Page 7 of Only for You: Tap and Taryn
“I wanted it to just go away.”
“Knowing him as you do, did you really think he’d be put off by a few voicemails? Really?”
“I don’t know, Tap.” She started crying harder.
“I know now. I’ll keep watch out, maybe ask a couple of troopers if they could do drive-bys for a couple of nights.”
“That seems like too much.”
“Not if it keeps you safe, honey.”
When it was time for bed, Tap rolled to his back and pulled Taryn against his side, relaxing as she nestled her head on his shoulder. “I’ve got a couple of questions, Taryn.”
“Okay.” Her voice quavered a little. “Ask.”
“Are you sure about this? About us?”
She jerked away from him. “What? Yes, Tap. Yes.” She rolled to her stomach and rose up on her elbows. “Do you not trust me?”
He must have paused a beat too long, because tears filled her eyes.
“Tap.” She pulled away, moving to sit on the edge of the bed. Head in her hands, she asked, “Do you not trust me?”
“I want to, but this is you keeping secrets.” He pushed up, back to the headboard. “You never said a word.”
“I just want it, want him to go away.”
“Then we make him go away.” Tap held out a hand. “Together.”
She came easily, face tipped up for a kiss. He met her halfway, pressing a kiss to her lips that felt just a little desperate.
He repeated himself, wanting to make himself believe it. “Together.”
Next morning, Tap sat at the kitchen table with Taryn, phone laid on the surface. The call rang a couple of times before connecting.
“Paul Sommers.”
“Hey Paul, it’s Tap.” Sommers was a talented attorney focusing mainly on troubled divorces and stalking cases.
They spent the next hour filling Sommers in on everything going on with Ricky Sanders, starting with the last years of marriage and ending with the late-night visit. Sommers had good questions, and before they got off the phone he had laid out a plan that sounded amazing.
“That’s good, right?” Taryn had managed to get through the conversation without tears, but Tap saw them glistening in her eyes now.
“It’s very good, honey. Sommers will be all over Sanders, run him back home with his tail tucked between his legs.”
“But he’s not going to be hurt, right? Not physically, and not in a way that would impact his reputation?”
Tap stared at her for a moment. “Won’t impact his reputation? Taryn, he’s a controlling asshole. I suspect everyone who’s dealt with him knows that fact.”
Her phone rang and the moment her eyes lifted from the device he knew who it was, and what she was about to do.
“Don’t answer that.”
“Tap, I have to.”
“Don’t.”
She hunched over her phone, and Tap saw her finger slide to accept the call. He turned and walked out, climbed in his truck, and drove home.
