Destroy You (Destroy #3) (14 page)

A mischievous expression crossed Jeremy’s face. “Toni told us earlier that there’s no way Reed and I can be with her around the clock. I hate to admit that she’s right. I can take her to and from most of her classes, but I’ve got baseball practice I can’t miss. Reed will fill in, but he’s got classes across campus. If only there was someone who could stay with her the rest of the time.”

Toni narrowed her eyes. “I see what you’re doing, Jer. It doesn’t matter, though, because I have to get a job, but we’ve already talked about that. No one is going to be able to watch me twenty-four-seven.”

I tried to hide my smirk. “How good are you at bookkeeping?”

She rolled her eyes. “I’m a business major. What do you think?”

“Can you start tomorrow?” I asked.

Toni huffed. “Fine. You guys all win. I’m going to admit defeat, but only if Trent can say he honestly needs my help at the bar.”

She obviously thought she was going to catch me in a lie. If not, I don’t think she’d have agreed so quickly. “You have no idea how much I need your help. You might actually feel a little sorry for me when you see the state of my desk.”

“We’ll see about that. I’ll see you tomorrow—at work,” Toni said. She flipped her hair over her shoulder, clutched the blanket tight to her chest, and left the room. I’d assumed I’d have been able to stay here where I could make sure she was safe. I hadn’t really considered she would send me away.

Jeremy moved up to stand next to me. “I promise I won’t leave her alone tonight.”

“I’m not sure that makes me feel better,” I grumbled. No man likes to picture his woman in the arms of another man, even if it is her gay best friend. Toni was straight, and Jeremy looked like that popular actor Melody was always drooling over. He might not get anything out of it, but I wasn’t stupid enough to believe she wouldn’t.

Jeremy chuckled and slapped me on the back. “It doesn’t look like you’ve got any other choice.”

I hated that he was right, but she’d be safe here with him. I was damn lucky she hadn’t written me off completely, because the look in her eyes told me she’d considered it. Not that she was welcoming me with open arms, either. Thankfully, I’d bought myself time to convince her to give me another chance.

Chapter 19

Toni

Sleep evaded me most of the night. I tossed and turned, trying to convince myself that I really loved having the entire bed to myself. I mean, who wouldn’t love rolling over to find cold sheets instead of a warm body? No one, that’s who. Of course I didn’t know what I was missing until a couple nights ago.

Nope, I was perfectly happy to take up the entire bed and hog all the blankets. I spent one night wrapped in Trent’s arms, and for about a day I forgot why I fought my feelings for him for the last year. Then Trinity snapped her fingers, and he went running to her side. Again.

She was important to him, I understood that, but she was always going to use his feelings to come between us. I wished I could look the other way, but I’d done that every time she’d come up with an emergency before we were officially together. Stupidly, I thought when I really needed him, he’d choose me.

Around dawn, my body ached and trembled from exhaustion, and I was finally able to fall into a deep and dreamless sleep. It felt like I’d only slept for a few minutes when I heard my phone ring, but I was far too exhausted to even crack open an eye to see who was calling. In the back of my mind, I worried it might be about Becca, but I trusted Jeremy to come and get me if that were the case.

I heard the sound of heavy steps coming down the hallway toward my room, but I was too warm and comfortable to care. That was until a large hand wrapped around my ankle and yanked me out of my cocoon of blankets. I started to scream and felt a moment of pure fear, which immediately converted to rage when my eyes landed on Jeremy’s smirk.

“You asshole! You scared the shit out of me,” I shouted.

He raised an eyebrow. “Then perhaps you’ll remember why you need to get your tiny ass out of bed. Reed is waiting for you in the living room. He’s pulled some favors and got you in front of a judge this morning, but you’ve actually got to wake up to go.”

My anger deflated. I knew I’d have to seek a restraining order, but I honestly thought it would take more time to arrange it than this. It probably would have, without Reed involved.

I dressed quickly. Usually, I put a bit of time into my appearance, styling my long hair, putting on makeup to look like I wasn’t wearing much of it, and carefully selecting my clothes. I didn’t see the point today. I was tired, and I was going to look like it no matter how much concealer I used. My hair was clean, so what difference did it make if it was stick-straight?

I reached for my favorite pair of jeans, and then I remembered I was going to court. I dropped them on my bed and selected a simple red dress out of my closet. It was the dressiest article of clothing I had, but much shorter than I’d have liked to be in front of a judge.

