Page 95 of Seduce

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“Tessa…” Damon started the next morning after breakfast.

“No, Damon. I don’t want to involve you more than you’re already involved.” Her voice was firm. Tessa had to do this on her own. The problem was getting Damon to understand. Yes, she let him take over last night, but now she had to be strong.

She hadn’t been wrong about the picture in the paper. Front page, with a long article, not only about her brother, but her father as well, and dinner last night. No mention that she and Damon had left. Just a full article about the visit between Representative Hopper and her brother. Luckily, not much was mentioned about Damon, other than he was a local business owner. Nevertheless, the picture was out there for anyone to see.

Thank goodness the article hadn’t mentioned Allen was her brother. That was one silver lining.

“I don’t like the idea of dropping you blocks from your apartment.”

“I know.” She touched his cheek. “But you saw as we drove by, the press was all over my place with my brother holding court. And I don’t want you caught up in this.”

“I’m a big boy. I can handle it.”

Her lips curved up at his indignant tone. “I know you can.” She brushed a kiss over his lips. “Please understand, I need to do this myself.” While having Damon at her side, fighting her battles, was nice, this was something she had to do.

He shrugged in obvious resignation. “All right. Though I don’t like it.”

* * * *

“Call me once you’re inside your apartment,” Damon insisted as he parked two blocks from her apartment.

“I will.”

“You better.” He grasped the back of her head and pulled her in for a kiss.

Tessa relaxed into his hold and his kiss. He couldn’t guess her intentions. Oh, she’d call him to let him know she was home, but until this all blew over, she wasn’t going to see him. She wasn’t going to risk any backlash on him, his business, or the club.

He broke the kiss, but his hand lingered. “I’m going to miss you.”

“I’ll miss you too.” That was the truth. When he removed his hand, she opened the door and slipped out of the vehicle.

She turned back to him. “I care about you, Damon. No matter what anyone says. I do care.” She shut the door and rushed down the sidewalk, blinking back the tears. When she turned onto the street for her apartment complex, she sighed at the chaos.

Tessa lifted her chin and walked into the fray. Reporters shouted questions and flashes went off, but she ignored everyone, including her brother, and marched straight up to her apartment. Thank goodness the front door had finally been fixed.

Her brother trailed behind her and followed her through the door. She slammed the door and threw the locks. She’d probably have to find a new place to live now.

“How dare you walk out on me last night and leave me without a place to stay,” her brother ranted, all traces of his media smile gone.

“You look no worse for wear.” His suit was freshly pressed, and he looked like he’d slept.

“That’s not the point.”

Tessa set her purse down after taking out her cell phone. “What is the point, Allen? You set me up last night. None of this was about spending time with me, your sister. It was all about politics.” She put her phone on the table and turned to look at her brother. “Pack up and go to a hotel for the rest of your stay.”

“What? You’re kicking me out?”

“I am.” She’d had enough. “I love you, Allen, I love Dad, too, and Mom. But I’m out of the politics. I don’t want the limelight or to be thrust into the political situations again. It’s better if you leave.”

“I can’t believe this.” Allen drew a hand through his perfectly combed hair.

“Believe it. I don’t want this. None of it. You can bask in the attention at a hotel, or giving interviews at the local park, but not where I live. Not my sanctuary.” But it was no longer that. Her lips twitched, thinking about the club. Wicked Sanctuary. Max had named it aptly.

“Fine.” Her brother stomped to the spare bedroom.

Tessa shook her head. Step one done. It was hard, but she did it. She picked her cell up. “Hey, I’m home.”

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