“But this behavior couldn’t have started with you.” Rage burned up inside me again, and I had the urge to knock the table over. My hands formed fists on the table, and I forced them to relax. “He must have a history of assault and abuse. I’m looking into his old lovers to see if I can find anything.”
“And do what?”
“Get them to come forward,” I explained. “Maybe the word of one woman isn’t enough, but when there are several, it really makes a difference.”
“That’s true…”
“So we’ll go the legal route. But if that doesn’t work…”
She watched me, her gaze full of hesitance. “Then what?”
I didn’t finish the sentence because I didn’t need to.
“We aren’t going that route. That’s not a solution.”
My temper flared, and I couldn’t control it. “I’m running the show, Rome. We’ll do whatever I see fit. This is my problem, and trust me, I will fix it.”
She didn’t like that answer one bit. “Killing him isn’t the answer. You could lose everything, Calloway.”
“But you would be free.” She wouldn’t have to look over her shoulder every time she walked down the street. She wouldn’t have to make sure the door was locked ten times before she could sleep at night. She would never have to worry about that man coming after her again. That would make it all worth it.
Her eyes softened like I’d said something funny. “I don’t want that, Calloway. I don’t want you or Christopher to get in trouble because of my mistake.”
“It wasn’t a mistake, Rome. How were you supposed to know he was a psychopath? He purposely misled you. Don’t apologize for that.”
She looked down at her plate again.
“In my experience, these problems don’t go away unless someone dies.”
“Calloway, stop talking like that.”
“It’s the truth.” I clenched my jaw in irritation. “This is just a sick game to him. He’s obsessed, and he’s not going to stop until he wins. That’s how it goes. He’s the predator, and you’re the prey. But I’m a bigger predator, so now he’s the prey.” I grabbed the wineglass and drank all of it, needing all the alcohol in my system even if it was weak. I could really go for some scotch right now, but that would get Rome all fired up.
Rome set down her fork and pushed her plate away, obviously finished with her dinner. But there were still a few bites left.
Now I knew something was seriously wrong. “Sweetheart, talk to me.” Did I say something to upset her? Did I take it too far? Maybe I shouldn’t have worn my rage so well, made it so visible.
“I just…” She ran her hand through her hair, pulling the soft brown strands away as she kept her eyes averted.
I waited in dread, unsure what she was going to say.
“I guess that whole thing is really hitting me. I’ve never taken the time to sit down and think. I’ve never had the opportunity to feel safe, so I just kept pushing forward. I never had any choice in the matter, so I just dealt with it.”
I didn’t really understand what she was saying, so I remained quiet, hoping she would become clearer on her own.
“But now that I have you…I feel safe.” She kept her head bowed like she couldn’t look at me. “And now that I know what that feels like, I don’t want to be scared anymore. I’m more scared of being scared… I know I’m not making any sense right now. But when he dragged me into the apartment, I was so afraid I was going to lose. I was afraid he would overpower me and…I knew how much that would hurt you.”
I kept a straight face to make this easier on her, not wanting her to see my pain.
“I just want it to stop, you know?” she whispered. “Only when I’m in this house do I really feel like no one will hurt me. Only when you’re sleeping next to me do I feel protected. I love feeling that way, but I hate relying on someone to make me feel that way. I feel like I don’t have any freedom, any power.” She ran her fingers through her hair again, her eyes wet.
I stood up and moved to the chair directly beside her. My arm hooked around her, and I pressed my face close to hers, comforting her in the best way I could. “It will stop, sweetheart. I promise.”
“I know…”
“And he’s never going to succeed, Rome. He’s never going to bother you again. As long as I’m breathing, he’ll never lay a hand on you. You can enjoy feeling safe because I’ll continue to make you safe.” I brushed her hair off her forehead then kissed her temple.
“I know you will, Calloway. I just… I’ve always taken care of myself. I hate having to rely on someone else. It’s not in my nature. I feel like an embarrassment to women everywhere.”