I grinned. “Actually, he and I came to an understanding.”
Chapter Thirty
Hayden
I spied my soon-to-be-ex-step-dad from my spot in the hallway and watched as he threw clothes and books in boxes and suitcases. “Sam, give me your keys.”
His eyes darted to me, looking hunted. Then he turned the keys over with trembling hands.
“Are any of the cars in his name?” I asked my mom.
“Only the Porsche.”
“Should he keep it?”
She shrugged. “Legally, it belongs to him.”
“You’re never coming back here. If you can’t fit all your stuff in that car, you can leave the rest outside the gate and make another trip. Not promising it’ll be there after tomorrow morning though.” I separated the Porsche key from the rest and tossed it to him. “The computer stays.”
I bolted into his office where the computer was exactly the way we left it. After punching in the last letter of his password, I logged in and typed a new password, then closed and locked the door. If he had personal items in that room, I’d have them shipped. For now, it was off limits until I copied the files on his hard drive. Mom would need anything incriminating in case Sam sued for alimony. “Mom, I have to go, but I’m not leaving you alone with him.”
She waved it off. “I’ll be fine. He knows you’ll hurt him if he tries anything.”
“Give me a break, Mom. If I’m not around, how can I stop him?” I’d take her with me, but didn’t want Sam destroying the place while we were gone. I moved to the intercom and called our security guy. “Can you come to the main house, please?”
* * * *
“Midget, are you hungry?”
“Can I have some ice cream?” Bree batted her eyelashes.
I chuckled. “I don’t know. Let’s see what Tessa says when she gets here.”
The door flew open and Tessa came in laughing with Chait. A pang of envy sliced at my gut. It irked me that Chait had her all to himself for over an hour — obviously having the time of his life — while I trudged through the perverted images from Sam’s head.
At least my mom was finally free of the creep. It was worth it.
I met Tessa at the door and gave her a kiss.
“Nice to see you again,” she told my mom, probably wondering why my mom was hanging out at her house.
“We had a little problem with Sam and I didn’t want to leave her there.” I sent her the less disgusting pictures I’d plucked from Sam’s mind.
“Oh.” Tessa’s brows rose. “You guys had a fight?”
“You could say that.” Mom’s gaze fell to the floor.
“I’m sorry. You’re welcome to stay as long as you like. It’s the least I can do, since you guys picked up Bree.” She squeezed my hand.
“Actually, we should get back and make sure Sam leaves.” It pained me to leave Tessa alone with Chait again. Worse, I’d have to ask him to stay with her. “Can you stick around a little while longer?”
Chait’s eyes sparkled and the corners of his mouth twitched. “I’d be more than happy to help out.”
Blowing out a breath, I fixed him with a glare. “I’d appreciate that. Remember, one day, I’ll pay you back… for everything.”
Chait nodded and smiled as the double meaning registered.
I wanted to beat the smug look off his face. Another time. “Mom, we should get going.”
“Nice seeing you again.” My mom waved and I escorted her out.
She was pensive on the way home. I couldn’t blame her. She’d just discovered her entire marriage was a lie. When we returned to the house, Sam was gone. Mom tried to act casual, like the Sam situation didn’t affect her. But she stuck close to me as I inspected the windows and doors to make sure they were locked.
“Sweetheart, I’ll be fine. Even if he got past the gate, he’s not getting through the alarm. I changed the code and asked security to send over a couple more guys. Go back to Tessa and make sure that young man doesn’t take your place.”
“You caught that, huh?”
“Yes.” She patted my cheek. “Goodnight.”
She’d be fine with the added security measures. I turned to go, then faced her again and scooped her up into a bear hug. “Things will be better now. I love you, Mom.”
She sniffed and pushed me away, her eyes glistening. “Go get the girl.”
When I pulled up in front of Tessa’s, I heard them laughing. Now would be a good time not to have super-good hearing. I walked inside without knocking and Tessa met me with a kiss and an angelic smile that made me whimper inside for wanting her. “Hey,” I said.
