Chapter 22 Mythic Grey #2
I pulled the noose off and collapsed onto the bunk, gasping for air, my whole body trembling. I couldn’t even end it. And now I had to face the reality of what was left. Sixty years in this place. Sixty years with Bear controlling every damn minute of my life. Sixty years of hell.
It all came crashing down, and I couldn’t stop the audible sobs that racked my body. There was no escape for me. No way out. I was stuck in this nightmare, and the worst part was I knew I deserved every second of it.
I’d destroyed lives, betrayed the people I cared about, and now I was paying for it.
But the payment wasn’t death. It wasn’t the easy way out I’d tried to take.
My punishment was living through it, every single miserable day, trapped in this cell, under Bear’s thumb, until the day I finally truly couldn’t take it anymore.
And by then, nobody would care. No one would remember me, or what I did, or why I ended up here. I’d just be another forgotten soul.
AVIANA SCOTT
I stayed lying in bed all day. The soft light of the afternoon streamed in through the blinds.
I couldn’t fathom what I had gone through last night, but I was still here, breathing, and I thanked God for that.
I could’ve been gone, but I made it through.
My heart went out to Mythic, though. He hadn’t slept much since it happened because he was still weighed down by the guilt of it all.
I felt so sorry for his regret and worry.
I should’ve been scared. Most women in my position probably would be, but I wasn’t.
That’s when I knew that I was exactly where I was supposed to be—with him.
I’d ignored all of the doubts I had about Damar, and I paid for it.
I should’ve listened to myself back then.
But with Mythic, I didn’t have those doubts.
I didn’t feel unsure. He was the man I was meant to be with.
As the day went by, I realized that I hadn’t talked to my parents, and that was strange. One of them usually called every day, but it had been silence since yesterday. I knew my father was pissed, and he’d probably told my mother. I could feel their disappointment without even talking to them.
But I still respected my parents and wanted them to know that this wasn’t a decision that I would regret.
Reluctantly, I picked up my phone, knowing I’d have a better shot at getting through to my mother.
Since we’re both women, I hoped she’d hear me out before shutting me down.
Mythic was in his office handling payroll for the club, so I took a breath and hit the video call button.
When my mom’s face popped up on the screen, I knew it wasn’t going to be easy. Her mouth barely opened when she greeted me. “Hi.” Her expression was already tight with disapproval. The look of disdain was written all over her face.
“Hi, Mama.” I sighed.
She skipped past any further pleasantries. “I know that your mind is probably all over the place after what Mia and Damar did, but do you have to be this desperate? You can’t find somebody else to screw?”
My eyes bulged at my mother’s sudden vulgarity.
“What are you thinking, Aviana?” she said through gritted teeth.
“I’m thinking that for the first time, I’m sure about who I’m with. Mythic isn’t perfect in you and Daddy’s eyes, but he’s good for me.”
She didn’t say anything right away, just stared at me like she couldn’t believe the words coming out of my mouth.
“I let you and Daddy’s judgment push me toward Damar, and look what happened with him.”
Her head reared back as her eyes bulged.
“I let y’all’s opinions keep me from the man I should’ve been with, but I’m not making that mistake again. I’m with Mythic now because I want to be—because I know what’s real.”
“Look at you.” She sneered, shaking her head. “That thug got you disrespecting us already. Is it that good?”
I scoffed, in complete shock at my mother’s hatred. My parents were so holy—until it came to getting what they wanted.
I smiled slowly, answering her. “It is. It’s worth every inch.”
My mother gasped a warning, “Aviana!”
“I have to go, Mama. I love you.” I ended the call before she could say anything else, then I silenced my ringer. I was done making decisions based on my parents’ approval. And if they couldn’t respect who I wanted to love, then they wouldn’t be around to witness it.
I finally rolled out of bed, feeling the cool air from the vent hit my bare skin as I stretched. I’d been naked all day, lounging and trying to get my mind together after what had happened. Facing death, staring it in the face like that, wasn’t something I’d ever imagined for myself.
I spotted one of Mythic’s shirts on the lounge chair near the bed and slipped it on. It smelled like him, so it was comforting. But it barely covered me since he was all about that slim-fit style. It hugged my upper body and barely lay over my massive, curvaceous hips.
As I padded through the condo, my feet bare against the cool floors, I was still amazed.
I still wasn’t used to this life—the luxury, the space, and the quiet.
I’d come a long way from what I was used to, but every day, it felt like I was walking through someone else’s world.
It was his world, and thankfully, he welcomed me into it with open arms and an open heart.
Opening Mythic’s office door, I found him behind his desk, focused while typing away. Even though I loved the swag that his dangerous persona gave him, it made me wet to see him behind a computer, crunching numbers like a nerd and sending emails.
When he saw me, his face softened. “Come here, baby,” he said, leaning back in his chair. His eyes swept over me in that shirt like he was admiring his work.
I crossed the room and made my way behind his desk. Once I was in arm’s reach, he grabbed me and sat me down on his lap.
“I’m hiring a private driver for you—at least for a while, until I’m sure you’re not in any danger.”
I shook my head instantly. “That’s too much, Mythic. I can handle myself.”
His head dramatically leaned to the side. “Can you?”
I chuckled a bit. “That was my fault. I shouldn’t have snuck out of the club.”
“Exactly. Don’t ever do that again,” he said firmly as he lightly smacked my ass.
“I won’t. I promise.”
“I’m not comfortable with you moving around without someone watching your back right now.”
I sighed, but I knew there was no winning this argument.
“And I don’t want you working anymore.” He leaned forward as his eyes locked on mine.
I stared at him, overwhelmed. “Mythic, I appreciate you wanting to take care of me, but I like working. I want to be independent.”
He leaned back, his gaze softening just a little. “I’m not saying you can’t be independent. What I’m saying is, I want you to have the time to go after your real dream—nursing school. I’m gonna pay for it. You focus on that, and let me take care of the rest.”
My heart bloomed with pure bliss. “I love you,” I professed, grinning. “You already have me. You don’t have to buy me.”
He smiled, pulling me close as his hands rested on my waist. “I know you do. But this ain’t about buying you, baby. I know you’re already mine. But now that I’ve got you, I’m gonna spoil the hell out of you, so get used to it.”
I wrapped my arms around Mythic’s neck, letting myself sink into him.
“I got you,” he whispered against my ear, like a promise he would never break.
And I believed him. I held him tighter, letting go of all the fears and doubts that used to cloud my mind. With Mythic, I didn’t have to wonder if I was making the right choice, nor did I have to question where we stood. I knew.
As we sat there, wrapped up in each other, I realized that I was living in the fantasy I’d had for years. This was the kind of ease and passion I’d yearned for. This was the kind of love that didn’t leave me guessing, that didn’t tear me apart.
He was different from anything I’d ever felt before. With him, it wasn’t complicated, it wasn’t filled with doubt or second-guessing. It was right. Loving Mythic felt like breathing, like something I was always meant to do.