Her Secret
Page 32
What would happen now? I didn’t want to bear Devlin’s child, even though I loved him. But what choice did I have? What would the living arrangements really be in the weeks to come? Worst of all how long would it be until Theo arrived to get his things, Tasha in tow?
I lay there a long time before sleep came.
Chapter Twenty
Theo was walking toward me, trying to tell me something. We were back in Casper. I walked closer to him, but I couldn’t make out what he was saying. Then he suddenly turned, and began running. I ran after him, chasing down the street to the corner.
“Theo!” I shouted.
He didn’t turn, didn’t stop, and as he crossed the street, a car ran him down.
“Theo!” I ran to his side. He was trying to speak, but he was covered in blood. He reached for me, and then slumped, his head lolling back as his eyes glazed.
“Theo!”
“Wake up!” Someone shook me hard. “Wake up, Sar.”
I blinked my eyes. My heart was beating fast. I was covered in nervous sweat. And Theo was here, very much alive, holding me in his arms.
The first tears slid down my face as I struggled in his grip. “Let me go.”
“You’re okay,” he soothed. “It was a nightmare.”
“You were dead,” I got out, rattled.
“Shh,” he said softly. “I’m right here, alive and well. God, I thought you were in trouble. I broke the front door down getting in.”
Anguish hit me. Theo was here for his stuff. I pushed him away, aware of my nudity. “I’m sorry.”
He put his gun away, then handed me a robe. “So what did me in?”
I fastened it around me. “A car.”
“A car wouldn’t kill me. Maybe a tractor trailer—”
“Stop being morbid,” I said angrily. “It’s not funny. I was terrified.”
“It’s good to know I meant something to you,” he said gruffly, his eyes narrowing. “At least enough that you’d cry over me if I died.”
“Stop,” I said, looking away. “I don’t want to fight with you.”
He sighed. “I don’t want to fight either, Sar...elle,” he finished quickly. “I’m just here for my things.”
“Give me a minute to put some clothes on.”
* * * *
Within the space of an hour, Theo packed all of his things in his truck. While he did, I stood and watched, unsure of what else to do.
“That’s everything,” he said, coming over and handing me his key. “I’m sorry for how things happened. I didn’t want this to end this way.”
“I’m sorry, too,” I replied with tears in my eyes. “I didn’t want us to end.”
He pulled me roughly into his arms, holding me tight. “Sar, I love you. It’s killing me to do this—”
“Then don’t do it!” I cried out. “Don’t leave! No one is making you—!”
“Sar, I have to—”
“You don’t have to,” I said bitterly. “You are choosing to, because that’s easier than sharing me.”
Theo drew back from me and went to the door, pausing. “I don’t have to share Tasha with anyone. Take care of yourself.”
As the sound of his tires receded, I began to sob, my tight hold on my anguish dissolving completely. This was it. We were over.
About the Author
Tara Fox Hall’s writing credits include nonfiction, horror, suspense, action-adventure, erotica, and contemporary and historical paranormal romance. She is the author of the paranormal action-adventure Lash series and the vampire romantic suspense Promise Me series. Tara divides her free time unequally between writing novels and short stories, chainsawing firewood, caring for stray animals, sewing cat and dog beds for donation to animal shelters, and target practice.
Other works by the author with Melange Books, LLC
Return To Me
Surrender to Me
The Origin of Fear in Spellbound 2011 Anthology
Night Music in Midnight Thirsts II Anthology
Partners in Midnight Thirsts II Anthology
Kink in Wicked Christmas Wishes Anthology
The Oath in Wicked Christmas Wishes Anthology
Bedtime Shadows Anthology
Make Me Behave Anthology
Latham’s Landing, An Anthology
The Promise Me Series
Promise Me, Book 1
Broken Promise, Book 2
Taken in the Night, Book 3
Taken for his Own, Book 4
Promise Me Anthology, Book 4.5
Immortal Confessions, Book 5
Coming Soon
Point of No Return, Book 7 of the Promise Me Series
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