“Hayden.” Bree hugged my hips. “You’re back. Are you going to read me a story? You said you would.”
“Yeah, Tessa’s dying to read with us.” I wasn’t about to leave Tessa alone with the girlfriend thief again.
Bree planted a hand on her hip. “I get Tessa almost every day. Tonight, I only want you.”
Tessa suppressed a giggle. “I think she wants some alone time with you.”
If I couldn’t watch over Tessa, I didn’t want her left alone. I eyed Chait.
“Don’t worry. I’ll take care of things while you’re gone.” He grinned.
I sighed and ruffled Bree’s hair. “Okay, let’s go pick out a book.”
Twenty minutes later, Bree was asleep. As soon as I appeared in the doorway, Chait stood. “You two had quite a night,” he said. “Rest up and we’ll meet again tomorrow.”
Tessa led him out, then turned and wilted against the door. In a flash, I was holding her and she melted against me. “You’re shaking,” I said, holding her tighter.
“That wasn’t exactly a relaxing evening, what with Rena trying to murder me.” Her voice came out muffled against my chest. “I just want to not think about her staring at me, dead.”
“Maybe I can help with that.” I pressed her into her into the door and fastened my mouth to hers.
By the time she pushed me away, I’d lost track of how long we’d been kissing. Her lids were half closed and a contented smile played on her lips. “We’d better stop. Besides kissing, what do you want to do the rest of the night?” she asked.
Our entire evening had been blown to hell. “I was going to take you somewhere, but that didn’t work out. I picked up a movie earlier though as a plan B.”
“I’m so sorry. If I hadn’t gone to the cemetery with Chait—”
“You mean if Rena hadn’t tried to kill you? Don’t worry. We can go out another time. Tonight...” I held up the video I’d dropped on the counter earlier. “He’s your favorite actor, right? Hope you haven’t already seen this.”
“That’s a chick flick. You sure you want to go there? And how did you know I liked him?”
I grinned. “My secret.” She had his picture in her school locker. But I looked smarter if she didn’t know that I’d seen it.
* * * *
“Wow. That movie was powerful stuff.” Sarcasm dripped from my tongue.
She punched me in the shoulder and laughed. “I don’t know why you rented it.”
I rubbed my shoulder, wondering if she knew her own strength. Did witches get as strong as warlocks or were they weaker than men, like normal people? “Because I thought you’d like it.”
“I did.” She met my eyes. “I like you.”
“Then I’ll rent you a girly movie every night.”
“I’d rather have you.” Her fingertips caressed my cheek.
“Good. Let’s go to bed.” I stood and pulled her up, then kissed her. She melted against my chest and a fire blazed through me. I wanted to undress her right there and didn’t care if her five-year-old sister walked in. Or her parents.
But I’d made a promise.
I led Tessa to her bedroom, then gently pushed her to the bed. Leaning over, I kissed her again, my hands cupping her face. “Goodnight,” I said and backed away.
“You’re not staying?” Her brows rose, eyes wide.
I looked to the ceiling as if God were there and could help me. “Not if you want me to keep my promise.”
Her face fell. I froze, pondering the ramifications of staying and giving her what she obviously wanted. But what if she regretted it in the morning? Getting sex wasn’t worth losing her, especially with Chait close by to pick up the pieces. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
As I lay on the sofa, alone, my thoughts drifted to Tessa. Fear rippled through me at the thought of screwing things up with her. Knowing she could wake up any second and realize I wasn’t good enough for her haunted me.
Damn it. I couldn’t imagine my life without Tessa in it.
I loved her.
* * * *
Tessa jumped on top of me smelling of peppermint lips and vanilla hair.
“Mm…” Her hands snaked under my t-shirt. “You look yummy in your sleep.”
