Destroy You (Destroy #3) (16 page)

Chapter 22

Toni

After I left the hospital, I walked around for about thirty minutes. My phone chirped in my pocket, and I pulled it out to discover the alert that my battery was nearly dead. I turned it off to preserve what little charge I had in case I needed to make an emergency call.

Jeremy and Reed were going to be pissed off when they realized I hadn’t called anyone to come and get me, and I wasn’t interested in listening to them. Miguel couldn’t know where I was going, because I had no clue myself.

I walked past at least three coffee shops before I decided I could use a boost of caffeine. Sleep had been elusive the night before, but going home for a nap didn’t sound like fun. At least not with Jeremy’s impending tantrum and Reed’s lecture I knew would be coming the moment I walked in the door. No, what I needed was some coffee and space to think without my well-meaning friends intruding into my life.

The coffee shop was mostly empty, and it only took a few minutes for me to be out the door with a mocha latte in hand. I loved spring in Ellensburg, and I planned to wander the residential streets, observing the overflowing gardens of tulips and daffodils until I’d come to terms with the miserable events of the last few days.

Trent had been a nice surprise, but he was hardly essential to my survival. I could live without him. I didn’t particularly want to, but not being with him wouldn’t stop my heart from beating, even if it was pounding erratically in my chest. In truth, some time alone would be good for me. The last thing I needed was to abandon my hard-fought independence for another man.

I should have paid more attention to my surroundings rather than getting lost inside my thoughts, because a few minutes later, the hairs rose on the back of my neck. I turned around and saw Miguel leaning against a tree a few houses back.

My hand went to my throat, as if I could force my airway to stop feeling as if it were about to close. I tried to ignore his presence and walk quickly around the corner. I wasn’t above running, I was that scared, but I knew if I took off, he could chase me down. I was so stupid. This is what Jeremy and Reed were trying to prevent, and I had to assert my usual stubbornness to have my own way.

I kept glancing over my shoulder while I tried to get away from him, but before I got too far away, he jogged the short distance to catch up to me. I straightened my spine and put on a brave face. He studied my face for a moment, and a cruel smile transformed his mouth. I wondered how I hadn’t seen this side of him before. Even when we fought, I’d always seen him as somewhat pathetic. Even when I got a peek at his true personality yesterday, I hadn’t completely feared him. That was before he had my father’s support, regardless of his actions. Now he was unleashed and unafraid of reprisal.

“You can’t hide from me, Antonia.”

He’d stopped calling me Toni a long time ago. Probably not a detail I should focus on, but my mind was on overload. The boy who once called me Toni was gone, and with him any affection I ever felt for the malicious man standing before me.

“Leave me alone.” My voice was barely louder than a whisper, but it was all I could manage from my tight throat.

Miguel ran his finger down my cheek and laughed at my obvious discomfort. “Why would I do that? I’ve left you alone far too long, and now you need to remember who you belong to.”

Clenching my jaw, I forced a calming breath in and out through my nose. “I belong to myself. You don’t really want me, so why don’t you leave me be?”

His eyes heated with desire, and my stomach rolled. Slowly, his gaze traveled my body and rested for a long time on my chest before finally reaching my eyes. “Oh, I want you. The next time I have you, I think I’ll take you the way I’ve always wanted.”

Vomit rose up my throat, and I forced it back. “You think I’m going to do as you want because you have my parents’ approval? Fuck you, and fuck them, too. You won today, but you still won’t have me.” I admit, taunting him wasn’t a wise decision, but my temper often prompted me to speak before I’d thought my words through completely.

Miguel’s jaw clenched, but he didn’t make another move toward me. “I’ve got plans for you. There are things in motion that you’ll learn about soon enough.”

“Why are you being so cryptic? Do you get off on tormenting me?” I snapped.

He shrugged. “Your dad promised I could marry you when I complete my work for him.”

“God, my parents are bent. What work could you possibly be doing for my father? He’s an accountant, for Christ’s sakes.” I rubbed the center of my forehead. “You need help, because none of this makes sense. If for one moment I believed you actually wanted to marry me, why did you cheat on me when we were actually together? Why are you coming around now that I’ve moved on?”

His eyes narrowed, and he clenched his fists by his sides. I took an instinctive step back and rethought running. “Just because I want you doesn’t mean I’m not a guy. I won’t be some pussy-whipped loser that ignores beautiful women when they offer themselves to me. Let me make something clear right now. When we are married, you won’t order me around. You are mine, so you have no right to whore yourself around, but if I want to fuck another woman, you’ll look the other way.”

