From Sir, With Love

by Rachell Nichole

  Damn it. “Please tell me you didn’t speak with him?” He tried so hard to keep the edge of accusation out of his voice, but he could hear it anyway. Maybe he was doing this all wrong. Maybe he should let Evangeline do this part. Charlotte didn’t need him bulldozing right over her. And he didn’t know how else to be, honestly. He was just so damned angry.

  “I was tempted, but no, I didn’t.”

  “Good. I’m going to call a tow truck to drop the car off at the house this afternoon.”

  “As long as you don’t go with it.”

  He slammed the cupboard door closed.

  “Leonardo, you promised not to hurt him.”

  “I did no such thing. I promised not to make things worse, and I won’t.”

  “Hurting him will make things worse. Don’t you get it? That will just make him angrier, which will make him want to come after me again. He’s as stubborn as you are, and he’ll dig his heels in and make the divorce proceedings a misery.”

  “So, you are going to file for divorce.” This time, he kept his voice steady.

  The kettle started to whistle, and Charlotte pulled it off the burner, turning off the flame, and watching him carefully as he spoke.

  Her face was stern as she poured the water into her cup. “Yes, I am absolutely filing for divorce. It took me far too long to leave. But I’ve done it, and I’m never going back. No matter what happens. You might have to remind me I said that sometime, okay?” She set the kettle down on the burner, and he picked it up.

  “Yeah, sure. I can do that.” He poured water over his tea bag. At least she sounded sure. She was determined to leave that abusive asshole behind. And he was going to do whatever he could to help her do that. “But I’m not letting you take the car back. It’s too hard. I don’t want you within five hundred yards of that jackass, okay? So, let me help.”

  “Take Evangeline with you.”

  “Never gonna happen. I’ll have the tow truck driver with me. I wouldn’t be dumb enough to kill Pete in front of a witness.”

  “Why don’t you just drive it over there and have her follow you in another car and drive you back here?”

  “Two reasons... if I do decide I have to murder him, then I can just kill the tow truck driver to cover it up, whereas I’d really rather not kill Evangeline, and second, because I’m not leaving you here alone. That would be stupid.” He was trying to inject some humor into his proclamations. Truth be told, he was going to get physical with Pete. It was inevitable. And he didn’t want Evangeline anywhere near that kind of violence. “So, I’ll call a truck, and have them take me to pick up the car and bring me back here afterward.” He stirred some honey into his tea, and they sat at the table.

  “Fine.” Charlotte took a few sips of her tea.

  “I want you to know that what you’ve done is huge. Coming here. Calling me. Deciding to leave. It’s a big step, and it’s important, and impressive. Not a lot of people can get themselves out of an abusive relationship. It’s very difficult. I know that.” He wanted to make sure she understood that even though they’d never been real close, she was his family, and he was here for her. He was going to help her through this.

  She gave him a small smile. “Thanks. Can I make a confession?”

  “Sure.” Why not? They’d already been through a lot of dark personal shit. What was a little more?

  “I don’t think I would have done it if you weren’t here. I mean, I guess I could have come and stayed with Ben and Evangeline. But...” she shook her head. “I didn’t want to be in the middle of that. And Benson, even as close as we were, with his even temperament, I knew he’d have me, but I think I was afraid he wouldn’t be able to talk me out of going back to Pete if I tried to do that after leaving. That thought was pretty terrifying.”

  “But you expect me to talk you out of it?”

  She laughed, but it was pretty mirthless. “Hell no. I expect you to lock me in my room and throw away the key until I come to my senses.”

  He laughed. “Well, that’s probably a pretty accurate prediction, actually.”

  “Right. And if I stupidly made up my mind, in a moment of weakness, that I had to go back to Pete, that is literally the only thing that would stop me, until I realized how stupid I was being.”

  “So, you’re saying that I have your complete permission to kidnap you and hold you against your will if you try to go back to that scumbag?”