I chuckled, dodging her hands and feeling slightly violated, but amused. She kissed my neck and worked her way across to my temple, her tongue whispering at my ear. As she sucked my earlobe between her teeth, my hands found her butt. My body burned for hers. Was she crazy — mauling me first thing in the morning? Apparently, she didn’t understand male morning physiology. A thick blanket between us prevented her from discovering that kind of evil, but if she didn’t stop soon…
“What are you guys doing?” Bree asked.
Tessa leaped off me. “Nothing, cutie. We were… playing.”
Bree grimaced. “It looked like you were kissing.”
Tessa giggled nervously, then checked her watch and disappeared. She made herself scarce while we all got ready to go. Just as we dropped off Bree at her school, Fawn texted Tessa and requested that we stop by before class.
“Hey,” Tessa and I said in unison as we entered the principal’s office.
“Good morning.” Fawn closed the door. “Boris has requested your presence for dinner tonight.”
Tessa looked at me and shrugged. “We can cancel with Chait, right?”
Hell no. I wanted to avoid Boris way more than I wanted to avoid Chait. “Yeah, sure. What time does Boris want us?”
“Six o’clock work for you?” the principal asked.
“Tessa, don’t you have to work tonight?” I asked, hoping she’d say yes.
“Oh.” She examined her fingernails, biting her lip. “I quit.”
“When was this?” I stared, shocked that she didn’t think that might be something worth telling me.
“I called my boss Saturday night before the party. I knew he did the schedule Sunday and I didn’t want him to plan for me.”
That didn’t explain why she hadn’t told me. Or why she quit.
Linton cleared his throat. “You two can work that out later. Shall I tell Boris that you’d be delighted?”
“Yes, please. Thank you,” Tessa answered.
“Lila and Frank,” I said, switching from Fawn to the principal, “are your real names, right? Mind if we use those? It’s less confusing.”
“Sure,” Fawn replied. “What happened last night? I understand they lost someone.”
“Yes,” Tessa answered. “Rena had been watching us at the park yesterday. She freaked over Boris being there. Apparently, he doesn’t usually take an interest in anyone so new. Why did he want to meet us?”
“He already told you. He’s curious why both you and your sister are witches.” Frank tapped the desk impatiently. “What happened with Rena?”
“A better question,” I interjected, “is why weren’t you guys there to protect Tessa? If it weren’t for Boris showing up at our meeting, Rena would’ve never attacked. If you’re going to put her in danger, make sure you’re there to clean up the mess.”
Frank’s eye twitched and he made as if to rise. He didn’t like me. Too bad.
“Take it easy.” Lila put a restraining arm on Frank. “Rena must have been a Blocker. And a damn good one. We didn’t sense anyone until Chait arrived. You must be worth a lot to them. Otherwise, why would they kill one of their own to save you?”
“Maybe it didn’t have anything to do with me. I think it was more a matter of Rena crossing the line.” Tessa shrugged. “Why would Boris make a special trip to see me? And I’m guessing he doesn’t live around here.”
“You have no idea why Boris would go out of his way for you?” Frank asked. He probably couldn’t figure out what his boss was up to any more than we could.
“I guess none of us do,” Tessa replied.
“We should ask Boris.” I smiled. “Over dinner tonight.”
Chapter Thirty-one
Tessa
“He’s getting your lunch.” Nadia wiggled her brows. “Must be serious.”
“We have a long ways to go before we call it that.” I glanced at Hayden piling food on two trays. “We’re just hanging out.”
“You must feel safe with him,” Bryce added, taking the seat next to me.
I chuckled, remembering when Hayden had man-handled Bryce. “Yeah.”
“I’ve been exposed to him since ninth grade and I’ve never known him to spend so much time with one girl. Going on two weeks, right?” Corinne asked.
“We haven’t been together all that time though,” I said. “Only since the weekend.”
“So you’re together now?” Nadia grinned. “It’s official?”
I swallowed, the heat rushing to my cheeks. “Yes.”
Corinne squealed. Bryce groaned. He was a bit of a geek, but he was still a guy and I imagined the girl talk was getting a bit thick for him.
