Page 91 of Guarded
Okay, so he hadn’t done that intentionally. I’d foolishly had it in my back pocket when he’d sent me flying into one of the stone walls.
I’d looked down at the broken screen and almost cried. My one lifeline to Jeremiah. I’d only just got it back and now it was gone again. Trust fucking Lyle to find a way to take it from me, even if it was inadvertently.
Lyle wasn’t experiencing any periods of lucidity now. Well, he was coherent enough to spew venom at me and know exactly where to hit me hardest, but that was about it. I would have felt bad for him if he’d stopped attacking me for long enough to process anything.
Right now, it was taking Atlas, Rowan, and me to contain him. He’d become so violent that I couldn’t manage him on my own. Not after two weeks of this.
I was exhausted. Physically, mentally, and emotionally drained.
The three of us had been stood in this position for hours now, hands raised, shields holding Lyle. Normally, a supe wouldn’t have to direct his power in this way, but we were all struggling. Sweat dripped down my face in a continuous stream as I kept my power steady. My former lover was more animal than supe at this point, teeth bared as he threw himself repeatedly against our shields.
I shouldn’t be here.
I should be with Jeremiah.
I had no idea what time it was. I fucking hoped I wasn’t late. I was close enough to breaking already.
Picturing Jeremiah waiting for me in Richmond Park, checking his phone, wondering if I’d stood him up…I couldn’t bear it. I couldn’t think about it. Not unless I wanted to collapse to the ground and let Lyle kill me.
I couldn’t do that. Not with Atlas and Rowan in the room. My powers were depleted, but my shield was still the strongest. My shield wasn’t faltering like Atlas’s. My hands weren’t shaking like Rowan’s.
I could do this. For them. And once it was done, I was leaving. Leaving Lyle. Leaving this room and praying it wouldn’t haunt my nightmares for years to come. I’d walk away, knowing the darkness was well and truly behind me. I’d seek out the light that was Jeremiah. My future. If nothing else, this experience had shown me just how special Jem was. Even if he were in a similar state to Lyle, he’d never hurt me. Not with his words, powers, or fists.
I just had to hope these past two weekshadn’t fucked things up between us. He had to be pissed about my silence. He’d made it clear early on how important communication was to him, and I’d thrown that back in his face. Worse, I was potentially missing a date I’dswornI’d be there for.
All because of my ex. A person Jeremiah knew very little about, thanks to my silence.
Jem had every right to be pissed. To be furious that I’d prioritised the needs of others over him. That I hadn’t been open before about who Lyle was to me and why I’d left the unit. That I’d broken my promise to him.
This could be the end of the burgeoning relationship between us. I wouldn’t blame him for it. If the situation was reversed, I wasn’t sure there’d be anything Jem could say to soothe my ire.
That didn’t mean I wasn’t going to try though. As soon as these vampires arrived, I’d be tracking Jeremiah down. I’d go to my knees and grovel before him. I’d beg him to give me a chance to explain.
It wouldn’t be debasing or humiliating. No, those were feelings I’d experienced in this room with Lyle. Nothing I could do with Jeremiah would make me feel the same way.Nothing.
I’d spent too long chasing after the wrong man, but I’d spend eternity chasing the right one if that was what it took.
Maybe I could leave now. The vampires can’t be far away.
Just as I had that thought, Rowan gave a low curse beside me. My gaze snapped from Lyle to him. His powers were coming in small blasts now as his whole body shook.
Atlas was eyeing him too. “Ro? You good, man?”
Rowan nodded before stopping to shake his head with another curse. “No. Fuck. I’m burning out. I can’t hold him much longer.”
Lyle paused in his barrage of punches and blasts. He cocked his head to the side and gave us a sinister smirk. The sight had my stomach twisting.
Atlas raised a brow at me and I nodded. I was already sinking deeper into the well of my power. The bottom was closer than it had ever been before, but I wasn’t out.
Not yet, anyway.
“Go,” Atlas said as he shifted sideways slightly. “We’ve got this.”
“You sure?” Rowan panted.
“Yes.” I mimicked Atlas’s step. It’d leave us more open, but we’d be able to hold him. “Go and rest.”
“See who else is around,” Atlas added. “We need at least one more in here. Ideally two.”
