Revelations (Tattoos & Tears Book 2)

by Amiee Louise

  He sees the pained look on my face, and he nods, brushing my arm reassuringly.

  “I’ll be right back, babe, I need to get my phone, and I’ll make sure he doesn’t follow. Trust me.”

  He winks and goes back inside. The large doorman steps to my side.

  “Do you need a taxi, darlin’?” he asks in a soft Scottish lilt and smiles cordially. I nod and smile as he flags a taxi down, and it pulls up at the kerb.

  “Thank you so much.”

  I open the car door, and a few minutes later, Jax joins me in the back seat as we make our way back to the hotel. I lean my head on his shoulder.

  “Hey, do you want to tell me what that fuck-wit did this time?”

  A tear rolls down my cheek. “A girl called Lyla showed up.”

  Jax’s eyes widen.

  “Lyla? Lyla was here? Are you sure, babe?”

  I nod. “She was at the gig as well, she kept telling me not to trust him. What’s he hiding, Jax? Who is she?”

  He puts his hand to his head. “Fuck,” he curses and takes out his phone.

  “Jax, don’t call him, please,” I plead. Jax looks at me and puts his arm around me.

  “He needs to know she’s here, babe.”

  Defeated, I lean my head back on his shoulder and nod as he carries on texting Sam. Ten minutes later, we are pulling up outside the hotel. Jax pays the driver, and I stride into the hotel foyer. I press the button for the lift, and Jax runs to catch up with me.

  “This isn’t his fault, babe, at least hear him out, he deserves that. I have never seen him the way he is with you ever. It’s a first for him, he is … happy.”

  We both step into the lift, I push the button for the fourth floor, and the doors slide shut.

  “What’s going on with you and Ruby?”

  I swiftly change the subject, and he smiles, leaning back against the wall with his hands in his pockets.

  “I’m falling for her, Peyton, she is … incredible. She doesn’t stand for my bullshit. She doesn’t expect anything from me, I know I slept with someone behind her back, and I’m so fucking sorry for that. We never made promises to each other, I thought we were clear on that. Now she keeps blowing hot and cold, I can’t keep up with her. Her mood swings are literally giving me whiplash.”

  I definitely know that feeling all too well.

  He sighs. The lift stops at our floor, and we step out into the corridor.

  “Do you want me to talk to her?”

  He smiles. “Thanks, Peyton, that’s really sweet, but I’m a bit old for the whole my friend fancies your friend!”

  “She has been hurt so many times, Jax, but she must have some feelings for you; show her how much she means to you. I see how she is around you, she plays down her feelings, and she hides behind the tough girl act.”

  “Just like you, you’re more alike than you realise, babe.”

  I smile shyly and fidget with my hands. “Maybe, but this isn’t about me.”

  He stops outside mine and Sam’s room.

  “But it was about you; until you changed the subject, remember?”

  He raises his eyebrows, and I hold my hands up. “OK, you caught me!”

  “Look, I’ve seen Sam at his lowest points, he has bounced back every single time, but I don’t think he’ll bounce back so easily if you run from him again. You were the reason he got up on that stage tonight. Talk to him, he is … fragile right now. Please don’t break his heart, babe.”

  Jax’s voice is pleading, and I nod. There are so many things I want to say and ask Jax about Sam’s past because he seems to be the person who knows him best. But a part of me is terrified of the answers, so I decide to keep my mouth firmly shut.

  “I won’t.”

  He brushes my arm. “I’m going back to the boys at the club, text me if you need anything, love,” he says softly, and I nod.

  “Thanks, Jax.”

  I kiss him on the cheek, and he smiles. He salutes and turns to walk back down the corridor. I insert the key card and push the door open. The door clicks shut behind me, and I turn on the light. I kick off my shoes and go straight into the bathroom to take off my make-up. I pull out a baby wipe and look at my reflection in the mirror. I look so different to the way I looked a few short weeks ago before Sam breezed into my life with his leather and his tattoos.

  I hardly recognise the girl staring back at me. My blue eyes have a sapphire-like sparkle to them, my cheeks are rosy, and my smile is no longer the fake one I have perfected over the years. They say love changes you, but I didn’t believe them for a second. I am living proof that love changes everything. From your appearance to the way you feel inside, that broken, mess of a heart that Callum ripped out of my chest and trampled on the day he cheated on me has now been mended, and my heart is growing stronger by the day with every minute I spend with Sam.

  The door of the hotel room slamming shut interrupts my thoughts. I step into the doorway of the bathroom and look up, my eyes instantly locking with Sam’s blazing green ones. He moves towards me and is in front of me in two large strides. His chest is heaving, and he is so close I can feel his warm breath on my cheek. His familiar Sam scent envelopes me as he runs his thumb across my bottom lip.

  “Please don’t run from me, angel, I can’t stand it.”

  “I promise I won’t run anymore, but you need to start being honest with me, Sam. You can’t keep things from me. I have to know what’s going on in that head of yours. Don’t shut me out, please.”

