The Pretty Broken

Prologue

ROMAN

Four Years Ago

“Are you sure you don’t want to go?” my wife, Chloe, asked as she stopped beside me while I poured my morning coffee.

I took a sip and set the cup down as I turned to face her. “I would love to go and get a peek at this little monster one last time,” I said as I placed my hand on her swollen stomach. “But I have that meeting this morning.”

“Reschedule,” she begged, sticking her lower lip out in a pout.

I chuckled at how adorable she was. “I wish I could, but if I want this business to succeed, I have to do these things. I won’t ever get anywhere by canceling important meetings.”

She rolled her green eyes as she wrapped her arms around my neck.

“Damn your work ethic,” she said with a smile as she went up on her tiptoes. Ever so slowly, she moved her mouth to mine.

I wrapped my arms around her as I held her against me, lost in our kiss. The longer I held her, the more excited I became. My cock throbbed, and she pulled away with a soft laugh.

“Seriously?”

I grinned, not in the least bit ashamed.

“What? I’m attracted to my wife. She’s beautiful. Sweet. Perfect. And she’s having my baby.” I touched her stomach at the perfect time.

The baby kicked.

“Mm, you’re pretty sweet too,” Chloe said, rubbing her stomach as if to soothe the baby. “But you’re such a smooth talker.”

I chuckled. “I do what I can, babe.”

She laughed and playfully smacked my arm.

I shrugged, smiling back at her. Chloe was my world. Everything about her drew me in, right down to her sweet voice and compassionate personality. She was really perfect.

“Just saying.” I picked up my coffee and took another sip.

I needed the energy. Today was going to be a long day.

I had to ace this meeting. My whole world rested on getting things sorted.

Providing for my family always came first. Now, with our baby on the way, I was doubling down on everything.

I wanted to be the best husband and dad. That meant making this meeting.

My company, Blackframe Systems, was really beginning to take off.

“I gotta get on the road before I’m late for my appointment.” She leaned in and kissed me once more.

As she pulled away, I caught her wrist in my hand, keeping her from rushing off.

“Do you want me to send you pictures of the sonogram?” she asked.

“No. I’ll look at them tonight after dinner when we add them to the baby book,” I told her, excited for the little tradition we’d started. “I want to see them with you.”

She grinned. “Whose turn is it for dinner?”

I rolled my eyes, knowing it was my turn to plan dinner for us. “I’ll grab us something on my way home this evening.”

“OK, but nothing spicy this time,” she warned, kissing me once more.

When I released her wrist, she broke our kiss and dashed out of arm’s length, knowing I’d try pulling her back in. She giggled and grabbed her bag from the corner of the island.

“See you tonight. Love you,” she called out.

“Love you,” I replied as I watched her head for the door. “Drive safe! It’s supposed to storm later.”

“I will.” She opened the door to the attached garage and waved as she stepped out.

I went about my business of getting ready for my meeting the moment the door clicked closed. I hated missing these appointments with Chloe, but I knew we needed this meeting to lead to something.

Twenty minutes later, I was climbing behind the wheel of my car, driving in the direction of my office.

I made the drive across town and pulled into my usual spot.

I parked and looked up at the small building in front of me.

I had been working toward my goal of starting my own company for as long as I could remember.

I’d finally made the jump, but I couldn’t go as far as to say that it was making any money yet.

I was renting the building, and it was a small space, just large enough for me.

I just needed some investors with some deep pockets to get the ball rolling, and that’s what my meeting was about.

I looked over just as a brand new Mercedes pulled into the spot beside me. I couldn’t wait to trade in my Toyota for a Mercedes. I shook off my nerves and climbed out to meet the man I was hoping would help make that happen.

Two hours later, we were shaking hands after signing some contracts, and I knew that it was the first day of the rest of my life. When I looked back, I knew I’d think of it as the day my life changed, and I couldn’t wait to tell Chloe. I knew she’d be just as excited as I was.

After my meeting ended, I got back in my car to take the check to the bank. As I drove through town, I called her. I was too excited to wait until dinner to see her. Her phone kept ringing and ringing until finally her voicemail picked up.

It’s Chloe, leave a message, and I’ll call you back,” her greeting played over my car’s speakers.

“Hey, hun. It’s me. I got some news. Please call me when you get this. I love you.” I hung up and pulled beneath the awning at the bank.

I filled out the deposit slip and slid both the slip and the check into the electronic drawer for the clerk.

She greeted me, and I offered a wave. Once she walked away to make the deposit, my eyes shifted to the clock on my dashboard.

My meeting had gone longer than I expected.

There was no way Chloe was still at her ultrasound appointment.

I wondered why she wasn’t answering her phone.

Thinking she might just have bad reception or perhaps stepped away from her phone, I called again.

It rang as before, once again picked up by her voicemail.

“It’s Chloe—”

I hung up before the rest of the greeting could play out.

Almost instantly, my phone started to ring, and I hit the accept button before I even saw the caller ID. “Chlo?”

“Hey, Roman. It’s me, Dan.” My father-in-law.

“Oh, hey, Dan. What’s up?”

“We’re over here at Mercy Hospital. I think you'd better head over.”

“The hospital? Why? What’s going on?” My heart pounded hard as I swallowed.

Please, don’t let anything be wrong with the baby…

“It’s Chloe.” His voice was off. “I don’t want to tell you over the phone. Just head over here. OK?”

“Is Chloe OK? Is it the baby?” My pulse thundered in my ears.

“Ro”—

“Just tell me, damnit! Is my wife OK?”

“She was in a car accident,” he finally said.

“I’m on my way.” I put the car in drive and stomped on the gas, my heart in my throat and a prayer falling from my lips.

Please be OK. Please. Fuck.