“What are you thinking about, Karma?” Tylon asked me, ten minutes later.
“Everything,” I replied honestly.
“You're thinking about him aren't you?” he pried. I shook my head.
“No, baby. There's only you,” I said softly. He didn't buy it.
“Bullshit. You still want to go running back to him, don't you?”
“No, Tylon. I don't,” I replied angrily.
“Whatever, Myka,” he muttered, using my real name.
“Fuck you, too,” I mumbled in response. Tylon slapped me, shutting me up for a couple of hours.
Chapter Thirty-One
“Royce,” Detective Royce answered his phone. I called him as soon as Tylon had fallen asleep in our new hotel room, in New York.
“Meet me, Oliver. Please,” I said when he answered. “I think I need help.”
“Karma? What's wrong?” Oliver sounded worried.
“Will you meet me?”
“Of course, Kar. Where?” I gave Oliver the name of a restaurant in two cities over from where I was.
“Can you be there in an hour?” I asked him.
“An hour is fine. I'll see you then.” I hung up after that. I knew that this was a really bad idea because if Tylon woke up, there'd be hell to pay.
I paced around the hotel room for about fifteen minutes, before calling a cab from the same pay phone outside our room that I had called Detective Royce from. They arrived within fifteen minutes and it took half an hour to get to the restaurant. By the time I arrived, I was a nervous wreck.
I walked into the restaurant, scanning the booths. My heart fell when I didn’t see Detective Royce. I stood at the entrance, hesitating to go in and be seated. I took a deep breath, preparing to go inside, when someone grabbed my shoulder. I spun around quickly, afraid that it was Tylon. Instead, my eyes met Oliver's. I flung my arms around his neck, relieved.
“What’s wrong, Karma?” Detective Royce asked me.
Just hold me for a moment,” I whispered, tears springing to my eyes.
He wrapped his arms around me, hugging me to him. Oliver nuzzled my ear softly as he held me, sending shivers down my back. I kissed him hard then, tightening my arms around his neck. I gently ground my hips into his and he moaned softly into the kiss. After a few moments, I pulled away and he led me into the restaurant. I didn't look at anyone as Oliver led me to a booth in the back of the restaurant. After we were seated, we sat silently for a few moments. I studied him, almost surprised to find him in a tee shirt and jeans.
“Are you going to tell me what's wrong, Karma?” Oliver finally spoke.
“His temper keeps growing,” I finally answered, not looking at him. “It's still not as bad as Korbyn's had been, but it's gotten worse.”
“Why don't you let me help you then?”
“I told him we were in this together until the end,” I whispered. Tears stung my eyes as the waitress approached.
“What can I get you guys?” the waitress asked.
“I'll have a water,” I responded, almost mechanically.
“Coffee,” Oliver ordered, after me. When the waitress walked away, Oliver turned back to me. “So, why don't you let me help you?”
“I told you why,” I snapped. Oliver looked hurt. “I'm sorry, Ol, but a promise is a promise.”
“Then I promise to get you out of this. I promise that in the end, you will have a permanent home. I promise it won't be jail or prison, either,” Oliver said, looking deep into my eyes, as he took my hand.
At that moment, the waitress brought us our drinks. I watched Oliver as he put sugar in his coffee. I couldn't help but smile. Being with him felt so natural. It had been like this with Jett at first. I mean, Tylon. Something had changed though. I couldn't understand just what it was. Maybe it was being on the run. Maybe it was from killing Korbyn and Keegan. I just couldn't figure it out.
“What are you thinking about, Karma?” Oliver asked me.
“Why has Jett changed?” I asked him. Oliver looked at me, studying me for a moment.
“I don't know, Kar,” Oliver answered quietly. “Maybe he's afraid you'll turn on him. Maybe he got such a rush from taking out Korbyn and Keegan that he can't get over it. I don't know, Karma.” I sat there thinking about that for a moment. “I really miss your blue eyes.” The randomness of that statement made me look up at him like he was an alien. He snickered, taking a sip of his coffee.
