Family Ties (Hidden Secrets) (9 page)

“
Nate told us briefly that you were having more issues with Kyle.  You okay, Mare?”

“
Yes, I am.  He really scared me this time though.  He hurt my arm.” 

Immediately
I checked her arm and seen a bruise already forming.  “DAMN IT!”  I thought I said that to myself, but judging by the looks I was receiving from everyone in the room it didn’t come out quietly at all.  I looked at everyone, “Sorry. I thought I got to her before the bastard had time to hurt her, but she’s going to have a bruise.”  Everyone moved to inspect her arm.

“
It’s no big deal.  I will just cover it with make-up…I mean I heard you can do it that way, right Kay?”

             
It was the way she quickly changed the direction of the sentence that I knew in that instant that this wasn’t the first time that asshole had laid a hand on her.  At this point, I was seeing red.  I couldn’t even stop the urge to go kill the bastard.  Soon I found myself turning to leave.

“
Where are you going?”  Mary called from behind me. 

“
I forgot to do something…” I muttered distractedly. 

I
was just about out the door when I heard her yell, “Don’t you dare think about it Tobey!”

Turning
around, I faced her. It took everything out of me not to scream at her.  Why was I reacting to her this way?  I was just going to hurt her the way she did my family, so why was it becoming so hard to remember that the more I was around her.  An overwhelming urge to protect her overcame me and I needed to get away to let off some of the frustration I was feeling with myself. And beating the shit out of this guy… well it would help relieve some of it that is for sure.

“
Mary, if you think…”  My voice trailed off as she walked toward me with anger in her eyes.

“
What I think is that I do
not
need anyone meddling in my business.  I am not looking for a knight in shining armor.  I know how to handle Kyle.  I have been handling him for five years.”

“
There will be a br-“

“
Yeah, there probably will be.  Oh well.  I can handle this myself!”

“
Mare,” Nicholas said coming forward, speaking softly, “I think he is just worried about you and your safety.  You can’t get mad at him for that.  I want to do the same thing and I am in full support of him going.”

“
GOD!  I can’t win for losing!  I don’t need anyone fighting my battles for me!! I can fight them on my own!!”

My
mind was blank and I had no clue how to react here.  I wanted to believe that I didn’t care about Mary but in the past week that we have been together, I was really fighting the truth about how much I really cared about her.  But that just couldn’t happen.  She brought my family down; we could never be together now.

“
Have you thought about getting a bodyguard?” Nicholas asked patiently, which totally belied the anger in his eyes.

“
Geez, a bodyguard,” she smacks herself in the forehead, “why didn’t I think of that.  I don’t need one. Besides, I have three of them. Shit guys!  It is one bruise!  Come on, guys we all left bruises on each other more often than this.”

“
What about the other bruises, Mare?”

I
turned to see the guy that Mary claims as being only a friend standing there with the same rage rolling through his eyes.

“
Nate…You promised.” She hissed.

“
And look what that promise has gotten me,” he glanced at me and back to her.

Yup,
definitely something there at least on his end if nothing else. I looked back at Mary, who had tears building in her eyes.

“
I hate you,” she whispered.

Nate
’s face contorted in pain. Shockingly, I found myself feeling sorry for the guy. 

“
Mare,” his voice cracked. “You need a full time bodyguard.  Someone with you even in your off hours.”

She
just glared at him.

“
I can be your bodyguard.  I’m not fighting anymore and Colleen loves to listen to you sing and watch you work.  Of course the baby is getting closer so I’d only be a temporary basis right now.” 

When
I turned to see who was talking behind me, I nearly jumped out of my skin.  It was Carson- Danger- Williams. 
Wow
. 
How did they know him
?  He was an amazing kick boxer.  I have seen all his fights. He walked in with a beautiful woman on his arm, who was obviously pregnant. An emotion I haven’t felt before suddenly surged through me at seeing her rounded stomach…envy.

“
GOD! Carson please not you too.  I already have Nick on my back.  I need someone on my side.”

“
Sorry, sis. If you’re being hurt and need a bodyguard, I cannot sit back and let it happen.”

Sis?
That was her brother?  God, I should have done my homework.  I have heard her music and seen some of her pictures, but really I had no idea who she really was.  However, I knew some on Carson.  He was from a big family; many had names for themselves.

“
Hey, I am not the only one who thinks it’s needed.  Your boyfriend here was ready to go pound his skull in and had to save you once already.” Nick said.

Carson
’s gaze found me just then. “Boyfriend?”  His gaze darkened. 

