Elaina’s smile froze for a second before it softened into what would appear to be sincerity to the untrained eye. She looked out of place with her silk blouse, slacks and pearl necklace. Tyrell appeared more comfortable in jeans and a black sweatshirt. His daughter was dressed exactly as him.
“Great to meet you, Shayla. As soon as Tyrell told me about this festival, it seemed like the perfect place to bring Iyana,” Elaina said.
Shayla pulled her hand out of Elaina’s icy one and held back the urge to rub it along her pants. “I’ll show you where to set up.”
“I’ll get my stuff out of the car.” Tyrell said.
“Can I come with you, Daddy?” Iyana asked.
“You sure can, pumpkin.”
Shayla watched them walk away before looking back at Elaina. The woman’s expression was a mask of happiness, too fake and frozen to fool Shayla, but probably good enough to convince anyone not used to wearing masks.
“Come with me,” Shayla said.
They walked in silence to the area reserved for Tyrell. Shayla caught Devin’s eye on the way over and he raised a brow. Tyrell bringing his wife and daughter would weaken any ideas that there was anything between them, but it didn’t make Shayla feel any better. She didn’t want Elaina to think there was anything between her and Tyrell.
When they stopped at the roped off area for the paintings, Shayla turned toward Elaina to clear the air.
“I know there’s nothing between you two.” Elaina said before Shayla could open her mouth. “Don’t look so shocked. That man hasn’t slept with another woman since our daughter was born. Which it hard to believe, since I can only bring myself to sleep with him when my father reminds me to.”
Shayla coughed to cover her gasp of shock. “Excuse me?”
Elaina raised a manicured brow and flipped her smoothly flat ironed hair over her shoulder. “Please, this marriage was arranged by my father to support his political career. I’m only telling you this because for some reason he seems to like you.” She smiled at Shayla. “It would really take a load off my back if you would sleep with him. You have my permission. I’ll tell everyone you’re a good friend of mine and that’s why you come to the house.”
Shayla blinked several time and stepped back. Disgust that the woman would offer up her husband so callously crept over her. Even though she believed Tyrell wasn’t coming on to her, she wondered how he prevented himself from cheating on such a heartless bitch.
“No, I will not sleep with your husband.”
Elaina lifted a shoulder as if Shayla turned down a piece of gum. “So you’re reformed now? Whatever, eventually he’ll move on. I did.”
Shayla placed a hand on her hip. “What?”
Tyrell walked up with Iyana. He took one look at the two of them and the easy smile he had with his daughter hardened.
“You asked her, didn’t you?”
Elaina rolled her eyes. “Why not, it would make everything easier.”
“Easier for you.” Tyrell looked at Shayla with apologetic eyes. “I’m sorry about that.”
Shayla took another step back. “Let’s forget it. Call me if you need anything.”
She hurried away from them. It was one thing to have a man proposition her, but for a wife to offer up her husband was a new one. It took a cold-hearted bitch to do something so horrible. She wasn’t even upset about Elaina’s assumption that she would accept. No matter what, some people would remember what happened in Atlanta. She was beginning to accept that.
She went in search of Devin. She kept a serene look on her face. The last thing she needed tonight was to stir up more rumors about her and Tyrell. Devin was laughing with one of the other doctors at the health screening area. When he caught her gaze he stopped talking and rushed over.
“Are you okay?”
She forced a smiled and nodded. “Yes, just wanted to see a friendly face.”
She laced her arm through his and walked him away from the tent.
Devin pulled her closer. “I thought you and Tyrell were friends. Did he say something to upset you?”
“We are, but his wife is a frigid bitch. She just asked me to sleep with him as a favor to her.”
“What!” Devin tried to turn toward Tyrell’s tent but she held him close.
“Don’t look, and try to look happy. I don’t want to start any new rumors tonight.”
His attempt at a happy was more like a grimace. “Why would she ask you that as a favor?”
Shayla shrugged. “Something about her dad arranging their marriage and only sleeping with Tyrell when she’s reminded too. She assumed I’d say yes. I feel sorry for him. He’s a nice guy and is married to a witch.”
Devin pulled her in front of him. He wrapped his arms around her waist. His brow was furled as he stared at her with intense eyes. “I don’t care how nice he is or who he’s married to. The only guy I want you concerned about is me.”
She grinned and brought her arms around his neck. Running her fingers along the back of his neck, she pressed closer to him. “Yes, doctor.”
He lowered his head and kissed her. “That’s what I like to hear,” he murmured against her lips. Heat spread from her belly to her breasts. Her panties dampened instantly from the desire in his voice.
A car horn blared. They both jumped before moving out of the way to let it into the parking lot. Shayla looked around at the quickly thickening crowd. If the number of people here at the start of the festival were any suggestion of things to come, it was going to be a huge success.
She groaned and brought her eyes back to him. She slid her hand up his neck to tangle in his hair. “I better go see if Mrs. Jenkins needs anything,” she said.
“Don’t work too hard,” he said with a sexy smile. “I’ve got plans for later.”
She laughed. “I think you’ll be the one working hard.” She motioned with her head to the people making their way over to the health screening tent.
