Page 12 of Dirty Little Vow

“Why don’t we?”

“Why don’t we what?”

“Get married now. No one has to know. It’s just for us. We’ll do the whole formal thing nine months from now.”

“Why?”

“Then if something happens—”

“Oh my God, Tyler.” I poke his chest and then point at the door. “Go to work. Go, before I get angry. Stop putting this crazy stuff in the universe.”

“Bella—”

“Go, Tyler.”

He grabs me and kisses the heck out of me until I’m breathless and panting. “I’m going to work.” He releases me and walks out of the closet.

I stand there all of a few beats before I rush after him, catching up to him right when he reaches the door. “Tyler!” And when he turns to look at me, I say, “I love you.”

He smiles the kind of smile that melts me where I stand. A genuine, charming smile and says, “Which makes me the luckiest man alive. Don’t think anything I’ve said makes me forget that. I love you, baby. See you at the office.”

And with that, he leaves. Molly jumps up on my leg and I kneel to offer her pets, but my mind is on Tyler. He’s a broken man, beaten by his past, by his father, but he hides behind a shell of arrogance, using control like an armor of sorts. It’s a bit like me pushing everyone away because I’m afraid of getting close to anyone.

This reminds me of something my father said to me at my mother’s funeral.She was a part of me,he’d said.When I was down, she lifted me up. When she was down, I lifted her up. I don’t know how to do alone anymore.

I’ve never forgotten his pain that day, or his struggle for months after her death. The depth of his grief was destructive. I thought I might lose him too. Subconsciously, I think I decided never to get that close to anyone. But it’s too late. I’m there with Tyler, and way past turning back.

It’s strange though. Despite everything that happened last night and this morning,

I’m not afraid now.

Chapter Nine

Bella

Present…

Oliver watches me with intelligent, calculating eyes probably meant to unnerve me, but I’ve sat across from too many powerful people doing the same as he is now, to fluster so easily. I’m less worried about me and more worried about Tyler.

Did they take him, too? No, I remind myself of the photo Oliver sent Tyler of me. He—they, this horrible family—are tormenting him with me, and my heart hurts for the man I love. This has to be destroying him and the truth is, I don’t know if he’ll recover, not where the two of us are concerned, but I can’t think about that now. I have to stay in the moment.

“I’ve read your brother’s books,” Oliver, if that’s really even his name, comments oh so casually, and then sips his Bloody Mary, which throws him off his intended game. He points at his glass. “I didn’t think I liked these, but it’s pretty good.” He sips again. “Or not. I still think I need a bourbon.” He motions to the waitress, I assume. I can’t see anything over the high booth.

She appears beside us, and he says, “Macallan 25 neat. Hell, just bring the bottle.”

Her brow lifts. “It’s expensive.”

“So is dying without living. I’ll take the bottle.”

“All right,” she says and walks away, while he refocuses on me. “You’re not drinking.”

I lift the glass and sip. “Happy?”

“Not with one sip. You’re on edge and there’s no reason to be on edge. We’re talking while using our chat to send Tyler a message. Leave us alone, we leave you alone. Nobody has to die today.”

No one has to die today, but they could. That’s the message. Maybe I should cower, but the longer I sit here, the stronger I feel and I am my brother’s sister. I’ve heard his stories and certainly if anyone has read his books, it’s me.Fear serves no productive purpose, is one of his favorite sayings, both in his novels and in his life.

Calmer now and confident in my conversational skills, I charge forward, driving the conversation my way. “Did you read my brother’s books before or after you decided to kidnap me?” I ask, sipping my drink that is far more tomato juice than it is vodka, which I can handle without saying or doing something stupid.

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