Once I’d slipped the dress over my head, I walked out to the living room to find Reed. I spun around awkwardly. “Is this appropriate? I’ve got jeans, but apparently I don’t own professional adult clothing.”

“You look fine,” Reed said.

Jeremy walked over to me and tried to tug the bottom of my dress down farther. “Just be careful sitting down,” he grumbled.

I rolled my eyes. “Sure thing, Dad.”

After his comment, I couldn’t help fussing with the hemline. I took a deep breath and mentally catalogued every item of clothing I had. “Do you think the judge will take me seriously if I’m wearing this?” I asked them both.

Reed grabbed my arms and forced me to quit fidgeting with my dress. “You didn’t deserve the way Miguel treated you. Get that through your head now. Jeremy and I won’t let anything happen to you, no matter what decision the judge makes today. So if you aren’t comfortable in the dress, go put on jeans. It shouldn’t matter what you are wearing, because it doesn’t justify that prick treating you like one of his possessions.”

“I agree.” I squared my shoulders and tried to appear confident.

Jeremy rubbed his hand across his stubbly chin and narrowed his eyes. “That easy?”

I shrugged. “Kind of. At least as far as my clothing goes. If Reed is right and it doesn’t matter what I wear, I’m going in jeans.”

I spun around and returned to my room. After a few minutes, I returned to the living room wearing my comfortable jeans and a flowing red blouse.

I followed Reed outside, and he helped me into his truck. We rode to the courthouse in silence, because he was on guard the entire drive and scanned the parking lot the moment he pulled in. He backed into a slot against the building and shut off the engine. His jaw clenched, and he glared at a spot in the center of the parking lot.

I followed his line of sight and saw Miguel leaning against his car. He looked over at our car, crossed his arms across his chest, and smirked at me.

Reed growled and shoved open his door. “Let’s get this over with.”

I scrambled out of the truck, and Reed directed me in front of his body. There was a time I’d have been offended on principle if a man tried to protect me. I was a strong woman, and I could take care of myself. But after yesterday, I realized there wasn’t any shame in letting someone help me.

My big, strong, frustrating men cared a lot about the women in their lives, and I was lucky enough to be one of those women. Reed wasn’t treating me like I was weak but as someone important enough to stand up for. It was a lesson I was a little late learning, but then I’d always been a little stubborn.

We entered the courthouse and were directed to the main courtroom. It was a small building and relatively quiet this early in the day. Only a few other people were seated waiting on their cases to be heard. Reed pulled out a chair for me, and we sat together. His former partner Detective Daniels approached him a few moments later and whispered in Reed’s ear.

Before I could ask what was going on, the door opened and Miguel sauntered into the room. I expected to see some apprehension, but instead he continued to look smug. I didn’t understand until once again I heard the door swoosh open.

My father walked in and immediately joined Miguel. He looked over at me and shook his head in disappointment. Miguel showed up at my house, threatened me, and still somehow I’d let my father down.

The urge to scream, break things, and pound my fists against his chest flooded me, but I was powerless to stop the train wreck I knew this hearing was going to be. I finally understood the reason Miguel looked so confident. What judge was going to believe me if my own father testified against me?

Reed leaned over and tapped his finger against my hand. “Are you okay?”

The saliva had dried in my mouth the moment I saw my father. My throat burned, and my eyes stung with unshed tears. I tried to answer Reed, but I could only manage a pathetic squeak. I mouthed no and directed my gaze forward, waiting for the judge to enter.

Judge Reynolds, as it said on his nameplate, entered the room behind the bench and called the court to order. He immediately directed me to share why I felt I needed a restraining order. Reed screwed the cap off a bottle of water I didn’t notice he had and slid it in front of me.

My hands shook as I reached for it. I took a few large gulps, trying to quench the fire raging in my throat. Once I believed I could manage a sound more substantial than a squeak, I rose from my chair and prepared to speak. I relayed the events of the previous day, all while hearing the pounding rhythm of my pulse in my ears.

After I finished speaking, it was Reed and then Daniels’s turn to testify. Reed went first, and then Daniels delivered his report and read the statement he took from Jeremy.

“Why isn’t Jeremy here?” I whispered to Reed after Daniels finished speaking.

He leaned in closer. “Aiden’s security guy is at your house upgrading the alarm and installing cameras. He wanted to be here today, but the security needed to be handled immediately.”

I nodded. It was still hard for me to let this situation sink in. In the past I’d been angry with Miguel, and occasionally disgusted by him, but I’d never feared him before. What was worse was that Reed was scared, too. Considering the hell he’d lived through, anything that frightened him, terrified me.