Devin sighed and lifted a shoulder. “Let me get back.” He brushed a soft kiss across her cheek. “I’ll see you around.”
Shayla watched him walk away. She tilted her head to the side for a better view of his ass in his khakis before turning to check in with Mrs. Jenkins. Luckily most of the exhibitors had arrived and were set up, so the early arrival of people from town wasn’t a drawback. Before long, the church parking lot was full and the show had started on stage. The festival was in full swing, with parents, kids, and other members of the community enjoying the activities. She recognized lots of people from Helena, but many of the faces weren’t familiar. Her hopes that the event would draw people from all over the county seemed to be coming true.
An hour into the festival a camera crew from a Columbia news station arrived. She walked over to meet the crew, grateful that her press release was picked up by the media, and directed them to Reverend Jenkins and his wife. Her goal was to keep attention focused on the church and their activities, not her.
She made a hasty retreat into the church basement while they were getting the cameras set up. The warmth inside was welcome compared to the cool air outside. Her flats clicked softly against the floor as she made her way to the kitchen and sat at the table.
Spreading her legs before her and laying her head against the back of the chair, she sighed and closed her eyes. Thank goodness, the festival was a success, but her feet needed a break. The quick reprieve would be even better if Devin could have joined her, but the health screening tent had a line. He’d be busy until the end of the festivities.
She shifted on the chair to get even more comfortable, when the basement door opened and closed. She sat up and turned, only to freeze as disgust bubbled within her.
“What are you doing here?” she said with a sneer as Tony approached.
Her negative response didn’t drop t
he smirk from his face. He walked over with his disgusting swagger, stopping in front of her.
“I thought I’d keep you company.”
She tried not to shudder as he looked over her body with barely concealed lust. She was covered from head to toe in a bright yellow shirt, tan cardigan and jeans, but he looked at her as if she were in her running outfit.
“You’re the last person I’d want to keep me company.”
He laughed, the sick sound causing her skin to crawl. “Oh, are you expecting someone else? You’ve got a lot to choose from tonight.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Your painter, Devin,” his grin widened, “me.”
Shayla scoffed and stood. He didn’t move. His closeness raised the hairs on the back of her neck, but she pushed it away. Clenching her fist, she ignored the need to nervously tap her toe. She wasn’t a kid anymore, and she wouldn’t let him hold this fear over her.
“As if I’d ever sleep with you … intentionally.” She pushed him out of the way.
He gripped her arm. “You wanted it.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Do I need to get my brother to remind you to keep your hands to yourself?”
Surprise flashed in his dark eyes. He continued to sneer, but released her arm and stepped back. “So he told you about that.”
Relief blew over her like a breeze when he let her go. She stepped away and reached for the heart around her neck. At the last second she dropped her hand. She’d denied it for years, but wouldn’t any more. Tony raped her. She didn’t need to clutch the heart at her neck as a reminder that self-love was important. She hadn’t forgotten that that night, he’d taken advantage.
She raised her chin and glared at him. “Why wouldn’t he. He’s my brother.”
Tony shrugged. “No matter, I could’ve gotten you in bed without drugging you. You were a tease then, but you wanted it. Just like you’re a tease now.”
“You did what?” Boiling hot rage shot through her. After all of these years thinking she’d been too drunk to stop Tony. He’d drugged her. The smirk finally fell from his face as he eyed her warily.
He took a step back. “You said he told you.”
“That he kicked your ass, but I thought it was because you raped me. Not because you drugged me.”
Fear flashed in his eyes. “I didn’t rape you. Don’t go throwing that type of shit around. I only helped the situation along.”
“You sorry bastard!” she lunged for him and he roughly pushed her aside. She barely registered pain in her ankle as she twisted and fell against the counter. She pushed away from it and clawed at his face.
“Stop it, Shayla,” he said between deflecting her blows. “I’m already on probation for CDV, but I will hit you if you don’t quit.”
His words didn’t register. They didn’t matter. The only thing that mattered was beating the crap out of him for the years she’d suffered thinking she was complacent when she should have fought. She attacked harder, kicking his shins while she tried to hit his face. Hot tears ran down her face. She fought back sobs as she tried to beat him for every ounce of insecurity she’d succumbed to after what he’d done.
“That’s it,” he yelled, shoving her away.
She fell on the floor, but didn’t give up her fight. She growled and jumped up. Her lunge was stopped as Tyrell ran over and grabbed her around the waist.
“What’s going on?” Tyrell asked looking from her to Tony. He stared at Tony as if he were an infectious disease. His body tense against hers.
Tony spoke first. “She’s a fool, that’s what’s wrong.”
“No you’re a fool,” she said struggling against Tyrell’s hold. “A fool who raped me, and destroyed my pride. Never again, Tony. If you come near me I’ll kill you, understand. I. Will. Kill. You.”
Her struggles stopped. Tony stared at her. She glared back, hoping he would say something that would give her a reason to scratch his eyes out.
Tony finally held up his hands. “You ain’t worth all this.” His spit at her feet then walked to the stairs.
When the door closed behind him, Tyrell let her go. Her knees gave out. She fell to the floor, her shoulders shaking from her sobs. It hadn’t been her fault.
