“No!” He grabbed my upper arms and shook me. “I can’t let you see this.”
“Theo, I trust you.”
“Idon’t trust me! And it would kill me to see you look at me differently, Sutton. Please. For me. Please, go.” He pulled me into his chest and pressed his lips to the top of my head. “I’m begging you.”
I pulled back and cupped his face. Even though I didn’t want to leave I could tell he wasn’t going to be okay with me seeing whatever came next. Stroking my thumbs over his cheeks, I smiled up at him.
“Okay. Okay, yeah. I’ll go. She said she wanted to use Ollie as a bargaining chip. Don’t forget to ask her about that.”
He smiled and I felt bad for the crazy lady in the other room for a moment because the chaos in his eyes promised destruction.
“Oh, I’ll remember.”
Leon gently took my arm and pulled me with him towards the door.
“Come on. I’ll walk you back to the house.”
We’d barely gotten outside the door when the woman’s screams grew louder. Theo had opened the door and her screaming increased even more at the sight of him, I was assuming. I was fully planning on leaving with Leon until I heard what she was screaming.
“Don’t leave me with this psychopath! You’re a woman! Help me! You can’t leave me with this man!” Her screams just grew shriller. “I’m a woman! You can’t do this! Help!”
Rage coursed through my veins hot and heavy. I twisted away from Leon and charged back into the pool house. Theo was standing over her, his stance terrifying to her, I was sure. She saw me and had the audacity to look relieved.
“Thank god! Save me from this lunatic! He’ll kill me!”
I dodged Dom’s hands as he tried to stop me and jabbed her in the forehead with my finger.
“Are you kidding me? You came here to kidnap and traumatize a little boy! A little boy I happen to love! You think I’d save you? I don’t give a fuck about you, lady. I’m going to walk out of this place without an ounce of guilt over whatever happens to you after I leave.”
Theo locked gazes with me and licked his lips.
“My bloodthirsty little kitten. Go inside now, baby.”
I backed into Leon and let him guide me outside again. He wrapped his arm around me and led me back to the main house.
“Stay with the kids, okay? I don’t know how long this will take. We may have to go out. There are some things we’re going to need to handle.”
I stopped to wrap my arms around his waist and hold him tight.
“Just be careful.”
“We’ve got a lot to come home to, Kitten.” He kissed me softly and when he pulled back, his eyes stayed closed for a few peaceful seconds. “Fuck, do we have a lot to come home to. Hold down the fort for us. We’ll be back.”
I stayed there and watched as he left, feeling more and more anxious with each step. My life had changed so much in such a small amount of time and I wasn’t sure if I’d ever catch my breath again.
“Ma’am?” A guard stepped out of the darkness and motioned to the door. “The bosses would prefer it if you waited inside.”
Sighing, I nodded.
“Of course. Could you be a little less creepy next time, though? I’m a little put off by people just showing up today.”
“Yes, ma’am. Sorry, ma’am.” He hesitated. “Please don’t tell Theo I scared you.”
I waved him off.
“Everyone acts like he’s so scary. He’s a big teddy bear.”
“If I didn’t think Theo would murder me for it, I’d disagree with you.” He nodded to the door again. “Please, save me and go inside before he sees you’re still outside.”
