Page 10 of Tyrant

Iset the multiple bags on the bed after I’ve taken them from the hotel attendant and closed the door. I made sure to double-check the lock once they’d left, feeling paranoid thewoman saw my face. I never would’ve opened the door in the first place had she not been wearing a uniform, but she was, so I put my trust in fate that it was on my side in the moment and greeted the attendant. She claimed the bags were for the lady of the room and that the husband in 313 had called the order down a little while ago. I thought Tyrant said he ordered toiletries. Unless his plan was to buy out the local Walmart in toothpaste, I’d wager the shopper purchased a lot more stuff.

A few bags gape open so I can make out various contents and I find myself poking through them even though I have no right to. I can’t help myself once I notice a short-sleeved set of satin pink pajamas with decorative black piping in a size medium. They certainly won’t fit Tyrant, and it’s too much stuff to be for him in the first place. Don’t ask me how I know, I just do. I’ve gotten the vibe from him that he’s a minimalist type of guy, enjoying the same things repeated in his wardrobe of jeans and T-shirts. He probably owns a leather jacket with a pair of leather gloves, and that’s the extent of his winter wardrobe.

The bathroom door opens with Tyrant strolling out, steam billowing around him. He’s absolutely sinful in his freshly showered state, and I shouldn’t be staring, but I can’t seem to look away from him. “I think we got someone else’s order. Want me to call down and let them know? I’m sure someone will be missing their pretty things.”

His gaze flashes from me to the bed laden with several bags. Without a word, he immediately moves for it, dumping the contents from the other bags into a pile out on the bed, then spreads each item out.

“See, someone has to be missing their belongings. They must’ve lost their luggage or something.” I remember when I used to fly out of town. It wasn’t a ton of times, but I got to go on the occasional class trip, or other fun adventure when I was younger. Back when my parents were still my parents and whatI thought of as boringly normal. Now, I’d give almost anything to go back to them once more and hug the people who raised me rather than those robots they became under the divine guidance of Josef and his wretched father’s cult.

“Nah, I had the hotel pick it up for you. I asked you to let me know if you needed something,” he finally admits with a shrug, then plops down on the small couch, flipping the TV on. He makes the seat look tiny with his massive frame nonchalantly draped over it. All I can do is stare at everything while tears crest. As they build up, they eventually spill over, tumbling down my cheeks to fall from my jaw.

When was the last time I cried from someone’s thoughtfulness? Because I’m so grateful in the moment, I could burst from the sweetness Tyrant shows me without hesitation.

Picking up the pale pink pajama set, I lightly graze my fingertips over it. I haven’t had anything like this since before I went to the community.That was years ago. Sure, we had basic things such as electricity and running water; we weren’t living like the Amish, but to have clothing so soft and pointless was considered selfish and absolutely sinful in the eyes of The House of Worship. To possess unnecessary items as such would havethy neighbor coveting possessions and causing disarray amongst members. Items were instantly thrown out after that lesson, as was anything else Josef deemed nonessential. Creams and salves were made by hand from the older women, always with natural ingredients such as oils and various butters, and were left mostly unscented. We were meant to be unaltered, pure, and temptation-free at all times.

Things are just things, but when almost everything is stripped from you, you quickly realize how much a luxury it is to have something as simple as soft pajamas to sleep in. I understand greed is a sin, but is it truly greedy to have or want for anything when you’re forced to possess so little? It breaks me inside tothink of all the little girls trapped in a life where they know nothing soft and pretty. They’ll grow up as everyone else my age in the commune did, living under Josef’s father’s rules he made up, believing whatever was preached in the House of Worship to be law.

My fingers trace over a brand new shiny blue brush with sparkles encased in the handle and a pack of no-pull hair ties. Necessities to most women, they were once to me as well, but now they’re only indulgences I haven’t had in far too long. What was I thinking? How could I have been so blind to everything? I took one step onto the compound and must’ve had ‘fool’ written on my forehead for them. I was stupid for staying, and more so for not finding a way to flee when I found out abouther.

My hand falls to my stomach. Feeling so empty inside, I could cry at my loss. She should be here with me right now, away fromthem. The only thing bringing me any sort of comfort is knowing Josef is an evil man to everyone else, but he won’t ever hurt her. I was terrified, but he’s proven time and again he would never harm his innocent child, my daughter. He’ll only keep her from me. Forever, if I allow him to. That’s been the hardest part of escaping…finding a way back in to save her. He’ll never let her go, and he’ll kill me as soon as he finds me.

“You okay, Sugar?” Tyrant’s growly rasp comes from my side, his hand falls to my shoulder, squeezing. I can’t help but flinch, being caught off guard. He notices immediately, backing up a step with his hands raised.

I can’t hold back from going to him. Our bodies collide, my arms wrapping around him tightly. I’ve had no affection aside from my precious baby and Josef forcing himself on me too many times to count. Having Tyrant’s big body wrapped around me the past few nights made me feel incredibly warm and safe, so it’s only natural I seek him out for comfort now as well. “You’re such a good man, Tyrant,” I whisper as I silently cryagainst his chest, repeating the words to myself that’ve grown so important to me.Love doesn’t hurt.

“I’m not, babe, seriously.”

“I think you are. I see the truth in you, and that’s all that matters to me,” I admit, and he squeezes me tightly. I need it so badly that I burrow as close as I can possibly get to him. I have a cathartic, quiet cry, off and on for about an hour or so, until I doze off.

Eventually, I wake up, lying across Tyrant’s wide body. We’re on the bed, and he’s shoved all the stuff to the side. I’m snuggled into his chest as a child would be and it makes me miss my daughter even more. For being such a large guy, he sure is comfy to sleep on. I don’t remember him moving us onto the bed or anything. I also didn’t have any nightmares this time when I fell asleep. In fact, now that I think about it, I slept incredibly good for once.

“Mm,” I mumble, picking my head up until my gaze finds his. His moves away from the near-silent television screen to mine. His lips twist up into a smile full of acceptance and safety. If I weren’t so fucked up inside, he’d be exactly the kind of man I’d want to have in my life. Helpful, quiet, kind, caring, and lets me still be me, whoever that may be at this point.

Leaning up on my arms, I cover my mouth and yawn. “Thank you.”

“Anytime.”

“I almost think you truly mean that.”

“I do. Wouldn’t say it if I didn’t.”

I actually believe him.

And then I’m leaning in, pressing my mouth to his. The first man I’vewillinglykissed since I married Josef and learned of the monster he’d been hiding inside.

One of Tyrant’s hands resting along my spine tightens, while the other finds the back of my head, threading through my hair.I’d had the long locks wrapped in a towel after my shower, but it must’ve fallen out when he put us to bed. His lips coax mine apart further, his tongue dipping inside to caress mine, causing my mind to spin.

How do I justify laying my lips upon this man’s when I have no right? After everything I’ve been through and have yet to go through. I left the community, needing to escape the wickedness and discover my own personal salvation. I fled to find help, a true savior for my daughter. I thought if I went to the police, told them my story, that they would storm the gates and take back my daughter for me.

Once again, I was proved to be a fool. They claimed I could file a statement. Move to request a restraining order, and then find a lawyer to help petition for full custody as well as a divorce. Their words were utterly useless—I knew it the moment I heard them.

Josef wouldn’t ever allow me to divorce him.

To claim our child? No.

To escape his wrath? Never again.

The police are blind in their belief that Josef is no threat, that I have no reason to be afraid of thecult full of monstersbeyond the gates.

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