Chapter Twenty-Seven #2
“Don’t you fucking talk to her that way,” Tyler barks, and instead of Robert letting me go, he only holds me tighter. Seconds later, Tyler’s in his face and pulling me away from Robert’s grasp. My arm throbs where he grasped me, and I’m sure it’ll bruise.
“You touch her again, and I’ll fucking make you wish you were dead,” Tyler warns. “You need to go.”
Robert scoffs. “Is this how convicts threaten people? Pathetic. Come on, Gemma. We’re leaving.” He snaps his fingers at me as if I’ll just follow his command. “Now!”
Tyler crosses his arms over his broad chest and stares him down. I notice how uncomfortable Robert becomes, and he even takes a few steps away from us.
“We are leaving,” he seethes.
“You really are a dumb fuck, aren’t you? She’s not going anywhere with you,” Tyler tells him. “And if you lay a hand on her again…”
As if things couldn’t get any worse, my dad enters and looks back and forth between us. Dread coats me like ice cold water in winter.
“What’s goin’ on here?” he asks.
Robert instantly snaps on a smile, and I follow his lead. He clears his throat, changing his persona, and speaks. “I was just picking Gemma up for an important dinner, sir. We were just leaving.”
Robert holds his hand out and waits for me to take it.
I’m livid and need to figure a way out of this. Then a thought comes to me.
“Yep, and Robert just asked Tyler if he’d like to join us,” I add with a wide smile.
Robert’s grin slightly falters, but he slaps it right back on. My dad doesn’t notice at all, but Tyler’s face contorts as if I’ve lost my damn mind. Maybe I have.
“Son, I think that’s a great idea for you to go with them. Might be fun,” Dad suggests, patting Tyler on the shoulder. Tyler’s actually at a loss for words, and for the most part, so is Robert.
“That’s really nice of you, Robert. I always knew you were a good guy,” Dad continues, and I want to groan, but I hold it back. “So are you going?” he asks Tyler.
“Tyler said he didn’t want to go,” Robert declares.
“But we’re trying to convince him to come because the food is amazing. Plus, we’re meeting one of Robert’s clients, so it should be a fun time,” I squeal, acting excited. I won’t let Robert get out of this that easily.
Robert’s nostrils flare. If he wasn’t so concerned with impressing every Tom, Dick, and Harry, this wouldn’t be an issue, but I know his weaknesses and will use them against him. I just hate that he has my dad believing he’s a goddamn saint when he’s the devil in disguise.
“You know, I think I will go,” Tyler agrees, and I want to scream out in victory.
“Fantastic,” Robert mutters, showing his pearly whites. “So, are you ready, darlin’?”
I love how my dad proudly watches this unfold, having no idea how much of a cluster fuck the reality is.
“I still have some things to finish up first. Tyler and I will meet you at the restaurant, if that’s okay, sweetheart? What time should we be there?”
“That’s fine. Six. Sharp,” he says between gritted teeth, and it’s obvious he’s furious about Tyler tagging along. Watching Robert squirm is the highlight of my whole day.
“Perfect,” I sing-song. “We’ll be there.”
Dad’s so damn happy.
“Welp, you kids have fun. I’m gonna head home,” Dad says, then leaves through the back door.
Robert glares at me. “What the hell is wrong with you?”
I take a step forward, more confident than before because Tyler’s beside me. “I’ll join you on my terms, so if you want me to go, you’ll agree to it. And afterward, I’m giving you this damn ring back because we. Are. Over.”
He narrows his eyes as his entire body tenses. He’s losing control, and if Tyler wasn’t here, there’s no telling what he’d do to me.
“Fine. Have it your way, but this isn’t over, Gemma. Far from it,” he warns, then glances at Tyler. “Make sure to clean up. I usually like to take the trash out, not bring it inside with me. Don’t be late, sweetheart.”
Robert turns on his heel and walks out, slamming the door.
“What the fuck?” Tyler groans as soon as Robert is out of sight.
I’m about to have a panic attack and brace myself on the counter, trying to breathe and gain control as the world collapses around me.
Tyler rushes over, his hand bracing my elbow. “Gemma, are you okay?”
I nod. “Too much adrenaline rushing through me at once.”
“You’re absolutely sure this is what we should do?” he asks me as I straighten my stance, then turn off all the lights. “We don’t have to go anywhere.”
“I wanna get this over with so I can give him this ring back and be done with it all. At least now, Dad won’t think the worst of you.
Silver lining, I guess. Plus, now I won’t have to be alone with him and his client.
Robert won’t be a dick in front of her or you.
But right after dinner, I’m handing it over.
It’s a final fuck you, leave me alone gesture. ”
He sucks in a deep breath as we walk to my car. “I’m letting you make the decisions here, but if you want me to punch his face in, just say the word.” He cracks his knuckles, making me laugh.
“Thank you. It means a lot,” I say honestly as we get inside and drive to Everleigh’s.
Tyler showers and changes clothes but not because Robert demanded it. It’s his daily routine since he’s covered in grease and sweat. Tyler’s always handsome, even filthy from work, but he also dresses up really nice. He’s wearing sleek black slacks and a dark blue button-up.
As we head across town to Fancies, I notice how tight Tyler’s jaw clenches and know he’s not happy about this situation.
I’m not either, and I’m half-tempted to turn around, but I know that’d only stir shit up more.
And I have a point to prove. I’m not afraid of Robert as long as Tyler’s with me.
Robert will get his perfect business dinner with the rich client, and I’ll return his ring. Then it’ll all finally be over.
“We should all be thankful Jerry walked in when he did. Otherwise, Robert would’ve been eating my fist,” Tyler finally says.
“You can’t. He wants you to hit him so he can make you out as the bad guy, and considering your past, Robert wouldn’t have to try very hard. I don’t want you to get into any trouble because of me. He’s just not worth it. Trust me,” I say.
“Maybe not but breaking his big ass nose would give me so much satisfaction.” He flashes me a smirk.
I roll my eyes. “You say that now.”
We pull into the parking lot of the restaurant, and I turn off the engine. Sucking in a deep breath, I lean back on the headrest and close my eyes. Being at this restaurant brings back bad memories.
“You’re sure about this?” he asks again.
“It could be a huge mistake, but I’m glad I won’t have to pretend everything is fine because he wants me to.
You have no idea how much it means to me that you came with,” I admit, already feeling overwhelmed.
I just want to get this over with and make it known to everyone that the relationship is over.
He takes my hand in his, brings my knuckles to his lips, and presses a soft kiss on them. “I promise I’ll do whatever I can to help and to make sure you’re safe. Even if it means going to a bougie ass restaurant and wishing I were somewhere else. But I’ll go anywhere with you, Gemma.”
His words have my heart melting. “It seems upscale, but the food actually sucks, especially compared to yours.” I smirk, then check the time. “I guess we should put our game faces on and go inside.”
“Yeah. Don’t worry, we’ll get through this together,” he reminds me, then we get out of the car and walk toward the entrance.
Tyler glances at me with a smile. “Just in case no one has told you today, you look beautiful.”
Heat rises from my core, and I tuck my bottom lip into my mouth as Tyler opens the door for me. When our eyes meet, the intensity is enough to steal my breath away, and it only reinforces that I made the right decision by deciding not to marry Robert.