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I still didn’t understand his need for secrecy. Nor did I like itorthe fact he’d dragged me into it.
“Tyson,” I said as he pulled off the main road and onto the dirt road that would come to an end in front of the cottage. I was at a loss for words, he knew I was upset with him, and he even knew why, so I didn’t think I needed words for him to understand I still wanted an explanation from him.
He parked the Rover next to a sleek, black Camaro that spent more time in the driveway than not. Dash was home as per usual. He was a bit of a homebody, I realized. And I didn’t think him hanging around home had anything to do with the fact he’d been recently stabbed, it was just Dash and how he was. He liked to be at home, and the longer I stayed with him, the more I learned about myself, and I was learning that I was a bit of a homebody, too. I liked the space the guys had put together for me, and I liked Dash’s cottage, and I liked being in both.
Tyson shut down the Rover and pulled the keys out of the ignition. I felt him turn in his seat to face me. I stayed facing forward, eyes aimed at the front of the cottage. Home sweet home.
“I’m afraid,” he whispered.
That was the very last thing I’d expected to hear him say.
I unbuckled my seat belt and scooted around on the leather until I faced him. I lifted my legs, putting my feet on the seat and drew my knees to my chest. I laid my cheek on top of my right knee as I wrapped my arms around my legs.
I made sure to blank my face, clearing away any trace of emotions before looking at him. I wasn’t sure what the look on my face would have said otherwise.
“Why are you afraid?” I whispered back, genuinely wanting to know. I wanted to reach out and touch his arm or take his hand, but his hands were clenched tightly together in his lap. The grip looked painful, he’d likely have marks later.
“I’m afraid of her,” he continued to whisper. “Her and what she’s capable of. Last time, she almost broke us, and things still aren’t back to the way they were between all of us. I mean, you saw how things can get between Julian and myself. It used to be a whole lot worse, but it’s gotten better with time. We have some issues to work past now that you’re here. But we’re family, we love each other, he’s my brother, and, eventually, it will all work itself out. With her here, though, I’m scared, Ariel.”
I drew in a deep breath and wrapped my arms tighter around my legs. I needed the comfort of a hug, even if it did come from myself.
“What exactly are you afraid of, Tyson?” I asked. “What do you think she’s going to do? It’s not like she can lure any of you in this time with the promise of a relationship and sexual favors. That ship sailed after last time.”
We both flinched at the last part.
Shit.
Way to go, Ariel Kimber. You’re a big dick now.
I sighed.
“That came out wrong, Tyson.” I told him honestly. “I didn’t mean to sound so insensitive. I know she actually meant something to you before, and it wasn’t just about the sex.”
At least, I hoped it wasn’t just about the sex for him. I knew it had been the magic for Julian, and probably the sex for Damien. I thought better of Tyson when I thought he’d liked Annabell for Annabell, and not simply because she had magic and went down on him. That’s not to say I thought badly of the other two because of their relationship with her, just that I wanted to think better of Tyson because he was the first friend I’d made, even though he had been an a-hole to me that first day.
“What I meant was, that she has absolutely nothing to hold over you now. Or the others. I may not know Damien all that well, or even as good as I know you. Having said that, Damien isn’t stupid, he’s far from it. She’s not going to bat her eyes at him, whisper some sweet words in his ear and have him give her whatever she wants. He’s a lot smarter than all of that. I don’t think you should be worried about her getting to him. What youshouldbe worried about is your Uncle finding out you’ve been hiding all of this from him, especially if you think she’s dangerous. Geez, Ty, you should have told them immediatelybecauseyou think she’s dangerous. Instead, you’ve been playing this stupid game with her, when that’s the last thing you should have been doing.”
He leaned forward in the seat, body hovering over the gear shift, his face no longer far from my own. He reached up and gently trailed the backs of his knuckles across the scar on my cheek. His eyes were no long defeated, but instead, fierce.
“It’s my fault she hurt my family. If I hadn’t let her seduce me-”
I scoffed as I jerked away from his hand, put my feet back on the floor mat, and sat up straight in the seat. He flinched as if he’d been struck, but he didn’t move away from me, save for the lowering of his hand from my cheek.
“Tyson, do you seriously think what happened with her is your fault?” I scoffed again. When he opened his mouth to respond, I put my hand up, palm forward, in his face, silently telling him to be quiet. “No, don’t answer that. I can read the answer clear as day on you face that you do. Jesus. You really do blame yourself. Do you have any idea just how wrong that is? Maybe if she had just singled out this coven… no, not even then. You can’t take blame from the actions of others. To do so is stupid.”
Finally, he looked angry. He sat back in the seat and crossed his arms over his chest, glaring at me. I didn’t care. I’d been over the whole Annabell thing a month ago, I didn’t want to be dealing with more blowback because of her. Which is what he was now forcing me to do. I should be inside right now, searching for Rain and figuring out what to do with Adrian and his brand spanking new man servant, Chuck. Instead, here we were. I wanted to be with Tyson, but I didn’t want to hold his hand while he talked about his batshit crazy ex-girlfriend whom he’d had lunch with just the other day. Was I wrong for thinking most girls wouldn’t enjoy this? Oh, who was I kidding? I didn’t care, and I wasn’t like most girls.
“I’m not stupid, Ariel.” He grunted. I rolled my eyes, not wanting to go down that road with him.
“I don’t think you’re stupid, Ty,” I said in an exasperated voice. “I think it’s stupid that you’re blaming yourself for what she did. There’s a difference, I’m sorry if you don’t see that. I’m also sorry that you feel like you’re to blame. That can’t feel good, and I don’t like the thought of you hurting. I don’t like you hurting at all.”
He flopped back in the driver’s seat and covered his face with his palms.
“I’m sorry,” he mumbled through his palms.
So was I, probably not for the same reasons.
“I think you need to tell Quinton,” I urged.
