Chapter 20 It Wasn’t Legal
My words only seemed to have cut something in him. He backed away, the warm demeanor gone. "You should get some rest, I'll be back by morning."
I blinked in confusion, my eyes darting to the wall clock. "It's midnight. Where are you going to?"
"Out." He said flatly, turning his back to me.
Then, I saw them—the red bruises on his knuckles. My frown deepened. "How did you get those?"
"What?" He looked over his shoulder. I walked up to him and grabbed his right hand.
"This..." My eyes zeroed in on his bruised fist. He pulled his hand away from my grip. "Did you get into a fight?"
"It's just a few scratches."
"You're drifting from the question. Just admit it, Ryker. You fought with Derek, right?"
He turned silent, his eyes grazing on my skin. "So what if I did?"
I leaned back, part shocked, part amused. "You really fought him?"
"Fought him?" He scoffed, eyes narrowing. "It's only called a fight when the other person could fight back. Your golden boy couldn't even swing back. Folds like a cheap paper."
"Ryker—"
He interrupted me. "And before you start throwing accusations at me, I just want to be clear about something. I didn't go against you in any way."
"But you did," I argued. "You just admitted to the act."
He stepped closer. "I said I'd hit him for every scar he left on you but you weren't a fan of that idea. So, I went easy on him instead."
I narrowed my eyes at him. He looked so calm, as if he were talking about saving a burning orphanage. "And what's your definition of easy?"
"Easy means six or maybe seven punches which doesn't even come close to the bruises he left on you. That was me going easy because, clearly..." He leaned in, his face just inches from mine. "you're still hopelessly in love with him. Pathetic, really."
I opened my mouth to argue, but nothing came out. My tongue rolled back into my mouth.
What could I say? That I didn't love Derek anymore? That would be a lie and I hated that it still was. I was supposed to be done with him. But love doesn't care about bruises or betrayal. It just lingers.
I hated him for moving on and for choosing her. But some pathetic part of me still wondered if there was even the smallest chance he'd come back. And I hated that part too.
Maybe I wasn't clinging to Derek. Maybe I was clinging to the girl I used to be when he loved me.
I wasn't sure.
So I remained mute, staring at him.
He was staring down at me, as if expecting a response. When he got none, he clicked his tongue against his teeth and shook his head.
I didn't miss the look of disappointment on his face. But it was gone just as fast as it came.
Or maybe, I was just reading too much meaning into his expression.
Ryker stopped at the door, one hand on the doorknob. "I've got loose ends to tie, lamb. Don't stay up."
He didn't wait for me to say anything before walking out.
A few minutes later, the low growl of an engine resounded. I stood there, unmoving, listening until it grew distant.
My shoulders dropped, the night's exhaustion finally washing down on me.
It was past midnight. Only God knew what Ryker was off to do at that hour.
'Mind your business, Vanessa. He's a grown-ass man. Not your problem.'
I quickly dust off the thoughts, picked up my heels and headed for the second floor.
I thought I'd catch a glimpse of Missy on my way to my bedroom but I was wrong. It was as if the cat had been transported elsewhere.
Did they get rid of the goblin?
As I reached for my bedroom door, something white caught my eye through the crack of the half-open door next to mine.
I squinted my eyes to get a better view of it. Staring right back at me was no one else but Missy.
She was peeking through the door, her eyes holding all the patterns of annoyance.
Are cats always this upset?
Or was she hungry?
I made my way towards her but she quickly bared her fangs at me, sneering. Her eyes narrowed like I was an unpleasant distraction.
"Jeez, I didn't know we were still beefing." I muttered.
She didn't move, just blinked in a judgmental way.
"Fine, I guess I'll just mind my own business." I turned around, grumbling under my breath.
I unlocked my door, trying to convince myself that I wasn't scared of that seven-pound fluff demon.
Finally back in my room, I collapsed onto the bed with a low groan. The warmth of the sheet sooth my tired muscles. It felt good to be home again.
I just wanted to close my eyes, shut off my thoughts, and sleep. To drift and regain some lost energy.
But I couldn't find peace.
My body stayed still, eyes closed. But my mind?
It drifted right back to Ryker.
I couldn't shake off the look in his eyes before he left. The way he said "I've got loose ends to tie" didn't sit right.
I sat up, my lips pressing against each other.
Images of those men from a few days ago flashed in my head. They didn't look ordinary. Neither was Ryker.
I mean, he had a gun. And not to forget the similar tattoos.
What if he was going to meet them?
To settle scores with them?
Or worse, fight them like he had done with Derek?
Sure, he was a wealthy CEO. But that was just the surface. Whatever else he was—whatever he did when no one was watching—I didn't know and that scared me.
Whatever he had going on with those men, I suspected it wasn't some charity club or a law-abiding activity.
Whatever it was....
It wasn't legal. It wasn't safe. It wasn't clean.
And neither was Ryker. He was stained, and that, I knew for sure.