Page 17 of Deceit

Brynn

SITTING IN KINGSTON’Sroom earlier gave me a lot of time to think. I’ve never seen a man put himself in so much pain just to talk to a woman because of a misunderstanding. He was completely open and vulnerable when he showed up at Turn the Page. Then he essentially begged me to believe him and give him another chance. I’ve been around enough men over the years just like Kingston to know what he did was extremely hard and he took a hit to his ego all because he wanted to see and talk to me. That was probably the hardest part for him and Kingston didn’t hesitate to do it. The only reason I’m holding out is because I don’t want to be like my sister. Zoey has given men one chance after another over the years and still ended up with her heart broken. I swore that I’d never be that way in relationships. I know my worth and will never let a man make me feel as if I’m less than who I am or take less than what I deserve because I want to be with someone. Though, I don’t believe that’s what Kingston’s doing here. I truly believe him and feel that our date was about more than a bet.

As I sat in Kingston’s room, I realized who he truly is. Not only is he a member of the Phantom Bastards MC, he’s the legend who raced sport bikes. My dad and uncle watch all of his races and love him. I watched the race with them where he crashed and know he was so close to losing his life. While I know some women would use that as one more reason to want Kingston, that’s not me. I don’t give a fuck about him racing bikes or anything else. To me, that’s just one part of who the man is and not a reason to be with him. I don’t want to be flashed all over the tabloids or anything else because I’m with him. The reasons I want Kingston are because of the man I saw on our date and the one who put himself in even more pain just to talk to me. Though, I will admit that if I do choose to get with him, my dad and uncle will never leave him alone. They’re huge fans and will talk his ear off about bikes, racing, and everything else.

When I got home last night, I was shaken up. Laid out all over my porch were photos of me. Most of them were from here in Pine View but there was also some mixed in from when I went home. This asshole was close enough to photograph me inside my parents’ home when I was naked after getting out of a shower or getting ready for bed. There’s also roses that are dead but they’ve been dyed black before dying and shrinking up to nothing, the usually soft petals crinkled to nothing as they wither on the porch amongst the pictures. What really scared me were the pictures of Kingston. Not because this twatwaffle managed to get pictures of the two of us but because his face has been scratched out and there are holes in the picture where his heart is. That’s more than a threat and this isn’t something I can handle on my own. Especially with the note that was mixed up with everything.

You’re mine. I don’t know what the fuck you think you’re doing by parading all over with that little bitch, but I’ll take him out in a heartbeat to prove that you belong to me. No one else will ever have you.

This shit is about more than just me now and I have to talk to Kingston about everything. He has the right to know that my shit is spilling over into his life so he can protect himself. I know he’s going to want to know who I think this is, but I can’t give him any answers. Ever since moving to Pine View, I literally go to a handful of places and nothing more. If I’m not home, I’m at the bookstore. A few times I’ve gone out to eat at the diner, grabbed a coffee, or sat in the park watching the kids play while enjoying the sun shining down on me. There’s never been any interaction with a guy or anyone else that would lead me to believe I have someone after me like this.

I’ve been up since getting home because every time I close my eyes, I see the stalker getting in my home and hurting me. Every single noise makes me jump and I can’t be here. Picking up my phone, I send a message to Kingston.

Me: Are you up? Can I come back to see you? I need to tell you something.

I don’t let go of my phone as I wait for him to message me back. There’s no TV on or anything else to distract me from possibly hearing the sound of someone breaking into my home. While I can’t prove it, I have a feeling someone’s been in here while I was gone. Not when I went to my parents’, but since I’ve been back. Little things are moved just a fraction where they sit and I feel as if I’m missing a few things.

“Ahh!” I scream out when my phone vibrates in my hand and pulls me from the thoughts of someone being inside my sanctuary. “Fuck.”

Kingston: Are you okay? You can come over whenever you want.

Me: Leaving now.

I stand from the couch and grab the tote box of things I’ve been putting inside from this asshole. If I give Kingston any part of this, he needs to know it all. I can’t hold back anything if he’s going to take every precaution to protect himself. So, with it in hand, I walk out the front door and make sure the alarm is set once again before locking the door and making my way quickly to my car. I don’t want to be out in the open longer than I have to. This fucking asshole is taking away my confidence, freedom, and turning me into a scared bitch who jumps at my own shadow. Yes, I have done that since getting this last round of shit from him.

Getting in my car, I lock my doors immediately and start the engine. I pull out of my driveway and practically race to the compound where Kingston is waiting for me. When I pull up to the gate, I open my window just enough to let the Prospect know I’m there to see King and that he’s expecting me. I’m immediately let inside the compound where I park my car and look around before getting out. Hope meets me in the parking lot and instantly knows something is wrong.

