7. Scarred
7
SCARRED
TYLER
I fucked up. I knew I did. I got caught up in the past. And after one wrong phrase in the heat of the moment, she returned me to the reality I was living in. Scarred. And because of the past leaving me with deep wounds, she was left standing naked and half-fucked, handcuffed in her doorway with my belt around her neck while I bailed. Forever never scared me until now. These days, it was about the only thing that terrified me.
She was innocent, perfect even. And yet, because of the past and the constant loss of those close to me, I couldn’t risk putting her in harm’s way. People who were close to me kept seeming to die in some way or another.
I made a promise at Mila’s grave that I’d never put another woman in her position. So, I kept my distance from Giovanna, despite how much I wanted to be near her. I couldn’t bear the thought of something happening to her because of me.
When I got home, I poured a glass of whiskey, and paced the kidless mansion. It was built in 1919, nestled in the Cottage Farm District about five miles from Ian and Jenna’s and up until a few weeks ago, every noise made me think Mila was haunting me. Now, the sun would rise in a couple of hours, and the house was eerily quiet.
I picked up my phone multiple times, wanting to reach out and apologize to Giovanna for my actions. But I knew boundaries needed to be set, or she would end up hurt. My family would never forgive me if she left again, but if she died because of me, I could never forgive myself.
In front of the black metal fireplace in my bedroom, I paced back and forth. Completely consumed in my thoughts, I reminisced about how lost I was when I went to visit her in Los Angeles. And how found I thought I was earlier when I took her home.
Jade’s words had taken root in my mind, and now my biggest enemy was myself. I felt torn and confused, unsure of what to do next. She was right. Mila and I were never meant to be together; we were too different and our relationship was a constant struggle to maintain balance. It had worked for a while, but in the end, we were falling apart behind closed doors.
If she hadn’t died, our marriage may have only lasted another year. And that was if I walked away first. Jade’s threat had likely been the reason she stayed with me, which made me feel like a terrible person. I appreciated her loyalty and support, but I didn’t like involving others in my personal matters.
As I set down my empty glass, I pressed my fingers to my temples and closed my eyes, taking a deep breath. The lingering scent of Giovanna’s perfume still clung to my skin. Absent-mindedly reaching down to my slacks, I realized my belt was missing. “Fuck.” With a sigh, I unfastened the button, slouching back into the chair in front of the fireplace.
Taking my cock out, I stroked gently at first, imagining her pussy wrapped tight around it again. Laying my head back and lifting my shirt, I closed my eyes. Her long pink hair spread out around her head as she peered up at me with trusting eyes.
My cock twitched in my hand, remembering the past again; her bent over my lap while I spanked her ass and pussy before slipping my fingers deep inside her, forcing her to squirt all over me for the first time. She couldn’t take it anymore and stood, straddling my lap and riding me until I spilled cum deep inside that stupid condom. It felt amazing, but I longed to feel the real her, and tonight I only got a taste.
Gripping my shaft harder, I stroked faster, my mind filled with thoughts of protecting her, and keeping her for my own pleasure. Damnit, I want her. I need her . But this was as close as I’d ever allow myself to get to her again. She felt so fucking good. It was better than I remembered, if that was even possible.
With a tight grip on my throbbing cock, I released streams of hot, sticky cum onto my stomach. My eyes darted to a photo of Mila and I, displayed proudly on the bookcase next to the fireplace. In a sudden panic, I lunged off the chair and snatched up the frame, slamming it face down. “Shit!”
When I arrived at Euphoria the next morning, and pulled open the executive doors, Jade was busy at her desk on a call and didn’t look pleased. Offering a wave, I strode by toward my office, poking my head in Jenna’s office first. She looked up, cocking her brow.
“Good morning to you too,” I scoffed playfully.
She shook her head with a small smile.
“Unc Ty!” Kira squealed, standing up and running over to me.
Setting down my laptop bag, I scooped her up in my arms and planted three loud kisses on her cheek. “Hey there, Keke.”
It was the nickname she had given herself when she was learning to talk and couldn’t pronounce her name properly. It stuck, and I had been calling her that ever since. Her curly black hair was getting longer every day, framing her big, round eyes that were a unique shade of greyish brown.
Jenna was visibly upset, but I didn’t want her mood to affect my niece, so I finished talking to her for a few more minutes, then put her down when she’d had enough of being still. Chance, Luke, and I always called her Hurricane, and Dylan, Tornado, when they were together. I wasn’t sure how Ian and Jenna didn’t go grey.
