My Exception (sequel to No Exceptions)

Twenty Four

It's amazing what can happen in the space of a day, you would think that I would be used to it by now. Having one day after another with one twist and turn, wondering when the sick games would cease.

At least it started out perfectly.

Sun bathed our skin through the curtained window. My leg draped over his body, the metered rise and fall of his chest giving me great comfort. I ran my fingers through his chest hair and as he came to he returned the favor by combing through my locks, a soft rumble vibrating the ear resting on his chest.

CRASH!

"Alright asshole! Your 48 hours are up, you need to get the hell out of my town!"

Our overzealous intruder eyes widened as he took in our entwined and bare bodies, almost flinging his signature colt python across the room.

That'll teach you for not knocking, Rick!

Negan fluttered open his eyes, proudly laying flat on his back whilst tucking his hands behind his head, shit eating grin plastered on. "Come on Rick, why don't you join us on this fine ass morning we're having!"

Crossing my arms over my breasts, I stood up and used Rick's obvious embarrassment to my advantage, "I've made it quite clear that we're a package deal. If he goes, I go."

My adoptive brother averted his gaze to the heavens, violently flinging his hands at me, "Jesus Christ Rackel, stop being such a brat and put some clothes on for all our sakes!"

"I sure as shit don't mind the view!" my husband chortled.

Quick to fish my jeans and shirt, I couldn't help but roll my eyes at him.

Just like the old days...

After clothing myself, I waved at Rick, "there you go Lord Rick! Your gaze can be restored, the baby is clothed once again!" As the words tumbled out of my mouth, I knew I was coming off as bratty, but The care factor was at zero. I waved my hands in a swirling motion, like I was performing a magic trick.

The ex-sheriff finally let his gaze lower, looking behind me to see Negan hadn't moved. Through gritted teeth he held a hand up to cover his view of my husband, patience wearing thin. "If Shane saw you settle for this bullshit... this beater..." His eyes teared up, "he'd be rolling over in his grave-"

"WHAT FUCKING GRAVE RICK?" I closed the gap between us, nose to nose, "Who the fuck do you think you are, sheriff? How could you possibly know what he'd think? No one will ever know what he would think and do you know why?"

Jabbing my finger into his chest I screeched, "because you fucking killed him!" My voice broke, my lungs failing me.

His back arched like an alley cats, ready to claw my eyes out.

Not if I don't do it first asshole!

He squinted at me, like I had no reason to be upset, "you know what happened. He was going to kill me Rackel! I had no CHOICE!"

I barked at his recurring excuse, "There's always a choice Rick! My poor brother was sick, just like Dwight." Rick shifted back, but I continued, "you and Daryl were able to bring Dwight back from the brink."

My throat swelled and all the words came out as a whisper, "you of all fucking people should know people can be saved."

Bed rustling grabbed my attention; I looked over my shoulder at my husband. He'd finally chosen to get dressed. As I turned my attention back to Rick, he placed a very unwelcome hand on my forearm, "then why isn't Daryl a choice? Why do you have to settle for him?" He thrust the barrel of his heavy pistol towards my half dressed soul mate.

Searching Rick's eyes, I could tell he was dazed and confused.

He'd never understand.

His grip on my arm was bordering on painful, "I've seen you grow up, Shane and I were at the hospital when you were born! Please Rackel, don't do this!"

Like my love sensed it, he came between us and wrenched Rick's hand from my arm. Acting completely oblivious to the fact that the barrel of the python rested on his chest, "how about you tell her what happened to Dwight prick?"

"What is he talking about?" it was my turn to go accusatory.

But, I knew already. The tone of Negan's voice, the stunned expression on Rick's face gave it away. Dwight was dead; he was yet another person I had failed.

Trying to swallow the tears back was as futile as swimming across the whole pacific. So I let it take me, "what happened Rick?"

The cogs began to turn, another fabrication to continue the weave of bullshit I had been fed countless times. "We-"

Holding up a finger in warning, I cut him off, "no Rick, no more bullshit! what happened to Dwight?"

"Daryl killed him."

The air became stale, the already cavernous canyon that lay between Daryl and I became an endless abyss. Ricks words had pulled the string of any residual doubt I had about leaving. As I watched it unravel around me I took a sigh of relief, deciding to finally rid myself of my past. There was no room on my broken heart for the lies and betrayal, not anymore.

Tugging at Negan's shirt I motioned my head towards the door, "let's go baby."

But as I took my first step, the crack back of the hammer on Rick's pistol froze me mid step. My old friend's hand was shaking, aimed directly at Negan's heart. "You're only leaving because you think you have to! What if he wasn't a choice anymore?" He tapped on his head, all body movements jerky and unpredictable. "You can't make this choice Rackel, he doesn't really love you! He'll kill you, and that'll be on my head!"

Raising my hands to him, I calmly spoke, "please put the gun down Rick, this isn't you. You need to let me leave, let me live my own life now brother." Placing a hand on his chest I planted a parting kiss on his cheek, "take comfort in knowing that you've helped me become a strong woman, you helped me get through."

Shaking his head violently Rick dug the barrel deeper into his chest; my husband had the sense to not move a muscle. "You're not made for this world; you need this community for protection."

"I'm begging you Rick, you need to let us go!"

"I can't do that Rackel. You'll thank me one d-"

Rick collapsed on the ground, Skye armed with a two by four.

Negan's hip dropped, admiring his daughter's handiwork, "well shit! What would I do without my special ladies?"

The black haired beauty dropped the timber with a clang, "we need to get outta here!"

We nodded and ran out; quickly wedging a chair under Carson's door knob before bolting for the car we arrived in. I could feel the speculative peepers eyeing us off, but I couldn't care less. It would be too late before they knew the truth.

I hopped in the driver's seat while Negan sat beside me, grasping my thigh. "Where are we off to baby?"

Putting the keys from my pocket in the ignition, I turned the key and winked at him, "I thought we could visit some old friends."

A throaty chuckle filled the car as I reversed and headed for the open gates, "well princess, lead the way!"

A/N Thank you my lovely people! I hope you enjoyed My Exception, let me know how you felt in the comments. I'm currently working on the final book in the Exception series, I hope to see you there, finishing Rackel's journey with me ❤️

Again, thank you for taking the time to vote and leaving amazing comments! Love ya to the moon and back 😍😍