CHAPTER 15
Kylie
I was driving to the daycare, my mind in a complete tizzy because I couldn’t believe what had just happened. Again!
I didn’t know what to believe. Everything Hunter said made logical sense. Just because Tony had been violent towards me didn’t mean that every man who belonged to a MC would be the same, but I couldn’t get over the nagging feeling that in the end; all men were the same.
What about the accountants or the school teachers who I believed would be perfect for me? What’s to say that one of them wouldn’t turn out to be alcoholics and cheaters and violent? Did someone’s lifestyle really dictate how they behaved in their personal lives or their relationships?
There was no denying that I had feelings for Hunter. As much as I tried to fight them, they have hit me with full force. I felt safe around him. I was attracted to him with a burning passion that wasn’t willing to go away. I had never been with a man before who could make me feel the way he did. But I think one think that was stopping me from falling completely over the edge was the fact that he was part of a MC.
I drove with the radio on loud as I made my way towards the daycare. The blaring music seemed to dull my senses a little, distract me somewhat from all the contradictory thoughts in my head…but I was only kidding myself.
Every time I thought I could stop thinking about Hunter, there he was again, and I was reliving every moment that I had spent with him. The sound of his deep strong laugh echoed in my ears, I could smell his presence on my body, the way he held me tightly in his arms, how he had said that he would protect me…protect Carter.
What if all of this was just an act? What if eventually, I would find out that he was just as bad as Tony? Wasn’t Tony attractive and strong and passionate in those first few months of our relationship? I couldn’t stop thinking about how susceptible I was to making bad decisions. How my taste in men always led me to trouble. And now I was responsible for my son too. I couldn’t just decide on a man who might hurt Carter. It wasn’t just about me anymore.
But maybe Hunter was different? Maybe he was telling the truth when he said that he would never do anything to harm Carter or me? In the short space of time in which I’d known him, he had conducted himself well. Within the first few minutes he was in my physical therapy space, I could easily tell that he cared for his friend Marco. How willing he was to help him out, which to me spoke volumes on his character. In that time, he had shown no signs of violence, other than when he got angry over Tony. Even then, he hadn’t taken his anger out on me. Which was something Tony was quick to do. Everything had been my fault with him. And Hunter didn’t make me feel like I was his property. He gave me a choice, he treated me with respect, like I was giving him a gift. He hadn’t taken me for granted…not yet at least.
I parked the car in the parking lot, and sighing loudly, I got out and started walking towards the daycare building.
“Hi babe,” a voice said behind me and I felt my blood run cold in my veins. I whipped around, startled.
Tony was standing there, with his hands thrust menacingly into the pockets of his leather jacket. He also looked like he had been drinking without a break and hadn’t shaved for weeks. There were bags under his eyes and his face looked dry and scratchy. I couldn’t imagine what I had ever seen in him.
I clutched my purse to myself as self-defense. Even though there was no way that I could really defend myself if he wanted to harm me in some way.
“Tony!” I screeched.
“Scar,” he said, with that same threatening grin on his face.
“How many times do I have to tell you to stay away from us?” I hissed at him, taking a few steps away from him.
Tony’s eyes travelled over my body, he was undressing me with his eyes and I felt sickeningly naked under his stare. I wished Hunter was there. I wished I hadn’t left his side.
“Or what?” he asked, raising his eyebrows at me.
“Or I’ll call the cops,” I blurted out and Tony’s laugh rang out in the parking lot.
“That is very scary, Kylie. Please don’t call the cops on me,” he joked, in a shrill childish voice which made me want to lash out at him, to tear his eyes out. My mouth soured as I glared at him, and he stared directly at my breasts for a few moments before he looked back up at my face.
“You’ve been ignoring my calls, babe. I’ve been getting worried. Is everything okay?” he said, enjoying himself. He could see the effect he had on me and it made him feel powerful.
“I’m fine. You don’t have to worry about me. Stay away from us! I don’t want to speak to you,” I said to him, loud enough in the hopes that Joan would hear the commotion outside and keep Carter inside with her. The last thing I wanted was to put Carter in danger.
“I don’t want to speak to you either, babe, I’ve had you. I’m bored of you. You’re nothing but an ungrateful whore,” Tony’s voice had changed now. The laughter was replaced with malice and there were threats dripping from his voice as he spoke.
I stuck my chin up in the air. In fact, I was glad to hear it. I was grateful that he didn’t want me anymore. I didn’t want to be wanted by him.
“I want to see my son. I want him to live with me,” Tony said and I felt my heart plummet to my stomach.
“You’re kidding!” I breathed.