“I miss them, too. But I get to see them every night and every morning,” I told him. “I have to wear contacts anyways, so it's not that big of a deal for me to have to put colored ones in, instead.”
“You were the one on that horse, that day at your grandmother's, weren't you?” he asked me, bringing up the time from a few months before. “Right after you had called me and teased me.” I blushed and nodded. “I knew it. I didn't say anything though. I didn't want you to get caught.”
Oliver really is protecting me, I thought to myself.
“Can't you get in trouble for that?”
“Honey, I can get in trouble for all of this,” he answered.
“Oliver, I'm not worth all that trouble,” I said. He took my hand again.
“You are worth all of it,” Oliver told me, looking deep into my eyes again. I about melted. His eyes were the greatest blue eyes I had ever seen. It did scare me a little bit though, how they seemed to pierce my soul every time he looked at me.
At that moment, I happened to glance past Oliver and to the door of the restaurant. To my surprise and horror, I saw Tylon standing there. He was scanning the restaurant.
“Shit!” I hissed, looking at the wall.
“What?” Oliver asked me, sounding worried.
“Tylon's here,” I whispered, stealing a look past Oliver again. Tylon was coming to our table.
“Who?” Just then, Tylon grabbed me.
“You little bitch,” he hissed in my ear, pulling me to my feet. Tylon glared at Oliver. “Don't you move, or I'll kill her,” he told Oliver. Ol put his hands up, not moving otherwise.
I watched Oliver, tears in my eyes. He looked up at me, apologizing with his. Tylon dragged me out of the restaurant and threw me into his car. Then, he got in and he drove us back to the hotel.
Once we were parked, Tylon got out and dragged me into our hotel room, throwing me onto the bed.
“What the hell do you think you're doing?” he yelled at me, locking the door.
“I was having a drink with Oliver!” I yelled back. Tylon came over to me and hit me. I lay there, stunned, holding my face.
“Do you want me to get caught? Do you want me to go to jail?” he was screaming now. I sobbed as Tylon straddled me.
“You know I don't, Tylon!” I cried as he pinned my arms to the bed.
Tylon shook his head, smirking harshly. I looked up at him as he sat on top of me. I didn't know what he was going to do and it scared me. His eyes held mine as he just sat there.
“What is it about Oliver that you like so much?” Tylon finally asked me. I stared up at him thinking. He cocked his eyebrow at me.
“He just wants to help me, Ty. But I won't let him. He gives me a piece of my old self, I guess,” I finally answered.
“He hardly knows you, Myka!” he exclaimed.
“He knows me better than you do, anymore,” I mumbled. Tylon hit me harder than ever and I felt blood trickle down my chin.
“What do you want from me!?” he was screaming again. “I killed those bastards for you! And this is how you repay me? By becoming that detective's little slut?” I spit in his face for that, which earned me another meeting with his fist. I didn't cry. I wouldn't let myself cry. After everything with Korbyn and Keegan I knew that's what guys like this got off on. Tylon seemed to get even angrier when I showed no emotion and he hit me again. My eye started to swell immediately.
“Bastard,” I whispered. He roughly pulled off my jeans then and I just lay there, not moving. “Tylon. Please don't,” I begged.
Tylon shook his head, thrusting into me hard. I cried out in pain. He continued to thrust for a few moments, before flipping me over. I tried to fight him off, but I failed. He thrust into me from behind while I still struggled against him. Then, without warning, Tylon pulled out and thrust even harder into my back end. I screamed out, begging him to stop. After a few moments he finished. Tylon finally climbed off of me and I rolled over and spit in his face yet again. Just as Tylon went to hit me for it, there was pounding on our door. We both looked at the door at the same time, before he turned back to me.
“Say one word and I'll kill you,” he hissed, before going to the door. I watched Tylon as he looked through the peephole and he spun around quickly. “You bitch! Did you tell him where we were?” I was confused. “Your fucking boyfriend is here!”
