Page 159 of All For You Duet
The tattoo dude thought that was funny. Gentry didn’t. Neither did TJ.
“How’s your girlfriend?” TJ asked. “She always did have a thing for ice cream.” Fuck, his teeth are so brown. “I think it’s time she got a real mark, a real treat.” I clenched my fist to punch him before wailing on the others while TJ laughed, “I bet she’ll moan like you did when we give it to her.”
I pounced, but arms were around me so fucking fast I didn’t know where they came from.
“Gentlemen.” It was your dad. I invited him to play with me and Luca. “Make another illegal scene here, Senator”—he took on Gentry first—“and I’ll make sure this whole damn state knows about it.”
He held me back. Damn, Cade. Your dad’s been more of a father to me than my own. He keeps appearing like an angel in my life just in time.
Luca came over too. “We got a problem?”
Luca is a wall of muscle and intimidating as shit. We could’ve taken them easily, and I wanted to.
“Not at all.” Gentry knew it. “Y’all enjoy your round. And Mr. Dean”— he tipped his fucking visor at me—“I’ll be very generous with you… as usual.”
He pulled their cart away, and I was going to chase after them and bash their heads in with a nine iron.
“Hey, man. What was that about?” Luca could tell shit was up. “You okay?”
“He’ll be fine. He’s strong.” Your dad answered for me. He wouldn’t let go of my arm to keep me from doing something stupid. “This goes way back. Just give him time.”
I don’t remember the next hours on the course with your dad and Luca and his buddy. That night kept flashing, and I felt sick. Since I couldn’t kill them, I had to do something.
We got back to the resort, and I’m sorry, Cade. I ran.
I didn’t have a choice. It’s a craze in my veins, hijacking my mind, and running is the only way to be free of it.
And not look back.
Not even for you, and my God, I’m so damn sorry.
I’ve tried so hard, but I can’t turn this around. This nightmare in my mind. It won’t stop.
I try closing my eyes and thinking of you. And I can. I see every beautiful moment with you, but then I see that night.
That look on your face when TJ grabbed you.
Fuck, I love you so much, Cade.
When they grabbed you, they took my soul.
And they won’t let me go.
How can I ever be free of them? Even just to breathe because I can’t. I can’t stop the memories.
There’s only one thing that works. I’m just gonna have one beer. There’s some in the minibar.
Just one beer, I promise, then I’ll feel better, and then I’ll call you and be okay.
CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
Wild Horses by The Sundays
Forty-eight hours is all I can suffer.
He’s not answering his phone or texts. Eric, his assistant, won’t answer me either.
“Go.” Penny grabs my hand, shaking on my desk at work. “There’s nothing to do here. Go get him.”