“Have I ever told you a joke? I’m not a joking kinda guy, babe. I’m sick and tired of having to come around looking for him here. I should be able to see my son whenever I want. He needs his father and he needs to become a man. I don’t want him to turn out to be a pussy like you,” Tony took a few threatening steps towards me and I backed away, still clutching my purse to myself in fear. I could see the rage in his eyes now. A look I knew very well. He was moments away from exploding and once he did, there was no telling what he was capable of doing.
“Carter is safe with me. I am his mother and you are a violent alcoholic murdering man. I know what you and your group have been up to. What you’ve been doing to girls! There is no way that I’m going to allow Carter to be anywhere near you,” I spat the words out and Tony didn’t seem to be surprised by what I was saying. He just didn’t care.
“I’m not asking for permission, babe,” he said in a softer voice. He was laughing at me again, as though what I was saying was absolutely ridiculous.
“You’re not taking him. No court in the world would give you custody over me. After they see your records, after they see you…nobody in their right mind would give Carter to you!” I yelled and Tony threw his head back and laughed. This laugh was different, it was a genuine laugh…like I had said something funny.
“You think I’m going to let you take this to court? You think I’m going to wait for a decision by an old man in a silly robe makes? You’re hilarious babe, so sweet,” he said and I could feel pinpricks under my skin. My eyes were wide, and filled with water. I closed my eyes quickly in hopes to keep my tears at bay. I wished I was stronger, I wished I could just lunge at this horrible man and beat him up. I should have just taken Hunter up on his offer. A man like this, someone who threatened my son…didn’t deserve to live.
“You can fuck off, Tony,” I muttered under my breath and turned from him, but he had heard me and he reached for my hand and yanked me to himself. I gasped in fright when he did it but I kept my face turned to his. I wasn’t going to let him see that I was scared.
“What are you going to do to me, Tony? Hit me here? In broad daylight?” I hissed at him through gritted teeth. With our faces just inches apart now, I could smell the horrid smell of stale whisky on his breath and it nearly made me gag.
Tony’s eyes were bloodshot too. He was breathing hard, his grip on my wrist was tight and I knew he was going to leave a mark there. Then he suddenly smiled, peering straight into my eyes.
“I don’t need to lay a finger on you, babe, not myself at least. The Dragon Knights will do it for me, and make sure that your precious mamma’s boy is delivered to exactly where he belongs. With me,” Tony said. He stumbled slightly as he tried to pull me towards him and I yanked my wrist out of his tight grip. I stepped back and threw him a threatening last look before I hurried up the steps and went into the daycare.
Joan was standing by the window, keeping a protective arm around Carter.
“Kylie…is everything okay?” she whispered in a panic, and I grabbed my son from her and picked him up in my arms.
“Everything is okay. Thanks, Joan. I promise I’ll take care of this. I’m so sorry for all the trouble,” I said and she nodded her head.
I rushed out of the building, with Carter still in my arms, and ran as quickly as I could to my car. Tony was standing there, and he smiled at Carter and me as we hurried past him. I know Tony wasn’t stupid enough to grab me or Carter there with everyone inside the daycare watching. But I knew had to get away from Tony as fast as I could.
“That was daddy again! He came to see me?” Carter asked as I helped him into the backseat and buckled him up. I didn’t reply to him as I jumped into the front seat and started the car. I buckled my seatbelt quickly and slammed down on the gas.
“Mommy?” he was whining now in the back as the tires screeched and I sped off.
“Baby, give mommy a minute!” I snapped, glaring at him though the rearview mirror and I could see that he was about to burst into tears. I rarely ever scolded him like this, because he rarely ever did anything to annoy me. But today was different. Today I was worried about our safety.
I drove as fast as I could, away from the daycare. I was afraid of going home. Not tonight, when Tony was in this mood. I had a feeling that he would turn up at my apartment. Where could I go? Tony knew where my parents lived and I had no real friends I could bring Carter to. My life these past three years had revolved around nothing but Carter and work. Leaving me barely any time to socialize. Besides, Tony knew everybody in my life. He had made sure that I had no privacy. If he wanted to find me, he would know everywhere to check.
“Where are we going?” Carter was whining again as we sped through the streets. He could sense that something was wrong, that this wasn’t a normal day and that we were not headed towards our apartment.
“It’ll be fine, sweetheart. I thought we could go on a little adventure,” I cooed to him, remembering to keep my voice calm so that I didn’t alarm him.
“To the beach?” he asked, clapping his hands.
“Somewhere even better!” I said, forcing myself to smile at him in the mirror. I was glad that he bought it. He trusted me.
I drove fast, keeping my windows up and the radio playing music to keep us both distracted. I was the one at fault. I was the one who had brought this upon us and nobody else could solve it except me. But first, I would have to make sure that Carter was safe.