Page 36 of Mr. Kelly

Teddy:I’m officially divorced. I’m fine. I just need some time. I hope you understand.

I understood. The text came just before the news broke online. I took some comfort in hearing it from him first, although it was a text. It’s been two weeks since that text, and I’ve gone through several emotions. I’m sad that I miss him, worried that the divorce is harder on him than he expected, upset that he can’t talk to me about it, and I’m anxious that it’s possible our part of the relationship was based on the thrill of being caught and his interest in me has dissolved like his marriage.

I have no doubt that my child will know his father, I just understand that mother and child aren’t always package deals. It’s in my best interest to just focus on my baby and my courses.Yawning, I put down my book and decide to turn in for the night. My feet pad along the hardwood floor. I’m still amazed by how such a beautiful house was sitting alone until Andrea arranged for me to be here. It’s damn near my dream house, but I work to not get attached. I know it’s temporary.

After I start the water in the massive shower, I strip out of my clothes, adding them to the laundry basket. My phone rings in the bedroom, and I carry my naked ass in that direction to grab it. Andrea’s men always stay outside and do not enter the house without calling me for permission. Since no one is after me, it makes me feel even safer knowing that someone is always watching out for my safety.

“Hello?” I answer quickly, since it could be Theodore.

“I heard you’ve been with Andrea. Are you a mob whore now?”

I pull the phone away from my ear and stare at the display. The number says unknown, but the voice is clear.

“What in the fuck are you talking about, Mario? Even if I were Andrea’s whore, he wouldn’t leave me to die because he ran like a bitch.”

“They were going to kill me. They weren’t going to kill you.”

“Maybe not, but he would have raped me and passed me along to work off your debts and more, you asshole. You were supposed to love me.”

“None of that happened. You made it out like I knew you would. You-”

“Shut the fuck up. If I were anywhere near you, I’d choke you myself. Don’t call me again.”

I move my thumb to hang up on him, but hit the speaker button instead.

“Watch how you talk to me, bitch. Just because you’re giving up pussy to the mob for protection doesn’t mean I can’t get to you.”

Oh, that worthless sonofabitch.

The phone is yanked out of my hand before I can respond. Stunned, I turn to see Theodorelooking like a furious wet dream.

“If you value any part of your life, you’ll respect her wishes and not call back.”

“Who in the hell are you?”

Theodore sneers, showing me that I’m attracted to his dangerous side as well. “I’m the man who’ll hunt you down.”

“You can’t threaten to kil—”

Theodore’s laugh is cold and sharp. “I won’t kill you. It’s too fast, too easy. I’ll crush you. You’ll hurt so badly that you’ll wish I killed you. Every breath you take will be excruciating. I’ll sit back and smile while I watch you cry and shit yourself because you can’t function normally anymore.”

The line goes dead because Mario was always big on self-preservation. It wasn’t a light threat. Theodore meant everything he said and knew exactly what to do to make it happen. For a brief moment, I saw the guy who’s just as scary as his best friend.

He drops the phone on the bed and looks at me. Although I’m naked, his eyes stay with mine, trying to assess my mood. I feel every emotion I’ve felt over the two weeks he’s been missing. While my eyes rejoice from the sight of him, I have nothing to say. Turning, I walk back to the bathroom to get in the shower.

I’m not giving him the silent treatment, I’m just truly speechless. We’re not a normal couple so I’m out of my element. Going through the motions, I lather my towel until it’s soapy the way I like it. Theodore joins me and takes the towel before I can get started.

“I can do it,” I tell him, but he starts washing my back anyway.

“Please let me,” he offers in a gentle tone.

I close my eyes as he bathes me. It feels good to have him touching me. Although I’ve been safe, my body relaxes some now that he’s around.

“How long has he been calling?”

There isn’t any assumption in his voice, but the question still annoys me.

“First time.” My words are clipped. I’m sure he can hear it as well.

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