doing this. Is that why he hadn’t been able to find the punk, because he wasn’t really looking for him? Was that all just for show to throw me off his scent?
Oh, God, no. This can’t be happening.
Tyler ends the call and starts walking toward me. I stand on shaky legs, and Jonah walks away, leaving me to deal with Tyler myself. His eyes trail Jonah for a second, and then he turns to me.
“Listen, I have to tell you something, and it’s not going to be easy. Maybe you should sit.”
I continue to stand, my legs ramrod straight. “Might this be what you want to tell me?” I ask and hold the phone up to show him the picture of the two of us making love—correction, having sex, there was never any love involved on his part, obviously. He scrubs his face, not at all surprised. Oh, and why is that? Because Jonah had to be right. He must have set this up for the money. I snort. My whole life men have used me and discarded me. I thought Tyler was different. I thought he didn’t want anything from me.
“I guess now you can afford a new building and all the equipment for the gym.”
He goes quiet, so quiet I’m sure I hear every bird chirping in a ten-mile radius. Those green eyes of his darken, turn murderous as they glare back. I wait for him to say something, do something. Deny it even. Seconds turn into minutes and I finally blurt out, “You know you didn’t have to do this. Your brothers were going to surprise you with a new building and everything you needed. It was hard for me to keep quiet. All I wanted to do was tell you they bought that fish processing plant on the waterfront. Remember that night you showed me your notes and equipment specs you keep stored in your glovebox?”
“Yeah.”
“Your brothers and cousins were planning a big surprise, and brought me in because I knew what you wanted.” I stare at my phone, disgusted and ready to vomit when I see the picture. “I guess this was all for nothing.” I give an almost hysterical laugh. “Or maybe it wasn’t. I guess this was a good way to get back at Rock. Fucking his sister was the perfect revenge. Well done, Tyler.” Here I thought we were building something between us, but nothing was real. Why on earth did I ever let myself hope it was. “You’re a better actor than I’ll ever be.” I stand there another minute, waiting for him to do something. I catch Mason glaring at me. “I’ll probably never work again.” I take a deep breath. “Aren’t you going to say anything?”
“I think you’ve said it all, Haven.”
“I guess I did then,” I say, my heart shattering into a million pieces. I guess there was a part of me that was hoping I was wrong, that past hurts had no place between Tyler and me, but yet here he is, not denying anything.
“I guess I’m no longer needed here.”
“Right, I guess not.” Apparently, my stalker situation is no longer an issue. He must have been using that to get close, lure me into a sense of security so he could fuck my brother over, and fuck me in the process. When will I ever learn?
He turns, and stupid tears fall down my face in a rush as I take in the slump of his shoulders, the way his muscles flex with each movement. In the distance I hear a siren, but I have no chance to consider what’s happening when Mason points his finger at me, and then gestures toward his trailer. With my entire head spinning, and my heart shattered, I head toward the trailer, and swipe at the tears to try to pull myself together. A police car stops near Tyler, and Officer Walker climbs from the driver’s side. I go perfectly still when he says something to Tyler, and then glances around the set. I follow his gaze, until I’m staring at a very worried looking Shannon. What the hell is going on? Shannon starts to back up, but the officer is on her in seconds flat handcuffing her hands behind her back.
I’m about to run to her rescue, but Mason grabs my arms. I spin his way. “Why are they handcuffing Shannon?”
He glares down at me. “I think the better question is, why didn’t you tell me about the letters?”
I blink