I jerked my chin out of Carter’s grip. No. Where. I ground out and asked the question my mind was circling around. Why ? Are you afraid that I might know more and use my mad skills to try and run ?
Carter’s eyes answered for him.
Oh my God. You are. I threw my hands in the air and then stabbed a finger into Carter’s chest. Do you actually think that if I knew how to fight, to defend myself, that I would have allowed you to knock me out and drag me from my home, from my life ?
Carter didn’t answer and I muffled an exasperated scream. I turned and started walking down the hall.
Lea, Carter fell into step beside me, his hand pulling me to a stop beside him.
What ? I couldn’t fight the bitterness as I spoke.
If you have no training, then you know that you could have been seriously injured. You are damn lucky that you caught Tara off guard, otherwise, you would be the one out of commission for the next several weeks.
So I’m just supposed to sit back and let her, and everyone else here, walk all over me ? Let them talk shit about Cece and things they know nothing about ?
My voice rose as I became even more angry.
If you knew me as well as you think you do, Carter, then you would know that I can take a lot of shit, that I can hold my tongue and walk away most of the time. But there comes a time that the line of what I can and cannot tolerate is crossed. And your play toy crossed that line this morning. My voice broke once more as I jerked my arm from Carter’s grasp, his face going blank at my knowledge of his and Tara’s relationship.
Even I have a breaking point, I whispered as I turned away.
I stalked down the corridor and into the dining room, not bothering to look behind me. The three men made their way into the room and sat down. Mahalia walked in and silently sat a plate of food in front of each of us. Carter looked up and mouthed a terse thanks as I picked up my fork and blindly shoved a bite into my mouth.
The silence was uncomfortable and I wanted nothing more than to crawl into bed and wallow in the depths of self pity that threatened to consume me. I ignored the silent conversation the three men seemed to be having as I forced myself to eat, knowing that Carter wouldn’t let me leave the room if I didn’t.
About midway through the meal, he laid his fork down and steepled his fingers under his chin.
You should train with Lynx and Miller. I looked up and to the three men. All three sets of eyes were on me.
I laid my fork down and pointed to myself. You want me to train with your guards ?
Carter nodded his head, Yes.
No. I pushed my plate away as Carter set his cold steely eyes on me.
It’s not up for discussion, you start tomorrow.
Carter’s P. O. V.
It’s been three days since Lea started training with Lynx and Miller. Three days that she has been avoiding me. I know she’s scared and pissed.
And hurt.
Not just from the words Tara had spoken about Cecily, but about what she had revealed to Lea about our relationship.
I hadn’t told Lea about my past with Tara. Since I hadn’t been with any woman since the week before bringing Lea back to the house, I honestly had not figured that it would have mattered. I hadn’t questioned Lea about her past rendezvous and felt some anger that she was acting the way she was.
I made my way to the interrogation room as I thought of how to approach Lea, how to explain things to her. But right now, she was volatile and I found myself treading carefully where she was concerned.
Everyone is right, Carter, your going soft. You know you wouldn’t be walking on eggshells if it were anyone else acting like she is. You wouldn’t extend them the same privileges and courtesies you are her. You would take them to the interrogation room and show them who is in charge. You know what you have to do. So man up and do it.
I shook my head, clearing the voice from my mind, the voice that sounded too much like my mother’s.
I keyed in the code to the interrogation room and nodded to Darrell. Tara had been held here since Lea had told me what it was that caused her to all but rip Tara’s head off. Darrell shook his head, letting me know that she still wasn’t talking, and walked out. I pulled out the chair opposite of Tara and sat down, noticing that she hadn’t looked up as I walked in.
Seems like this is becoming a pattern, Tara, you sitting there, me here. I drummed my fingers on the steel table. You know the rules about one of ours being in this room more than once, sitting there, in that chair. But because of your status and value to the house, I’m willing to give you one more chance. Tara’s eyes continued to look down. The sooner you tell me what I need to know, the sooner you will be able to see Dr. Martin. It’s been what, three days now ? I have to hand it to you, I have seen some grown men cry like babies, begging for mercy, and asking to be put out of their misery with a jaw in better shape than yours.
I was goading Tara, hoping to break her.
All you have to do is tell me how you know about Lea’s sister.
Ump, Tara’s raised her head, her dull eyes full of defiance.
Give me a name, Tara. Who told you ?
She spoke slowly, her voice betraying her pain, No one.
Now, you don’t expect me to believe that, do you ? I leaned onto the table, You see, I know of a total of five members outside of Lea and myself that know about her sister. So just tell me, which one told you ?
No one told me. Tara’s whispered voice was thick with pain.
Tara, Tara, Tara, I stood and walked to Tara’s side of the table and spun her chair sideways, forcing her to face me before kneeling in front of her.
You know I care about you.
It was true, to a point. Tara and I had known each other since we were kids and she had always been more than willing to satisfy my carnal needs.
I reached my hand up and pushed a strand of her dirty hair back and wiped a stray tear from her face.
I don’t like seeing you like this, filthy and in so much pain. But I need you to tell me what it is I need to know.
You, you promise you won’t do anything to me ? she shivered and closed her eyes as I laid my palm against her swollen cheek.
I gave you my word, Tara. You will be given one more chance. Just one. But, if you fuck it up, in any way, or if you even so much as bat an eyelash at Lea in a threatening manner, then I will personally take care of you. Understand ?
Tara slowly nodded and laid a folded sheet of paper on the table. This was on the floor of my room, by my door.