“Brynn, you haven’t slept at all and you’re pale as fuck. You’re shaking too. What’s wrong? Did Kingston do something?” she asks me, looking down at the tote where everything is stored.

“Kingston didn’t do anything to me. I’m here to see him and I know what I’m about to tell him isn’t going to make him happy. I hate that he’s getting sucked into my drama but he has a right to know what’s going on,” I tell her, not giving away any details about my situation.

“If you ever need me, I’m here. Let’s get you up to my cousin. He still really can’t get out of bed, but he’s moving around better today. It’s kind of surprising since his therapy session was yesterday. Usually it takes a lot longer for him to get up and move around. When I say get up, I mean he gets up to go to the bathroom and that’s it,” Hope tells me, sharing more about her cousin than I’m sure he’d be happy with.

“Thank you, Hope. Right now I just want to get up to him so I can inform him about what’s going on. What he does with that information is up to him. Though, I can assume he’s about to tell the guys in this club all about it and I have to be okay with that,” I tell her as Hope leads me through the clubhouse and up to Kingston’s room.

When we get in his room, my eyes immediately land on Kingston where he’s sitting up in his bed. Right now, he’s not wearing a shirt and his hair is wet. The long strands are curlier than normal and I know it’s because he’s just gotten out of a shower. When our eyes meet, Kingston smiles at me and I want to forget the conversation we’re about to have and climb in bed with him for reasons that have nothing to do with this talk.

“What’s wrong, Kitten?” Kingston asks me, instantly on alert just from looking at me.

“I’ve got something to talk to you about. I don’t want anyone else in here with us when I tell you. I know this isn’t gonna stay between the two of us, but for right now, I need it to be just the two of us,” I tell him as Hope grabs a blanket and wraps it around my shoulders because I’m shaking that bad.

Kingston doesn’t say anything. He simply holds out his hand and I make my way closer to his bed. When I’m close enough, he pulls me down next to him and holds me tight. This is what breaks me. The tears fill my eyes and spill over and I can’t stop them from rolling down my face to land on his bare chest. Neither one of us say a word as he simply holds me while I break.

I don’t know how long I’m held in Kingston’s arms, but I finally manage to get control of myself and stop the tears from flowing. Pulling back, Kingston doesn’t let me go. He gives me just enough room to settle more comfortable against him as his eyes land on the tote that sits on his bed.

“I’m sorry,” I apologize to him while he wipes the tears from my face. “Kingston, I have something going on and no one knows about it. Not even my family. That’s where I was after I found out about the bet. I needed to get away from here so I could try to think and it turned out to be a shitshow. Anyway, I don’t know how to tell you this.”

“Take your time, Kitten. I’m not goin’ anywhere. You’ve got me curious as fuck and ready to beat the shit outta someone though,” he states, his voice taking on that deadly tone I’ve heard my dad, uncle, and grandpa get when they feel as if the women in their life have been wronged or hurt in any way.

“I have a stalker. Shortly after moving to Pine View, I started getting pictures and notes left on my porch. While I know this is a serious situation, nothing really bad has happened up to this point. The pictures are all of me around the city when I was exploring and then in the bookstore when I started hanging out there on a daily basis. Now, I can’t say that. The last sets of pictures I’ve gotten and the note are scaring the hell out of me,” I tell Kingston as I pull the tote closer to us and open the lid as he looks inside.

Kingston reaches in and grabs a handful of pictures. The newest note happens to be among them. I can see the second he reads the words that chilled me to my bones. Kingston’s entire body goes rigid and every muscle tenses. His jaw goes hard and I can practically hear him grinding his teeth together. He’s fucking pissed as hell.

“Kitten, this isn’t good. I know you understand that. I don’t give a fuck about this note threatenin’ me. My concern and rage is for you, Brynn. You’ve been dealin’ with this shit all alone for too long. Now, you’re gonna let me handle it. I’m gonna find out who the fuck this is and take him the fuck out. You gotta let me handle this shit however I see fit, Kitten,” he tells me, his voice not quite hard and cold, but there’s a definite edge to it as I look up into his eyes.

“I trust you, Kingston. Do what you have to do,” I tell him, standing from his bed and removing the blanket from around my shoulders so I can head out.

“The first thing I’m gonna say is you’re not stayin’ at your house alone, Kitten. I want you here in the clubhouse where no one can get to you. I know you’ve been gone for hours and still have yet to sleep. The bags under your eyes and how pale your skin is tell me all I need to know. You’re scared to be at your house and I’m tellin’ ya I don’t want you there,” he states, looking at me and expecting a fight about me staying here.

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