Page 24 of Recklessly In Love With A Ruthless Savage

Unknown: “I told you I would never let you get away from me. You think you can move on and start a new life with my daughter. I’ll show you what happens when you disobey me. Your punishment will be long and excruciating while I make you beg for my forgiveness.”

How is he doing this? I changed my number so many times and he keeps getting it. The number isn’t even in my name. Sooner than later I would have to tell Crew the truth about Kyle.I just didn’t want to scare him away. No, Crew didn’t seem like the type of man that scared easily, but I couldn’t expect him to want to take on my burdens. It would be better if I told him about my issues with Kyle after we were married. I archived the message from Kyle just in case I needed it for a later date and pocketed my phone.

The takeover was underway and the changes that Crew and his team were making gave the facility a more home like environment. The residents and staff were loving the changes. The residents were happier and staff morale was at an all-time high. My meager staffing budget had been increased and I was able to hire some qualified dedicated staff. I had increased bonuses and bought gift cards and prizes that we used to offer monthly raffles for perfect attendance and documentation. Everyone was enjoying life at the facility except our resident problem child Mr. Hightower who was still in cahoots with our new pain the ass ombudsman Ms. Harris.

I hadn’t seen her since our last encounter but she had been in the building a few times over the past week causing trouble. My team had noted the uptick in complaints and state reportables for any resident she came in contact with, even though all the other residents and families raved about the new updates and changes to the building we were making. It was something about her that rubbed me the wrong way but I couldn’t put a finger on it other than her last name. She was trouble, but from what I remember about his family, Kyle didn’t have a sister our age so I didn’t have to worry about her being related to that psycho. But just in case, I would keep an eye on her.

I pushed my laptop back down into my bag and got ready to leave for the day. Stephanie hadn’t said anything else to me about my attitude or Crew, which pleased me to no end. I headed out the back entrance past the kitchen. Two kitchen staff members sat on the bench at the back of the building smokingand engrossed in their cellphones. I walked past them giving my usual peace sign before reaching my truck. I popped the trunk and placed my bag inside. I turned to get in the car and was stopped by none other than Ms. Harris, the ombudsman. She stood next to my truck with a malicious grin on her face.

“Ms. Harris, it's so bad to see you here. Was there not enough parking at the front of the building? Guests don't normally park back here.”

“Hhm is that right? Well, I was waiting for you actually. I think we got off on the wrong foot and I would like to apologize. I stopped by your office, but you were preoccupied,” she said, that wicked smile never leaving her face.

“Was I? I was rather busy today. But it doesn't matter. Thank you for the apology but like I said our interactions will more than likely be very limited especially since the overall resident satisfaction rates have skyrocketed since Mr. Sanderson has taken over. So, if that is all I have to be somewhere,” I said, side stepping her.

“Oh okay. Tell Timberly aunt Kennedy says hello,” she said, stopping me in my tracks.

“What did you say? I turned back to face her ready to choke slam this bitch into the cement if she said the wrong thing.

“Did you really think you could hide forever? We’ve always known where you were. Our parents felt that Kyle needed time to sow his wild oats before settling down to be a family man after all, but now that he’s had his fun and ready it's time for you to come home.”

The fear that I should have felt was an afterthought, as rage bubbled to the surface of my psyche. Before I could stop myself, her hair was in my hand and our faces were so close our noses almost touched.

“Don’t let whatever old information your brother gave you fool you. I will snap your neck and sleep like a baby tonight.Look around, there are no cameras back here. No witnesses. If I were you I would run home and tell the family that you never saw me. Because if I see you again we will be looking for a new ombudsman. Are we clear, Ms. Harris?” I asked her. I wasn’t a violent person, but I was tired of running. I released her hair and got into my car without a second glance her way. Kennedy Harris can go to hell right with her brother. I took my phone out with shaky hands and hit the call button. It rang once before he picked up.

“Crew, I need you,” I said.

“Nova. What’s wrong?”

“I need you. Can you meet me at my house please?”

“I’m on the way, Princess,” he said before ending the call.

I sent Ms. Leona a message asking her to keep Timberly with her for another hour to give me time to explain everything to Crew. My time had run out, and I had to tell him the truth. It was either that or run and I just wasn’t doing that again. I was on autopilot as I drove to my home. I didn’t realize I had arrived until I reached my gate.

I originally picked this property because it was gated and my home backed up another property that was owned by an ex-military couple that did not play about security. They had fences, lights and cameras that could see everything. With that type of security, I knew that anyone attempting to sneak around my house would be seen by their nosy asses.

I informed the security guard that Crew was to be added to my visitors list until further notice. I parked my truck in the driveway before getting out to get my bag and running inside. A black Mercedes S-Class AMG pulled into my driveway next to my truck as I got my keys out. Being prepared for anything I tugged my mace out of the side pocket of my bag just in case. I relaxed as soon as I saw Crew emerge from the car. I opened the door, kicked off my shoes and put my coat and bag down in thecloset. I went straight to the wine that I kept in the fridge as Crew walked in behind me. He sat quietly observing me as I fixed myself a glass of wine and returned to the island to sit with him.

“Timberly’s father knows where we are. From what his sister told me today he has always known. He’s been sending threatening messages for a while, and I ignored them and just changed my number. He hasn’t been this close in a while. Normally, I would run but I’m tired of living in fear that one day he’ll show up and try and take Timberly away from me out of spite. He and his family are great lawyers, and it wouldn’t be hard for them to convince a judge that she was better off with them. Especially after he tells them what I did to him.”

“What did you do?” He asked.

I let out a deep sigh before reliving the last time I saw Kyle.

“The last night we were together Kyle decided that he wanted a threesome. I told him that I didn’t want to bring anyone else into our bed, but he refused to listen. It wasn’t the first time he tried to force me to be with him and another woman but that night I’d had enough. I was tired from my day with Timberly and just life in general. Kyle brought home one of the many women who entertained him after I went on bedrest from my pregnancy. He came into the room with her and told me to get undressed and lay on the bed with her so we could start things off.

When I refused, he tried to tie me up, but I grabbed some scissors off our nightstand and slashed him across the face. There was blood everywhere. The girl ran when she saw what I had done. While Kyle was on the floor screaming I hit him over the head with a lamp. As he laid on the floor knocked out, I took Timberly and left. I left everything he could use to track me and never looked back. I think Kyle and his family could say that I attacked Kyle and stole our daughter. I mean I never reported any of the things Kyle did to me. He made sure to never hit me. It was all mental and emotional abuse.”

“When did you see his sister?” He asked, running a comforting hand across my back.

“She turned out to be the fucking ombudsman at the facility. I knew it was something about her that I didn’t like. She tried to corner me as I was leaving just now. I told her I would kill anyone that came for me and Timberly and I meant it. I’m not going back, and no one is taking my daughter from me.”

“I told you that I take care of what’s mine and you and Timber are my responsibilities now. I will never let anything happen to either of you,” he said, taking out his phone and texting.

“Where is Timberly right now?” He asked.

“With Ms. Leona. I told her to give me an hour before bringing her home. They should be here anytime now. Why?”

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