  His sister nodded. “One-hundred percent. I really hope I don’t falter. But I have a feeling Pete is going to make this process as hard as he possibly can. He’s not going to let me go without a fight. And I’m already so exhausted. I mean every single cell in my body is just so tired.” As she said it, he could see it in her face, in the way she sat, slumped in her chair.

  “I can understand that. I’ll help you stay the course. And fight.”

  “Thanks, brother. I appreciate that a lot.”

  He nodded, enjoying more of his blackberry tea. It was hot and comforting. He hoped it helped Charlotte feel a bit better. “What should the next steps be?”

  “I have an old friend who does family law. I’ll give her a call later today and talk to her about the process for filing. I’ll probably need a computer. I don’t have a personal one anymore. We had only the desktop at the house.”

  Leo wanted to punch something again. Of course they only had a desktop; it was just one additional way for Pete to control her. Not allowing her to have access to a computer that was her own. No doubt he’d monitored the search history and every move she made on the shared computer. It made Leo’s blood boil.

  “What can I get for you from the house when I’m there with the car?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Char, come on, be realistic. I’m sure you have some stuff there you want or need. Clothes, a book or two, some personal things.”

  She shook her head. “No. He can have it all. I need a clean slate.”

  “You don’t have anything there, no family stuff? Nothing?” He couldn’t believe that. Sure, Benson had kept a lot of their stuff from childhood. No doubt it was in the attic here at Kempert Manor. But Charlotte had to have had some stuff.

  She sighed. “Yeah, you’re right. I think there’s maybe a few things. I just can’t really recall them off the top of my head. Besides, the less interaction you have with him, the better. Just have the truck drop the car in the driveway and throw the keys in the mailbox. He won’t even be home most likely. He usually goes out to see friends on Saturdays.”

  Leo was hoping she was wrong. He was looking forward to seeing Pete. “Why don’t you give me your key, and a list of what you’d like? If he’s not there, then I can go in and get what you need.”

  “Don’t go into that house.”

  “What, does he have an attack T-Rex hidden in the kitchen?” He was trying to force a levity he definitely did not feel. What was it in the house she was so afraid he would see?

  “Just, don’t, Leo. Promise me you won’t go inside.”

  “I can’t do that, Char, and you know it. I’m not going to judge you, whatever I find. I can promise you that. Just let me know where to get whatever is on your list, okay?”

  She tugged at her fingers around her cup. A nervous gesture he’d never seen from his sister. “Yeah. Okay.”

  He got her some paper so she could make her list and gave her shoulder a brief pat before he went to find Evangeline. He called the tow truck on his way to the media room and was told they’d be there within the hour. Which didn’t leave him enough time to properly attend to his minx’s needs. Unfortunately, that would have to wait.

  ***

  Leo stared at the disrepair surrounding him. The walls had holes in them, the ceiling leaked, the floor was scattered with cigarette butts and trash, empty beer bottles littered every surface, and the house smelled. Jesus H. Fucking Christ. How the hell had Charlotte lived like this?

  Pete hadn’t been here when he showed up, so he asked the driver to get the car unlo
aded onto the side of the street, and to hang out for a few while he went into the house and picked up what Charlotte wanted. She’d given him a very basic list. She wanted some of the photos from the bedroom, and some clothes, a few odds and ends. Jewelry she had hidden in places where Pete wouldn’t have been able to find them.

  “I’m going to break every fucking bone in his body before I kill him,” he decided aloud. No doubt it hadn’t been Charlotte’s choice to live like this. No way would she have tolerated it if she hadn’t been under her husband’s rule. This entire situation made Leo sick to his stomach.

  He texted Evangeline. Hey, I’m going to be a little bit. Can you check on Charlotte for me? Maybe hang out with her a bit while I’m here?

  No doubt his sister would be tied up in knots about him in this space, and worried about him confronting Pete. He’d promised not to make things worse, and he was going to honor that promise. No matter the cost to himself.

  I’m already making us some lunch. Evangeline responded.

  Shit. Lunch. He’d forgotten to order her to eat before he left. Damn it. He was already slipping in his duties. She’d been snoozing on the couch in the media room when he cracked the door open, and he hadn’t wanted to disturb her. She’d gotten up just before he left, so they hadn’t had more than a few minutes for him to let her know he was taking the car and picking up some stuff for Charlotte, and then the truck had been there.

