Chapter 35 He's home

Chapter 35 He's home

Nyx’s p.o.v

Back in the house, there's a man sitting too comfortably on the sofa, his hand sprayed out at the back of the sofa and his right hand scrolling through his phone.

I half expected anyone to be home so who the hell is this man. Fear creeped into my chest, he could be a thief or even worse a kidnapped, without thinking it through, I grabbed a standby lamb and …before I could finish the thought, I swung.

The lamp connected with a dull, sickening thud against his head.
His phone flew from his hand, skidding across the tiled floor as he groaned, “What the…”

Footsteps thundered from the hallway.

“Nyx!” Travis barked, rushing in from I didn’t even know where. I stumbled back, heart slamming against my ribs. What the hell was happening?

The stranger shifted on the floor, shaking off the hit faster than he should have. Then, in one swift motion, he lunged.
His hand closed around my forearm.
Pain shot up my arm as he snarled, “This crazy bitch just attacked me…”

Travis froze.

I saw it happen in real time the way Travis’s jaw ticked, the muscle jumping as his eyes dropped to where the man’s fingers wrapped around my arm. Then his gaze slid lower.

To my wrist.

The room seemed to dim as his eyes darkened.

Oh no.

The bruise.

Matthew’s bruise.

“I…I thought he was a kidnapper or a thief,” I rushed out, panic clogging my throat. “I didn’t expect anyone to be home.”

The stranger scoffed, tightening his grip. “You could’ve killed me…”

“Get your hand off her.”

Travis’s voice was low. Deadly calm.
The kind that made the air feel heavy.
Slowly, painfully slowly, the man looked up at him. “Relax, man. She attacked me.”

“I said,” Travis stepped forward, each word clipped, controlled, dangerous, “get your hand off her. Now.”

The stranger hesitated, eyes flicking between Travis’s face and my wrist, then finally released me. I yanked my arm back, clutching it to my chest.

Travis didn’t look at him again.

His eyes were on me.

On the bruise.

And somehow… that terrified me more than the stranger ever could.

Almost like a miracle, his tore off his gaze from my wrist and looked at the stranger standing few feets away from me and watching Travis intently now. “This is Topher my friend.” Travis murmured.

We heard a gasp. “Topher.” I looked up at the top of the stairs there stood Bianca.

I almost rolled my eyes.

If Matthew had known I would encounter drama back at home. He wouldn't have sent me away. Now I have to deal with this before addressing the job he gave me.

“Oh my God Topher.” She was hurriedly climbing down the stairs now. Topher chuckled lightly as she crashed on his body.

“Careful.” She said, as he twirled her.

“I know, I wouldn't want to hurt the baby.” He dropped her.

My gaze shifted from the two of them only to land on Travis' blue icy gaze. He was staring so intently at me, I felt heat creep up my neck.

Shit. Just his gaze and I'm already so breathless.

“Why are you home this early?” He asked, it was almost like Topher and Bianca didn't exist.

“I've got some work.”

“Your head is bleeding,” Bianca’s voice cut through our intense stare.

I blinked, my attention snapping to Topher. Sure enough, a thin line of red trickled down the side of his head, disappearing into his hair.

“Oh my God…” I breathed. “I’m so sorry.”
“I’m okay,” Topher said easily, waving it off.

“It’s barely a scratch.”

“No, you’re not,” Bianca snapped, rounding on me. “This bitch did this, right?”
“Bianca, shut it for once,” Travis barked.
The room went still.

“Get the first aid box,” he said to me.
I didn’t hesitate. I rushed to the cabinet, my hands shaking as I pulled it open and grabbed the box. My chest felt tight, too much tension, too many eyes, too much Travis.

When I came back, I handed it to him without a word.

“This is just a small cut,” Topher was saying lightly. “You know I’ve had worse.”
Travis didn’t respond. He opened the box, his movements clipped, controlled. Then he paused.

“There’s no bandage,” he announced.

“Then she’ll go get it,” Bianca said instantly, her lips curling. “After all, she caused this.”

“I didn’t do it on purpose,” I said quietly. “I really thought…”

“I’ll get it,” Travis cut in.

“No,” Bianca shot back, her tone final. She shot Travis a look sharp, warning, almost possessive.

Something passed between them. Travis pressed his lips together, jaw tightening, and for a second I didn’t understand why
he didn’t argue.

“It’s fine,” I said quickly, before the silence could stretch any further. “I’ll get it.”