Twist of Fate (Taking Chances #2) - Tia Louise Page 0,87
of off.”
“You know what’s hard, Daisy May? You know what’s really fucking hard?” He creeps into the apartment wearing only his white tank and jeans. His hair is disheveled, and he’s pale, covered in a sheen of sweat. “Getting blamed for goddamned everything.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
He’s so skinny, long arms and long legs. His fingers curl, and my mind conjures the image of a large, black spider closing in for the kill. I’m terrified.
My heart is in my throat, and I slowly ease to the drawer behind me, fumbling with the handle. I’m pretty sure a big knife is in it.
“I tried. I really tried.” He punctuates each word with a step, closing the space between us. His eyes widen, and he seems a little crazed. “But they won’t let me change.”
My fingers just touch the knife handle, but before I can pull it out, he jerks me forward. “Ouch… Travis, you’re hurting me.”
“Oh, yeah? Welcome to my world. I came here wanting to make amends. I wanted to take you out and show you a good time, but no. Nobody believes I can do good.”
Summoning all my strength, I calm my voice. I smile comfortingly. “I believed you. It’s just like I said… I’m not available.”
“Because you’ve got all that money now? Maybe you should give me a few of those pieces of junk that are worth so much.”
He lets me go and takes a step to the side like he’ll head down to the store.
I step right in front of him, blocking his way. “You’re wrong! It has nothing to do with that.”
“Then what is it? You’re still holding out for your baby daddy?” He leans into my face, voice cruel. “So pathetic. Where is he this time?”
“He’s right here, asshole.” Scout’s loud voice sends my heart flying to my throat.
Travis flies off me as Scout throws him over the couch. He hits the floor with a crash, and I’m blinking, not believing my eyes.
Scout storms after him, giving him a kick before jerking him off the floor by his shirt. “I’m about to throw your ass off the balcony. Let’s see what changes then.”
“Scout?” My voice wobbles, but he’s dragging a struggling Travis to the French doors. I leap into action, running after them. “Scout, wait! Don’t do it! Chad will have to arrest you!”
“Yeah, don’t throw him over the balcony, Scout.” Chad’s lazy voice stops us, and I look down to see our friendly sheriff in the street below, gun drawn and lights blazing on his cruiser. “I’ll come up and cuff him.”
“You’d better make it fast. I’m ready to throw this fucker as far as I can see him.” Scout’s eyes are locked on Travis’s, his jaw is clenched, and I’m pretty sure smoke is coming out of his nose.
“I didn’t hurt her, man.” Travis’s voice is high and whiney. He holds up both hands. “I’ll climb down. Just let me climb down.”
“You hear that, Chad?” Scout doesn’t take his eyes off Travis.
“I got him. Let him come down.”
Scout gives him a shake and pulls Travis up close with a jerk. “Don’t ever come here again.” His voice is a growl, and Travis nods fast.
His fists unclench, and he watches, shoulders rising and falling with his breaths as the spider creeps down to where Chad is waiting to arrest him.
I hear Chad’s voice. “Let’s go.”
All the strength drains away from my limbs, and I sink to the sofa. Scout waits on the balcony a few seconds longer before turning, and when our eyes meet, we fly to each other, both talking at the same time.
“Are you okay?”
“You didn’t leave?”
He’s holding me off my feet in a hug. My legs are around his waist, and my face is pressed against his skin. He carries me to the sofa, sitting with me straddling his lap still hugging him.
“My flight got delayed.” He slides a hand up and down my back as I hug him, breathing him in, doing my best not to cry. “Then it was delayed again, and I couldn’t stop thinking… What was I doing there? And the longer I sat, the angrier I got. Until finally, I was so pissed, I walked out and rented a car.”
I sit up, wiping the tears that have spilled over onto my cheeks. “But… why were you angry?”
“I was angry at myself.” His brow is furrowed. “I don’t want to go back to L.A. I want to be here with you and Melody.”