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“Fuck you, Tyson,” I spat the words out. “Why didn’t you help me? I could’ve died.”
“You were fine.”
“I wasfucked up, and you just left me on the street.”
“We were coming to get you, but then some asshole took you away.”
I decided it was better to continue playing dumb. “Well, whoever that asshole was, he probably saved my life that night.”
He almost saved my heart, too, from being ruined by this world.
Almost.
Tyson approached me, and I flinched as he raised his hand, but he simply cupped my cheek in his palm, his tone changing. “Babycakes, you know I wouldn’t have let you die.”
“I don’t know that.”
“Haven’t I always looked after you?”
I glanced around the rundown apartment he paid the rent for with my money. The clothes I bought with the allowance he drip-fed me—money that was rightfully mine.
His fingers tangled in my hair, and he tugged hard. “Haven’t I always looked after you?”
“Yes,” I whispered, tears springing to my eyes at the pain.
Zaqiel would never hurt me like this.
But he wasn’t here.
Tyson’s palm returned to my cheek, slapping lightly before cupping my face, his expression softening as though moments ago he hadn’t basically threatened me. “I’ll ask again, sweetheart.” A shiver ran down my spine. The tone he used when he called me pet names had more than a hint of danger running through it. “Where have you been?”
The tears were coming fast now, and I couldn’t stop them, but it wasn’t fear. I didn’t care what Tyson did to me because I wanted out. Whether that meant I left or he killed me, I didn’t care anymore.
I. Wanted. Out.
I didn’t want to work for or near him ever again. Besides, nothing he did to me could feel worse than the rejection from Zaqiel.
“I swear, Tyson, I don’t know.” I choked back a sob, letting the tears come, hoping he misinterpreted them. “I was kept locked in a room. He fed me and cleaned my wounds, then just dropped me somewhere on the side of the road, and I walked home. I swear I don’t know.I don’t know.” My voice faded into a whisper and then into nothing. I closed my eyes against his touch, wishing he’d take his hand away from my cheek.
Tyson continued to stare at me and ran his thumb across my upper lip, possibly trying to wipe away the blood, most likely smearing it. My vision was still shimmering with tears when I held his gaze, green eyes that would’ve been beautiful in contrast to his tanned skin if they were not filled with such cruelty.
I made the mistake again of relaxing. You’d think I’d have learned never to relax around him. He patted me on the cheek, and I flinched. When he smiled, I knew I was in trouble.
“Rest for today, but just know…” he started as he turned to leave. That sneer turned wicked, a grin that promised pain. “I don’t believe you don’t know who he is.”
I stood there trembling even as he closed the door before I collapsed to the floor again and sobbed like I hadn’t done in years.
EVIE
After showering, I dressed in jeans and a tight t-shirt. I wasn’t about to wait around here for Tyson to come back and decide I needed to work again. I actually wanted to wear loose pants and a baggy t-shirt, but I still needed to dress to impress today.
Also, I had no idea where my phone was, so I’d need to pick up a replacement while I was out. I really wanted to get hold of Heidi. I still didn’t know where she was, and I tried not to think about how it seemed like my apartment hadn’t been lived in for weeks.
But first, I was going to get a new job.
It couldn’t be just any job. I needed something that would offer protection from Tyson and his damn goons. Without it, as soon as he realized I was working elsewhere, I’d be dead as soon as I stepped out onto the street.
Weeks ago, I wouldn’t have cared much.