  He takes my face in both of his hands and presses his lips hungrily to mine. His kiss is deep and his tongue probes mine. It is as if he possesses me so completely by putting everything he has into one kiss. He pulls away and looks into my eyes.

  “You are mine, Peyton, every fucking inch of you belongs to me. I won’t let you leave me again.”

  I shake my head. “I’d never leave you, baby, you’re my world.”

  I stroke his face and he lifts me into his strong arms.

  “I need to be inside you now, angel.”

  I start to wonder what has gotten into him, but I don’t want to push him while he is obviously feeling vulnerable, so I decide to give him what he obviously needs, and I wrap my legs around his waist to pull him closer. He takes that as a green light, and he crashes his lips frantically against mine. He moves us towards the king-size bed and deposits me in the middle. He tears off his t-shirt and unbuckles his belt. He pulls off his jeans, boxers briefs, and is naked in record time. I know something is off when he doesn’t give me a chance to admire his rippling physique. He climbs on the bed and parts my legs with his knee. He roughly pulls off my clothes; his eyes are blazing with lust. I have never seen him this way before, and a large part of me is so turned on by this dominant side of him. He cups my breast in his hand and kneads it. He moves to my other breast and latches onto my nipple, causing me to moan softly.

  “Oh, Sam.”

  He moves up to nuzzle my neck and bites down as if to mark me as his. I gasp in both pleasure and pain.

  “You’re mine.”

  I grip the nape of his neck and force him to look at me. His eyes aren’t their usual sparkling green, and a lump starts to form in my throat. I swallow it back and try to hide the quiver in my voice.

  “I’m yours, Sam, yours. Just yours, baby.”

  He seems satisfied with my statement. He grasps his steel erection in his hand, and he enters me forcefully; I cry out at the invasion. His pace is rapid and unrelenting. With every stroke, he growls, and I moan.

  “Look how greedily your cunt swallows my cock. No other man is allowed even a taste of how fucking sweet you are.”

  My heart constricts at his crass words and how conflicted his thoughts have become. It is as if his body has been possessed and taken over by a complete stranger. He slams into me so hard, my eyes start to water.

  “Sam, baby,” I say softly to try to make him slow down, but his pace doesn’t let up. He pumps into me one more time, and he yells
out as he comes inside me.

  “Mine.”

  His breathing is laboured as he collapses on top of me. He pulls out of me after a few seconds and silently gets up off the bed. He walks into the bathroom and closes the door behind him, leaving me laid on the bed in a state of shock at what just happened. What the fuck has gotten into him? Sam never acts this way. Something must have happened for him to behave this way. I get up, wincing in pain. I pull on the hotel robe and pick up my phone off the dressing table. As I go to dial Jax’s number, my phone starts ringing in my hand. Cole’s name flashes up on my screen, and I answer straight away.

  “Peyton, is Sam with you?”

  I lower my voice, “Yeah, but he’s acting really strangely, Cole. I don’t know what to do.”

  It is taking everything I have right now to stay calm and not freak out at Sam’s odd behaviour.

  “Fuck,” he curses.

  “Are you back at the hotel?”

  “Yeah, he’s locked himself in the bathroom.”

  “Shit! He was about to tear the walls down after you left, then he dodged me and just disappeared from the club. I tracked the GPS on his phone, and I’m on the way to you right now, sugar.”

  “What’s going on? Please tell me, Cole, I’m sick of you keeping secrets from me.”

  He is silent for a second.

  “Look, sugar, you just need to trust me and keep him in the hotel room. I’m coming right now. I’ll be as quick as I can, and I’ll explain everything, whatever you do, don’t let him leave.”

  My stomach flips at his words.

  “OK, I’ll make sure of it.”

  “Good girl, I’ll be there soon, hang tight, sugar. Bye.”

  I hang up the phone and am struck dumb at the turn of events. I take off the robe and pull on a pair of comfortable black yoga trousers with one of Sam’s oversized Rancid Vengeance hoodies; it smells of him, and I inhale his scent. I pull my hair into a loose, messy bun and hear the water from the shower running. It is times like these when I miss Ruby so much. I miss our chats and having her around to talk to in times of crisis, so I decide to text her.

  Hey babe

  Miss you L

  P xx

  She responds almost straight away.

  Hey girl

  Miss you too

  How’s the tour going?

  Scratched any groupie’s eyes out yet! J

  Any gossip?

  R xx

  I smile at her response; she has such an uncanny ability to make me smile.

  Tour going great

  Not scratched any groupie’s eyes out...yet! J

  Sam’s acting weird

  Could do with a chat L

  P xx

  I lie down on the bed and wait for her reply.

  Are you OK babe?

  Please call me

  R xx

  I am almost relieved at her response, and I start to type a reply when the door taps softly. I get up off the bed and go to the door. Cole and Jax are both in the doorway; I move out of the way to let them both in. They both step into the room and close the door quietly.

  “Are you OK, Peyton?” Cole asks softly, and I nod.

  Jax looks at me apprehensively. “Where is he, babe?”