I stuck my head out into the hall, making eye contact with Zoe, one of the nannies. Reading my cue, she jumped up off the floor, nodding before coming in to get Kira to take her to the playroom. I shut the door, then slid my hands into my pockets.
“Okay, talk,” I ordered, nervous Giovanna spilled every last detail about what happened.
She let out a defeated sigh. “The Russian woman’s here, and she’s a total C U Next Tuesday.”
My lips parted in shock. “Ekaterina’s here?” I growled. “Again?”
“Yuppp.” With a nonchalant wave, she picked up her phone and began tapping on it. Her fingers moved quickly, her gaze flickering over the screen as she searched for something. After a few seconds, she set the device back down on the desk. “And she’s apparently not giving up on taking Gia back to California,” she said, her tone laced with annoyance. “She’s striking a deal with Ian right now.”
“The fuck she is!”
Her head lurched back, her eyes narrowing at me. “What?! Since when do you care about her?”
“I don’t,” I replied coolly, picking up my bag. “I need to get into that meeting, is that cool?”
“Yeah, whatever,” she waved a dismissive hand. “Go ahead. I’m waiting for Gia to reply to my text.”
“Text?” I asked, already heading toward the door.
She set her phone back on her desk. “I texted her this morning to see if she wanted to go grab brunch with me and hang out.”
The thought of my sister spending time with Giovanna was the last thing I needed today. It was all going to come to the surface.
“She left early last night,” she continued, “and I thought we could push our girly date up to today. I’m sure she’s needing friends again now that she’s back.”
“Cool,” I replied through gritted teeth, pulling the office door open. “Well, have fun if you hear from her.”
As I was exiting back into the hallway, I heard her phone ding, and she announced it was her. After setting my bag in my office, I marched back to Ian’s. Opening the door, I strode in confidently, only to come to a sudden stop when I saw the severity of the situation. Ian was calmly seated at his desk, his arms resting on the armrests.
Ekaterina sat in front of him, flanked by one of her guards in an adjacent chair. She turned to face me as I took in the scene before me. In my peripheral vision, I could see at least seven Russian men positioned strategically around the room, their backs against the wall and weapons at their sides.
Luke and Nico stood behind Ian, both with their arms folded over their chests. Nico extended two fingers toward me in a subtle gesture. Nodding, I prepared myself for whatever was about to unfold.
Ekaterina’s mouth fell agape. “Ah, the lawyer, I look forward to this day,” her broken English cut through the room. “You almost ruin Giovanna life befo?—”
Ian cleared his throat, and she turned back to him, crossing her leg over the other. “Can we stay on topic, please?”
Almost ruined her life? I opened my mouth to reply, but Ian lifted a hand. The look on his face told me not to dare test him. Normally, pushing his buttons didn’t bother me but we weren’t in the presence of just our family, and she was powerful. She glimpsed me with an evil smirk as he continued.
“It’s not in her best interest to return to L.A.,” Ian said. “Like I told you already, she’s proven herself to my company, and we’ve already signed a contract with her.”
Turning her attention back to me, she pulled a cigarette from the gold clutch in her lap and lit it with elegance. She pointed the vice at me, smoke curling from between her lips, grinning wickedly. “I’m sure the lawyer fix this.”
“The lawyer,” Ian’s voice boomed across the room, calling her attention back to him, “will do no such thing. That isn’t his call to make. It’s mine.”
“I’m sure we work something out.” She stood, snuffing the barely-burned cigarette out in the ashtray on his desk, then blew a smooth cloud of grey smoke toward his face.
He leapt up from his chair; it rolled backward, hitting Nico and Luke. Her men drew their guns, pointing them at all of us. She cackled loudly.
“Don’t disrespect me in my office!” Ian shouted.
“Mr. Knight,” she sneered, bowing her head at Luke, “your friend have stole my property. I agree at first, but now his brother betray me.” She lifted a hand, speaking in Russian, and her men lowered their weapons.
“No one’s betrayed you,” Ian retorted, sitting back down, “and I certainly didn’t steal anything that belongs to you.”
Ekaterina perched a hand on her hip, the fabric of her long, tight red dress clinging to every perfect curve of her body. “Okay, okay. We leave alone. But one request since we travel so far.”
He shifted forward, steepling his hands together in front of him. “Anything.” He didn’t mean it. What he truly meant was anything to get that bitch to leave. He knew he’d be in true control if he allowed her to think she was.
“We join you and friends tonight for drink and dancers,” she grinned deviously at me, “and Giovanna dance in private Luxe with Ivan.”
“Who the fuck is Ivan?” I blurted before I could control my mouth.
Ian shot me a warning look, but I was too angry to care anymore. This woman was pushing all the wrong buttons, and I was about to snap.