“And you think I’ll marry you? Get help, and stay the hell away from me.” That was it, I needed to run. I didn’t know what delusions he was operating under, but it was obvious I wouldn’t understand his thought process no matter how long he stood here explaining it to me.

“I don’t
think
anything. I know you’ll marry me, but until the time is right, I’m keeping an eye on you, making sure you stop spreading yourself around like a cheap slut.” His cell phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out and sighed. “We’ll continue this later. I’ll be watching you. If you go near that bartender again, I’ll make both of you pay. Don’t fuck with me, Antonia. I don’t have any more patience for your shit.”

I should heed his words and keep this drama away from Trent, but Miguel’s warning to stay away only made me want to run straight for him. The moment Miguel walked away, I ran the opposite direction. I continued turning corners until I found myself outside The Hitching Post. Without pausing to question the wisdom of my choice, I rushed around the side of the building to the entrance of Trent’s apartment.

“Toni?” Trent asked from the top of his stairs.

I started shaking violently as soon as I heard his voice and couldn’t seem to stop. He rushed down toward me and folded me into his embrace. “What happened?” he asked softly.

“Inside,” I squeaked.

Trent led the way into his apartment and locked the door behind us. “Toni, talk to me, please.”

I nodded. “Call Reed and Jeremy first. I don’t want to have to repeat this.”

“That fucker,” he shouted, and I flinched. He approached me cautiously, holding his hands in front of him to show me he wasn’t a threat. I leapt into his arms and held him tightly.

“Just hold me,” I whispered into his chest.

“I’ll never let you go.”

“You might change your mind after I tell you what happened.”

He put his hand on my shoulders and held me back to look into my face. “Has there been someone else?”

I shook my head.

He pulled me back into his embrace. “Then nothing you say will change my mind.”

“I left the hospital alone and wandered around town. Miguel found me, and he threatened you if I saw you again,” I challenged.

He tightened his arms around me, and his heart raced beneath my cheek. “Damnit. I wish you wouldn’t have taken that risk, but he’s not going to scare me away from you. Do you hear me? I’m not going anywhere.”

“I’m scared of him,” I murmured.

“I know, baby, but you’re here now, and I’m never letting you go again. He won’t get through me, and I won’t leave you alone.”

“Even if Trinity needs you?” I hated the insecurity in my voice, but I needed to know if I could depend on him.

“I’m so sorry I did that. I’ve learned my lesson. Tell me what I can do to make it up to you,” he begged.

“Just hold me. If she needs you, I’ll go with you. I don’t want you to leave me to go help her. I know that’s jealous or possessive or whatever, but she wants you, and I don’t trust her.”

“I can do that.”

“You have a big heart, and I won’t hold it against you. Not if you are willing to look past all the crazy I fear I’m bringing into your life.”

He leaned down and rested his head on top of mine. “You are my life now. We’ll get through this together.”

He squeezed me tight once more and let me go. “Why don’t you go take a hot shower and wrap up in the robe that’s hanging on the door? I’ll call Reed and Jeremy and have them come here. I’ll have the bar’s kitchen make us some comfort food, too.”

I didn’t move at first until he swatted me on the butt. “Go, the problems will still be here when you come out, but I don’t like the way you’re still shaking.”

For once I didn’t argue. Letting someone take care of me was a new concept, but I didn’t feel like I was giving up any of my independence when Trent did it. It felt good to let someone in. Pushing everyone away was exhausting, and I didn’t want to feel alone tonight.

Chapter 23

Trent

The bathroom door clicked shut, and I picked up my phone to call Reed. “She’s here.”

He exhaled. “Thank fuck. I might strangle her when I see her next.”

I scrubbed my hand across the top of my head. “He found her while she was out walking, alone.”

“Goddammit! That’s why we told her she shouldn’t be by herself. Now I’m definitely going to strangle her.”

“Can you get Jeremy and come over to my place? Jeremy knows where I live,” I said, ignoring his outburst. I should be pissed too, but I was too scared by what could have happened to be mad at her. Plus, she was so scared she’d been shaking. I doubted she’d take the same risks again.

I texted Mel next to have some burgers and fries brought upstairs. I wasn’t sure if Reed or Jeremy had eaten, but I ordered enough for all of us. It made me feel like I was doing something instead of sitting here thinking about all the things that could have gone wrong today.

Miguel wasn’t going to go away. I knew it, but I’d still held out hope he wouldn’t continue pursuing a woman that obviously didn’t want him. Unfortunately, privileged little pricks like him didn’t understand the word
no
. I bet losing the woman he thought belonged to him to a tattooed bartender was really screwing with his head.