Hayden’s arms brushed my shoulders and a tray appeared in front of me. He dropped a kiss on my temple and eyed Bryce who scooted away. Hayden filled his spot.
“Thanks.” I smiled, aware of many eyes on us.
“Damn.” Hayden growled and took off toward Skyler and a couple of their friends. He pulled one of them off a smaller kid. “Guys, let him eat, huh?”
“I don’t like his attitude.” Sklyer straightened his own shirt.
“You’re not in kindergarten anymore,” Hayden said. “Try acting like it and don’t let me catch either of you picking on anyone again. I mean it.” He cuffed Skyler in the head and walked away.
I beamed at Hayden as he returned to our table.
That was it. I’d gone over the edge with him. Even Chait, with all his sweetness and physical perfection, wouldn’t be able to help me through the heartbreak once Hayden dumped me. And he would leave me. It was only a matter of time. My heart ached thinking about it.
* * * *
When Hayden dropped me off in front of my house, Mom’s car was parked in the driveway. He needed to check on his own mom anyway, so he left, promising to return shortly for our dinner appointment with Boris.
The aroma of pot roast met me at the door. Too bad I wouldn’t be staying. “Hi, Mom.”
“Hi, sweetheart. Dinner will be ready in about an hour.” She wiped the cutting board and set it in the sink.
“Hayden and I are going out to dinner. Hope that’s okay.”
“You two are getting serious?” Mom still hadn’t glanced my way. Typical for me to get stuck talking to her back.
“It’s only been two weeks. We’re still getting to know each other.” I sat my purse on the counter.
She patted her hands on a towel, then pulled a large envelope off the counter and handed it to me. With her eyes still averted, she returned to the sink and faced the window. “Your father and I agree to all your terms, even the child support. We’ve declined visitation, as you suggested.”
What? I took the brown envelope and read the return address. Abrams and Abrams, Attorneys at Law. I pulled out the papers, slowly revealing them. Grandma had a hand in that, no doubt.
“We’re covering the legal fees, too,” she added.
When we’d spoken about it the other day, I didn’t think Mom would actually go through with it. But as I took a chair at the dining room table and flipped through the documents, I occasionally saw Mom’s and Dad
’s signatures. Dad… how could he? My eyes were fixed on the papers, but I’d lost focus. “Really, Mom, is it that easy? You’ll just let us walk away?”
She sat next to me, turned away and gazed out the window. “Easy? You think it’s easy to lose a child? You think it’s easy to have two others around, constantly reminding you of your loss?” She spoke softly and I knew she didn’t mean it in a bad way. Still, she had two other children who were very much alive, but apparently meant nothing to her.
Things were the way they were and I couldn’t change any of it.
“You fed and clothed us, nursed us when we were sick.” I rose and kissed the top of her head, a kind of goodbye. “You did your best. I know you did.” As I glanced back, I saw her head drop into her hands and heard her weeping softly.
* * * *
Hayden insisted we drive his Viper to Boris’s, in case we needed to make a quick getaway.
The grounds outside the gate to the palatial estate were exquisite. Various shades of salmon-colored earth surrounded huge, perfectly arranged cacti that partially obscured the high stone wall. The security man nodded from his cubicle and the immense iron gate slowly opened, welcoming us into all that it protected. Smiling faces greeted us outside the front of the house.
As usual, Boris was surrounded by bodyguards, most of whom I recognized from the park. Boris, with his easy wave and casual stance, reeked of impeccable moral fiber. But as the car rolled up the driveway, I didn’t feel like we’d entered a safe haven. Anything but. If I hadn’t already spoken to my grandmother and gotten an inside view of Boris and his people, I would have bought the innocent act.
My stomach knotted and I reminded myself that this was a friendly meeting. Dinner. That’s all. Hayden and I still had time.
Boris showed us to one of the salons and made small talk. Hayden sat close to me on the settee, squeezing my hand occasionally as if to comfort me. But by his clammy hands, maybe he was the one who needed assurance.
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