She tapped her bright red fingernail against her matching bottom lip, maintaining that same sinister smile. “My older brother. She his favorite.” Her English seemed to be getting worse, almost as if she were nervous. “Had her so many times when visit club.”
“I don’t fucking think so!” I spat out, my temper flaring. “He’s not touching her. She doesn’t work for you anymore! She’s not your?—”
“Tyler!” Ian barked, cutting me off and waving a hand in my direction. “Luke, get him the hell out of here.”
Luke marched toward me, grabbing my tense bicep in a firm grip. I jerked away, pointing an accusing finger at Ekaterina. “I don’t care who your family is. You will not?—”
Luke clamped his other hand over my mouth, muffling my words. “Shut the fuck up,” he muttered in my ear before removing his hand and shoving me to the door. He slammed it shut behind us, then turned to face me, poking a finger into my chest. “You’re going to get us all killed if you don’t shut your fucking mouth.”
Jade rushed over and came to a sudden halt between us. Her eyes darted back and forth, confusion etched on her face. “What the hell is going on in there?” she whisper-yelled.
“I’m not letting that bastard touch her,” I hissed, not wanting to disturb the kids playing nearby.
“Hurt who?” Jade huffed, clearly frustrated with our cryptic conversation. “Will one of you tell me what’s happening?”
“Follow me,” Luke said, taking Jade’s hand in his, leading us toward his office. He closed the door behind us and paced around the room in frustration before finally coming to a stop in front of his desk. He leaned against the edge, his expression grave. “Ty just got really pissy with Ekaterina about protecting Gia, and he’s going to get us killed.”
Jade’s eyes widened, and she turned to look at me. “You’re the nice one.”
It was true. I was known as the more level-headed and compassionate member of our group. But when it came to certain things, like anyone messing with my kids or Giovanna, I couldn’t control my temper. “Since when have we been afraid of anyone?” I retorted, crossing my arms over my chest.
“With the Russians, it’s different, and we’re not scared,” he replied. “They just don’t follow the same rules as the Irish or Italians.”
I scoffed. “The Mussolini’s didn’t follow rules either. Not even their own.”
“Exactly,” he countered. “And believe me when I tell you, the Russians will make them look like a walk in the park.”
Jade twisted to face me, her expression concerned. “Since when do you get protective about Gia?”
Luke summoned her attention with a sharp look and shook his head. “Focus on what’s important right now.”
Stifling a smile, she nodded once, her eyes flickering between Luke and myself. “Yes, sir.”
Normally, I would have found their new dynamic at the club amusing. Every day she showed up in a collar, and I’d walk into the office to find them in compromising positions. But now, all my attention was focused on the mess unfolding in Ian’s office.
“Ty,” Luke continued, his tone serious. “You’ve been through some shit with us, clearly. But after Declan told me what I know, this isn’t a battle you want to be a part of if you can help it.”
“I AM a part of it!” I snapped before taking a step forward, trying to keep my voice under control.
“Nooo,” he replied calmly. “You’re a part of the ongoing weird ass war your family has. You have nothing to do with the Russians whatsoever. And believe me, the sooner you accept that and stay out of it, the better off you’ll be.” He lifted his chin at the door. “You’re–”
I took another step closer to him, my frustration bubbling over. “You can spew that bullshit at someone else but–”
“Tyler,” Jade interjected, extending her hand toward me. “Luke, please.”
I turned to face her, my jaw clenched tight. “Did you not hear what she said in there?”
“What did she say?” Jade asked softly, her eyes filled with concern.
“The first thing she said to me was I almost ruined Gia’s life, but she was interrupted by Ian.”
“What the hell?” she jolted back in shock.
“That’s what I want to know!”
Luke sighed, running his fingers through his hair. “Did anything between you and Gia happen before, that was more than just sex?”
I shrugged. “We talked, but that was all. Yeah, the conversation got deep, but it’s no reason to tell me I almost ruined her life. I have no fucking idea what she’s talking about.”
“Well,” he sighed, running his fingers through his hair, “she’s certainly not going to tell us now.”
“No shit,” I muttered under my breath. “But more importantly, her brother’s not getting near Gia, and I’ll make sure of it.”
Jade opened her mouth to speak, but Luke scowled, shaking his head slowly before lifting his hand to silence her. “Alright, first of all, you’re not her boyfriend, so your opinion of what we do with her is invalid. Second, even if you were, she works here. She does what we tell her when she’s on the clock. Not you. And third,” he held up three fingers, “she knows these people way better than we do and she’s probably the only person who can see any potential danger coming.”