The shower shut off the same moment there was a knock at the door. I opened it and let Jeremy and Reed in. Jeremy set the bag of takeout on the table.

“We ran into one of the waitresses bringing this upstairs. I hope you ordered enough for all of us, because I canceled a date to come over here,” Jeremy grumbled.

Toni shuffled into the room, dragging my robe across the floor. I’d hoped she hadn’t heard Jeremy, but the look on her face told me she had. “Just go. Call your date and tell him you can make it. Reed, go home to Kate. This is why I didn’t call you today. I don’t want everyone putting their lives on hold to babysit me.”

“C’mon, Thumbelina, I didn’t mean it. I’m grouchy because I’m hungry, and I’m a little mad at you.” He raised his eyebrow and sighed. “You were supposed to call one of us to come and get you.”

She crossed the room and nestled close to my side. I wrapped my arm around her and pulled her in tighter. “I get it now. Believe me. He’s never going to stop, and no one is going to make him.”

“Fuck that. I’ll make him,” I seethed.

Toni tugged on my T-shirt until my eyes met hers. “No.”

I narrowed my eyes. “What do you mean, no?”

“You will not take risks for me.”

I stepped back from her and tensed. Before I could lash out, Reed clapped his hand down on my shoulder and gave it a warning squeeze before letting go. I took a deep breath and forced myself to calm down.

Toni shut her eyes tight and hugged herself. “Just please don’t do anything to get yourself in trouble or put yourself in danger. I know you could kick his ass, but he’s crazy and he’ll fight dirty. Even if you win, I’ll lose, because you’ll get in trouble. You promised you wouldn’t leave me alone.”

I rushed back to her side and held her to me. “You’re right. I won’t go after him. We’ll find a legal way to get him out of your life.” I looked over her head at Reed and Jeremy. They both nodded.

“Whatever we come up with, I’m going on record now that we don’t send you to hide out in the woods. That hasn’t worked out too well in the past,” Jeremy added.

Reed shuddered. “Don’t remind me.”

I looked at Toni, confused.

“My friends and I have the worst luck, apparently. When Aiden’s mom and his ex-girlfriend went after his money, Reed hid them in a cabin outside of town. Long story short, they ran from there when they found out the GPS on Aiden’s car had been hacked and got out right before the cabin exploded. Then when Kate and Reed fled to Oregon from his crazy stalker, they were shot at and barely escaped.”

“Yeah, a cabin in the woods is definitely out,” I agreed with Jeremy.

“Well, I’m not going to Becca and Aiden’s, either. That place is a fortress, but that didn’t stop Pratt from getting through the security to attack you and Kate,” Toni said to Reed.

“Freddie Pratt was a patrol officer I worked with when I was a detective,” Reed said, answering the question I hadn’t voiced. “He had set out to destroy me because his best friend was killed in an ambush in Iraq while I survived. I think you need to detail exactly what happened today,” he then ordered Toni.

She nodded and told us everything that happened when Miguel found her out walking alone. “So, believe me, I won’t be going out by myself. I can’t demand that you guys not do anything stupid if I’m going to keep acting like a moron, but what can we do? We can’t run, and I’m not willing to risk Becca and Aiden’s children by staying with them.”

Jeremy dropped down on my newly purchased sofa. Helplessness was a new feeling for me, and not one I really cared for. When she laid out the options like that, though, I felt pretty fucking useless.

Reed smiled, but his eyes were cold and focused. “We stalk him.” He took a deep breath. “I hate to ask you this, Toni, but is it possible your dad is involved in any illegal activities?”

“I highly doubt it. My dad won’t even jaywalk.”

“Not that I’m not really fucking pleased Miguel didn’t take you today, but it doesn’t make sense,” Reed said. “What is he waiting for? It sounds like he’s working for someone and you are part of this plot. We need to figure out what Miguel is involved in and get enough evidence to have him locked up.”

“Is she going to be safe at home?” I asked him.

Jeremy stood up and walked into my bedroom. It was a little weird, but then Jeremy tended to do whatever he wanted without explaining himself first.

Reed watched him walk away and shrugged but kept talking as if he hadn’t left. “I’m across the street, and Jeremy will be with her. Aiden sent his security team over to the house to upgrade the system. It’s nothing like what he has at his house, but it’s not your standard home alarm, either.”

Jeremy came back into the room carrying a large duffle bag I kept in my closet. It was packed full of something, which was odd, since I had it folded up empty on the top shelf. “You’re coming to stay with us,” he said and threw the bag at my feet.

