Chapter Thirty-One
TYLER
All it took was a blink of an eye for me to lose my place leaning against the wall and to have Connor’s neck in my hand.
Listen, I can’t kill him. Yet.
I knew Connor would make a misstep because I know the type of guy he is. If he didn’t make a mistake now, sending Sunny running the other direction, there’s no way I’d let her leave with him.
If I killed him tonight, especially after what happened at the brewery, that would trigger a series of events that will create a target of not only me, but Sunny, too.
I unfortunately have to be methodical so that it doesn’t come bite me in the ass. But soon, death will greet him, and I’ll be the one to make the introduction.
Once I saw his fingers trace that scar on her neck, all fucking bets were off.
I throw him in the opposite direction before I even try to snap his neck. It wouldn’t have taken much, honestly. But we unfortunately have witnesses tonight.
Connor tries to come after me, hoping I’ll move from between him and Sunny, but I refuse. I’ll be the biggest cock block he ever experiences and I’ll do it happily.
He doesn’t realize he just pushed her right back in my arms and I'm ready for the pathetic fight he’s about to give me.
SUNNY
“Tyler what the fuck?” Sam says.
Connor finally regains his bearings and starts for Tyler, ready to size him up. Ready to start a fight he’ll easily lose. Tyler stands as a tall wall between me and everyone else, regardless of the chaos unfolding. He doesn’t even flinch.
Cole and Anthony grab Connor, pulling him back on his stumbling feet. Tyler simply cocks his head to the side, watching Connor with amusement dancing in his eyes.
Does he think this is a game?
“I can handle myself,” I scowl.
“That’s enough, Connor. Get out of my fucking home,” Tyler says, unmoving despite my words.
Everyone’s murmuring around the room, watching us and waiting for the drama to unfold. As if they felt the palpable tension all night, waiting for it to erupt and finally witnessing its glorious explosion.
“Tyler, what is wrong with you?” Sam starts towards us.
“Get out of my fucking home, Connor.” Tyler growls again, unwilling to move from my pathway.
Cole and Anthony let go of their hold on him, giving Connor the opportunity to make the right decision with use of force. Unfortunately, he doesn’t.
I stand there, arms crossed over my chest, witnessing the chaos before me. If they want to fight, let them fucking fight. There really isn’t much I can do. When Tyler’s on a mission, he won’t stop until it’s accomplished. Though I know if anyone could knock him back in his place, it’s Sam.
“Tyler, he probably doesn’t even know what planet he is on right now. He’s so drunk,” I argue, hoping he will let Connor wander into the street and let fate handle the rest.
His head snaps at me. “And you think that’s an excuse for this behavior?”
“You know what I meant…”
“No amount of alcohol excuses actions, Sunny.” He turns back to the people in front of us.
“Okay, everyone take a fucking breath,” Sam says to no one in particular. “I will gladly kick both your asses out if you decide to try anything again.”
“This is my house.” Tyler argues.
“Does it look like I fucking care?” Sam snaps.
He lets out a small laugh under his breath, only fueling Sam’s annoyance. Cole's hands still rest on Connor's shoulder while they decide what to do with him in case Connor makes a split-second mistake of a decision.
Then, unfortunately, he does.
“Such a fucking tease. It’s not cute. All you’re good for is blue balls. Don’t be a pussy and follow through with your promises,” Connor mumbles as he stumbles towards us.
“That seems like a you problem. Be careful what comes out of that mouth, Connor. You don’t seem very aware of your surroundings,” I warn.
Connor takes a look around, realizing how minuscule he seems to the three men that tower around him. He shakes his head, and opens his stupid fucking mouth again. “Just a little slut who wanted a dick to ride and can’t even follow through—”
Tyler takes another step in front of me, completely blocking the pathway between Connor and I. “You better pick your next words carefully, Connor. If they aren’t I’m sorry, then you won’t have a tongue to say anything else.”
In a too swift moment, Anthony secures Connor's hands behind his back, and Cole’s fist is slamming into his face before Connor can even realize what’s happening.
His body falls to the ground with a thud as he goes unconscious.
My jaw drops, knowing there’d be a consequence, but not realizing it’d be that.
Tyler chuckles, a too wide grin plastering his face as his eyes bounce between me and Connor's unconscious body.
Forcing him back up to his feet, Cole grabs Connor by the shirt. Blood trickles down his face as he stumbles on his feet, trying to regain consciousness.
“You never talk to a woman like that let alone my fucking family. Get the fuck out,” Cole seethes as he and Anthony shove Connor out of the house.
I know I shouldn’t, but I find it endearing that Cole and Anthony defended me that way. Family.
Getting the idea, everyone starts making their way out of the house or helping with cleanup. Cole and Anthony don’t come back inside, and something tells me I don’t want to know where they are taking Connor.
Turning to me, Tyler’s jaw flexes as he eyes me up and down. “Are you okay?”
“Tyler.” I grab his arm, leading the way out of the living room, up the stairs, to the hallway, removing him from the situation. “What the hell is going on?” I confront him. I already know the answer to that question. You like me, Tyler.
The hallway is dark, and it creates shadows on his already darkened face. But his eyes are fire as they look down at me. “You think we would just sit there and let him do that to you?”
“I can handle myself. I don’t need you, or Cole or Anthony to protect me.”
He laughs but there isn’t anything humorous in it.
“You think that they will just stand by? Sunny, they will protect you upon instinct. You mean something to them. To all of us. They are your family now. Even if you push them out, they won’t go far.
They’d sit outside your apartment if it meant your safety.
They’ve done it for Sam. They’ve done it for Macey. They’d do it for you.”
My heart feels heavy and airy all at once. The knot that’s been sitting in my throat grows thicker, forcing me to try and swallow down the tears threatening my eyes.
“A man doesn’t treat a woman that way. Any sane person would know that,” he adds.
“Why does it concern you?” I ask, taking a step closer to him.
“It just does, Sunny,” he says, walking away, towards the stairs, leaving me in the dark hallway.
“I’m not your mother, Tyler. I am not yours to protect,” I snap.
Stopping in his tracks, he looks at the railing his fingers dance along. For someone who is so big, he looks so small right now.
“You’re right. You aren’t my mother.” He turns to face me. “Because you actually left.”
I blink at his response, my mouth opening then closing shut.
“When Connor touched you, it’s like I had a preview of the sheer panic he put you through, and I…I couldn’t stand it. I had to do something, yet all I could do was be a barrier for you.”
“Again, why does it bother you?”
“It’s what I do, Sunny. I protect those I love. There isn’t a line I wouldn’t cross for you.”
He walks out of the hallway, back downstairs. Of all the words he spoke, one replays through my mind.
Love.