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85|Brutal
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Beautiful Disaster 86|Remnants Of His Past—Part 1
Austin didn't have business calls to make like he'd told Marybeth. He simply wanted to sit in the silence of his living room and compartmentalise his feelings over his confrontation with Willem.Marybeth said it had hurt her to see him like that, being berated by the bastard like he was some damn child. She'd never know how much sitting still and taking the old fool's abuse had destroyed his soul. It took all his self-control to not pull out his gun and shoot the bastard dead. But he'd promised to humble himself and take whatever irrational rants were thrown at him because the last thing he wanted was for her to see him at his absolute worst—His phone rang on the coffee table, breaking through his rage-filled thoughts. But he was so emotionally exhausted he couldn't bring himself to pick it up.When it rang for the second time in the space of a few seconds, he figured it had to be important, so he reluctantly answered.He was glad he did when he heard Rawlings on the other end. "I ma
Beautiful Disaster 87|Remnants Of His Past—Part 2
"What's wrong?" he asked, setting the notes beside him.Marybeth hesitated, one foot in, the other out, clearly unsure if she should venture inside since he'd never given her access to this room. But she was his wife, and he didn't want to keep anything from her unless he absolutely had to. So he beckoned her closer, "come here and tell me what's wrong."Marybeth crossed the room and paused in front of him. He'd barely pulled her in his arms when she began to sob uncontrollably.Austin had seen her when she was furious, amused, and maybe happy, even. But he'd never seen her so…devastated. He felt utterly helpless and had no idea how to help her."Hey," he planted a kiss in her hair, running his hand on her back in soothing motions. "Tell me what's wrong. Who do I need to shoot? Is it your father?"She shook her head, hiccuping a few times before finally easing out a tearful explanation, "Detective Stone texted a while ago. I couldn't sleep.""What did she say?" Austin unconsciously ti
Beautiful Disaster 88|Ulterior Motive
With Orlando spending the night at Neli's, Marybeth didn't have to rush through her morning routine, and the extra hour of sleep should have helped.But it didn't.She was cranky as hell. Not exactly surprising since she and Austin had only gone to bed just after 2:00 AM.Yawning, she sat up and absently massaged the dull ache in her temples, her stomach clenching when her eyes fell on the leather-bound journal on her nightstand.Like Austin, she was terrified of all the earth-shattering secrets it held. She didn't have to be psychic to know that once she took a peek inside, there'd be no going back, and the consequences would be far worse than opening Pandora's box. But since she promised Austin she'd read it, she felt compelled to follow through. So she dragged herself out of bed and dropped the journal inside her laptop bag, telling herself it would make for some interesting lunchtime reading.An hour later, dressed in a floral maxi dress and plain white mules, Marybeth grabbed her
Beautiful Disaster 89|Pick A Struggle
"Austin!" Marybeth gritted her teeth. "Why would you do that? Why would you slam the door in her face like that?""It's the only language snooty cops like her understand!" he growled, picking up his mug. He took a sip, making a disgusted face as he grumbled, "it's cold.""Then warm it up in the microwave," Marybeth suggested half-heartedly as she peered through the peephole."What are you doing?" Austin whispered."Why are you whispering?""Because you were?"Marybeth turned back from the door, explaining, "I'm making sure she's gone. I don't trust that woman!""Welcome to my world, Beth!" Austin said, his voice heavy with irritation as he clapped his hands. "I've been waiting for you to get on board. Detective Stone and your ex are prime examples of why we never talk to cops because once we do, they'll keep coming back.""I don't think she believed anything we said," Marybeth said, suddenly annoyed when she remembered how he'd gone way off script. "Why couldn't you just stick to the
Beautiful Disaster 90|A Little Turbulence
They left Clifton Bay just after 2:00 PM.For a large part of their three-hour flight to Rock Union, Marybeth helped Orlando with her homework while Austin made several phone calls and responded to emails."He's always working," Orlando whispered at one point, even though Austin had his AirPods on and couldn't hear their conversation. "I wish he didn't have to work so much.""I'm sure if he could, your father would spend all his time with you, Orly," Marybeth assured her."I know," Orlando nodded as she absently twirled a bright blue crayon between her fingers. "I just miss him, that's all. When Mrs Allan left, and Daddy took care of me, it was the best time ever. I miss that.""Oh, Orly, come here," Marybeth cried as she unbuckled her seat belt and took the little girl in her arms.She was afraid of this—of Orlando feeling neglected. And it was exactly what she'd tried to explain to Austin last night and this morning. Obviously, she didn't articulate herself very well. She'd have to
Beautiful Disaster 91|Chameleon
Two minutes into stepping off the helicopter, Marybeth wanted to run back inside and ask the pilot to take her back to Clifton Bay.She was overwhelmed by everything—from the sounds to the colours and smells. But the unbearable heat beating down on her was the worst.She'd heard the weather in Rock Union could be extreme and sometimes unpredictable. Scarlett had even warned her to take some sunblock and maybe a coat and rain boots.Convinced she'd melt into a puddle at any moment, Marybeth wished she'd heeded her friend's warning on the sunblock.Orlando, though, had no problem with the City of Gold. She made it known exactly how thrilled she was to be there as soon as she let go of Marybeth's hand and took off, screeching her excitement at the man leaning casually on one of several Mercedes G-Wagons on the tarmac, "Uncle Drei!"The tall stranger, clad in a dark two-piece suit, forgot all about the toy drone he'd been preoccupied with just moments before when he heard Orlando's voice.
Beautiful Disaster 92|Compromise
Rattled by her sudden epiphany and terrified of where she was headed if she didn't start thinking with her head again and keep her heart under lock and key, Marybeth went limp in Austin's arms."What's wrong?" he asked, breaking their kiss.Marybeth opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out.How did she explain to him that she was an idiot and that her heart had gone and done the one thing it wasn't supposed to do?How did she tell him she was falling in love with him?"Beth?" Austin gently flicked her hair away from her face before kissing the tip of her nose. "Talk to me.""It's nothing," she smiled feebly.It was too soon and too quick to start opening herself up to him in such a huge way. She needed a little time to process and regroup."It's nothing," she said again, just to convince herself that the discomfort in her heart was really in her head and not a start of what could very well be a beautiful disaster...their beautiful disaster—"Are you sure?" Austin pressed. "We
Beautiful Disaster 93|Dread
Two housekeepers, dressed in classic black and white uniforms, dashed through the stately front door and whisked them inside to a large parlour decked out in Russian-inspired furniture and decor."Please make yourself at home, Marybeth," Andrei waved at the armchairs in the room. "Can I interest you in a drink?""No, thank you," Marybeth shook her head, asking as she sat down, "where is Orlando?""She ran upstairs to see my father as soon as we came in," Andrei explained as he handed Austin a glass of Scotch. "He'll be down shortly.""How has he been?" asked Austin."As well as can be expected, all things considered," replied Andrei as he joined them in the seating area."He had a bypass surgery a few years ago, and he hasn't been the same," he added for her benefit.Just then, Orlando ran into the room, an elderly man Marybeth assumed was Andrei's father trudging behind her."Young Hawthorne," he effused in a husky voice when his gaze fell on Austin. "Come here and give this old man
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