“This has been a painful memory for my wife. You’ll have to wait until she’s feeling better. For now, feel free to explore the house and make yourself at home since you won’t be going anywhere. You’ll be under the boys’ care and will be starting school tomorrow. I’ll be making the calls to have you enrolled and everything else you might need.” His tone comes off as polite but what he’s really saying is that I’m a prisoner in his home until he figures out what to do with me.
I’m still free to come and go as I please, as long as one of the guys is watching me like a fucking babysitter. But the thing is, I’m not going anywhere until I have answers and it might just be a safer route for me… until it’s not.
I hear the distant sound of vehicles purring to life outside, the sound never ceases to send a shiver down my spine. Guess the three of them left without another word. I stay planted on the couch, trying to process everything as I watch Diana leave the room, leaning against her husband for support. She really is fragile. She stops suddenly at the archway but doesn’t turn around.
“He was punishing me,” she whispers on a choked sob and leaves the room to probably go lay down again.
What was Payne punishing her for? He isn’t even here but wins once again as he takes another piece of my life from me that I never knew existed.
Tillie
Have you ever watched a tornado, seen the way it moves in one direction then suddenly changes course all the while causing so much damage that nothing is left behind?
That’s how my Monday morning is going.
I was beyond exhausted after my chat with mymomyesterday that I stayed mostly in my new room and only left for food, sneaking into the kitchen to raid the pantry like a freaking hermit. At some point leaving the room, I found shopping bags right outside my bedroom door full of new clothes that were all in my size. I don’t know why or how but damn if it didn’t feel good trying on something that isn’t used. The whole ensemble is completely different, every article of clothing from top brand name places like Chanel to Gucci. From light pastels dresses to all dark and leather. I like it, it’s different and fits my ever changing mood. I went to sleep last night in the bed, deciding that with the kitchen knife under my pillow, I’d be able to cut anyone before they got too close or so I thought.
The sunlight is shining through my curtains, demanding I open my eyes to start getting ready for my first day of a new school but that wasn’t what really fully woke me up. I’ve always been a light sleeper, had to be, so it caught me by surprise when the warm body next to mine didn’t wake me up sooner. It was the finger twirling in my hair that had my eyes snapping open in an instant. Before I know it, my knife is out from under the pillow and pressing against a strong, male throat as I breathe heavily on top of the intruder with my vision blurry around the edges. The deep, dark chuckle curls around me like a lover's caress and wakes me up like a shot of caffeine to my system.
"We really gotta stop meeting like this, sugarbutt. Well, maybe not, I kind of like it." Tey smiles wickedly underneath me, relaxing back into the bed as if I'm not about to cut his throat open.
"Jesus Christ! Do you have a death wish? This is way too early for me. I need coffee before I come face to face with your psycho ass," I mumble grumpily, not kidding about the coffee part.
Tey grins lazily up at me, crossing his arms behind his head and it’s then that I notice I’m still in his lap and there is a hard bulge growing under my ass. I remove the knife from his skin and scrub a hand down my face. How the hell do they keep getting into my room? I even shoved a chair under the doorknob last night... which I see is now missing when I glance over at the door.
"Don't we all have a death wish? A way to go out on our own terms? This would be a beautiful way to go." His teeth flash before he moves and I suddenly find myself under him, his piercing blue eyes holding me in place as the breath is knocked out of me.
"You know, you have the prettiest eyes, kind of sad when you look closely but that doesn't mean I wouldn’t put them in a jar to keep. Hey, how many kids do you want? I want at least ten if that's good with you? Oh, look at the time, sunshine! Time to get your delicious ass out of bed and ready for school." He chuckles at my shocked expression before bending down to nip at my neck, making my pulse jump wildly under the small touch.
I'm still laying in a daze, not sure what just happened but he's at the door suddenly, looking back at me with my messy bed head and breathing like I just went for a run. My brows draw together in confusion when he reaches into his jean pocket and pulls out a small stuffed unicorn.
"I'd be careful where you step, Tillie. Even the brightest things in this life dull after some time." He stares down at the stuffed animal with blond brows wrinkled together before flashing me a wink and leaving my room.
"What the ever loving fuck just happened?" I ask out loud and don't get a response, of course.
With a groan, I drag myself out of bed and make my way across the room towards the vanity table and see an outfit laid out for me. Did he just decide my clothes for the day? I mean he has good taste, he picked out something that fits my mood perfectly this morning. Anxiety is riding me hard today, the thought of going to a new school and I'm terrified that if I step outside in the daylight that Cruz will show up out of nowhere and steal me back to hell. I know that I've put miles between him and me, but it still makes my heart pound and my palms sweaty.
Staring at my drained reflection in the mirror of the vanity, I lean forward to look myself in the eye.
You’re a bad bitch and you fucking got this.
Does the pep talk help? Sure, but does it make the fear go away? Hell no! But it does get me moving to start getting ready.
Throwing off my sleep shorts and tank top, I pick up the red thong that goes great against my tan skin and can't help the giggle that leaves my mouth. Tey really is too much but what he doesn't know is that I live for the scandalous lingerie to give me a boost of confidence. Slipping them on with the matching bra, I shimmy my hips into a pair of black ripped, skinny jeans and a black tank top that hugs the girls for support. Brushing out my hair that has an edge of dark purple, I slip it into a high ponytail, and coat my lips in gloss, calling it a day. My reflection shows a girl who is makeup free, natural tan skin glowing, and bright brown eyes with long lashes. I can be me without having to hide behind a mask anymore. It's all I ever wanted and I'll be damned if I have to take a step back when I could be running forward instead.
With a grin, I swipe my new expensive leather jacket off the dresser, it slips through my arms like butter, and I slip my feet into my black docs. Perfect. I'm ready to be the new me and it feels good. My stomach is still tied up in knots but I've been through worse than high school. Only six more months and I'll be done, to do whatever I want, finally free. I swing the door open and am not looking where I'm going as I grumble under my breath about needing to stop hiding when I slam into a brick wall. The brick wall that just so happens to be Logan's firm chest. Biting my lip, I peek up at him from under my lashes to see his nostrils flaring and his honeyed eyes glaring down at me.
"Don't have all day to wait on you, baby girl. We leave in five so hurry your ass up," he growls and practically shoves me out of the way causing me to stumble over my own feet.
You know that pep talk about starting new and not taking any shit. It starts right the fuck now.
"Whatever you say, dearest brother," I say sickly sweet while fluttering my lashes. He whips around with narrowed eyes and before I know what's happening, his hand is pulling on my ponytail, and he slams his lips down on mine in a punishing, harsh kiss. I swear I taste blood in my mouth from when our teeth clashed together. Why does this send a thrill through me? It's hard and demanding but oddly gentle from his big hand sliding slowly down my spine to grip my ass cheek.
"That's stepbrother to you. Know your place, Tillie." His voice is husky and forceful but the growing evidence against my hip tells me all I need to know.
"And where is my place?" I ask, narrowing my eyes up at him when he smirks, a dimple appearing in his cheek.
"On your knees," he says darkly and pushes me away which causes me to trip over my feet once again and I catch myself at the last second before landing on my ass.
