Page 45 of Tye

“What on earth happened?” I asked as the ringing in my ears faded but became a shrill pain.

“The fuckin’ car blew up,” Ice replied.

“How?” I demanded.

“Good question. The police are on their way to investigate, and someone will talk to you at the Hall,” Dylan Hawthorne announced from the driver’s seat.

“Why is he here?” I asked Ice, glancing suspiciously at Dylan.

“Because he was our quickest escape,” Ice responded.

“I don’t trust him,” I stated, knowing Dylan could hear me. I was way past caring.

Dylan’s jaw clenched, and I felt a sharp pang of ‘gotya’. Clearly, Dylan Hawthorne thought himself entirely trustworthy, and I’d thrown shade on that.

“Babe, Hawthorne’s good,” Ice replied, and I held his eyes before pulling away from him. Hurt crossed Ice’s face, and he reached for me.

“No. You just said that man is good. He isn’t. That is an asshole. He interrupted our dinner to insult me because of who I am. How the fuck did I force Fury to rape my mother and give birth to me? That didn’t matter to that motherfucker. And you are sitting here telling me he’s a great guy. Not a chance in hell,” I rambled, ignoring the pain in my head.

“Sweetheart,” Ice murmured and reached for me.

“No, Ice. No. I’ve just nearly been blown up. I want my uncles and Pops,” I rejected him, shoving into the corner of the SUV.

“Demi, Hawthorne was out of line in the restaurant. But he’s protecting us right now,” Ice argued, and I snorted.

“How the hell do I know he didn’t plant the bomb? What about your asshole mate who thinks that he’ll get a strike in at Fury bykilling me? The jokes on him; Fury doesn’t even know I am alive! Maybe your friend here told him about me,” I snap in defence.

I was hurt that Ice seemed to still trust Dylan after what happened in the restaurant. Yeah, Ice took my side, but he still respected and trusted that man. I did not. He’d accused and said vile things to me. If Ice wanted to be friends with someone like that, I didn’t want to be with him. It would only be a matter of time before Ice turned on me, too. Maybe Hawthorne’s words were already working on him.

“Demi, nobody would have told Fury about you,” Ice stated, horrified.

“I don’t know that, and I do not trust any of you. You asked me to come out for pizza; how do I know that you’ve not planned this with them?” I demanded.

Distaste crossed Ice’s face. “You can’t mean that?”

“Uncle Deke made a mistake. We should have taken care of ourselves and not trusted Rage. That’s one we can rectify,” I muttered and turned away.

Ice

Shit! Demi was beyond reasoning, and I wasn’t going to make things worse for her. Dylan caught my eyes in his mirror, and he made a grimace. I don’t know if he felt sorry for what he said, but he was remaining silent right now. Demi was obviously upset and in shock at the SUV blowing up. I’d not even had time to consider who was behind it. My focus had been on getting her safe. I’d give Hawthorne his due; he’d moved into action before anyone could blink.

A chill ran down my spine when I realised we could have been inside it when it blew. Or she could have got in, and I would have lost her. I’d give her some space right now, but whatever shit wasgoing through her mind, she could forget. I had claimed her, and I was keeping her. If I had to lock her up and fuck her stupid till she agreed to be mine, I’d do so. Demi didn’t have a chance in hell of escaping me.

My phone pinged, and I saw a message from Dad. Nando Hawthorne was going to meet us at the Hall while Ramirez and Ben were at the scene. That was not the usual style of investigating. Usually, one detective or pair of detectives handled the case. Blast, I recognised what Dad wasn’t saying. Because this was about Fury’s family, it was all hands on the deck.

It was unclear whether they thought Demi was behind the bombing or the target. I reached out to Demi, but she withdrew from me again. Grinding my teeth, I allowed that but wouldn’t going forward. Demi was hurt; it was obvious she’d banged her head, and I thought she might have a concussion.

If I started an argument with Demi, it would make me the biggest asshole around. As much as I hated it, I’d let her have her space and lick her wounds. But she would have to get on board pretty soon.

Demi Moore was mine. I did not give a fuck who said what. Demi was a good person, and I loved her. I didn’t flinch at the thought; it was fuckin’ obvious Demi had consumed me, and I had fallen for her. Without Demi, I didn’t have a life. I’d give up everything for her.

My body craved her, and only she could sate my needs and soothe me. Let Demi lick her wounds; I’d be her calm in a stormy ocean. Demi just needed to realise that.

Chapter Ten.

Demi

Iflew out of the car and headed straight for Pops’s arms. He hugged me tightly as he glared over my shoulder at Ice and Hawthorne.