CHAPTER TWELVE

LYNNE

“We need to stop the rotten motherfucker.” My body stiffens at hearing the voice coming from below.

“That’s Tyson,” I yell nervously, never taking my eyes off Cora as we all peer over the edge of the rooftop. My heart instantly drops to the ground when I notice him dash in between the two houses with the rest of the guys right behind him.

There’s only one I person I can think of who would have Tyson acting out the way he is.

My father. He’s here.

I should have asked Tyson to whisk me away to his apartment instead of allowing my hopes to take over. That for once in my life my family would leave me the hell alone. But no. Here he is, barreling down my street as if he owns me. The devil has come to town.

For the life of me, I will never understand what I’ve done to deserve this. Evil. The whole lot of them. Why do they hate me so much?

“Get in the house,” Riddick yells at the boys who look scared to death. One can only pray that my father isn’t here on some instantaneous mission to ruin my hopes and dreams once again.

“Fat chance, Lynne,” I mumble to myself.

The world can swallow me whole any time it wants. This is embarrassing.

I wait until I’m certain Ron and Dominic have the boys secured in the house. My body is coming alive with fury. Pins and needles are pricking away at my gut to get down there and make that man see I’m not going to be pushed around anymore.

“What on earth is going on?” Sylvia’s voice is full of panic. God, how I wish I grew up with parents who loved the way she and Ron do. A few minutes in their company was all it took for me to realize they love hard and deep.

I haven’t felt this comfortable with people I barely know in my entire life. Except for Maggie. They are all laid-back. So full of joy it was beginning to make my heart sing to a happy, joyful beat.

“It’s my father. He’s here.” My voice trembles, but I stay strong. I want these women to like me for who I am. Not out of pity for what they might witness or sympathy for what I’ve lost. For me. A woman who is capable of standing on her own two feet. Facing the corrupted values of a hateful man head-on. That’s all I’ve ever wanted was to be accepted for being human. For making mistakes that I’ve owned up to.

I want to curl up in the corner and bury my head in my hands. These women opened their minds and hearts to me as if we’ve all been friends our entire lives, and now this? A half hour or so was all I’m being given to the start of what assuredly was becoming one of the best nights I’ve had in years. Tyson and I had a wonderful discussion about the boys at dinner. The kiss he claimed was his. The way he looked at me the way he always does. I matter to him. He matters to me. I’m over this infatuation my blood family has to destroy me. I’ve been pushed too far now. It’s time to dig my claws in and scar them the way they’ve done me.

Tyson left me in knots. Wanting, craving all of him, and now I’m being sucked back to a hell I’ve been dying to escape from.

My chest tightens.

“Please stay here.” I swallow hard. My lead-filled bare feet leading me to the stairs. The smile that brightened all our faces moments ago fading away. Slipping out to sea in the dead of night.

I’m going to kill him with my bare hands.

All they have done is carve out holes inside of me. Plugged them with their lies. I am so sick and tired of being their victim. I want to live happily, damn it. To be a free spirit with my little brothers by my side. I won’t allow him to take them away from me. And that is exactly why he’s here. Instead of being a man and openly admitting they are his children, he’s come here to find out what I know and to try and convince me to shut my mouth.

My feet hit the pavement just as the loud echo coming from Tyson’s voice stings my ears. I run down the little driveway, hammering the short distance to my house.

“This is private property, Richard. Get the hell out of here. I told you. Do not fuck with me. Either you climb back in your car and leave, or so help me God, I’ll cuff you, toss you in jail, and forget you are there.” My father smiles. His gray hair slicked back, his suit pristine as he stands with his car door wide open. His arms crossed over his chest. He’s acting calm when he’s anything but. I can see the steam bleeding out of his ears. He wasn’t expecting a welcome wagon full of men who hate him to be here. Arrogant prick.

If I didn’t want to battle this on my terms, I would stand here and let them take turns beating him to his death.

“Last I checked, my daughter owned this house.” He slams the door, and I let out a strangled cry. My body is no longer concealed in darkness.

My father drops his gaze, cranks his head, and a pair of dark, intense eyes cast my way. Their spell is quite demanding. Intimidating. And yet I stand tall, edging my way closer to be seen. I want him to see me. All of me. No longer hidden shadows.

