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“I can hold a lot against you.” Sariah blinked up at him. “Why do you even care? It’s been years and you’ve never so much as texted me.” She hated the way that had come out, as if she wanted him to text her.
“I’ve always cared. I’ve never stopped loving you.”
“Please.” Sariah laughed harshly then she pulled the hair away from the right side of her neck and tossed her long hair behind her back, exposing her neck and deformed ear. It felt liberating after so many years of her heavy hair covering her right side.
Tyler visibly cringed but he didn’t back away. “You have to love all of a person, Tyler, and even without the Denise nightmare and your lies, you were always incapable of loving all of me.” Mack wasn’t. Mack had embraced her scars and would never ask her to cover them up. She wished he would’ve told her immediately he’d seen the pictures, but she understood why he was reluctant to, and he was right that she should’ve trusted him if she wanted to prove him trustworthy. He truly loved every part of her. Visions of him gently kissing her scars and then the way he’d taken her coverup off made her tremble. He thought she was beautiful and wanted her to share her beauty with the world. The contrast between him and Tyler was so stark she couldn’t believe she’d allowed herself to hurt for so long and shut herself off from healthy relationships because of this snake of a man.
Tyler studied her. “Give me another chance, Sariah.”
She rolled her eyes. “Get out of my face.” Walking away from him, she clicked on the Uber app to see how close the driver was. She wanted away from this lonely parking lot, and especially from Tyler.
Tyler ripped the phone from her hand, dropping it on the cement.
“Hey,” Sariah yelled, bending to pick it up.
Tyler grabbed her around the waist and began dragging her around cars.
“Let go,” Sariah screamed, hitting at his arm and fighting to free herself.
“Calm down. I just want to talk to you alone.”
“I’m done talking with you,” she yelled back at him.
“Let her go.” The voice was soothing and familiar. Sariah felt weak when she saw Mack standing in their path. His blond hair was tousled, his blue eyes determined, and his muscular frame looked bigger and more intimidating than ever. Sariah’s heart leapt. He’d come for her, even after she’d treated him so horribly. Oh, how she loved him.
“Back off, Quinn,” Tyler snarled.
Mack moved so quick, Tyler didn’t even get his hands up. Mack grabbed Tyler’s arm, wrenched him away from Sariah, and threw him to the ground. Tyler screeched and put up his hands. “Don’t hit me.”
“Don’t ever touch her again.” Mack towered over him.
Seconds ticked by and Tyler must’ve realized Mack wasn’t going to hit him. He glared up at him. “I’ll sue you and turn you into the police for assault.”
Mack’s eyebrows went up. “Really? I think Sariah’s assault and attempted rape suit will take precedence over yours.”
“I wasn’t going to hurt her,” he whined.
“Tell it to the judge. Your political career is over.”
Tyler cowered before him. “I promise I’d never hurt her.” He looked to Sariah. “Don’t turn me in, please. I just wanted to love you.”
“Never come near me again and maybe I won’t press criminal charges, but Mack and I will both be telling the media all about what a loser you are.” Sariah folded her arms across her chest. She wouldn’t mind Tyler serving time but she definitely wanted to make sure this man never represented her state in public office. She glanced up at Mack. With him by her side she could help spread the truth.
Sariah stared down at Tyler. It was just too coincidental that he had found her now. “Did you pay someone to follow me and take pictures of us the past two days?” she asked.
Tyler’s eyes widened with fear, finally he admitted, “You haven’t dated anyone since me so I thought someday we would be together again. When I heard you were dating Mack Quinn, and saw the pictures of you at Lily’s wedding, I knew I had to get you back.”
“You have no chance of ever getting me back,” she said. “Go away and know that your political career is over.”
“No,” Tyler protested. “You wouldn’t do that to me, Sariah. You have to still care for me.”
Mack bent down closer to him. “The lady asked you to go away. Unless you want your nose broken, I suggest you leave … now.”
Tyler’s face crumpled. He nodded and scrambled away from them in an awkward crabwalk like the insect he was, before jumping to his feet and running toward the bus station.
Mack turned to Sariah. “Are you okay?”
Sariah shook her head, tears pricking at her eyes.
