by Marie Tuhart
“Crystal will take your car home.”
Tessa rested her head on his shoulder. Before long, Jordan and Crystal arrived. Tessa handed her car keys to her friend and said a quiet thank you. Jordan gave Damon a concerned look, but Damon shook his head.
Tessa was quiet the entire drive to his house. Once inside, he put on some water for tea. She liked a cup in the evenings, and tonight she probably needed it.
“I’m sorry,” she said softly.
“What are you apologizing for?” he asked.
“Because my brother is an ass.” She shook her head. “Why did I think he wanted a nice dinner with his sister? Why did I think he simply wanted to meet you?”
Damon frowned at the despair in her voice.
“Nope,” Tessa continued, almost speaking to herself. “I should have guessed he wanted to use it as a photo op. I should have known. It’s not like my family really cares about me or my life.”
That got Damon’s attention. He made her cup of tea and carried it over to her. “I’m sorry your brother is an asshole.”
“Opportunist is more like it.” She took a sip of her tea. “My mom is a good person, but how she puts up with their dog and pony show, I’ll never know.”
“Has it always been like this for you?” He sat down next to her and put his arm around her shoulder.
“Sometimes.” She set her tea on the side table, curled her feet under her, and leaned against him. Damon slipped his arm down, holding her closer. “When I was little, it wasn’t so bad. Of course, kids don’t have long attention spans, and my mother wanted me to have a normal childhood.”
He heard the irony in her voice. “Your mother tried to shelter you.”
“She did. It worked for the most part until I became a teenager.” She sighed. “Then Dad wanted me at all the functions. God, I hated them.” A shudder shook her body. “Look at the camera, Tessa. Smile, Tessa. The dress doesn’t look right on her. Oh look, she’s dating another boy; what happened to the old boyfriend?”
Damon didn’t blame her if tonight was a taste of what she’d been through. “That’s why you were upset with the picture in the gossip column.”
“Yes. Somehow my father saw it and called me.” She tilted her head back and looked up at him. “I need to confess to you: I played down our relationship with my father and brother.”
“I gathered that. Why?”
“Because I know both of them. You saw tonight how my brother was questioning you and our relationship.”
“I thought at first he was being a good brother.”
“Hardly. He wants to make sure there’s no dirt that can come back to bite him or my dad in the butt. The thing is, I’ve protected them all this time, but they seem to have no regard for me.”
“How have you protected them?”
She blew out a breath. “Ruthledge is my mother’s maiden name. She and Dad got married when they were both nineteen, so I doubt anyone remembers it.”
“Why use your mother’s maiden name?” He wanted to understand why she did that.
“Because my life was hell in DC, and I wanted to put it behind me.” She shifted. “I know we talked, but I never revealed the whole story.”
“Will you now?” Had she lied to him? No. She’d answered his questions, but had never elaborated, and he hadn’t asked her to.
“Yes, but it’s a long story.” She sat up. “I left my brother without a place to sleep tonight.”
Damon laughed. “I think that’s the least of his problems.”
“Maybe.” She picked up her phone. “Let me check something.” She fiddled around on her phone. “Let me send a quick text to my boss. I have enough vacation time; I’m taking tomorrow off.” She did what she needed to do then settled back down in his arms.
“Are you okay discussing this tonight?” Her brother’s actions had to still be fresh in her head.
“I’m fine. I’d rather get it out now.” She paused as if to gather her thoughts, then spoke. “From the time I was about fourteen, my dad wanted me in the spotlight with him, my brother, and mother. I think I told you my dad wanted me to follow in his footsteps.”
“You did.”
“I hated every second of being in front of the media. If I wore something they didn’t like, I got raked over the coals for it. Even in school I was a congressman’s daughter, never Tessa.”
“That must have been hard.” Teenagers were just finding their sense of identity, so to have that stripped from her must have been devastating.
“It was. My mother tried. It’s when I got into college and wanted to go my own way that things got really difficult. The lifestyle afforded me an escape.”
“I can see that.” From what she’d told him, her friends in the lifestyle had protected her and made sure she was safe.
“Not that I didn’t enjoy it, but for a little while each week, I could be Tessa, not Congressman Chesterton’s daughter.” She paused and stared at her hands. “When I rebelled against studying political science and wanted to study library science, my father was not happy, but I told you that.”
“Yes.” His lips brushed her temple. “I’m glad your mother fought for you.”
“Me too. Anyway, I was doing my master’s degree, and I met this guy. Jack.” She cleared her throat. “We met at a local coffee shop. I thought he was another student.”
“Go on.”
“We started talking. He was so nice and friendly. After several meetings at the coffee shop, we went out to dinner. Nothing big, nothing fancy. I was in heaven.”
Damon had a feeling this story didn’t end happily, but he’d let her get it out.
“Jack met the family, and things went well. I thought, maybe I’d finally found someone who wanted me for me.”
“He betrayed you.”
“Yes. I found out—mind you, after I was engaged to him—that he was using me to get closer to my father.”
“Bastard.”
