“You don’t understand what I’m saying.” He jabbed his finger into his chest with every word. “You aren’t living here anymore, Rome. It’s not safe, and I can’t handle it anymore. You’re staying with me until we find something better.”
“There is nothing better, Calloway. You think I haven’t looked?”
“Trust me, there is.”
“But nothing I can afford.” I didn’t want to make this about money. It was an awkward subject, especially since he was wealthy. I didn’t want him to feel bad for me since I didn’t even have a savings account. Happiness was measured in different ways. “Really, it’s fine. I can stay with Christopher, and the door will be fixed tomorrow. I know you’re upset, but you’re overreacting.”
“Overreacting?” He got in my face with the look of a madman. “You just told me you’ve been robbed before.”
“But it’s not that big of a deal—”
“What if someone tries to rape you next? Or kill you?”
Again, he was overreacting.
“My girlfriend isn’t going to stay in a place like this. That’s the end of this discussion.”
“Excuse me?” I hissed. “No, it’s not the end of the discussion just because you say so.”
“You bet your ass it is.” He looked down into my face with the threat of a king. “You will do as I say. You will not question me. When I tell you to do something, all you’re responsible for is doing it.”
“I’m not a dog, Calloway.”
“I never said you were. But you need to listen to me.”
“Fuck you.” Hell no, I wasn’t letting him boss me around like he owned me. “I’m willing to listen to your opinion and advice, but that’s it. I make all the decisions for myself. I’ve never needed a man to do that for me.”
“Well, that’s about to change.” He grabbed me by the arm and pulled me against his body. “You’re staying with me. End of discussion.”
“You don’t even want me there.”
“I wouldn’t ask if I felt otherwise.”
“Are you going to make me sleep outside like a dog?” I hissed. “Since I can’t stay in your bed?”
He glared at me, his look hotter than fiery coals. “Get your shit, and you’ll find out.” He finally released my arm. “I always win, Rome. Fight me all you want, but I promise you that outcome won’t change. Save yourself the time and energy, and just do what I say. Now.”
“Fuck. You.”
He grabbed both of my shoulders and shoved me into the wall. He held my hands above my head and kept me in place, pinning me with his strength. I couldn’t even wiggle. “I’m supposed to take care of you. Now let me.” His face was so close that his lips brushed against mine when he spoke. “I’m not asking you to stay with me out of obligation. I’m doing it because I want you under my roof where I can look after you. I want you to be in a safe place because you’re the most important thing in my life. I have to protect you. If something ever happened to you, I wouldn’t know what to do with myself.” He finally released my wrists. “Now pack your stuff and let’s go.”
17
Calloway
I set her bags in the entryway then grabbed her face with both of my hands. The swelling around her eyes was fierce, turning black and blue from the popped blood vessels. The guy hit her hard, slamming his knuckles right where it counted. Her bottom lip was swollen, but the bleeding finally stopped.
I felt…dead inside.
“I think we should go to the doctor tomorrow. I’ll make an appointment.”
“Calloway, I’m fine. Nothing will help the swelling go down other than time itself. And the bruises will go away on their own too. If I take a few pain killers, I’ll be good.”
“It wouldn’t hurt to get an exam.”
“I’m not going.” She said it with her aggressive attitude then picked up one of the bags from the floor. “I’m going to shower. Which bedroom is mine?” She glanced at the stairs before she turned back to me. Her eyes were glued to mine with the same fierceness she always possessed.
“Mine.” My past and my nightmares couldn’t control me forever. If I didn’t move on, I would be stuck in this vortex forever. A true man needed to face his fears and conquer them. Could I call myself a man if I didn’t take my own advice?
Rome knew I didn’t want her in there. She could read my expression because she understood it. She’d been studying it every single time we’d been together. Now she was a pro. “I’ll just find a vacant one.” She walked up the stairs to the next landing until she disappeared.
I watched her go without stopping her. When she was out of earshot, I went into the kitchen and whipped up food for both of us, making an easy meal of spaghetti. All I could think about was having her in my bedroom, and it gave me so much anxiety that I could barely breathe. Just the idea of having someone in the house while I was unconscious terrified me.