Page 78 of Thick as Thieves
He shakes his head. “You know I’ve got your back, always.”
I think he’s going to let me go, but he doesn’t. He clings tighter to my elbows, then pulls me into his large, comforting frame. “Evie.” His voice is urgent now. “You know in your heart they wouldn’t want you to be with anyone else. You know it. They’ve made that clear these past four months. They keep people away. I’ve heard them speaking to the other women, Texas, Gabe and Levi. It’s a bit extreme to be honest, the protection levels are off the scale. I think those women are deluded. Harking back to times gone by, behaviours that are well and truly in the past. Probably wishing it to be true rather than it being facts.”
I nod my head. He may very well be right on that, but again, the tears come. And there’s all the other issues beyond the sexcapades to still deal with.
I sweep the tears from my face. It’s a wonder they’re not icicles. I’m so angry, I can feel the rage bubbling in my veins. It’s the only thing pushing at the ice above.
His voice is soft but practical as he continues to try talking me down from the ledge. “You told me how you regretted running away over those other women in Vegas. Don’t let them be the reason you go. The paternity test, the vasectomy, those I get. But not those women.”
I start to hyperventilate, my breaths coming in pants. This is not good for me. I need to get out of here. “Tommy, I feel ill. I think I’m going to pass out.”
I feel myself go floppy in his arms. Roza pulls over her chair for me to sit on and a cold flannel is placed gently on the back of my neck, reviving me. She’s talking softly to me in Spanish, the words I can hardly make out, but it’s the most comforting sound.
“Let’s go home to Valentina,” Tommy repeats. We can sort this at home, Kiddo. Please.” I’ve never heard him so stressed.
I look into their concerned faces. I don’t think I can take much more.
“Go home to Val, Evie,” Roza encourages me. “I will ring her. She will be ready for you. We will look after you. You need Val. She loves you, she loves those boys. Go home, Evie.”
“Okay,” I murmur out. I can hardly stand, never mind go into full battle cry. I feel as if all the life has been drained out of me. Like there’s a big black hole starting at my heart and sucking the rest of my body into it, piece by piece, inch by inch, the whole lot drawn in, never to see light again. Never to feel love or joy again. There’s just nothing, infinite black. The blackness of betrayal, lies and deception.
Tommy squats down in front of me, looking into my pale face, my red rimmed eyes. “Do you want me to carry you?”
“Not through the club, no. We’ll attract attention.” I smile a bit at the thought of Tommy striding through the club with me in a honeymoon carry.
“You can leave through the back doors. Go left out of here, not right. The back doors are down the passage on the left,” Roza informs us. “Call a car around back, there’s parking spots there.”
Tommy nods and opens his phone, calling a car to be delivered to the back doors. We sit for a few more minutes, and when his phone pings, he straightens up and fixes his caring eyes on mine. “Right, Kiddo, are you ready?”
He pulls me gently up, holding me around the waist, supporting my weight. He looks like he’s dragging a dead body. We get to the other side of the doors and Tommy sweeps me up into the honeymoon carry. “We’re not going through the club, so no one to see us. I’ll let Mick know we’ve gone, say you're ill, when we’re on our way.” He grins down at me. “Tuck your head into my shoulder. Rest. We’re going home.”
“Tommy, what the fuck? Evie? What's wrong?” Kell skids to a halt in front of us, his hair wild, his eyes round in his face. “Are you ill? Do we need a doctor? Call a doctor, Tom.”
He reaches out, trying to take me from Tommy, but I push closer to the big man, tightening my hold. He knows I don’t want to go with Kell.
“She’s fainted. Too much tequila and probably not enough food. She forgets she’s feeding twins. I heard Valentina telling her off tonight,” Tommy lies smoothly.
“Let me get Xander and we’ll come home. Baby, you’re so pale.” He reaches up and smooths the hair from my drenched forehead. “Fuck, you’re green.” His face and voice are full of love and worry. If only he’d been that concerned about me when he tested my kids.
“I don’t want to wait. I’m taking her home, Kell.”
Kell looks a bit perplexed by Tommy clearly taking over and making demands.
“Stay here, Kell. It’s Xander’s birthday. I don’t want to spoil everyone's fun.” I’m trying to keep my voice from showing my anger. Trying to act like I care about that.
“There’s no fun without you,” Kell says softly. “He’ll want to come home with you. We don’t want to be without you.” His voice is like a warm, soft blanket, cocooning me.
I gulp as I think about what they’ve done, knowing if I’m going to survive this I need to keep my resolve intact. “Please, Kell. He’s been looking forward to this for weeks. People are waiting for you.” I’m desperate to get away. If he carries on, I’ll blurt everything out. And then I’ll have to listen to the explanations of their deceit.
“People? You mean Xander. There’s no people. Let us come with you. Tommy, are you taking her in the car?”
“Yes, it’s around back. We need to go. She feels hotter, and I want to get her home to Valentina.”
“Just let me get Xan and we’ll come.” He sounds determined, but I don’t want him with me. I don’t want any of them with me.
“Kell, please. I don’t feel well. Please let me go. Everyone will be waiting for you both to have a good time. Please.” His face twists into his ‘I don't give a shit look,’ but it softens when he looks at me again. I feel the tears start, and I hear the noise he makes in his throat. Pain. I know it well. My whole body is consumed by it.
“I’ll let you go now, but I’ll speak to Xander. If he doesn’t want to stay, we’ll let everyone know and come home. Get some rest baby. I’ll be there to cuddle you in the morning at the latest.”
