“You’re not as smart as you think,” I force out.
“Yeah, whatever. Go get our girl, she’s closing down the airports and I don’t feel like driving all the way back to your house so get out.” He reclines his chair, forcing Halo to shift or get his leg caught by the backrest. I decide to leave grilling him for answers until we get back to my place. I push the door open, ready to climb out, but before I do he speaks. “I also want an explanation about my father as well, Alex.”
Tatum
Silence.
I can’t find a moment of peace because of my thoughts and the memories of earlier tonight plaguing me.
Fear.
I feel none. All I feel is numb. I used to live in constant fear until I met the monster I was running from.
Caged.
That’s how I feel right now. I’m trapped inside a hotel room with Omen and I have nowhere to run. I built the cage I am trapped in right now. I should have turned my back on Alex and went to CHU and hid out with Vivian and Nova but I ignored caution. I was too enthralled by all things Alexander Denver and now look where I am.
My life was my own. I had financial freedom, thanks to my amazing job that I am neglecting right now. I even made some friends who actually give a shit about me and expect nothing from me. I had everything until I had to go and seek out my family. Thomas used me to get to Vivian and I stupidly led him to her without knowing. My own father was going to kill me! Then my brother turned up and saved me, only to turn around and use me.
I feel so stupid. I let Nexus in and trusted him. I was so desperate for a family that I trusted a snake. His betrayal hurts so fucking badly. Which is why I’m standing in the shower right now so Omen can’t see me cry, I never cry. My emotions are all over the place and I can’t seem to get a hold on them. The way Alex touched me earlier and used my own body against me brought back memories I thought I had long since buried, but turns out I was fucking wrong.
Tonight I made a choice and at the time I thought it was the right one. Nexus admitting that he hurt an innocent girl showed me the true monster that he is, but Alex using me, that hurt more than I want to admit. When a sob escapes me, I cover my mouth with my hand to muffle the sounds. When I feel a gust of air hit my back I spin around, a scream lodging in my throat when my face is gripped and he smashes his mouth against mine. For a second, just one blissful second, I let myself get lost in the feeling of him and how he makes me feel stronger.
I break the kiss and push him back, He stands there fully dressed, staring down at me with guilt in his eyes. “I’m so sorry,” he whispers.
I shake my head and fight back my tears. “Am I just someone you can use to get to my brother?” I hate how meek I sound but I’m so far past caring right now.
He shakes his head and sighs, then rubs his beard. I respect the fact he hasn’t once dropped his gaze from mine to get a look at my naked body. I see regret which just inches that knife into my heart further. I try to push past him but he blocks my escape. I snarl at the fucker.
“Would you give me a fucking second to explain!” he shouts.
“Fuck you, get the hell out of my way, Butcher.” I relish in the feeling of my anger roaring to life inside me, this is a feeling I can latch onto and embrace. It feels so much better than the pain consuming me a minute ago.
“Don’t call me that.”
“Why the fuck not?” I yell.
“Because she’s the one who gave me that damn name!” he roars. I snap my mouth closed and stare up at him in astonishment. “I’m so sorry, Tatum. I never meant to hurt you.”
“But you did.”
He inhales shakily. “I know,” he says quietly.
“Ask me,” I grit out.
He frowns. “What?”
“Ask me your most favorite question that you have asked me more than a dozen times.”
His eyes widen in understanding. “Who hurt you?”
“My foster father. Want to know why I’ve never made a move to suck your dick?” I don’t give him a chance to answer. “My last foster home was the worst. I escaped all the others before they could touch me but not Ray. He was smart, he knew I wasn’t like the other’s so he used my four-year-old foster sister against me.”
“How?” His tone is laced with venom.
“I either suck his dick whenever he wants or he rapes Emily while I watch.” Alex steps back and stares down at me with a mix of unfiltered bloodlust and rage. I expected to see pity or at the very least for him to tell me he was so sorry for what I went through, but he does neither.
“Do you remember his last name and his address?”