Elijah’s nostrils flared. “A misunderstanding.”
“Naw,” I twisted my face up in mockery as I scratched my neck with my thumb. “From the way she screamed my name, I’d say she’s done with you.”
He closed the distance between us in the blink of an eye. His chest bowed out as anger dripped off him like sweat on a muggy day. “I wouldn’t be so cocky if I were you. You might have gotten one weekend with her, but I’ve had years.”
He was shorter than me. Not by a lot, but I still had the pleasure of looking down at him.
“Years of never satisfying her, I know. Don’t worry though, I made up for it as much as I could in our short time together. With plans to continue, of course.”
He poked my chest with his index finger, his face turning a shade of red. “Watch your mouth.”
So, he didn’t like it when I talked about fucking her brains out, but how did he find out she was with me? “Did you follow her? Is that how you knew where she was? Because I know she didn’t tell you.”
“That’s irrelevant.” Elijah schooled his expression and put space between us.
Fucking creep.
But he didn’t deny they hadn’t spoken, and a wave of victory washed over me.
“Regardless of how I know, I do. But I also know a great deal more.”
I rolled my eyes. This macho bullshit was getting old. “And, pray tell, what is it you know?”
“About your past, your history with Vanessa Hayes.” He paused. “Does Cadence know you like to beat up on your girlfriends?”
This time, I closed the distance between us. “We don’t spread lies here, so if that’s all you’re going to do, leave.”
“Lie or not, Cadence won’t like it.”
“She already knows.”
Elijah’s confidence faltered for a moment. “But did you tell her about Keke?”
“Who the fuck is Keke?”
“Another adoring fan you let believe you had more together than you did. She was happy to pad her story a bit when I approached her with enough money. Or about Susan? Same thing. Completely in love with the great Damien Walker who broke her heart.”
Ice dripped down my spine. “What are you talking about?”
“It doesn’t seem like you’re very bright. It must be the whole ‘rockstar’ thing. So, let me spell it out for you. Leave Cadence alone, or all this goes public. Imagine girls coming forward saying you touched them inappropriately or physically assaulted them.”
“None of that is true.”
“Maybe not, but when you’re in court for custody of yourniece and nephew, the image alone will be enough to sabotage your case.”
Elijah’s words felt like a blow straight to my stomach. I reeled back, nausea rolling over me as my mouth grew dry. “Blackmail. So you can try to save your relationship with Cadence.”
“Ah, not so stupid then.”
“Let me guess. Thomas coming back around was your doing. You’d ruin two innocent children’s lives just to get what you want? No wonder Cay left you.”
“She belongs to me. No one else. As soon as she realizes that, the better off everyone will be.”
“And you know she would choose me over you any day of the week.” I tried to keep my tough exterior, but I struggled to breathe. The reality of his words pressed over me like a weight. I could feel my strength leave my body. “Leave, or I’ll call the cops.”
Elijah raised his hands and took a step off the porch. “I said what I needed to say. The ball is in your court. Do the right thing.” He paused. “I shouldn’t need to say this, but don’t tell Cadence or I’ll make good on my threats anyway.”
“Fuck you.”