“Last time I checked, I thought I told your wife to give you a message. I do own this house. This is my property, and I do not want you here. Leave.” Tyson starts to move toward me. I halt him with my hand.

“No. I can handle this. Please. All of you stay back,” I tell him steadily. “It’s been a long time coming, Tyson. He needs to hear me this time.”

So much has changed in a matter of days. My strength to stand up for myself is one of them. I’m at the top of my game now. He’s dead to me.

“My wife is your mother. She is why I’m here. We are worried about you.”

I laugh. It sounds deranged, just like him. “She is not my mother. Not anymore. If she were any kind of mother to me, we wouldn’t be standing here having this discussion. If either one of you had been a parent to me, I wouldn’t hate you. And believe me, I do hate you. My entire life you have taken from me. Not once have you given me what a parent should give their children.” I hope he smells the revulsion I feel for him. He blanches. Good. I hope my cuts turn fatally infectious.

Those deep, seedy eyes of his reach inside of me to see if I’m not only speaking about myself but those boys, too. I give nothing away. He hasn’t brought them up, yet, and I’ll be damned if I will, either. If he does, he better be prepared for his Lifetime movie to change directions and become an HBO original series, because I’ll turn it into one and he’ll be the victim who ends up dying in the end. Death by a daughter.

I’m not scared of what my father can do to me anymore. I’m numb to it. None of that means a damn thing when he can step up and pull two more things out from under me.

What if he does? No. I refuse to think it. He will never take them away from me. I simply won’t allow it.

“Are you listening to yourself? This has gone on long enough. I allowed you to buy this house. Become a doctor. And this is how you repay me? We need to talk. I won’t discuss your irrational behavior anymore in front of them.” He didn’t allow me to do anything. I chose on my own. What the hell?

My regard easily trains itself in the direction of four men standing in a row. All of them have their fists clenched. Three of them are staring wildly at my father, while the one who owns my heart is looking at me with more affection than he ever has before. I want to run to him. Hide in the security of his big strong arms. I can’t. Not until I lay this day to rest. Get him gone and forget he was ever here.

“I believe you have the wrong definition of me. This is me being sensible. I didn’t ask your permission to buy this house. I did it on my own. As far as school goes, I used you to get what I wanted. Now I’m done. I want you to stay out of my life forever. You came here demanding something of me instead of asking. Just like she did today. Not once in my life have you ever asked me what I wanted. It’s always what you want. What your wife wants. What my sisters want. I’m not going anywhere with you. You are not welcome in my house. You are nothing to me. Nothing. My love died for you the day you deceived me into losing the only man I’ve loved. So, as far as I’m concerned, I am not your daughter. You have one minute to get off my property, or I’ll let them arrest you.” I catch my breath. My chest heaves to the point it burns from spitting out words I’ve wanted to say for so long.

“My wife is your mother, Lynne. I believe she told you that will never change. He’s tainting you against us, don’t you see that? Whatever he tells you isn’t true. I’m your father. I do love you. How can you not see that all I’ve ever wanted was the best for you? I’m trying to protect you. He’s not it, Lynne. He’s not.” He draws out his bullshitting love for me a little late in my life. The same as his wife did.

My soul rips in half. It quivers when one piece detaches itself and shatters while the other half remains intact. He’s never loved me a day in my life. Lying piece of shit.

“Protect me? You broke me. You and her. I was in love with him. I still am. A parent should protect their child in every way. That includes their heart. Not destroy it. You people are certifiably crazy. I have openings if you need help.” Oh, God, my anger is getting the best of me. I feel horrible for saying that. Just because I care about the few patients I’ve been blessed with. They aren’t crazy because they need guidance. But this man is. He should be locked up because of his actions. No treatment. No shoulder to lean on and definitely no one who cares.

“Christ, Lynne. Look at him. He’s nobody. A fucking bastard.” I want to throw up all over him for speaking about Tyson this way.

“Watch it, motherfucker,” Riddick implies. Dear ole dad completely ignores him. At this moment, I wish he would do something to get arrested. Step across the line of the law that he’s been teetering on for years. I would love nothing more than to see it all be slammed in his face.