“What?” I asked him, scowling. Tylon grabbed my arm and dragged me to the door. I was still half naked and in a lot of pain.
“Look!” I looked through the peephole and found Oliver standing outside. This time, he had Detective Harris, Detective Bronson and Detective Bensley with him. Other police cars were also pulling into the parking lot. “You two-timing bitch!”
“I had nothing to do with this, Tylon!” I whispered fiercely. He slapped me again and I fell against the door. I watched Tylon as he ran into the bathroom, frantically looking for another way out.
Just as I stood up, trying to clear my mind, the hotel room door came flying open. I stood there in front of the four detectives half naked and in tears. They all had the decency to look away and Detective Bensley threw me the jeans that lay on the floor where Tylon had thrown them. Detective Royce came over to me immediately, while Detective Harris, Detective Bensley and Detective Bronson searched the room.
I prayed silently that Tylon had gotten out okay. Oliver led me out of the room to an ambulance so I could be cleaned up. I sat in awe and silence while the paramedics cleaned me up. The cut on my bottom lip was so bad that I needed stitches. They advised me to ride to the ER. I looked up at Oliver and he told them that he would bring me in himself. They nodded and waited for the okay to leave.
The other detectives finally came out, coming over to Oliver and me.
“He got away, Ol. I’m sorry,” Ellie said, shaking her head. All of the detectives were studying me.
“I have to take her to the ER, Ell. You coming?” Detective Royce asked Detective Bensley.
“I will,” Detective Harris jumped at the offer. Detective Bensley looked at him and nodded to him.
“Let Terrance go. I'll meet you guys back at the precinct,” she said. Oliver helped me into the backseat of his car, before both he and Detective Harris got in. I stared out the window, praying for a sign that Tylon really had gotten away.
Chapter Thirty-Two
“Tell us where he went, Karma,” Detective Bensley said. It was about midnight and I had already been to the hospital. I told them everything that had happened while we had been on the run and anything else I could think of.
“I don t know! He beat me and raped me, then you guys came in!” I cried. Detective Royce stood anxiously in the corner of the room.
“Come on, Karma. Where would he go?” she pushed.
“I don't know!” I cried again. I was standing, since sitting was quite uncomfortable from what Tylon did. “We haven't gone anywhere since he took me on the run! He allowed me to see my grandmother but that was it! Tylon's been taking us from hotel to hotel this whole time. He gets mad when I use the phone. I have no friends anymore. I don't even know how Grandma is!”
“You mean he kept you hostage?” Ellie asked me. I shrugged.
“I guess you could say that,” I started. “I married him when we first left because I loved him. Things started changing after he told me what he'd done. I just don't feel the same way I did then. A part of me still loves him, but not like I did. If I knew where to find him I'd help you,” I answered honestly. “He wouldn't let me leave. I wasn't allowed out of his sight, except for when he worked his odd jobs. Then I was kept locked in the room.” Detective Bensley looked over to Detective Royce who still stood in the corner.
“Did you have a rape kit done tonight, Karma?” Ellie changed the subject, her tone softening. I nodded.
“I can't believe he raped me. Tylon of all people,” I whispered.
“Do you have somewhere to stay? Somewhere Tylon can't find you?”
“All I have is my grandmother. My father has nothing to do with me,” I told her.
“You can't go there. He'll be sure to find you there,” she said.
“She could stay with me,” Oliver finally spoke. He hadn't said one word during this whole interrogation. “I have plenty of extra rooms.” Ellie hesitated before looking at me.
“Would you be willing to stay with Detective Royce?” she asked. I shrugged.
“As long as he can protect me and cause me no harm,” I answered.
“You know he can protect you and you know he won't hurt you. He's a cop, Karma,” Detective Bensley soothed me. I shrugged again.
“I suppose I could. I have nowhere else to go.” Detective Bensley stood up then.
“Take her home, Oliver. Call me if Tylon comes anywhere near her,” she told him, opening the door. Oliver put his hand gently against the small of my back and led me out of the room.