Fear
started to rise up in the pit of my stomach and I couldn’t help but swallow hard.  I have seen what this man can do in the ring.  There was no way I really wanted to cross him at all, if I could help it.

“
Carson,” Mary’s sister said, “even I can’t let you step in here.  You were already hurt trying to protect me from harm.”

“
Ten men with knives was hardly a fair fight.  I had the little ass nailed ‘til he called in his little helpers.  I can see why now everyone in school hated that guy. But that was a while ago too.”

“
I’m sorry to interrupt here, but may I suggest something.”  That is when Carson’s gaze landed on me again. 

“
You are?”  Carson asked with obvious protectiveness over his sister.

“
Oh gosh, I am sorry Tobey.  You all have been jumping me about this shit with Kyle I haven’t introduced you all.”  Just then five other men walked in followed by a couple. “Great you are all here.  You can meet everyone.” 

She
walked over to me and put her arm around my waist and without thinking about it, I put my arm around hers too.  “Everyone this is my boyfriend Tobey.  Tobey this is my mom Jane, my dad, Larry, my brothers; Jack, Jake, Carson and his fiancé Colleen, Eli, Colt, and Jeff; my sister Kayla and her fiancé Jason and then you met Nick outside.  I have two younger sisters, but they couldn’t make it today.”

“
Hello Everyone,” I said nervously. 

That
would mean that Mr. and Mrs. Williams had eleven kids.  The name of her sister rang a bell, but I couldn’t remember where I had heard it before.

“
Everyone supper is ready if we want to eat.” Kayla said. 

I
watched as Jason helped her carry the food to the table.  It was plain as day, I could see the love between the two of them. The envious feeling found me again. Glancing at Mary, she seemed to have the same look on her face.

I
wish things were different between us Mary because you would be perfect for me.

She
looked at me then and smiled. Pulling out a chair for her, we sat down at the table. I was surprised when I felt her hand on my leg.  Reaching down I took her hand in mine.  She looked at me and smiled again. I smiled back and leaned down and kissed her cheek. When she leaned her head on my shoulder, my plan was forgotten yet again.  I have never felt a warmth like this before.  So selfishly I wanted to enjoy it for a little bit.

“
Um, everyone, before we start dinner… Jason and I have an announcement to make.” They shared a look and Jason stood up next to her wrapping his arms around her. “We have set our date for the wedding.  The fifteenth of next month, we want just a small ceremony.”

There
was cheering around the table. To me, there seemed to be more than what they were saying.  What did I know though?

Everyone
was giving hugs and congratulating the couple.  I couldn’t help but be a little envious of them.  Every time I came in from a hard day’s work, I pictured a wife and kids greeting me; family meals around the table. It has been a dream to have a family for a while now.  My dream of getting married and settling down and living out my days on my ranch with my family.  Now, everything was so out of order.  I was falling for a woman I knew I shouldn’t and we just met. 

Wait!
Fuck! I can’t fall for her! DAMN IT! It is safe to say I am beyond in trouble.

Mentally
I shook my head and told myself to stop thinking such thoughts about Mary.

Everyone
returned to their seats and began talking about the great way Kayla’s life was turning.  Her mother was talking and I was half listening when she started talking about something that caught my attention.

“
Kay, your life has been such terror for the last sixteen years.  You deserve this good in your life now.  That Alex, he took everything from you for so long, it is time you get it back.”

“
Mom, I told you after his verdict was brought in, I didn’t want to talk about him or what he did to me and my life anymore.  I can’t live in the past.  I don’t want my marriage to start off that way.  And whenever we have kids, I don’t want my sons or daughters to know that stuff.”

“
I am sorry dear, but he took a lot from us too and it still hurts.”

“
I know mom,” she said sadly.

Chapter
Seven

Mary

I
could see my sister’s discomfort, so as much as I didn’t want to bring it up again, I knew it would draw attention off Kayla’s past; so I would take it for my sister.

“
Kyle went nuts on me again today.  Tobey had to run in and save me.  I guess my arm is starting to bruise.” I blurted out.

The
silence around the room was deafening.  It sounds funny to say that, but it was the truth.  My heart was racing in my ears, but I would do anything for my sisters…for my family period.  So if it meant putting myself in the line of fire for my family’s rage then so be it.  There were a few gasps around the table and Tobey squeezed my leg.

“
What?!”  Said all the males at the table in unison.

“
I was on my way to lunch with Tobey and apparently that was not what he had me scheduled to do at that moment.” I shrugged and continued. “He caught me off guard by jumping out from behind a tree. He grabbed my arm and started yelling at me. I screamed back at him and he hit me across the face and in the stomach. He was about to hit me again when I kicked him in the nuts and ran.  I called Tobey and he ran toward me until he found me. Then we came here.”