  I point to the bathroom and pull the sleeves of Sam’s hoodie over my hands, suddenly feeling freezing cold. Cole takes charge of the situation.

  “Do you want to tell me what happened, Peyton?”

  I bite my lip embarrassed at having to tell them exactly what happened between us and Cole rolls his eyes.

  “Believe me, darlin’, I’ve heard and seen far worse from these guys so please don’t be embarrassed.”

  I take a breath, and he folds his arms waiting for my answer.

  “He came back to the room, he started acting weird, and we had sex. He was so distant, rough and forceful. He’s never been that way before. He scared me.”

  My voice trembles. Cole puts his hand to his head and looks at Jax. A look passes between them, which makes me feel oddly nervous and worried.

  “Motherfucker! Did he hurt you?”

  Cole moves closer to me with a concerned look on his face and checks me over. I shake my head, and he lets out a relieved breath.

  “He’s having one of his episodes. You need to pack your stuff right now, sugar, no arguments, please. You’re going to have to trust me on this one, Peyton, ask no questions, and I’ll tell you no lies. I’m going to stay here with him tonight; you’re going to take my room down the corridor. Jax will stay with you, is that OK with you, mate?” Cole says calmly, and Jax nods. However, by the look on Cole’s face, Jax doesn’t have a choice.

  “It’s room four-twenty-four. I’ll deal with Sam, I’m the only one who can handle him when he’s like this.”

  My eyes glaze over, and I nod, struggling to process what is going on. He hands me his key card, and I take it with shaky hands. I pull up my suitcase on the bed and start to pack my stuff together.

  “Trust me, darlin’, he is going to get a whole lot worse before he gets better, it’s best that you don’t see him this way.”

  The door of the bathroom opens, and Sam strides out with a towel slung low on his hips.

  “Well, well, well, is this a private conversation or can anyone join in?” His eyes are wide and agitated. “Don’t mind me,” he says flatly. He drops his towel; Jax and Cole don’t seem at all fazed by Sam’s blatant nakedness. He pulls on a clean pair of boxers and a pair of loose-fitting combat shorts. “What the fuck is this, some sort of intervention?”

  Sam laughs, and I zip my suitcase up. Sam’s eyes widen at the sound. He looks between Jax and me.

  “Come on, babe, we need to go now,” Jax says softly, and he picks up my suitcase.

  “You can’t take my girl,” Sam says, his voice trembling. “I won’t let you take her from me, you can’t fucking take her. Peyton, baby, please, I can do better, please don’t leave me.”

  My heart breaks at hearing him so upset and distressed. A tear rolls down my cheek, and Sam goes to step towards me, but Cole is so fast and exudes pure strength as he holds him back with an iron grip.

  “Sam, mate, it’s just for tonight.”

  “No, no, no, you can’t fucking take her. I need her, she needs to stay with me. She fucking promised me she wouldn’t run anymore.”

  He breaks free of Cole’s grip, collapses in a heap on the floor, and sobs uncontrollably. His hands run frantically through his still damp hair. I push past Jax and kneel down in front of Sam.

  “Sam, baby, I’m here, I’m not running,” I say softly. I cup his face in my hands, and he looks at me. His eyes are so sad and pained.

  “I fucked up, please don’t leave me.”

  Sam reaches for my hand, but Cole touches his shoulder and stops him.

  “Mate, just let her go with Jax, yeah? It’s just for tonight; she’s going to be right down the corridor.”

  Sam stands up and moves towards Cole until they are toe to toe.

  Sam raises his voice. “You can’t fucking stop me from being with my girl, you’ve got no right!”

  “Sam, please, mate, you need to calm down.”

  Sam’s nostrils flare, and he has gone from uncontrollable sobbing to boiling rage in a matter of seconds.

  “Jax, get the lady out of here now, please.”

  My eyes widen. “He needs me. Look at the fucking state of him!”

  Cole shakes his head. “You don’t need to see him like this, darlin’, trust me.” He nods at Jax, and Sam moves forward.

  “Jax, please I’m begging you, don’t do this, mate,” he pleads, and Jax shakes his head. It breaks my heart to hear him in such distress. Jax picks me up and throws me over his shoulder; Cole holds Sam back.

  “Jax! Fucking put me down now!”

  He strides out of the hotel room and slams the door behind us. I can hear Sam’s raised voice as we walk ten yards to Cole’s room with me pounding on Jax’s back to put me down. He inserts the key
card and kicks the door open with his boot. He strides in and sets me on my feet, closing the door behind us.

  “You didn’t need to throw me over your shoulder and act like a fucking caveman, Jax!”

  I narrow my eyes and shoot daggers at him. He smirks and shrugs as I sit down on the identical king-size bed. Jax goes over to the other side of the room, opens the minibar, and takes out a miniature bottle of whiskey. He pours it in a glass and hands it to me.

  “You look like you need it, babe.”

  I manage a smile; I take a long sip and enjoy the burn as it slides down my throat. His face is marred with concern, and he crouches down in front of me.