  What are you making?

  Grilled cheese with bacon! And some soup.

  Good girl. Make sure you eat your whole sandwich and have a nice bowl of soup. Maybe some fruit and chips on the side.

  She sent back an eye roll emoji, but quickly followed it with a Yes, Mister. Be safe. I’ll take care of things here.

  Smiling, he pocketed his phone and set to work getting the things on Charlotte’s list.

  He was busy digging in the back of the drawer of her bedside table, beneath a bunch of small boxes, when he heard the front door slam shut.

  Ah, the prick was home. Perfect.

  Leo grabbed the pair of earrings he’d been searching for and tucked them in the duffel bag that he’d brought with him. He continued to pull his sister’s clothes out and carefully fold them into the bag, taking his time. Pete pounded down the hallway. “Where the hell are you?” he screamed.

  “I’m in here, darling. Come and get me!” Leo made his voice high-pitched and turned with a smile on his face just in time for Pete to round the corner, showing up in the doorway to the bedroom.

  Pete stopped in the hall, glaring. He was obviously drunk, his eyes bloodshot, his face slack. “What the...?”

  “Hey Pete. Come on in. Let’s have a little chat, shall we?” Leo advanced on his brother-in-law and grabbed the other man by the lapels. He hauled Pete into the bedroom, and shoved him against the wall, getting close into his putrid face. “We’re going to have this little conversation once and only once.” He gave Pete a shake.

  “Get off me!”

  “Not happening. Scream all you want.” Leo moved back just enough to take his fist and shove it hard against Pete’s solar plexus.

  Pete sputtered and groaned, slumping forward, but Leo kept him upright with one hand clutching the front of Pete’s shirt. The urge to keep pounding his fists into flesh was hard to ignore, but Leo was going to stick to his promise. He wouldn’t make things worse. He wouldn’t leave a mark. He’d give Pete no recourse. No way to use this little chat against Leo, and especially not against Charlotte.

  “Now, my sister is gone. She’s out of your life. Forever. And you’re going to let her go. You’re going to sign whatever divorce papers she gives you, you’re going to agree to any demand she sets out, and this is not open for negotiation.”

  “And what if I don’t?” Pete asked, but his words were forced, stuck in a throat that had been deprived of oxygen as the diaphragm seized under Leo’s blow.

  Leo smiled, waiting, and watching Pete’s face, so the other man could see just how much danger he was in. When Pete’s glassy eyes widened at the promise of violence Leo was sure shone from his eyes, Leo smiled even wider. “If you don’t, I’m going to find you, and we’re going to have a very different conversation, Pete. A conversation that ends up with you disappearing off the face of the earth without a trace.” His voice was ice cold. He didn’t scream. He didn’t even raise his voice. He wanted to make absolutely sure that Pete understood he was serious. Leo didn’t know exactly how he’d make good on that threat, but he would. No question.

  Pete sputtered, trying to protest. “You’re not to try to contact Charlotte again. Understood?”

  Pete didn’t answer.

  Leo gave him another pull and then shove into the wall, until his head bounced nicely.

  “Understood?”

  “Y-yeah. Understood.”

  Leo pulled back, and Pete slumped over, grabbing at the wall, trying to stop himself from falling. But he landed in a heap on the floor. Like the trash he was.

  “I’m going to finish packing this bag, and then I’m going to leave. And I’m never going to see you again, right?”

  It took Pete too long to answer.

  “Right, Pete? Because if you see me again, things are going to go very, very badly for you.” Leo continued to work on packing the bag as Pete processed the threat.

  “Yeah. Sure. Whatever.”

  Leo put another hole in the wall, and pain exploded in his hand. He yanked his hand out of the wall and turned on Pete, lunging for him. He stopped just before his fist connected with the bastard’s head.