“I am looking at him. He’s all I see. He’s a saint. A man who forgave me. You do not get to come here and call him names, especially one that is reserved for you. He has a name. A name that should have been mine. You ripped my life from me. Stole it right from under me. How many times do I have to tell you people this? I was out of my mind sick with cancer. I could have been diagnosed terminally, and you still would have made me believe he was going to leave me. Or worse, turn into a man like you.” I’ve wasted enough of my day on the likes of these dysfunctional people. I want my carefree weekend, and he’s trying to ruin it.

“That’s enough. You’re done talking to her. Come here, Lynne, please?” I walk in Tyson’s direction willingly. Grounded. Relieved for once that I have my feet planted firmly in spite of people trying to knock me down. Even though this is the beginning of a feud I may not win, I feel better for standing up to a man who has always wanted to hurt me.

His arms wrap around me, pulling me in for a hug. God, I feel relieved. The air around me clear.

“You’ll pay for this, you little bitch. This is your last warning, Lynne. All of you.” Tyson’s arm stiffens. Every muscle in his body goes tight. Flexing up against me.

“What did you call her?” I’ve never seen Tyson so angry, and I’ve never been lifted off the ground as quickly as I am now. Plunked on my feet in front of Jude as I watch in utter horror as Tyson somehow leaps off the cement and slams my father to the hood of his car. My heart jumps in my throat.

“I fucking warned you,” Tyson growls. He is furious. His arm slings across my father’s neck, pinning him down in a deathly hold. I want to scream for Tyson to choke him.

“Tyson. He’s not worth it.” This is surprisingly coming from Riddick.

“Don’t fucking ‘Tyson’ me. This scum needs to mind his own business. He needs to apologize for calling her a name, and he needs to be taught a lesson for every wrongdoing he has committed.”

“Fuck you and her,” my father spits.

“What in the hell is going on out here?” Jude pulls me into him, while I crane my neck to the wired hum of Maggie.

“Maggie, put that gun down!” Riddick yells from his spot next to me. Shivers slide across my skin. Restriction holds the tightness in my throat. I can’t breathe.

“I will do no such thing, Riddick. Not when I peek out my window after hearing loud voices and this piece of trash calling Lynne a bitch. Now, you listen to me, buddy. If you ever come down my street again and threaten my girl here, I won’t hesitate to shoot you for crossing onto private property. We do not want you here. Get in your car and go. And don’t even think about taking this out on Lynne. I’ll chew you up and choke on you before I let you drag her down again. Now, get.” Oh. My. God. No woman in my life has ever stood up for me the way she is before. I’m not sure if I want to laugh at the scene playing out in front of me or cry.

“You heard her. Go.” Tyson releases his hold, backs up, and my father straightens himself out, yanks his door open, and climbs in his car. The purr of his engine calms me.

He backs up slowly while never taking his eyes away from mine. They are giving me a message. A dangerous one. He’s telling me I’ve made a choice, one he will never agree with. The one I’ll regret. For all of us to watch our backs. It’s a bad thing for him that we will be watching out for one another. There’s no escaping what went down here tonight. How these men and Maggie had my back the entire time.

“Dad.” Oh, no. It’s Theo. My shoulders sag from the worry in this young man’s voice.

This is an awful situation for a teenager to witness.

“I’m terribly sorry,” I sob.

Jude releases his hold on me. My legs want to give out. “Everything is alright, son.” Jude slights himself to acknowledge Theo. Then he spins me around to face him. “Not sure why you’re sorry when it’s obvious you’re a fighting warrior. And don’t ever apologize to us again. We protect what’s ours, and you are part of us; you need to catch onto that quick. Now, go get your man, Lynne.”

I’m struggling to breathe, and it has nothing to do with my father coming here. It has everything to do with that innocent young man witnessing something he should never see. It has to do with them all being here to stand by me while all I’ve done since the day I moved here was cause them grief, and yet they’re still here. Still telling me I’m a part of them.

My legs finally give out just as the little bit of air in my lungs escapes with a whoosh that fires up my chest. I expect to crack my knees on the cement. I don’t. I’m caught, lifted into the air, and inhale a scent that’s becoming intoxicatingly familiar.

