Page 12 of His Dark Pull

I have to get out of here. Now.

The moment we’re out of his office, the door slamming shut behind us, I release a shaky breath I hadn’t realized I was holding, leaving me weak and trembling. I collapse into Tyler’s arms, burying my face in his chest, seeking comfort and safety in his embrace.

“Thank you,”I whisper, my voice trembling.

“Of course,”he says, holding me tight.“I won’t let anyone hurt you. I was coming to check on you and bring you some dinner.”His hand strokes my hair,his touch softensmy frayed nerves.

I look up at him, my eyes filled with gratitude. But even as I cling to him, a gnawing feeling persists. It’s not over. Cole’s threat hangs in the air, a dark cloud on the horizon. Can he fire me?

The rage—a burning ember deep within me wants to see Cole suffer, to feel the pain he had inflicted on her tenfold. It is a primal urge, a darkness I didn’t know I possessed. But as I look at Tyler’s concerned face, I push the feeling down, hiding it behind a mask of gratitude.

* * *

Despite the encounter, a strange calm flows through my body as I walk beside Tyler. Port Haven’s usual cacophony – the blaring horns, the chattering crowds – feels oddly comforting tonight. The streetlights cast a warm glow on the bustling streets, each face a story waiting to be told. The city’s rhythm, its pulsing energy, it feels good.

Here, amongst the throngs of people, no one can hurt me, can they?

Tyler’s hand, warm and reassuring in mine, grounds me in the present moment.

The streetlights dance across his dark-blond hair, catching the golden strands like fireflies at night. His profile holds a newfound strength. It’s as if the encounter with Cole has awakened something within him, a protective instinct that I findbothcomforting and intriguing.

As I glance at Tyler, his hand enveloping mine, I can feel the tension radiating from his body. His thumb traces soothing circles on the back of my hand.

“So, what do we do about Cole?”I ask.

Tyler’s gaze meets mine. His lips press into a thin line, his brow furrowing slightly as he considers his response. “I don’t think there’s much we can do, to be honest,”he replies, his voice low and measured. “He’s your boss, and you can’t afford to lose your job.”

Inside me, a storm brews of pent-up emotions held in check only by Tyler’s steady presence. I long for action, for retaliation against Cole’s abuse, but I know Tyler is right. His plea for restraint is the right thing to do.

“I know, but it just doesn’t feel right,”I say, disappointment evident in my words as I search Tyler’s face for a solution. “He’s such an arrogant jerk, what he did to me tonight –”

The memories flood back, and I shiver.Shall I go to the police?

Tyler stops walking and turns to face me.The city lights dance in his eyes, reflectingthe conflicting emotions within him.“I agree, it’s not okay,”he says, his voice firm. “But we have to be smart about this. We can’t just go charging in and cause a scene. That’ll only make things worse for you at work.”

“I know,”I sigh, understanding the logic behind his words but still yearning for justice. It’s just—it feels like there’s nothing I can do, like I’m powerless.”

He pulls me close, his embrace a comforting shield. “You’re not powerless, Ava,”he whispers. “You’re one of the strongest people I know. And you’re not alone in this. I’m here for you, always.”

His words,filled with such genuine care. I look up at him, meeting his gaze, and for a moment I feel a connection.

“Thank you, Tyler,”I whisper.

He smiles, a gentle smile that reaches his eyes, crinkling the corners in a way that always makes my heartskip abeat. “We’ll figure this out together,”he says. “Cole won’t win.”

As we continue our walk, the familiar sights and sounds of the city take on a new meaning. We pass the old ice cream shop where Tyler spent countless summer afternoons with his mother, sharing stories of sticky fingers and melting cones. We gaze up at the towering skyscrapers that house the law firms where he honed his skills, transforming from a wide-eyed intern into a confident andsuccessfullawyer.

We walk past the brick building where he was once a mischievous middle schooler, getting into trouble with his friends and dreaming of a future beyond the city limits of Port Haven.

Each landmark, eachstory he shares,paints a picture of the man beside me,a manwho is more than just the kind and gentle soul I fell for.There’sa strength to him, a resilience forged by years of hard work, that I find incredibly attractive.

“You know, it’s funny,”he says, a touch of self-deprecating humor threaded through his voice.“I used to think that I would never want tocome backto this city afterI leftfor college.But now, being here with you, showing you all these places, I realize how much I miss it.”

I smile, taking in the city through his eyes, appreciating its unique charm and the memories it holds for him. And just like the city, I’m beginning to see that there’s more to Tyler than meets the eye. We have only been dating for a few months, but he is just what I need.

* * *

We arrive at my apartment building, and the familiar brick facade is a welcome sight. Tyler tightens his arm around me, and I breathe in the comforting scent of his fresh cologne, a subtle blend of citrus and spice.

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