Go Home and Wait for Me, My Love

Tara Blackwood POV

"You could talk to her with a little kindness, Ethan."

He is right.

If only Ethan could control his anger sometimes. If only he would speak to me gently, just once.

I am not asking him to be calm in every situation. There are moments when no one can hold their anger back. I understand that better than anyone.

But still, how could he be calm when his fiancée’s hand is being held by another man?

He is a man. I think he understands exactly what is going through Ethan’s head.

"Let her go. I will handle it."

How could Ethan say that?

If I were in his place, I would have said something like, What is it to you? She is my fiancée. I do not care who you are, Kaiden or not.

Honestly, I feel like I am hanging in the middle of a silent war between them.

But my fear eases a little, because I feel Kaiden is standing up for me.

"And I will not let her go until you repeat what you said, kindly. If you do not, I will take her with me."

Butterflies explode inside me.

He is defending me. Right in front of Ethan.

If Ethan showed even a little of that, I would fall for him deeply. I am not lying.

I am simply drawn to men who act with honor. And Kaiden is the best example so far.

Ethan fell silent.

I tried to pull my hand free from Kaiden’s grip, but I failed again.

"I have made a decision. And I will not let you go until it is done."

Fine.

I wanted him to say something like that anyway. A reason for him not to let go of my hand.

I tried to free myself and could not. That is not my fault.

"Go home and wait for me, my love."

The moment Ethan said the last word, Kaiden tightened his grip on my hand. Hard.

So hard I almost cried out.

He nearly broke it. His hand is huge. Even his fingers are long.

The kind of fingers that would drive his future wife crazy with pleasure.

Damn it. Why am I thinking like this now?

"You can let her go."

I looked at Kaiden, begging him with my eyes not to leave me. I think he understood.

"Go, little one. You will find me. Call me if he hurts you."

He whispered it. His low, golden voice filled my ears.

A strange sense of safety washed over my heart.

He let go of my hand, but his eyes stayed on mine.

I looked away so Ethan would not doubt more than he already did.

"Thank you for bringing me home, Mr. Kaiden."

To be honest, I said it on purpose.

I wanted Ethan to hear it. Revenge for those sharp looks that scared me.

Ethan wrapped an arm around my shoulder and led me inside.

Why not my waist?

I will not ask him to act like a gentleman. He should know that on his own.

I wanted to turn my head to look at Kaiden.

I only caught a glimpse of him staring at my back.

But the annoying man beside me grabbed my head and forced it forward.

"That is enough of what you did."

What did I do?

To be exact, what did he even see me do besides having my hand held?

As soon as we stepped inside, I stole a quick look back. Kaiden was still standing there.

Just as Ethan was about to close the door, Kaiden turned around and walked away.

Ethan grabbed my hand again, squeezing it hard.

Too hard.

He dragged me to the nearest room by the entrance. The living room.

He shoved me onto the first couch he saw and climbed over me.

He is furious. And there is more to it than Kaiden holding my hand. I know it.

I am used to Ethan being calm.

The Ethan who fixes problems with logic and quiet control.

He is known for his peaceful ways.

Now he is above me, those sharp features back on his face.

"Ethan, what are you doing?"

Ethan is my doctor.

The man I accepted as my fiancé because I believed he was the only one I could feel safe with.

I was sure no one but my therapist could ever give me peace.

And now?

He is my fear.

"I think you need discipline."

What nonsense is he talking about?

What did I do to deserve that?

My parents raised me well. I do not need a man, or rather a male, to tell me something like this.

He straightened a little.

And then he started to undo his belt.

Things are taking a dark turn.

I should not panic.

I will try to control my reactions this time. I will test six years of therapy.

"What do you mean, I need discipline?"

I said it in the most serious tone I could manage, staring straight at him.

"And it must come from a man. A man must discipline his woman. You are too young to understand. Your behavior is getting worse. Your tongue has grown bold."

How could he say that to the woman he plans to marry?

Has he lost his mind?

What does he mean, my behavior is getting worse?

"I do not know your twisted rules."

"You will learn them."

He stepped closer, wrapping the belt around his hand.

And suddenly, I was thrown eight years back.

My heart clenched painfully.

Fear.

"You will not do it."

He looks sadistic. Or something like that.

Why is he doing this?

"I will."

He moved to grab my hand.

I pulled away fast. Running from what was coming.

I rushed up the stairs, skipping steps just to reach my room upstairs.

He was right behind me.

My breathing grew shallow. My body shook.

I was trembling.

I am living the same nightmare again.

With the man I thought was the only one I could feel safe with.

I did not even reach the door before a heavy weight filled my head.

Like a black cloud swallowing my mind.

I dropped to my knees, stretching my hand toward the handle, trying to open it.

Then there was nothing.

Just darkness.

And my head hitting the wall.