Page 38 of Darkness Tempt Me
His head drops with shame. “I thought I had it all under control,” he whispers.
My blood boils with red-hot rage. Connor was just like Jimmy. He’d taken my phone from me, too. I study my brother’s face. Most of the bruises that I saw before have faded, but I notice a few others. “Did your boyfriend do this?” I ask, wanting to be sure.
More tears spill over, and he nods. “I’m breaking up with him. Most of my things are back at his place, but I can get them when he’s at work sometime.”
I shake my head frantically. “You aren’t going alone. Promise me! You’ll take me or Mavik with you.”
“Mavik?”
I nod. “My boss.”My husband.“He’ll help us. Just promise me.”
“Yes, I promise.”
I pull him into another hug. “Good. Now, let’s catch up. I havesomuch to tell you.”
Over the next thirty minutes, I give Tyler a quick update on recent events from the last few weeks. To my surprise, he isn’t very shocked to hear that I married Mavik, explaining that it’s just like me to try to help someone I care about. He even has this theory that Mavik moved me in so quickly to help me feel safe. It’s only after he says it that I realize how well-rested I’ve been.
After listening to me open up, Tyler’s finally comfortable enough to allow me to ask him some questions. He reveals that Connor gets violent when drunk, and the first time he hit Ty was supposedly an accident. As he speaks, he keeps looking around, startled by sounds, and even eyes the people walking in and out of the café across the street. I can tell he isn’t telling me the whole story, but all I can do is be here for him until he’s ready to fully open up to me. I’m just glad he’s talking to me now.
Connor’s second violent outburst led to Tyler fighting back. The night I saw him covered in bruises, they had just had a fight. Connor threw some punches, causing Tyler to retaliate before storming off. The whole thing was so messed up, but I’m proud of Ty for defending himself.
In the beginning, when he’d come to my apartment looking for comfort, I was heartbroken to discover Ty was in the samesituation. I didn’t want to believe my brother was experiencing everything Mom and I had both gone through. But I was wrong. His experience was way different. Tyler is so much stronger than me.Tyler fought back.
When I was with Jimmy, I was too frightened to do anything. Scared that stepping out of line or talking back would just make things worse. I didn’t know how to protect myself, and I was too scared of the consequences.
After taking self-defense classes and becoming independent, I sometimes fantasize about hurting Jimmy. Getting revenge and making him suffer the way he hurt me. I imagine my past catching up with me, only this time, I would shove him off me, kicking and screaming, using anything I had at my disposal as a weapon. Other times, I hoped karma would get him, hurting Jimmy like he hurt me and many others. However, the truth was probably worse. Jimmy Melton is likely in hiding or searching for his next victim.
“I should have told you about Connor, but I was ashamed. I’m so sorry, Peyton.” Tyler glances down and whispers. “I didn’t want you to be right, not after everything you sacrificed to protect us.”
I reach over and squeeze his arm.
“You did so much to keep us safe, then you found this great job, and started building this great life. I guess I just didn’t want to be another burden.”
“You’re never a burden, Ty.” I squeeze his arm again, a little harder, just to emphasize my point. “You’re my family. We couldn’t protect Mom before she passed. It’s up to us to protect each other. It’s what she would have wanted.”
Tyler stands before pulling me into a tight hug. When I hug him back, he melts against me. “Thank you for helping me,” he whispers. “Are you sure Mavik will be okay with me staying at his friend’s place?”
I nod, giving him a small reassuring smile. “He already cleared it with Hunter. Apparently, Hunter will be in Italy for a while. Hunter’s assistant will meet you at the location I just texted to you. Just remember your promise. Don’t go to Connor’s without me. Okay?”
“I promise. No seeing the evil ex without my big brother,” he teases, but I can tell he isn’t lying. He means every word.
As soon as Tyler is in his car and waving goodbye, I make my way down the busy street toward the crosswalk. I’m in desperate need of some caffeine and could really go for a white mocha. Plus, I think my husband deserves an Americano after taking such good care of me in his office.
Holy shit.His freaking office. That was so hot.
I can’t believe we did that at work.
But in all honesty, I would be lying if I didn’t admit I wanted to do it again. Maybe even take things further.
I shiver.
That memory will be burned into my brain for a really long time. But it’s not just the hand job or the way he made me light up inside; it was the tenderness after. The quick kiss to my temple as he cleaned me up and helped me dress. It was the way his pants were tented, but he set aside his own needs because he knew how important it was for me to meet with my brother.
I chuckle to myself. It was the way his lips parted slightly when I leaned in and whispered my parting words.“My safe word is giraffe. And next time I leave you hard and wanting, you have every right to take what you need from me. My mouth. My hole. It’s all yours, dear hubby.”
I’m so lost in my sexual fantasies; it takes me a while to realize that creepy sensation of being followed is happening again. I freeze in place before slowly turning. Of course I don’t see anyone. Mavik explained to me that it’s better safe than sorry.He told me that if I feel like I’m being followed, to remember my self-defense lessons and stay out in the open near lots of people.
Then, I see him.