Tyrell kneeled and put his arms around her, but she didn’t want his comfort. She wanted Devin.
“When did he hurt you? Was it tonight?”
She shook her head. “No … he won’t come near me again,” she said as another round of sobs tore through her. Tony wouldn’t bother her again. He may be a bully, but he was also a coward.
Crying was useless, but she couldn’t stop. She’d beat herself up for years over what happened in high school. Afterwards, she’d convinced herself that maybe she was as bad as her dad. Maybe she had wanted it that night. She’d gotten roaring drunk plenty of times in the years after just to test herself. But even when drunk, she’d known what she was doing. Had slept with the guys she wanted to, and turned away from those she didn’t. Before there was no explanation for why she wasn’t able to tell Tony no, or fight him off. Now there was reason for her self-loathing, a reason for her doubts. He’d drugged her. The stupid, fucking, arrogant asshole!
Tyrell talked softly and patted her back while she cried. She appreciated his concern, but she wanted to find Devin and get away from here. She looked up to thank Tyrell and he wiped the tears from her face just as the basement door opened. Devin walked in, followed by the reporter from Columbia. The reporter’s eyes took on a predatory gleam. The smile on Devin’s face quickly hardened into an icy look that chilled her blood.
Chapter 32
Shayla jumped up from the floor. Tyrell rose slower. Her gaze flew between Devin and the reporter. There wasn’t any way to explain the situation without causing a problem. Either she confessed what happened between her and Tony in front of the reporter, or find some other excuse for why she was in Tyrell’s arms in a dark basement. Either way, it was a bad scene.
“Well, just the two I hoped to interview tonight,” the reporter said with a sly smile.
Shayla took a step forward. Pain sliced through her ankle from where she’d twisted it earlier. She ignored the pain as she lumbered to Devin’s side. He tensed as she slid her arm around his waist. His hand was stiff when it gripped her shoulder, sending her heart into a fast pace.
Devin’s gaze ran over her face. She couldn’t read any emotion in his eyes. His brows furrowed as he wiped the remnants of tears from her face. “Are you okay?”
She nodded. “I’ll explain later,” she whispered.
The reporter raised an eyebrow at her arm around Devin’s waist. “Looks like we interrupted something.”
Tyrell walked over. “You didn’t. Shayla twisted her ankle and I was helping her up. We were on our way upstairs when you came in.”
The reporter scoffed. “Of course. So there’s no truth to the rumors.”
She didn’t think it was possible, but Devin’s body became even stiffer. “What rumors?”
The reporter motioned between her and Tyrell. “About a relationship between these two.”
Tyrell laughed. “You’re putting your foot in your mouth. I don’t think Shayla’s boyfriend will appreciate the innuendo.”
The reporter looked at Devin with newfound interest. “Boyfriend?”
Shayla glanced up and her weak smile almost wilted. A glower covered Devin’s handsome face. Her already shaken spirits plummeted. If he scowled at the mention of him as her boyfriend then a breakup wasn’t far off. After only a week together and the drama that followed her like a poisonous cloud was already killing their relationship.
The gleam in the reporter’s eyes dimmed only slightly. “So you’re not concerned finding your girlfriend in the arms of another man.”
Devin glared back. “I ha
ve no reason not to trust her and Tyrell. We’re all friends,” he said in a cool voice.
“Pretty close friends, I’d guess,” the reporter said with a laugh.
Shayla pushed away from Devin and crossed her arms. “Look, tonight is about the festival. We worked hard to make it a success, and Tyrell is here as a friend. You can stop looking as if you’ve just landed the story of the century. There’s nothing going on.”
The reporter looked at the stony expressions of the three. He finally shook his head and shrugged. “I think I’ve gotten enough to cover the festival. As to everything else,” he grinned cockily, “time will tell.” He gave a quick wave of his hand and left.
As soon as the door closed Devin whipped around to face her. “Did he hurt you?”
She shook her head. “No, Tyrell helped me.”
“I’m talking about Tony. I saw him leave just as that reporter and I were heading in here. Are you okay?”
Her ankle throbbed painfully. Her hands hurt from where Tony had deflected her blows. But she wouldn’t say a word. Devin’s body was tense. Telling him about the extent of her attack on Tony might break the tenuous amount of control he was showing.
“No. Can we go somewhere and talk? I’ve got to get out of here.”
“Not until I find out what happened.” His eyes narrowed on Tyrell.
Tyrell came toward them. “I was more afraid for Tony than Shayla. She was hitting him.”
Devin’s jaw clenched. His left hand moved up to massage the back of her neck. His gaze ran over her as if searching for signs of injury. “Why were you hitting him?”
Shayla wanted to slump against his hard chest. Bury herself in the safety of his arms, but the calculating look in his eye held her back. Her eyes slid away from his as her hand reached up to clench the charm around her neck. “That night in high school … he’d drugged me. I bet it was that drink Peaches gave me. It wasn’t just the alcohol that prevented me from pushing Tony away.”
Devin’s face became a mask of fury. He spun toward the door. Shayla grabbed onto his arm. Tyrell hurried around to block his way.
A Heart to Heal Page 23