“He was that all right. When I confronted him about it, he didn’t deny it. Told me, why not? I wouldn’t be able to do anything in DC, not with a congressman for a father and only a lowly Master of Library Science. And I was a freak because I liked my sex a little kinky. He’d have none of that once we were married.”
“I hope you told the little bastard where to go.”
Tessa laughed. “Oh, I certainly did. I’d had enough. I graduated the next week, packed up my bags, and left for Seattle.”
“Why so far away?”
“It’s too easy to be recognized in DC and the surrounding areas. My dad was always in the news, and when he started grooming my brother, so was he. I couldn’t do anything once people knew my last name.”
“So once here, you took your mother’s last name.”
“I did. With her permission, I had a legal name change. Best thing I ever did, but now I think it’s all ruined.”
“Why?”
“That photo of us at the coffee shop and tonight’s photo that my brother set up. It will be front-page news tomorrow, and my anonymity will be gone. I’ll be thrust right back in the spotlight.”
Damon’s anger at Tessa’s brother rose. Allen knew what he was doing. He’d even admitted it. He used Tessa, but also Damon. Damon really didn’t care about himself. He’d run his store long enough and as for his toy making? No one in the lifestyle would care. He was worried about Tessa.
“Is that why you took the day off?”
“Partially. But also because I want to give you some distance.”
“Me?” What was she thinking?
“Damon, I can’t help but think how this could affect you. Not to mention my friends.” She laid her hand over his chest. “You’re getting ready to expand your store, and if someone found out about the club, well, I don’t want anyone hurt because of me or my family.”
She was so selfless. “Sweetheart, I’ll be fine.”
“But what happens if they boycott your store?”
Damon laughed. “Honey, this is
Pleasant Valley. Everyone knows about my store, even the town council who approved it. As for the club, the council knows. I’m sure most of the town knows as well.”
“I need to warn everyone.” She sat up. “They deserve the courtesy.” Tessa fished around for her purse and pulled her cell out.
“Do you want me to call Jordan? Crystal is probably with him.”
“No. I should do it.” She dialed. “Hey, Sierra, is Max with you? Good, can you put me on speaker. I’m going to conference Crystal and Jordan in.”
Damon stood up and took her now cold tea into the kitchen while she talked to her friends. He could tell from her end of the conversation that her friends were rallying around her. He knew it would happen. They were a tight knit group.
“Well, that’s done.” She set her phone aside. “I guess I should go home.”
“Stay.” He sat back down. “Give yourself tonight to absorb and plan.” As he finished speaking, her cell rang.
Tessa picked it up and looked at the screen. Damon saw her brother’s name. He took the phone from her. “I’m protecting you.” He flipped the on button. “Allen, Tessa is not ready to speak with you.”
“Put my sister on the phone.”
“Not going to happen.”
“At least let me in the apartment.”
Allen’s whiny voice irritated Damon’s nerves. “She’s not there. Go to a hotel for the night.”
“But…”
Damon hung up and turned Tessa’s phone off. He pulled out his phone and sent a quick text to Max and Jordan, letting them know Tessa’s phone was off so her friends wouldn’t worry if they tried to reach her.
“I can’t believe you did that.”
Damon looked at Tessa. She didn’t look upset, and her voice was her normal tone.
“As I said, I’m protecting you, even if it is from your own family.”
She snuggled up to him. “Thank you. You’re right. I need tonight, here, with you.”
“So you have it.” He relaxed back against the sofa with her in his arms. Tomorrow they could sort this all out.
* * * *
“Tessa…” Damon started the next morning after breakfast.
“No, Damon. I don’t want to involve you more than you’re already involved.” Her voice was firm. Tessa had to do this on her own. The problem was getting Damon to understand. Yes, she let him take over last night, but now she had to be strong.
She hadn’t been wrong about the picture in the paper. Front page, with a long article, not only about her brother, but her father as well, and dinner last night. No mention that she and Damon had left. Just a full article about the visit between Representative Hopper and her brother. Luckily, not much was mentioned about Damon, other than he was a local business owner. Nevertheless, the picture was out there for anyone to see.
Thank goodness the article hadn’t mentioned Allen was her brother. That was one silver lining.
“I don’t like the idea of dropping you blocks from your apartment.”
“I know.” She touched his cheek. “But you saw as we drove by, the press was all over my place with my brother holding court. And I don’t want you caught up in this.”
“I’m a big boy. I can handle it.”
Her lips curved up at his indignant tone. “I know you can.” She brushed a kiss over his lips. “Please understand, I need to do this myself.” While having Damon at her side, fighting her battles, was nice, this was something she had to do.
He shrugged in obvious resignation. “All right. Though I don’t like it.”
* * * *
“Call me once you’re inside your apartment,” Damon insisted as he parked two blocks from her apartment.
“I will.”
“You better.” He grasped the back of her head and pulled her in for a kiss.
Tessa relaxed into his hold and his kiss. He couldn’t guess her intentions. Oh, she’d call him to let him know she was home, but until this all blew over, she wasn’t going to see him. She wasn’t going to risk any backlash on him, his business, or the club.
He broke the kiss, but his hand lingered. “I’m going to miss you.”