“She's free to go?” Detective Bronson asked as he saw us come out. He and Detective Harris were sitting at their desks.
“Karma was a hostage, Bronson. We have no reason to hold her,” Detective Bensley told him.
“Well, I'm glad you're safe now, Princess,” Detective Harris said to me. “We promised we'd help you.” I smiled faintly. I was still in a lot of pain and just plain worn out.
“She'll be staying with Oliver until we can catch Tylon. That way we know she's safe at all times,” Detective Bensley, continued. Detective Harris and Detective Bronson looked at each other before nodding.
“That would be best right now,” Detective Harris said.
“Can we go?” I asked softly. The detectives looked at each other, before Detective Royce led me out of the precinct and out to his car. I was relieved that it was over for me, but I was still worried about Tylon. I'd wait a couple of days before looking for him.
Chapter Thirty-Three
When I woke up, I started to panic. I didn't know where I was. After a few moments of looking around, it came back to me. On the nightstand to the left of the bed was a picture of Detective Royce with his four kids next to a telephone. There was a lamp on the stand as well.
The bedspread was a plain blue color and was unbelievably soft. I snuggled deeper into the blankets, smelling Oliver's cologne on it. It was kind of woodsy, but kind of fashionable too. I smiled softly. There wasn't much else for decoration in the room. Just a dresser with what looked like the contents of his pockets on top of it. At the moment, there was a knock on the door before it opened. I looked up as Oliver came in, wearing a smile on his face.
“Good morning,” he said, coming over to the bed. “Or should I say afternoon?” I yawned.
“What time is it?”
“2:30. I've made some sandwiches if you're hungry,” he told me. I nodded and climbed out of bed. I found myself in a pair of sweat pants and a tee shirt. I looked up at Oliver. “It was all I had to dress you in.”
“Was I sleeping when we got here last night?” I asked him. He nodded as I followed him downstairs. When we got to the kitchen, I found two plates and two cans of soda waiting for us.
“I figured you could use something other than water this time,” he said, smiling. I couldn't help but smile back as I sat in the chair he had offered me. Opening my can of soda, I looked at the sandwich he made me. Turkey and cheese happened to be my favorite. We ate in silence, but I knew he watched me most of the time.
I could feel his eyes burning into me.
After we ate, he led me into the living room, waving to the couch for me to sit. I sat down and he sat an arm's length away from
me. Oliver handed me the remote and I turned the television on.
“I'm sure you'll find something good on,” he said. I flipped through the channels silently. I didn't know what to say to Oliver. He saved me and had opened his own home to me, just to make sure I was kept safe.
“Thank you,” I whispered. Oliver looked at me, meeting my eyes with his.
“You're welcome,” he replied.
“I mean it, Oliver. You’ve saved me. I owe you my life,” I said. He shook his head.
“Just stay with me and help me catch Tylon.” I looked at him hard.
“I can't promise to help you catch him, Oliver. He's my husband,” I reminded him.
Oliver stood up then and went over to a table that stood next to the door. He picked up a bag and came back over to me, handing it to me.
“Some of your things Detective Bronson and Detective Bensley confiscated from your hotel room,” Oliver explained. I opened the bag and looked inside: my black plastic-frame glasses, two contact cases, cell phone, one pair of jeans and one tank top. I sighed.
“Looks like I'll have to do some shopping,” I said. Oliver snickered.
I grabbed the contact cases out of the bag and proceeded to take out my green contacts, which I had slept in, and put my clear ones in. I put the cases back in the bag and took out my cell phone. I opened it. There were ten missed calls from Tylon. I froze for a moment.
“You okay, Kar?” Oliver asked me. I slapped myself mentally and nodded, closing my phone. Oliver's fingers touched my chin and turned my face towards him. “Are you sure?” I looked into his eyes. His gaze was soft, but concerned. He smiled. “I'm glad I finally get to see your blue eyes again after all this time.” I could feel myself turn red and I looked away. Then, without thinking, I kissed Oliver hard.
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