Page 60 of Wicked Scandal

He scoffs, shaking his head as if I were just some child. “Have you lost your damn mind, kid? I love my wife more than anything in this world. Why the hell would I ever do anything to hurt her?”

I shrug condescendingly. “Because I don’t believe anything that comes out of your sleazy mouth.”

“You’re going to regret this, Wilder.” He snarls. “Mark my words. Your reputation is about to go up in flames if you don’t get the hell away from my house right this damn minute.”

I throw my hands up, then let them fall to my sides. I have to refrain from laughing because he could do nothing to my reputation. He might be the mayor but my father has more money and reach than he could ever hope to achieve. I’m not untouchable by any means, but I hold power here and he knows it. “Just let me see her and I’ll leave. It’s that simple.”

Reaching into his pocket, he pulls out his phone, speaking with a smug grin as he taps his index finger to the screen like an old man who just got his first phone. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

“Wait,” I blurt out. “I don’t want any trouble,” I assure him. As much as I want to stay until I see Cat, there are other ways. This will kill my dad if he finds out I came to the mayor’s house and raised hell.

He slowly lowers his phone. “Leave,” he grits out the word grimly.

With a heavy sigh and no choice in the matter, I walk to my car. He might have defeated me this time, but I won’t rest until I know Cat is safe.

I get in, close the door, and pull down the wraparound driveway slowly. Every few seconds, I glance in the rearview mirror and see him standing there with his head down as he taps into his phone.

When I reach the end of the driveway, I look again and see that he’s gone, but his truck is unmoved.

I take a sharp turn into the guesthouse driveway and pull all the way to the front so my car is blocked by the trees between the two lots.

Then I get out and take the trail cautiously back to the Jenkinses’ main house.

Creeping quietly and carefully, I make my way to the backyard, looking through each window I pass by only to find no sign of Cat or Troy.

It isn’t until I’m on the back porch looking through the glass sliding door into the kitchen that I see movement. A shadow flickers past the far room that I take to be the living room.

When it passes by again, I see that it’s Troy. The sound of his angered voice pierces my ears and I realize a window is open close by.

I pull out my phone and start recording because I need proof of his abuse—Cat needs proof. Maybe then she’ll find the strength and courage to finally leave him.

“Tell me the truth, you fucking bitch!” I hear him shout, and my heart nearly stops.

My entire body shakes with rage when I see Cat come into view. She’s curled over as she limps slowly into the kitchen. “I am telling you the truth. I swear to you, Troy…” Her timid voice unnerves me because I know he’s beaten her into submission.

Suddenly, Troy appears again and like a movie playing in slow motion, I watch as he clenches his teeth and raises his hand in the air.

He hits her in the back of the head without warning and she drops to her knees.

My heart sinks into my stomach and without hesitation, I grab the handle of the glass door and slide it open with force. I burst into the room, my heart racing with adrenaline just as Troy fists her hair and pulls her head back.

With my phone still recording in my hand, I immediately look at Cat who is doubled over in agony. Her eyes meet mine with a look of shock and fear. My first instinct is to go to her, but when I hear Troy’s voice, I’m reminded there is something I need to do first.

“I thought I told you to leave!” Troy growls with a malicious tone. “You won’t get away this time. Now, I am calling the cops, and your dad.” His threat hangs heavy in the air, but I leave it there because it means nothing to me. He’s not calling anybody.

I walk over to him, feeling the rage inside me grow tenfold. My mind isn’t even my own when I cock my fist back and lunge at his face. Except Troy throws his hand in the air, catching my strike.

He squeezes my hand, jaw ticking in fury as he lowers it to my side. “You best leave and pretend you were never here, Cromwell.”

With my hand free from him, I shove him hard in the chest, forcing him to stumble back a few steps. “You lay another hand on her and I’ll be the one calling the cops.”

He chuckles deviously as he regains his footing. “You’re delusional. I’d never hurt my wife.”

“Oh, give up the act, old man. You’re nothing but a wife beater and before long, the whole world will know it.” I wave my phone in the air and he seems to just now realize what I was doing with it. He pales, giving me a grim sort of satisfaction.

“Wilder!” Cat shouts from the floor. “Just go. Please.” My eyes shoot to hers and I see the look of panic in them as she pleads with me.

I join her side while Troy follows behind me like the possessive son of a bitch he is. “Get away from her!”

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