“
Okay, I knew that he flipped out on you, Mare, but he didn’t just flip out he attacked you.” This coming from Eli, who then turned to Tobey, “Thank you for protecting my sister, that means a lot to me.”

“
It was really nothing.  When she called I was already in the restaurant waiting on her.  I rushed out the minute she called.  When I had her in my arms, I looked up and saw the son of a bi…” He dropped his head and lifted it back up, “Sorry ma’am. Um, I saw him and he took off before I could do anything.” He finished on a hiss.

I
looked toward my sister and caught her gaze.  I saw in Kayla’s eyes that she knew what I did for her.  So I simply nodded and smiled at her.  Family was important to me; they were the only constant I had in my life.  My life was crazy and the only time I could really breathe was when I came home for visits, but sadly that wasn’t often enough.  The last time I was home for an extended visit was a nightmare.  I know it was worse for Kay, but to see her that way…it broke me.

For
a long time, I saw my oldest sister as a rock, sturdy, unbeatable.  Then when she dropped the bomb on all of us about what she had endured for the last sixteen years I knew she was way more than that.  See I know what is going on with this thing with Kyle and how long it has been going on.  It started after the sudden departure from my friend and agent.  It has gotten worse as the time goes on and honestly, there are times when I fear for my life. But I would never burden my family with it though.  They have been through so much recently that I just couldn’t put that on them too. Yes, I know they would be there for me no matter what and fight to the end of the earth for me, but the family finally had some happiness.  Colleen was five months pregnant and Kayla has finally set a date. Carson and Colleen were waiting until after the baby was born.  No there was no way I was springing this on them.  I would figure out how to take care of it all…somehow. 

             
Kyle is a grade ‘A’ jerk; power is his game.  The day I agreed to hire him, he was sweet, attentive and seemed to be exactly what I needed.  Someone that understood that my career was second to my family; that my family always came first.  He said he was that way with his family.  My agent at that time said that his background check cleared and seemed to be good for the part. 

Not
too long after hiring Kyle, my longtime friend and agent quit and never spoke to me again.  It hurt a lot.  Since becoming the star the world sees me as, I don’t let many people close to me. Yet I did her and she just leaves me without even a notice. I have sent many letters and cards to the only address I had but have received nothing in return. Even though I haven’t received anything this whole time, I still write her in hopes that one day she will write me.  Something told me that the reason she left and wasn’t contacting me wasn’t because she wanted it that way. Looking back, I have a feeling it was something to do with Kyle but couldn’t be sure. 

             
After he was hired for a while, Kyle started talking to me like I was a slave and that I had to do his bidding.  He wasn’t at all what you would think an evil man would look like, but of course what did they look like really?  He was tall and lanky. You can’t be fooled by his appearance.  He was actually quite strong.
Pfft, I have the bruises to prove it.
  He wore glasses on a nose that must have been broken on several occasions, but never set back the right way.  His eyes showed every emotion he felt, which was usually anger and disgust.   He had blonde hair that was cut like he put a bowl on top of his head and buzzed where the bowl didn’t cover.  That saying ‘looks can be deceiving’ was accurate when talking about Kyle Hall.

             
I had seen how everyone reacted when Kayla came forward about what Alex Greene had done to her.  I wasn’t about to have someone hovering over me as she had to hover over Kayla.  Not happening, I would take charge of my own life.  Kyle was not a predator like Alex was.  So I just had to figure out how to bring him down and I would, it was just going to take some time.

“
Mary Elisabeth Williams!  You are not even listening to any of us are you?” 

Uh
oh! My whole name was being used.  Truth was, I was done listening to what they were saying.  There was no way I was going to ask for their help; I wasn’t going to ask for anyone’s help.  I was an adult and would handle my own mess and frankly the conversation was over.

“
Look, I know you guys feel the need to protect me and overshadow my life because of how long Kayla was attacked and what happened to Colleen.  But Kyle is not like Alex or Wendi or Dani or whatever her name was…I will handle him in my own way and take care of any situation that may arise!  I hope you all can respect that and listen to me when I say, stay out of it!”

“
Absolutely not!  I will not turn my back on you and leave you to be broken down like Kayla was!  I am…” My dad started.

I
flung my chair backwards as I stood up. “I am not broken and I am not Kayla! Sorry Kay.  I am an adult and will take care of it myself!  I have been handling him for this long.  I think I can manage.  I am not pushed around easily!  Leave me and the situation ALONE!”  I turned and started to leave.

