Page 21 of Wicked Oath

Everyone says bye before we walk back out to the SUV. Right away, I can tell that he is mad at me. I will accept it if it means saving him from him losing more of his people’s respect. He is leading with an iron fist, just like Logan. Just like Vince. It’s not going to get him anywhere but alone, and he deserves the world. I don’t know why I am suddenly so protective over him. He literally kidnapped me, and he is trying to be the biggest dick he possibly can. I think it’s because I can relate to him so much with Vince, even without knowing what exactly happened. We share the same trauma with that family, and I know what it’s like to not feel wanted.

The entire trip back to the house is silent. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t scared of him right now, because I am. I’ve obviously never been in this situation with him, but I have been with Logan. That almost always ended with me getting hurt. I’d like to think he wouldn’t hit me, but I know something is going to happen. He is way too angry still for something not to happen.

We park and I get out and follow behind him to the door. We walk in and he tosses his keys on the coffee table before grabbinga bottle of whiskey off from his mini bar. “Go to bed,” he says harshly.

“Fine. Have fun drinking alone,” I say, turning to the stairs.

“What?!” he snaps at me. I don’t stop walking, and it pisses him off more. “Get the fuck back here.”

“No, I have to go to bed, remember?” I ask as I walk up the stairs. I hear the bottle get slammed down and I sprint up the stairs. I hear him behind me, so I slam the door behind me. Before I can lock it, he kicks it open. The door slams against the wall, sending wood splinters into the air.

“What the fuck did you just say to me?” he roars shoving me back toward the bed. I stand my ground when he gets in my face, even though I am scared. “Are you fucking mute now?”

“Are you going to stop throwing a goddamn tantrum and talk to me like a goddamn adult?” I yell back at him.

“You interrupt me talking to one of my men, and somehow I am the bad guy here?” he scoffs.

“You don’t even fucking see it,” I laugh dryly. “You are losing their fucking respect acting on anger alone. Have they ever seen you smile? Ever? You are on a quick fucking trip to being alone and you don’t even care.”

“I would rather be alone than disrespected,” he says simply.

“Well, too fucking bad. You’re fucking stuck with me now,” I say. “You wanted this so badly? Well, buckle the fuck up because this is what you get. You get me trying to save your ass when all your goddamn people look disappointed. You know even Viper is scared of confronting you?”

“I was defending you!” he screams at me.

“If that is how you defend me, I don’t want any fucking part of you or that,” I snap. “The moment he said he would clean it up, you should have fucking walked away. Instead, you kept fucking arguing. Who gives a fuck if he has an attitude as long as he does what the fuck he is told. You didn’t have to start shit because you didn’t get the tone of voice you wanted.”

“And here I thought you’d appreciate someone trying to stick up for you,” he says dismissively.

“Oh, don’t give me that fucking bullshit, Talon. You humiliated the man, and I helped. Would you have done any differently? He was fucking embarrassed. Have some goddamn compassion for once in your goddamn life. Are you so goddamn heartless that you couldn’t fucking see that?”

“Yes,” he growls. “I told you that. I never fucking hid who I am.”

“I don’t know who you are,” I scream. “Right now, all I see is Logan.”

“And all I see is a needy bitch who has to be a brat if people don’t bend for her. Fucking newsflash, you are nothing to me,” he says louder. When my face drops, his brain catches up to his words,and regret fills his face. It’s too late though. The words have already taken root, and I know all I need to. This is how it starts. This shit right here. It wouldn’t take much for him to hit me.

“There it is,” I laugh and walk toward the bedroom door.

“Stop it and come here, Delaney,” Talon says with a scolding tone.

“Fuck you,” I turn and snap at him.

“Stop it,” he says through gritted teeth. “Stop pushing me.”

“What’s wrong? Don’t want to see who you really are?” I ask.

“Stop it,” he shouts and shoves me back against the wall.

“Go ahead, hit me. I know you want to,” I say harshly. “You lead with anger.”

“Don’t you fucking say it,” he warns.

“What’s wrong, Logan? Don’t like being called out?” I laugh. “Or should I call you Vince? You gonna just rage fuck me like Logan would?”

I gasp and press myself back against the wall when he suddenly slams his fist into the wall beside me. He is nose to nose with me and breathing heavily. The rage is radiating off of him, but he doesn’t touch me.

“Go ahead and be like every other man in my life,” I say tearfully. “Hit me, fuck me, take whatever you want. It doesn’t matter. I am nothing to you, remember?”

---