Before I could reply, he slipped his phone from his back jeans pocket, placing it to his ear.
Yeah?
In my office with Ty and Jade.
As Luke chatted away, Jade tugged on my arm, motioning for me to follow her to the corner of the room. I perched on the sofa arm, my heart racing.
“You like her,” she hissed excitedly. “I knew it!”
My cheeks flushed as I tried to deny it. “You got in my head.”
“I never got in your head. You just need to be honest with yourself right now, even if you’re not with anyone else.”
“Please stop,” I sighed, feeling overwhelmed.
“No,” she said, lightly slapping my arm. “It’s time for you to stop worrying so much about Mila and move the fuck on.”
“It’s not her I’m worried about.”
Luke cleared his throat, and we turned to face him. “You guys good?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.
Jade nodded. “Yeah, we were continuing a discussion from last night.”
His expression softened as he walked over to us. “Okay, well, Ekaterina and her men are gone, but they’re coming back tonight.” He folded his arms, roaming around the room. “And you better not be a problem for us tonight. You know I hate speaking to you like that, but when it comes to paperwork, legal matters, and anything tech-related, you’re our go-to guy. Ian wants to protect you at all costs because you’re the only family Jenna has left.”
“Hey!” Jade scoffed.
He lifted a hand. “Immediate family like siblings.”
“I don’t know,” she snickered, “we were all surprise relatives. They might have a sibling lurking out there too.”
“We don’t!” I snapped, causing them both to look wide-eyed, and I turned to Luke. “I know you’re trying to protect me, but I’ve apparently been in a fucking blood war since I was born. I’ve known Gia longer than any of you, and seeing her on TV doesn’t count, so don’t throw that at me.”
A surge of anger rose within me, threatening to boil over. I knew I needed to leave before things got out of hand. I couldn’t risk being accused of wanting her, not when Jade was already seeing right through me.
“It seems you like her,” Luke said, his eyes glinting with amusement.
“It doesn’t matter what I like or don’t like,” I replied. “I won’t ever act on it... again.”
Luke’s smirk widened.
“You took her home last night,” he stated, still amused.
I could feel my cheeks flush as Jade’s wide grin confirmed Luke’s words.
“I saw on the cameras,” he continued before I could even ask.
I nodded once, not wanting to give them any more ammunition. “I gave her a ride because she took the T and planned to walk home, and I wasn’t having that.”
“Did you sleep with her?” Jade asked bluntly, cutting through the tension.
Luke burst into laughter. “So, something happened, and now you’re in your head about it, trying to do the right thing but all you really want is to sleep with her again.”
I let out a heavy sigh, feeling exhausted by their teasing. “Not doing this with you guys.”
“Yes, you are,” Jade interjected firmly. “This is my club too, and we both know that Luke and I need to have your back in this. So, talk.”
She stood with her hands fisted on her hips, her expression challenging me to open up. “I like her for you,” she admitted. “And trust me, I won’t have to threaten her. She’s just as fiery as me.”
“Guys.” I exhaled, rubbing my temples in annoyance. “I can’t bring another woman into my fucked-up life.” They both opened their mouths to protest, but I cut them off before they could speak. “Yes, she’s already a part of this world, but I’m not going to let her get any deeper. I don’t want anyone else to get hurt because of me. I need to keep my distance and stay in my own head, because the moment I let someone else in, everything falls apart, and someone always ends up getting hurt.”
Her sarcastic expression slowly transformed into one of sympathy, her doe eyes softening as she looked at me. “Ty?—”
“Jade,” I interjected firmly, cutting off any protests she might have had. “I heard you loud and clear on the roof, but I need to do this for myself. I didn’t even let my kids go to their aunt and uncle’s house without a bodyguard. This isn’t the kind of life I want for anyone else.”
She opened her mouth to reply, but then closed it again. Multiple times, she shifted her weight, clearly ready to argue with me. But each time, she stopped herself when Luke reached out a hand for her. She stepped over to him, leaning into his side as he wrapped an arm around her waist.
“Well,” he replied, “I get it, but if anyone can handle the life, it’s her. Jade didn’t think she was a part of this bullshit before, neither did Jenna. But they’ve been fine.”
“Fine? I scoffed. “My fucking sister was kidnapped!”
Jade lurched her head back at him. “My ex tried to have Maddie and me killed.”
His grip tightened on her shoulder at the mention of that. “Fair,” he said, clenching his jaw before relaxing again. “My point is, let her decide what she wants. It’s not up to you.”
“You guys are annoying together, and I have a mountain of paperwork I have to go bury myself in.” Without giving them a chance to plead Giovanna’s case, I exited his office.