Page 39 of His Dark Pull

He stops for a moment, furrowing his brows. “Alexander insists that I drive you home,”he says. “He is quite concerned for your safety.”

I shake my head, resisting the urge to give in to Alexander’s overprotectiveness. “No, I’ll find my way home,”I say, my voice defiant.

At that moment, Tyler appears, his face flushed, his eyes blazing with a fury that makes my heart sink. He holds out my purse and blinking phone, his hand shaking.

Does he have my phone?

“What the hell is this?”he growls, pointing an accusatory finger in my face. “Were you ever going to tell me that you were fucking goddamn Alexander?”

My mind races, searching for the right words, but they seem to evaporate before they can reach my lips.

“You’re a liar and a cheater,”he spits out. Tears well up in my eyes, blurring my vision. I know he has every right to be angry, but the venom in his words stings more than I could have imagined.

“I broke up with Alexander,”I try to explain. “We weren’t exclusive back then,”I add, a feeble attempt to justify my actions.

“I can’t believe you’re with that criminal,”he continues, his voice rising with every word. “Do you even know who he is?”

I know,I think to myself.I know all too well who he is.

In the end, I do the only thing I can. I turn and walk away, leaving Tyler behind me. As I make my way through the crowded ballroom, I can feel the stares of my colleagues, their whispers like a chorus of judgment. Reaching the hallway, I feel a gentle hand on my shoulder. “Can I take you home, Miss Parker?”Mendel asks.

“If you stop calling me Miss Parker, then yes, please,”I choke out. My eyes are wet, the taste of my tears salty against my lips.

He nods silently, and within minutes, his sleek black car is waiting for me at the curb. Sliding into the back seat, I feel Sarah’s hand on my arm, her warmth radiating through my dress.

“Tyler’s just drunk and hurt,”she whispers. “Give him some time to cool off.”

I nod at Sarah’s words, but I’m not sure. Tyler’s outburst has been so out of character. It’s as if the alcohol had stripped away the layers of civility and restraint, revealing his true self. “Yes, I know,”I mumble. “It’s just—-he’s right. I did keep Alexander a secret from him.”

“You didn’t do anything wrong, Ava,”Sarah insists, her voice gentle but firm. “You just had feelings for two men. Tyler will cool down, and you can talk about it tomorrow.”

“Fine,”I concede, though the knot of unease in my stomach refuses to loosen. “Will you be okay?”I ask, concern for my friend overriding my own thoughts.

“Yes,”she replies with a smile. “Gilbert is taking me home.”

I can’t help but raise an eyebrow at that. Gilbert, the mild-mannered accountant, seems an unlikely protector for my fiery, outspoken friend. But then again, maybe his quiet demeanor and his unwavering adherence to rules are exactly what Sarah needs after a night of chaos.

As Mendel starts the engine, I close my eyes and lean my head against the cool leather seat. My thoughts are a tangled mess, a whirlwind of confusion. I’ve broken up with two men in less than twenty-four hours, and I feel weak, broken, shattered.

Tears prick at the corners of my eyes, but I brush them away, not wanting Mendel to witness my vulnerability again. He remains silent, his stoic expression offering a sense of stability and quiet strength that I need. I just need to get through this night, I tell myself, taking a deep breath.

“Mendel,”I say as I tap on the partition that separates us. Can you please take me to the pier?”

“Are you sure?”he asks, his tone serious. His gaze meets mine in the rearview mirror.

“Yes,”I reply. “I need to clear my head.”

“Alright, Miss Ava,”he says, his voice betraying a hint of concern beneath his usual stoicism. “I’ll take you to the water.”

“Just Ava,”I say, but I’m unsure he hears me.

Stepping out of the car at the pier, the cool night air hits my face, carrying the salty tang of the sea and the faint sound of waves crashing against the shore.

Ah, just what I need.

I begin to walk along the pier, the rhythmic creaking of the wooden planks beneath my feet a grounding rhythm against my never-ending thoughts. The expanse of the dark ocean stretches out before me.What am I going to do now?

My solitude is shattered by the approaching sound of a car engine. My heart beats faster as I realize it isn’t Mendel’s car. Chills run through my body as the vehicle speeds up, its headlights cutting through the darkness like a predator’s gaze.

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