the deep stuff.

Once the doctors said that she was okay to leave the hospital, I had a small apartment set up somewhere along the lake. Far away from the house and even further away from civilisation–this might be the help she needs to cure her mind.

She's been quiet most of the day and when we arrive at the house, I spot her eyes glancing up at it and sadness washing over her face. I say nothing as I get her inside and attempt to make her as comfortable as possible.

The hospital said that she's been healing well but she still needs to take it easy and to have check ups to change the dressings of her stitches. I flick on the kettle and make some green tea before joining her on the sofa.

"This is a lot, Gabriel." Her voice is quiet as her eyes roam.

I shrug simply. "Best to get you away from Lonzo."

"Won't he find me?"

"I paid on a private credit card that he won't be able to trace."

"And your phone?"

"I gave it to Alexia." I state.

Poppy's eyes widen slowly. "You really thought this through."

"To keep you safe? Yes."

Her lips tremble and she looks away, grabbing a pillow to cover her stomach. I notice the way her arms clench around the material. "I know I owe you more of an explanation."

"Only when you're ready to."

"I wish you'd just fucking shout at me," her voice cracks.

I scoot closer to her but I don't make contact. "I already did shout at you. Now I'm ready to listen."

Poppy's devastated green eyes focus on mine for long moments. "I'm not going to say any of this to make you feel sorry for me."

My head shakes once. "I know."

She inhales a big breath and nods, glancing towards the wall. "I witnessed a robbery at a bank a little over four years ago. I'm not entirely sure if they meant for it to be so violent but a man ended up being shot by the thieves."

I remain silent and study her face as her expression changes.

"Because I was there I was asked to make a statement, which I did. I gave a lot of detail and they managed to find some of the people who did this. Except the police were aware that they were a part of a gang. The man got sentenced to eight years and they put me in witness protection because they were fearful that they'd come after me." Poppy's eyelashes flutter open and closed.

My fingers itch to touch her but I keep still and tell myself to be patient. This is her story to tell and I'm going to let her, until she feels like she has to stop.