Page 99 of Takeover

“Sir, she tweeted a video of you and her kissing,” he whispers. He takes another step and stands at the kitchen entryway, ready to flee should it become necessary.

I hold my breath as I mull over Hunter’s words. “What the fuck did you just say, Hunter?” I take a menacing step towards him, and he points his index finger at the phone in my hand. Right there on his screen is that pathetic, last ditch effort Lindsay made a few weeks ago. All the alcohol I consumed almost comes back up at the sight of her opening her robe right before she kisses me. The video soon ends. It doesn’t show me pulling away from her or pushing her against the wall.

“Holy fuck. That fucking devious bitch.” Elizabeth is right. I’m the biggest fool. Tara warned me about going over there, but I always know best. I call Tara again, and for the first time since I opened my eyes, her phone rings. But all my hopes are dashed when it eventually goes to voicemail.

“Tara, baby, I can explain everything. Please, baby. Call me back. I love you so much.”

“That was desperate even for you, boss,” Hunter says with a smirk.

“Not fucking now, Hunter.” I call Tara’s phone again and this time it goes right to voice mail. I call the number to the Taylor residence. I’d bet anything that’s where she is, and if not, her parents will know where I can find her.

A familiar voice answers, but I know it’s not Cheryl. “Tara’s not here.” As soon as she says that, I know it’s Bernie. I lie and tell her I tracked Tara’s phone to that house.

“I don’t give a fuck where you tracked it. She ain’t here.” When she comments about me keeping my tongue in my own mouth, the phone slips from my hand and I lose my balance. Hunter grabs me, shoves me in a chair, and hands me a cold bottle of water.

“Ethan!” Elizabeth yells from somewhere in the house.

“I’m right here, Elizabeth. Do you have to yell?”

“Did you see what Lindsay did?” She finally steps into the kitchen. When she takes a look at me, she shakes her head. “I guess you’ve seen it. You look worse than you did five minutes ago. I’m going to wring that bitch’s neck.”

“And so has Tara, according to her cousin.” Elizabeth furrows her brows, and I say, “I called her parents’ house,” by way of explanation. A sudden headache hits, and I down a bottle of water without taking a breath. Right on cue, Hunter hands me another one. Once I’m done, I stand up and take control back.

“I’m going to shower, talk to my son, and go get my woman back. I’ll destroy Lindsay’s life in the morning, but right now, I need to make things right at home.” Elizabeth and Hunter high five each other. “Hunter, Tara’s shut off her phone. I’d bet anything wherever Tara is, her sister is with her. Track Victoria Taylor. See when and where Tara last used a credit card. I’m going to find her, and I’m bringing her home. Hunter, call Cartier and tell Wally Blatt I’ll pay extra if he gets me the ring by tomorrow. If you pull this off and she says yes, I’ll buy you a condo.”

Feeling some sense of control, I exhale and leave the kitchen. They follow me, cheering me on along the way.

“Will you decorate it too, boss?” Hunter asks.

“Don’t push it, Hunter.”

55

“I told you not to hurt my daughter, Bradford!” The unexpected fist hits my eye before I can move out of the way. The move surprises me, and I stumble back a step. I close my eyes and blink several times, hissing at the stinging sensation.

He moves to slam the door, but I stick my foot in and push my way inside.

“Get out of my house,” he says.

“Tara!” I ignore her father and yell her name. He follows me while I walk further into the house and stand at the stairs. “Tara!”

“I said get out.” I take the stairs two at a time. As soon as I land upstairs, I know she’s not there. All the lights are off, and the door to her bedroom is wide open. The bed is made, and I can’t help but smile at all the times she’s ordered me to make our bed at home. I walk further inside, sit on the bed and reach for my phone.

“She broke her phone.” I look into the face of Cheryl Taylor. Her husband is right behind her, but unlike her, I don’t see any pity in his eyes. Cheryl walks into the room and sits next to me. “She got so upset when she saw the video, she threw her phone against the wall.”

“It’s not what it looks like,” I say.

“Well, I’m going to give you one chance to explain this to me, and it better makes sense,” Cheryl says. John snorts but otherwise remains silent. He crosses his arms and waits for me to speak.

“Lindsay said some awful things to Vincent. She tried to convince him that Tara and I didn’t really want him around. I went to confront her, and she came on to me and kissed me. I didn’t know she taped the damn thing, and I sure as hell didn’t want to kiss her. Now, the other stuff that happened with Tara yesterday is all my fault. I was stupid, but that’s something I need to discuss with her in private.”

“Well, she doesn’t want to see you,” John says. “And I don’t blame her.” He walks inside the room, stands in front of me, and points a finger in my face. “You did the exact opposite of what I told you to do.”

“John, get your finger out of his face.” Cheryl lays a hand on mine. “I believe you, Ethan, but the video aside, you hurt Tara very badly. All three of my kids are sensitive creatures, but especially Tara.”

“I know, I did, and I’m sorry. Can you tell me where she is so I can go to her and explain? Please.”

Cheryl looks at me, and I can tell she’s starting to waver. Her eyes widen, and she opens her mouth to speak, but her husband speaks first.

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