Page 69 of Tied to You
Travis grabs the meat cleaver I saw him pick up earlier, then pounds it into Tim’s thigh with an almighty swing of his arm.
The way Tim screams is enough to curdle my blood. The heavy, dull thuds of my heart hitting the back of my ribs makes my head spin as the air apparently gets sucked out of the room.
I feel as though I’m going to pass out.
Air. Water. I need both. Now.
Without thinking, I make a grab for the door, turning the handle and removing myself from the room. I can’t see Travis like this. Can’t stand it anymore. I don’t run, but I really think I should. This is all too fucking much.
The door opens again. Travis. Again. Probably making sure I’m still here.
Why am I?
He steps closer.
Right.
His face is scrunched, rage taking over.
“Why are you doing that to him?” I shock myself by asking. Do I really want to know?
Travis looks as shocked as I feel. “It’s none of your concern.”
My head rocks forward and backwards. “Don’t. Okay? We’re way past that now. Tell me why you’re beating that man like that? Do you even know who he is?”
Travis steps into my personal space. “We don’t care.”
I laugh to myself, not surprised.
“It’s what he does that we have a problem with.” His lips part but he stops himself from saying more.
I feel myself scowl but my curiosity gets the better of me. “What did he do? And don’t say it’s none of my concern.”
He contemplates it. I see his eyes bouncing, his jaw ticking. With a sigh, he rubs his hand over his face and beard. “He likes to try his luck with underage girls.”
I see his eyes become softer. His disgust, evident. “Hewhat?”
“Don’t make me say it again.”
I think. “But Dean? He said he’d go get Tim’s wife. Show him what he’s really capable of. Is he going to hurt her?”
He frowns, his face positively murderous. Then he double takes. Shit. He knows I listened. I watch as his mind whirls. “You ever considered that maybe he just said that to get a reaction?”
I hadn’t, actually.
There’s a bang, and his eyes jump to the door. I know he has to go back inside the room with Dean. He doesn’t need to tell me to stay put. I know this time.
But as I wait, trying my hardest not to listen, my head continues to spiral.He likes to try his luck with underage girls.That’s immediate dismissal and jail time.Ifhe’s found guilty. So, they found out Tim’s been playing dirty, and now they’re blackmailing him. Worst thing they could try with a man like Tim. He’ll be protected by men who are ridiculously powerful. Who needn’t lift a finger to get what they want. Whatever else they have planned to try against him. It won’t work.
I sigh. I know exactly what I can do. But it really isn’t my place. But if it helps stop this madness and prevents Tim from being hurt further—even if he doesn’t necessarily deserve it, should I? Could I? The repercussions withTravis will be huge, but I want to get out of here, and this is how I do it.
I know I shouldn’t, but there’s no way I can just stay stood here and not help. I should run. But I won’t.
Pushing open the door, Travis looks like he could kill as I stand at the threshold. “Stop,” I tell Dean, just as he raises his hand. I don’t miss the knife he’s holding between his fingers. Shit. What the hell am I doing? Closing the door, I take a tentative step forward, realising I’m well and truly crossing a line.
“Get her the fuck out of here!” Dean shouts to Travis, who spins, locking his hollowed eyes on mine.
“Mollie,” he warns.