“I’ll miss you too.” That was the truth. When he removed his hand, she opened the door and slipped out of the vehicle.
She turned back to him. “I care about you, Damon. No matter what anyone says. I do care.” She shut the door and rushed down the sidewalk, blinking back the tears. When she turned onto the street for her apartment complex, she sighed at the chaos.
Tessa lifted her chin and walked into the fray. Reporters shouted questions and flashes went off, but she ignored everyone, including her brother, and marched straight up to her apartment. Thank goodness the front door had finally been fixed.
Her brother trailed behind her and followed her through the door. She slammed the door and threw the locks. She’d probably have to find a new place to live now.
“How dare you walk out on me last night and leave me without a place to stay,” her brother ranted, all traces of his media smile gone.
“You look no worse for wear.” His suit was freshly pressed, and he looked like he’d slept.
“That’s not the point.”
Tessa set her purse down after taking out her cell phone. “What is the point, Allen? You set me up last night. None of this was about spending time with me, your sister. It was all about politics.” She put her phone on the table and turned to look at her brother. “Pack up and go to a hotel for the rest of your stay.”
“What? You’re kicking me out?”
“I am.” She’d had enough. “I love you, Allen, I love Dad, too, and Mom. But I’m out of the politics. I don’t want the limelight or to be thrust into the political situations again. It’s better if you leave.”
“I can’t believe this.” Allen drew a hand through his perfectly combed hair.
“Believe it. I don’t want this. None of it. You can bask in the attention at a hotel, or giving interviews at the local park, but not where I live. Not my sanctuary.” But it was no longer that. Her lips twitched, thinking about the club. Wicked Sanctuary. Max had named it aptly.
“Fine.” Her brother stomped to the spare bedroom.
Tessa shook her head. Step one done. It was hard, but she did it. She picked her cell up. “Hey, I’m home.”
“How bad is it?” Damon asked.
“Bad.”
“Okay. What did you mean by your last words?”
She’d hoped he wouldn’t ask. “I need some space.” More like time to figure her way out of this mess with the press.
“Tessa.” His voice deepened, and Tessa found herself sitting down before she fell. That deep husky tone of his did it to her every time.
“Damon, please, don’t make this any harder.” Her heart was already shattering. But she needed to do this for her own sake and for their relationship. She had to protect Damon and her friends. To prove to herself she was strong enough to handle anything thrown at her.
“I’m not giving up on us.”
“I’m not either.” She wanted him to understand that.
“I mean it, Tessa. I won’t let you climb into a hole. You’ll be hearing from me.” The line went dead.
Now what did he mean? Tessa looked up when she heard her brother.
“You know Dad won’t be happy about this.”
“I really don’t care.” She was going to remain firm about this and not be guilt tripped into anything.
“Fine.” Allen marched to the front door with his suitcase. “I do love you, sis.”
Damn. Tessa walked over to him. “I love you too, baby brother.” She gave him a hug and a kiss. “Remember to be true to you.”
“I will.” He hugged her back, then broke the embrace. He opened the door, walked out, and closed it behind him.
Tessa could hear the reporters shouting through the window when Allen walked outside. Not their words, not that she cared. Right now, she needed to figure out her life and what she was goin
g to do.
* * * *
“I’m at a loss,” Damon said to Max and Jordan Friday night. He’d left messages for Tessa, texted her. Nothing came back but a couple of emojis. Those emojis gave him hope. Mainly because they were hugs and smiles.
“Why do women retreat like this?” Jordan asked.
“Because they need time to figure things out, and they get scared, just like we do,” Max said.
“But it never takes us much time to figure things out.” Damon paced around the club classroom. They’d met early tonight to discuss the plans on expanding the club with Zeke and how it could be done with minimal disruption.
“Women are wired differently,” Max said.
“They sure are,” Jordan agreed. “Crystal goes into another room whenever Tessa calls.”
Damon blew out a breath. “I want to see Tessa, but at the same time, I’m afraid she’ll shut me out completely if I do.”
“That sounds familiar,” Jordan said.
“Another one bites the dust,” Max commented.
Damon stared at them. “What are you two talking about?”
His friends laughed.
“Buddy,”—Max clapped him on the shoulder—“you’re head over heels in love with Tessa.”
Damon was about to deny it, but realized he couldn’t. “Well, yeah… I guess I am.” When had that happened? Didn’t matter. What if he lost her? No, he wouldn’t allow that to happen. He was done playing it safe.
“Welcome to our world,” Jordan said.
“What do I do now?”
“I’d say go after her,” Max started. “But in this case, give her a little more time. Based on what you’ve told us, and what I pried out of Sierra, Tessa’s family is the issue. Not you.”
“She thinks she’s protecting me and the club.”
“Of course, she does,” Jordan said. “Crystal thought the same way.”
“But you didn’t let her,” Damon said.
“No, but our situation was different,” Jordan reminded him.
Jordan was right. His and Crystal’s situation was more around the lawsuit and threats than press and political pressure. Not that Tessa bent to pressure. He’d seen on the news how the press stayed outside her apartment until her brother emerged explaining that he was giving his sister some space and privacy. Yeah, that was a joke.
