Chapter 27 #2
“Someone just pulled into the driveway. Some fancy-looking car.”
And just like that, I was on high alert again.
I wouldn’t let anyone hurt my family.
I stood quickly, walking out the front door. I expected to find Thomas stepping out of the car. Instead, it was someone I’d never met.
“Can I help you?” I called. As he stepped closer, I noticed the business suit. He had neat brown hair and walked with a confidence most people didn’t dream of having. He screamed money. I couldn’t imagine how much a suit like that one would cost or even what he paid for his haircut.
“Yeah, I’m looking for Damien Walker.”
I raised an eyebrow and crossed my arms as he stepped onto the porch in front of me.
So, he’s here for me?
“You’re looking at him.”
The man smirked and looked me up and down.
Bro was legit checking me out.
“I expected you’d be more.”
“More?” I waited for him to finish.
“Yeah, more.”
“What does that mean?”
“I don’t know. I just figured you’d be different than what you are.”
After making arrangements and the last-minute travel, I’d barely slept in over 24 hours. I had no patience for bull shit. “What the hell do you want?”
“Jumping straight to the point, I see. Fine. I want you to stay away from Cadence.”
“What?” Confusion was the only thing keeping me from laughing out loud. First of all, no stranger told me what to do, ever. But the pieces were starting to fall into place.
“I said, stay away from her.”
“Oh yeah? And why should I, Elijah? Assuming that’s who you are, since you pretend to care so much about Cay.”
As her nickname left my lips, a sneer appeared on his face and replaced his smug expression. “So, you know who I am. She talks about me.”
“Talked. Past tense, since you two aren’t together anymore.”
Elijah’s nostrils flared. “A misunderstanding.”
“Naw,” I twisted my face up in mockery as I scratched my neck with my thumb. “From the way she screamed my name, I’d say she’s done with you.”
He closed the distance between us in the blink of an eye. His chest bowed out as anger dripped off him like sweat on a muggy day. “I wouldn’t be so cocky if I were you. You might have gotten one weekend with her, but I’ve had years.”
He was shorter than me. Not by a lot, but I still had the pleasure of looking down at him.
“Years of never satisfying her, I know. Don’t worry though, I made up for it as much as I could in our short time together. With plans to continue, of course.”
He poked my chest with his index finger, his face turning a shade of red. “Watch your mouth.”
So, he didn’t like it when I talked about fucking her brains out, but how did he find out she was with me? “Did you follow her? Is that how you knew where she was? Because I know she didn’t tell you.”
“That’s irrelevant.” Elijah schooled his expression and put space between us.
Fucking creep.
But he didn’t deny they hadn’t spoken, and a wave of victory washed over me.
“Regardless of how I know, I do. But I also know a great deal more.”
I rolled my eyes. This macho bullshit was getting old. “And, pray tell, what is it you know?”
“About your past, your history with Vanessa Hayes.” He paused. “Does Cadence know you like to beat up on your girlfriends?”
This time, I closed the distance between us. “We don’t spread lies here, so if that’s all you’re going to do, leave.”
“Lie or not, Cadence won’t like it.”
“She already knows.”
Elijah’s confidence faltered for a moment. “But did you tell her about Keke?”
“Who the fuck is Keke?”
“Another adoring fan you let believe you had more together than you did. She was happy to pad her story a bit when I approached her with enough money. Or about Susan? Same thing. Completely in love with the great Damien Walker who broke her heart.”
Ice dripped down my spine. “What are you talking about?”
“It doesn’t seem like you’re very bright. It must be the whole ‘rockstar’ thing. So, let me spell it out for you. Leave Cadence alone, or all this goes public. Imagine girls coming forward saying you touched them inappropriately or physically assaulted them.”
“None of that is true.”
“Maybe not, but when you’re in court for custody of your niece and nephew, the image alone will be enough to sabotage your case.”
Elijah’s words felt like a blow straight to my stomach. I reeled back, nausea rolling over me as my mouth grew dry. “Blackmail. So you can try to save your relationship with Cadence.”
“Ah, not so stupid then.”
“Let me guess. Thomas coming back around was your doing. You’d ruin two innocent children’s lives just to get what you want? No wonder Cay left you.”
“She belongs to me. No one else. As soon as she realizes that, the better off everyone will be.”
“And you know she would choose me over you any day of the week.” I tried to keep my tough exterior, but I struggled to breathe. The reality of his words pressed over me like a weight. I could feel my strength leave my body. “Leave, or I’ll call the cops.”
Elijah raised his hands and took a step off the porch. “I said what I needed to say. The ball is in your court. Do the right thing.” He paused. “I shouldn’t need to say this, but don’t tell Cadence or I’ll make good on my threats anyway.”
“Fuck you.”
“Have a nice life, Damien Walker.”
Even minutes after his taillights faded from the street, I stood there, unable to get my feet to move for fear I’d collapse as soon as I tried to walk.
Would he really? Would he do that?
It was evident that Elijah would do absolutely anything to separate me and Cadence. Hell, he’d gotten Thomas out here, which was a miracle in itself. Elijah must have paid him a handsome sum to consider taking responsibility for his kids.
And I had to give him credit, he’d found my weakness. He did the only thing that would keep me away from Cadence.
There was no decision to be made. She would never forgive me if I let Grant and Maylee go to their father just to be with her.
And I’d never forgive myself.
I gave Violet my word to take care of those kids.
I sat down on the old wicker chair on the porch and put my head in my hands, unable to stand anymore.
I knew what I had to do. I knew it deep in my soul.
But God dammit. I didn’t want to.
Agony ripped through me as my heart shattered into pieces.
I didn’t want to lose her.
But I didn’t have a choice. My hands were bound.
I had to let her go and I couldn’t even tell her why. Because as soon as I heard her voice, there was a chance I’d lose all my resolve. I wasn’t confident I’d be strong enough to pull away from her all over again.
It was funny how in moments like this, when I was at my worst, lyrics formed within me.
My only comfort during times of peril.
Writing songs.