“Make sure Maggie’s gun is registered. I got this from here,” Tyson instructs, while my mind whirls into a stammering mess.

“Maggie. We have to make sure she’s protected,” I sputter out, my voice on the verge of breaking. I’m fighting hard not to cry or to admit how much it all hurts. The name my own father called me. The way he looked right through me as if I truly didn’t exist.

“She’ll be fine. Everyone will be. You can talk to her on Monday,” he affirms, hoists me into his truck, tucks my hair behind my ear, and lifts my chin. Sweetly, his thumb strokes back and forth across flesh that melts like warm, rich syrup. Tyson is searching to make sure I’m alright. And I am. I may be shaken up, stinging in places I’ve been stung before. But I’m over the past that’s been haunting my future. It’s time to force my hand. To continue to show them what I’m truly made of. Strength. Power and determination to bring them down.

“I’m good. I’ll be better if you’ll get me out of here.” I love my home. The serenity the beach brings. The tranquility of the sea. I was promised a weekend away. Whether it be across town at his place or a run-down motel, I do not care, as long as I’m spending it with him.

“Tell me where your keys are.” I briefly glance away from him, my eyes landing on Jude, who has both of his hands on Theo’s shoulders. Speaking in a hushed tone. They look so comfortable together. A father who’s consoling his child. I want that so, so, much. Not only for me but for Tyson, too. For us to teach, to learn, to love.

“On the kitchen counter,” I exhale, my vision turning back to him. Soft eyes, a twitch of his lips. A half-ass smile.

“Wha—?” I’m not allowed to finish. Hands fist my hair. His mouth lands on mine, and it’s violently brutal. Deliriously sweet. It creates peace in my spirit. Air in my lungs, possibilities of everything unattainable that’s been far from my reach.

I’ve never wanted a man to touch me the way I want him in all of my life. It’s agony waiting this out. Humiliating that I should have to.

I exhale. He inhales. Our breathing becomes one, and I’m dying a little. Tiny little breaths escape my lungs. Bubbles form in my lower abs, popping. Producing more with every hot-blooded touch. I’m a grown woman being devoured by a man I never thought would touch me again. And I want him inside of me. To hunt me, string me up, and turn me inside out.

“You exposed who you really are tonight. I’m so fucking proud of you for standing up for yourself, Lynne. You are so brave. Don’t move.” He presses his words against my lips. Oh, God. It’s amazing how a few words from the right person can lift a broken soul and put it back together again. That you step backward one small step at a time before you take the final step forward to drop away. Vanish. To freefall from every mistake you have made in your life. I feel so adored that it shakes me up. An exceptional touch of devotion.

“Tyson.”

“Fuck, you are so damn beautiful. I can’t tear my eyes away from you. Your beauty doesn’t have a thing to do with what happened here. It shines all around you, sweetheart. You are so good. So full of love that it angers me to no end that man is unseeing to the beauty he created.” Oh, fuck. Gone is the angry Tyson, replaced with a sweet, devoted man. I love him. I want him. And I’m going to have him.

“I’m forgetting he was here. I don’t need them to show me what being wanted is. I want you, Tyson. All of you,” I find myself saying. I mean every word of it.

“God, Lynne. I want you so bad my body is taking pleasure from hurting. I need to feel you, to taste, touch, and hold you. I’ll be right back.” He kisses me briefly before turning away.

I wouldn’t think of moving after that.

He wants me in the same way I want him. My body shakes as my mind holds itself hostage in a faraway trance. Hands, lips, legs tangled together. Clothes being torn off. Exploring one another for the first time in years.

A forgotten ache forms between my legs. One that has been hidden away since the last time we were together. It crawls up my spine. Bumps up my skin and develops a warmth through my veins, my cells, and centers somewhere in between. It pounds my heart, my ears, and my existence to tell me this is all real. He’s here. He’s mine and I will never let him go.

It brings me joy to watch him jog up to Jude and Theo, pat them both on the back before disappearing around the corner of my house.

I close my eyes, tilt my head back, and store away every sour thought from today. All I can see now are my little boys. The ones who adore me as much as I do them. They’ll love Tyson. I know they will.