Free Fury: Book 2 in the Vengeance MC series by Natasha Thomas

as they tried to break my body and soul.
     
    Sometimes it all came back in a rush, scaring the ever-loving shit out of me. I could almost conjure the image of them if I tried hard enough. But eventually, after months and months of talking about it to anyone and everyone who would listen, the memories faded – became hazier.
     
    Don’t get me wrong, they’ll never go away, not entirely, but I don’t panic every time I smell a scent that reminds me of one of them or hear a voice that sounds like theirs either.
     
    “That’s something we’ll have to agree to disagree on then,” I finally counter. “Because let me tell you this. It didn’t matter to me how badly what you saw broke you, Tanner, I needed you regardless. I thought we were friends, but I was wrong. Friends are there for each other no matter what, and you weren’t. You took off when things were too hard for you to handle, when what you should have done was stay.”
     
    Fury tucks his head in the crook of my neck, pulling me closer because he knows he’s losing me.
    “I don’t know how many times I can apologize for leaving you, babe, but I’ll do it every day for the rest of my life if you’ll let me. I was selfish and I fucked up, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t spend every mile I rode away from you thinking about how you were doing and if you’d forgive me when I got back. Every night I went to sleep, it was your face I closed my eyes to. Every morning I woke up, it was your voice telling me to get my ass home and make it up to you. There wasn’t a day that went by I didn’t think of you hundreds of times a day, and that’s what made it so much harder to stay away. But until I got myself sorted, I couldn’t risk being a burden to you, Ave. I didn’t want you to have to deal with my shit at the same time as dealing with your own. You mightn’t think so now, but I was doing what I thought was best. For you, and me.”
     
    I understand that I really do, but it doesn’t make it hurt any less and until it does, I don’t think either of us have anything else to say to each other.
     
    Sighing heavily, I wriggle out from the safety of his arms, take several steps away from him and face him head on.
    “I don’t believe for a second you intended to hurt me by leaving, but you did, and I can’t just ignore that and pretend it didn’t happen. You might have had time to sort yourself out while you were gone, but I’m only just piecing my life back together again now, Fury. It’s been a long road to get here, and I don’t need anyone throwing up any more roadblocks, that includes you. I have friends, a job, a therapist, and Blaine, I don’t need anyone else right now. I’m sorry if that hurts you but that’s the truth.”
     
    “What about the fucking douchebag you’re dating then, Ave? What about him? Is he part of your healing, or is he just a bit of fun on the side?” Fury asks, his eyes darkening dangerously until they’re almost black.
     
    “What the hell are you talking about?” I ask, genuinely confused. The only man I’ve seen more than once who isn’t one of his brothers is, Lawson, and he’s hardly what I’d call my boyfriend.
     
    Deke’s cousin, Lawson arrived in Furnace over a month ago and is yet to go home. I know very little about him other than he is a roofer by trade, likes to drink to excess – too often if you ask me – is charming, kind, and has shown a genuine interest in getting to know me. However, all that aside, I’m not interested in him in the slightest.
     
    One of the first things I noticed about Lawson – this was on the very same day I met him – was that he gave off what I can only describe as a creepy vibe. A vibe I didn’t like and that felt as dangerous as it was worrying. From then on, I made sure I wasn’t in his company alone. Blaine, Bella, Beth, or one of the guys were with me at all times.
     
    “I’m talking about the fuckwit who’s hanging around trying to get in your