I opened my mouth, not actually sure what I was going to say, but Jeremy held up his hand. “Don’t argue. I know you want to come anyway, and Miguel threatened you, too. It’s time to circle the wagons or whatever.”

“What do you think?” I asked Toni.

“I’d feel safer if you were there too, but only if you want to come,” she answered quietly.

I smirked at her choice of words. “Oh, I want to come.”

“That’s it, we’re switching rooms,” Jeremy said. “I want a turn in the sex room. I’m doing you a favor anyway. The last couple that stayed there ended up procreating like rabbits.”

Reed covered his ears. “Please don’t explain any of that to me. I’m guessing Toni has Aiden’s old room, and I don’t need to know any more.”

“Maybe we should trade rooms,” I suggested to her. “Not that the idea of knocking you up is so bad, but…”

“But perhaps we should wait a few years,” she finished.

“Hmm, maybe I should talk Kate into spending a few nights in that room,” Reed mumbled.

Toni cocked her head to the side and studied him for a minute. “Are you guys trying?”

Reed rolled his eyes. “I’m trying to talk her into it. I was hoping Aiden and Becca’s kid would give her baby fever, but with Hope being premature, I think it’s had the opposite effect.”

“You guys are both in school, though,” Jeremy said.

“I’m not saying it wouldn’t be a juggle, but not as bad as when we were both working the crazy hours we were when I was a detective and she was nursing full-time. Plus, I’m turning twenty-nine in a few months.”

Loud banging on the door made us all jump. I moved to it and looked out the peephole. Rocky stood on the front stoop, so I opened the door and let him in.

“Hey, Mac, sorry to bother you right now, but I found another junky tonight in the bar.”

“Are you sure? You do mean a heroin addict, right?” I clarified.

He nodded. “Yeah, stupid bitch was shooting up in the bathroom. I called the cops this time, since I actually witnessed this one using. I only caught her because I saw that guy in the hoodie I’d seen the night Trinity OD’d coming from the hallway.”

“Any chance we got him on camera?” I asked.

Rocky shook his head. “Sorry, Mac, he’s a slippery little shit. I’ve seen someone I think is him on screen a few times, but he’s constantly wearing a hood or a hat and seems to know where the cameras are because he always turns his head before his face is in view.”

I groaned and pinched the bridge of my nose. “Okay. You did good, Rocky. In fact, you’ve just been promoted to manager. I’ll come in when I can to take care of most of the paperwork, but as far as scheduling and running security, that’s going to be all you. Make Melody the supervisor of the bar and waitresses, and have her report to you. I know she’s going to bitch about it, but tell her I need her help and both of you are getting a raise. Also, new rule starting now. No more hats or hoodies can be worn in the bar.”

Rocky nodded. “Yeah, I’m going to secretly add a few cameras, too. There are some blind spots I want to cover without letting anyone know.”

“Good plan. Get it done and send me the invoice,” I agreed and saw Rocky to the door.

Reed pulled at his hair. “How long has this been going on?” he asked after Rocky left.

I raised my shoulder. “I’m not sure exactly. We started noticing people using a few weeks ago. When Trinity, my foster sister, OD’d the other night, Rocky told me he’d seen a guy waiting down the block. He seemed suspicious, so Rocky is going back through the security footage, and he’s noticed a guy with the same build on the same nights he had to kick people out because he suspected they were using. This is the first time he’s actually caught someone shooting up.”

“Okay, let’s get you two settled in at home. Something about all of this feels wrong. I don’t believe in coincidences,” Reed said.

“You don’t think Miguel is doing all of this, do you?” Toni asked.

“I’m not sure he’s smart enough, but we’ll watch him and find out,” he replied.

I turned to Toni. “Come on, baby, let’s do as Reed says and go home. I know I’ll be able to think better with some sleep. I haven’t slept well since the night of the barbeque.”

Toni smiled. “Yeah, I’m exhausted.”

She went back into my bedroom to get dressed, and I stood talking with Jeremy and Reed. When the door closed, I turned to them and spoke quietly. “What now?”

“Now you both go home and get some rest. I’m going to call my former partner and work out some details, and we’ll have coffee in the morning and talk,” Reed said.

I smirked. “Not too early, though. Toni and I have some lost time to make up for.”

“Damn. I guess I’ll just have to spend some extra time in bed with my hot wife,” Reed joked.

“I hate all of you,” Jeremy mumbled.

“Nah, you’re going to call the guy you ditched to come over here and salvage the rest of your night,” I said.

“Conveniently leaving you and Toni with a quiet house?” he asked.

“If the house stays quiet, then my night isn’t going as well as I’d hoped.”