Tied to His Betrayal (Dirty Little Secrets 2)

Chapter 4

Darius

One day. That’s all it took for my life to somehow negatively affect Taylor’s. I heave a long sigh as that thought sweeps through my mind, and I swiftly exit the elevator, my shoes clicking against the marble floor in the hallway of Allie’s condo. Originally, the plan tonight was to hit the gym and then catch up on the game. Now I need to deal with the repercussions of Gotcha!’s article.

With each step I take, I’m reminded that it’s been a while since I’ve had the paparazzi so hot on my heels, following me into my private moments. I should have been more aware. I should have protected Taylor better. I should’ve done a lot of things.

The tension in my chest stretches along my shoulders as I near the end of the hallway and see Allie waiting for me in her open doorway. Concern rests in her pinched brow; obviously, the article is stressing her out, too.

“How is Taylor?” I ask when I reach her.

Allie steps into the hallway and shuts the door behind her. “She’s being very quiet and you know what that means.”

Yeah, I do. It means Taylor’s worried, and when that used to happen she typically clammed up. I fiddle with the keys in my pocket, deciding on my next steps.

I don’t want to make things too personal with her. It’s why I asked her to meet me outside last night, instead of meeting her inside Allie’s condo. I don’t trust myself being alone with her. I’m already hanging on by a very thin thread to stop thinking about how badly I want her beneath me. But this matter is a private one, and the last thing I want is Taylor photographed again. “Please leave and let me handle this,” I say.

“Now wait just a second,” Allie begins.

I raise my hand, interjecting softly, “I know you want to help Taylor, but please let me do this.” Some things Allie can help her best friend with and some things she can’t. This happens to be something that lands in my territory.

Allie gives me a good glare before she backs down. “Fine, but don’t make this messier than it already is.”

As if I would. “That really doesn’t need to be said.”

“Ah, yeah, it really does,” Allie shoots back, eyes narrowed. “She needs friends right now. That’s it.” She points at me. “Keep your hands off.”

I frown. “Allison…”

She turns and heads down the hallway, leaving me staring after her. Allie’s concern is well deserved and well warranted. I’m a danger to Taylor, and if she made one move toward me, I’d take her, because that’s what I do. I take what I want.

I force the desire from my mind and know I need to keep this on point. No emotions, I tell myself, opening the front door, finding Taylor standing at the window, staring out into the early evening.

My chest tightens further, nearly strangling the air out of me, my culpability increasing tenfold. Taylor doesn’t need this in her life right now. She deserves to have a safe place to get her life back on track, not the paparazzi hounding her.

No matter how hard I try to stop it, I always find a way to hurt her. And I hate myself for that.

I shut the door loudly, catching her attention, and she turns to me, expression thoughtful. There’s also pain in her eyes, unease for sure. All of which I understand. “Hi,” I say, removing my shoes, then approaching her.

“Hi.” She gives me a soft smile, the setting sun casting a pinkish hue across her cheek. “I take it you’re here because of the magazine article?”

I nod, stepping beside her, shoving my hands into my pockets. “Yes, of course that’s why I’m here. Are you okay?”

Her eyes search mine a long moment before she heaves a heavy sigh, glancing back out the window, lost in her thoughts.

I won’t rush her. Not now. Not ever.

A full long minute goes by before she addresses me again. “I’m okay, just thinking. Now that they’re focusing on me, do you think they’re going to find out about Shawn?”

I wondered the same thing. I also wouldn’t lie to her. “It is a concern.”

Her brows draw together, mouth sets into a firm line. A look I’ve seen many times from her; she’s very, very worried. Taylor’s emotional, but also wonderfully logical. I can only imagine she’s trying to figure this all out while all I’m trying to do is figure out where her head is at. “Please tell me what you’re thinking?” I ask, as the silence continues.

She remains quiet for so long I begin to think she’s not going to answer me. Then she does. “I’m thinking about how in the hell I’m going to tell my parents about all this, considering I told them the bruises came from a car accident.”

I recoil at the coldness in her voice. My life did this to her. “They’ll understand, Taylor, and I can only imagine they will be proud of you for leaving.”

Her shoulders lift and lower with a heavier sigh. “Yes, proud, I’m sure that’s exactly what they’ll be.”