40. Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-One
Control is an Illusion
Luke
I ’m attempting to restrain myself from marching right up to Tyler’s front door. I don’t want to approach him in front of his wife. She doesn’t need to see what I am about to do to him. She doesn’t deserve that after who knows what Tyler has put her through.
After Kaden fell asleep I searched the internet attempting to find Tyler’s full name. It took a little digging, but I finally found it. Thankfully, after calming my nerves and cuddling with Kaden for a bit, I was able to slip out from under him without waking him up. I know he would’ve stopped me from leaving. I’ve been sitting outside Tyler’s house for over an hour now. The sun is beginning to show itself. I was going to wait outside Tyler’s office for him to show up, but then thought if he doesn’t show up for work I’ll miss my chance.
I’m taking the last sip of my coffee when I see his front door open. I watch him back his car out of the driveway and follow him some distance behind, hoping he doesn’t spot me. The drive to his office is about 20 minutes. As soon as we pull in the lot I jump out and charge towards his car, barely giving him a chance to open his door before I rip him out of it.
“What the fu-” I don’t let him finish his sentence instead throwing the first punch. He starts to struggle when I pin him to the car.
“What’s the matter? You don’t like being attacked in the parking lot of your office?” I throw another punch and see blood trickle from his nose. This time Tyler swings back connecting with my jaw. That just unleashes any control I had on my anger.
I throw a few more punches to his face before I have Tyler pinned to the ground by his throat. “I told you to stay the fuck away from him. You didn’t fucking listen, did you?”
My hands are so tight around his throat he’s starting to turn red. I’m so focused I don’t hear someone coming up behind me, pulling me off Tyler’s body.
“Luke, calm down. Stop, man. Don’t do this.”
How the fuck did Jackson get here?
Tyler is coughing, attempting to catch his breath while Jackson pulls me farther away from him, turning me to put himself between us.
“Jackson, get out of my way!” I struggle with my brother to continue what I came here for.
“Luke, stop.” I freeze at the sound of Kaden’s voice. His hands land firmly on my hips from behind me. “Please. Just walk away with me.”
My heart and mind are fighting with each other over this dilemma. Tyler needs to be stopped. I won’t let him continue to hurt Kaden and get away with it, but I also don’t want Kaden here to watch any of this.
Tyler stands upright, clasping his neck while attempting to breathe properly again. “Fucking psychopath.”
“Yeah, that’s rich coming from you.” Jackson faces Tyler to address him, “You’ve been warned once before. For the last time, stay away from Kaden and Luke.” They stare each other down until Tyler glances over my should at Kaden.
“Don’t even fucking look at him,” I say, moving myself in front of Kaden to obstruct his view.
“Walk away,” Jackson gives one last instruction before Tyler gets back in his car and drives away.
Kaden walks around me and starts inspecting my face and hands. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Would have been better if you let me finish what I came here to do.”
“And what exactly is that, Luke? Because I don’t want to have to explain to your aunts that you got arrested and need bail money, or worse.”
“I don’t know, Kaden, but he needs to be dealt with sooner rather than later. You think he’s going to stop. This didn’t sway him at all.”
“And you think assaulting him is going to help our case at all when I bring this up to my supervisor? I can’t tell her this guy is stalking Kaden and skip the part where you beat the shit out of him.” Jackson’s frustration shows.
“C’mon let’s get out of here.” Kaden nudges me towards the Jeep. “Thank you, Jackson for helping. I’ll take it from here.”
“Leave him alone, Luke. I’ll figure it out.” Jackson’s demand falls flat as we walk away.
“I drove my car, but I don’t want to leave it here. Can I trust you to go straight home if I follow you?” Kaden’s question is valid.
“He’s not going to stop.” I meet Kaden’s eyes.
“Jackson is going to take care of it. Let’s just wait for him to do what he can do.”
I stare into those pretty blue eyes that captured my attention the moment we saw each other. I can’t purposely lie to him. I give the only answer I can with full transparency. “If he comes near you again, I won’t let you stop me.”
The look on his face tells me he knows it’s the truth. “Go straight home, Luke. I’m following you.”
Kissing him before we leave, our lips linger a little longer to savor the feeling. I don’t know what Jackson has planned but it better happen fast. I don’t trust Tyler to listen to any warnings at this point.
Attempting to get supply orders placed at the restaurant turns out to be harder than usual. My thoughts repeatedly come back to Tyler. I’ve text or called Kaden a dozen times since we both left for work after this morning’s incident. The last few responses have reduced to one-word answers. I won’t apologize for worrying about him whether he thinks its extreme or not. After all those messages Tyler sent to Kaden threatening both of us, he got what he deserved.
“Buddy, I can feel the anger radiating off you. Chill out until Jackson has a chance to do something about him. Kelsey knows to be on alert at the office. He’s safe there.” Gabe’s words do nothing to change my unease about leaving Kaden unguarded.
Checking my watch, I see its getting late in the afternoon, “I’m going to head out soon to meet him before he leaves the office.”
My best friend nods as he throws an arm over my shoulders for a side-hug. “Do what you need to do. Call me if you need backup, for anything.”
I’m putting my paperwork away when the pinging of messages puts me back on alert.
Hey Bug. I’m heading home early. My last appointment cancelled.
I’m in the car already. Almost home, so stop worrying. I love you. See you soon.
I swear he’s determined to kill me.
I’ll be there in less than 30 minutes.
I gather my belongings and say goodnight to Gabe and the staff. I call Kaden when I get on the road but there’s no answer. Accelerating, I’m not paying much attention to the cars around me, blinded by anxiety. Repeated calls go unanswered.
Halfway there the speakers ring with an incoming call, “Kaden?”
“No, it’s me. Where are you?” Jackson’s tone sends my mind into a whirlwind of emotions.
“I’m on my way to Kaden’s. Tell me what’s happening, Jackson.”
“I’m on my way there, too. Kaden’s in trouble, Luke. How far are you?”
Jackson’s words fade out, the pounding heartbeats and whooshing blood flow overwhelming my senses.