“
What about all the other times, Mare?” Nate hissed.

I
froze in mid step, turned and looked at him with a glare that could have been heard only no sound was made. He faltered a bit, but regained his composure.

“
Why not tell them about the several times you have come to my house to recover from Kyle?  Why not tell them about this last time Mare?”

“
You want to air laundry, Nate?” I hissed. “You’re supposed to be my friend.”

“
I can’t keep your secret any longer.  You are being hurt and its killing me.  Though I love you coming home to me and getting to take care of you, but babe…I can’t leave you to continue to get hurt.  It’s killing me. I love you too much to stand by and let that happen.”

Everyone
gasped around the table.  I continued to stare at him.

“
Well, don’t worry. I won’t be coming to you.  I don’t want to see you anymore.  You’re a fucking asshole.  I. HATE. YOU.”  I turned and ran from the house without a look back.

I
hated myself for what I said to Nate, but he betrayed me.  How could he do that to me? I was so frustrated with my family and Nate.  They need to just stay out of it and away from me until I could handle it. 

They
weren’t to blame and I knew that.  They were only trying to help.  When Kayla was pushing all of us away we all felt so helpless.  None of us knew what we could do and we did everything and anything we could think of to just try and help.  Maybe it is the fact that I am now in that situation that I see things differently, I don’t know. But I do know that I don’t want to be in this situation. My mind began to wander back to earlier today…

Today
was a week since I met Tobey.  Honestly, I was leery of him at first.  He gave off a hardened vibe, like he was angry about something or at someone. As the week wore on though, I didn’t see that as much.  I saw a man that loved what he did.  It wasn’t a job, but a life.  He willingly opened his doors to me, so I could learn what it was like to own a ranch.  Though I suspect that was more to prove I can’t do it than it was to help me.

Checking
my watch, I decided to walk.  I was honestly too excited to wait at home any longer.  I hadn’t seen Tobey all day and found myself actually missing him.  It was weird to think of someone that way.  I didn’t miss anyone outside of my family. In all the men that I have been with over the years, Nate was the closest I came to dating because we saw each other almost daily and had sex more than once.  But it was different with Tobey.  I don’t know why or how, but it just was.  A smile spread across my face as I thought about last night with him in the back of his truck.

Looking
up to see where I was going, I screamed in fright when I came face to face with Kyle.  People around us walked slower trying to see or hear what was going on.  Kyle wasn’t a stupid man.  He waited until the crowd moved along before he grabbed me.  I was so terrified that it took longer than it should have to react.  It wasn’t until his hand hit my face that I realized I was just standing there.

It
hurt like hell and tears filled my eyes.  I wouldn’t let them fall.  That was what he wanted.  He wanted me to cry and beg him, beg for him to stop.  Like hell that was ever going to happen, he’d have to kill me first and even in death I wouldn’t beg.

“
Where the hell do you think you’re going?”

“
To lunch,” I said firmly. “If you’ll excuse me,” I said; my voice a lot stronger than I felt when I saw the look in his eyes.

“
You aren’t going anywhere.  I gave you time off to heal.  You had one damn thing to take care of in that three weeks and you bail on it.  You have cost me money and you are about to pay me back now!” He roared.

“
Like hell I am!  You work for me you asshole!  If you hadn’t beaten the shit out of me, maybe I wouldn’t have had to take the time off to begin with!” I screamed back at him.

He
smacked me across the face again and my head whipped to the side.  Again tears filled my eyes, but I would not let them come out.  I blinked rapidly until my vision cleared. Suddenly all the breath left my lungs and a pain shot through my stomach.  When I looked up, he was pulling his fist back to strike again.  Having all I could take, I raised my knee up meeting his groin hard and he doubled over holding himself.  I took that moment to run.  He recovered quickly and was hot on my tail only moments later.

Struggling,
I tried to get to my phone and watch where I was running all at the same time.  Finally grabbing my phone I dialed the only person I wanted near me right now.  I prayed for Tobey to answer.  It seemed like the rings on the line were longer than normal or maybe that was just because of how close Kyle was.  I could hear his erratic breathing behind me as he tried to catch me.  He grabbed my hair and yanked me back and I screamed.  I elbowed him in the stomach and he loosened the grip on my hair so I took off running again.  I could barely hear anything over the sound of my heart beating and the blood roaring through my ears.  I barely made out Tobey answering…

I
walked over off the path of the drive and dropped down to the ground.  I cried the tears I didn’t cry today when he attacked me and I cried the tears that I will no doubt hold in tomorrow when I go back to work and have to face him.