  “Don’t disregard these warnings as inconsequential. I mean it, Pete. You ever try to come after my sister again, I will end you. If you don’t understand that, well, that’s going to be your problem, but it sure as shit won’t be mine. Sign the papers when you get them.” His voice was getting quieter and quieter as he spoke. “And do not come looking for Charlotte. She’s not yours. She doesn’t want anything to do with you. You will never see her again. This is absolutely the last time I’m going to say this, so don’t make the mistake of ignoring it. If I see your repulsive face ever again, you’re a dead man.”

  Leo finished throwing clothes and a few other personal items into the bag, grabbed the duffel, and stomped his way out of the house before he killed that son of a bitch now. When he was outside, he didn’t bother to glance behind him. He knew that chicken shit wouldn’t follow.

  He took big, gulping mouthfuls of air, and tried to get his rage back under control before he walked to the tow truck. The car was sitting safely at the curb. Leo had half a mind to smash all of the windows in, leaving Pete with a mess, but that would just lead to more complications he didn’t want to deal with. He nodded once to the driver and climbed into the truck with the full duffel bag.

  The driver, a big burly man, with bright red hair, and a large beard, said nothing on the drive back to Kempert Manor.

  Smart man.

  Leo had to get himself under control before he got home. Because at some point today, Evangeline would need punishment. Much as he was desperate for the release, as well, he still had to make sure he wasn’t going to hurt her. At least, no more than she wanted him to hurt her. His crazy little minx.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Evangeline paced back and forth in her bedroom. She hated sneaking around in her own house, but she understood the need for it. Leo had told her he’d be in around 9:30. He had been real quiet since getting back from Charlotte’s place where he’d picked up a bunch of stuff for his sister.

  She’d wanted to talk to him about it, get him to tell her if he saw Pete, if he’d kept his word, but she hadn’t wanted to upset Charlotte. If it had just been her and Leo, she would have pushed until he told her. Instead, she and Charlotte had spent some time going through what she thought the divorce process would be like, over lunch, and then afterward, she’d loaned her laptop over for some research.

  What felt like an hour later, her bedroom door finally opened.

&nbs
p; “About time,” she huffed.

  Leo gave her a small smile and closed the door quietly behind him. “You really just can’t help yourself, can you?” he asked.

  “I really can’t.” She didn’t know why she felt the need to push every boundary he laid down, but damn it, she did. And she was enjoying it. She wasn’t going to feel bad about that.

  Shaking his head, Leo advanced on her, but his hands were behind his back. What was he holding there? Anticipation slid through her. She wanted to know. Right now. “What’ve you go there?” she asked when she couldn’t hold out any longer.

  He grinned and showed her a bright blue scarf.

  “Sheesh, I bought a whip, you brought a... scarf?” She didn’t even try to hide her disappointment.

  “Oh, minx. Where’s your imagination?” He advanced on her, giving her that dark Dom stare that she loved so much. She shivered. When he was before her, he opened the scarf into a long swath of silky fabric, and then he bunched it up width-wise so it was just a long band. “This is to keep you quiet.”

  A frisson of desire coursed through her. “Oh.”

  “Yeah. Oh. So, open up.”

  She swallowed hard, and then obediently opened her mouth wide. He slid the fabric in, and she closed her mouth around it. He draped the ends of the scarf over her shoulders. “Now, shall we tie this in place, or shall I leave it open?”

  She tried to open her mouth to speak, but he held up his hand. “Oh, what was that? I’m sorry. I couldn’t hear you. I don’t think you’re allowed to make any noise, in fact, minx. I think it’s your job tonight to stay quiet as a mouse.”

  She clamped her jaw and whimpered. Total control.

  That’s what she had asked of him. Apparently, that was exactly what he was going to deliver.

  She nodded silently.

  “Good girl.” He reached around her head and tied the gag at the base of her skull, slowly, being sure not to catch her hair in the knot. How considerate of him.

  “Hmm, let’s see here. You were rather disobedient this morning, rubbing yourself against me when you were on my lap. Mouthing back to me about napping, but then there was the lunch incident. You were a very good girl to make and eat lunch without being told to do so. I’m proud of you for that.”