“Mr. Santos, how do you respond to these allegations?” the judge asked Miguel.

Miguel sighed. He appeared completely put out that he had to defend himself. “Antonia and I have a complicated history. She has been angry with me since she learned I’d moved on. I went to her house to try to reconcile with her for the sake of our families. Our parents have been friends for decades, and I didn’t want our failed relationship to come between them. Needless to say, she didn’t react well when I told her I didn’t want to renew our romantic relationship.”

My hands balled into fists, and I bit my tongue hard enough to hurt. This was one time I wouldn’t let my temper run away with me.

Judge Reynolds looked at my father. “Mr. Padilla, I was told you had some insight into this matter.”

My father stood and straightened his suit jacket and tie. Propriety and appearances were always important to him. I guess I never realized they were more important than I was. He cleared his throat, and after a quick glance at me, he spoke.

“Your honor, I’ve known Miguel since he was born. As he said, his family and mine have been friends for years. I love my daughter, but she can be temperamental and stubborn. She’s upset that her mother and I pulled our financial support from her because of the inappropriate boy she chose to date. We made it clear her allowance would be restored if she managed to make things right with Miguel. I’m certain that when he refused her, she became enraged. Yes, he had a gun, but he has the proper permits and did not break the law. He would never hurt my daughter. I firmly believe that, or I wouldn’t be here standing up for him. My daughter has some growing up to do. I’d hate to see this fine young man’s reputation tarnished while she goes about it.”

The judge turned to me with disdain in his eyes. I didn’t need him to speak to realize he was about to rule against me. “Ms. Padilla, the court is not a place for you to seek revenge against a former boyfriend. I am denying your request for a restraining order.”

Reed’s green eyes turned cold, and his body tensed. This was another strike against the system he’d put so much faith in. I felt terrible for him, but I hadn’t expected this to work in my favor. Miguel always won, and this time wasn’t any different.

The judge dismissed us, and I tugged on Reed’s sleeve to get him to get me away from my father and Miguel. We started down the aisle, but my father stopped me before we made it out of the room.

“Antonia, a moment please,” he demanded.

Reed patted me on the shoulder and pointed to the area just outside the door. I knew he was telling me he was going to wait for me. I smiled gratefully and turned to face my father. I waited silently for him to speak, because there weren’t words for the level of hurt and betrayal I felt.

He sighed and tipped his head down to look me in the eyes. “I know you must be upset with me at the moment. You remind me so much of someone I used to care for. She made some very poor choices and paid for them dearly. I can’t stand by and watch you take the same path she did. Miguel is a bit immature still, but we know his family. He can provide for you and keep you safe. I’m sorry to have to draw this line, but until you can see reason, my decision to cut off your finances stands.”

He continued to stare me down. Antonio Padilla was an intimidating man, and I felt myself start to waver, but I knew deep down I couldn’t give in to his demands. Not again. I desperately needed to be my own person, and I’d never know what I was capable of if I continued to follow his rules.

“Do what you have to, Papa.” I wasn’t going to argue, not when I knew he wouldn’t listen. I turned to walk away and then stopped. “Who was she, the girl you cared about?”

He shook his head, but I still caught the dark look that flashed across his face. “She was very much like you. A beautiful girl that thought she knew better than I did. She was stubborn, and it ended up being her downfall. I know I’m tough on you, but I refuse to make the same mistake twice. That boy you are interested in isn’t right for you. Men like that will only bring you pain. I hope you learn that lesson,
mija
, before it’s too late for you, too.”

My father said he loved me, but I wasn’t convinced. “I had no idea you thought those things about me that you told the judge. Even worse, though, why are you still pushing me to be with Miguel when he cheated on me?”

“Because I’ve known him since he was born. I have been involved in his life, and I believe I have influence over him. I bailed him out this time, but only because I believe between his father and me, we can mold him into a man that is good enough for you, and when we do that, you aren’t going to want this embarrassment hanging over your heads. He wouldn’t have hurt you.”

I took a step back from him. It was clear my happiness wasn’t his concern. “You’re delusional, Papa. Miguel has already hurt me, and whether you choose to see it or not, he’s dangerous.”

He shook his head. “You’ll see, his father and I will get him back in line. He can be controlled. Men like that bartender you are hung up on, those are the ones that will hurt you. I know Miguel. I can fix this so you’ll be safe with him.”