I'll Always Be His

Chapter 8

Hardin

My blood was boiling. We waited for the Latimore's to pull away with Tessa. I can't believe that mother fucker put his hands on her, on my Tessa. All over Kendra. I didn't even want Kendra but I couldn't get her to leave me alone. So he takes it out on Tessa? All I wanted to do was hold her. She look bad. He did so much damage. He will pay. I will make sure of that.

Sylas and I jumped into the vehicle with Cole crawling into the back seat. We went everywhere we thought he might be. We had no luck finding him. We went home empty handed but we'll catch him. He can't hide forever. I crawled in my bed with Tessa on my mind. I wanted to go to her, to be with her, but I'm definitely the last person she wants to see right now. This is all my fault.

I tossed and turned for hours. I couldn't get my brain to shut off. I needed to talk to Sylas. If I would have stepped up in the beginning I'd be with Tessa right now and Nick never would have done this. I kept checking my phone hoping to hear from someone on her condition. Who was I kidding? I was hoping to hear from her. Before I knew it light was streaming through the window. Time to get up and get moving.

Tessa

I woke up groggy. The hospital wanted to keep me for observation. I ended up with concussion, twelve stitches, a broken nose, and a fractured jaw and eye socket. I was tired and in pain. My mom was there when I woke up. She had explained that the officer who took my statement the night before had picked Nick up. Nick had told him he broke up with me and I went crazy and did this to myself. He even produced "witnesses" who saw the whole thing. It is under investigation with charges pending.

I was furious! I can't believe he might get away with this. I was also scared because now he knows I told. Was he going to make good on his promise? Or did this scare him off? He wasn't the type to scare easily. I didnt know what he was fully capable of but what I had seen scared me.

The nurse came in to give me more medication.

My mom went to grab something to eat and get some coffee, leaving me alone with my thoughts. My cell phone started blairing Cardi B. The caller ID read restricted so I didn't answer it. I silenced the call and put my phone back down. I grabbed the remote and turned on the television flipping through channels. Cardi B started singing again so I picked my phone back up. Restricted again. I answered it and before I could get a word out a familiar voice drifted through the phone.

Nick.

Shit! I should have seen this coming. I braced myself for what he was going to say. He sounded cold and calculated as he spit venom at me, "You stupid b***h. I told you not to say a word. I will make good on my promise. I'm gonna take my sweet sweet time on you. I'm gonna torture you until you wish you were dead. I was going to let you live but now I think I'll end your suffering when I'm done and leave your mutilated body in a ditch. Do you really think anyone is going to believe a dirty little w***e like you? I'm coming for you slut!" Then a click ended the call.

I felt nauseous as tears stung my eyes. He was going to kill me but not before he brought me unimaginable pain and misery. Tears were streaming down my face when Sylas walked in. His bright green eyes were clouded with anger under his light blonde hair. "Why are you crying? Are you in pain?"

"I'm fine. The nurse just gave me meds. They'll kick in." I didn't want to tell my brother about the call. He's got a full ride scholarship to Ohio State in the fall. He didn't need to get into any trouble. This was my mess I'm gonna clean it up. "About what happened Sylas, please let it go. I know how I look and I know you've probably already attempted something stupid. Please do not ruin your scholarship, your entire life over this, he's not worth it."

"Tessa, I can't just let this go! Seriously, look at you! I warned him! I never imagined it would be this bad though. I thought he'd just cheat but to beat you like he did? I can't let him get away with that. Hardin and Cole aren't going to let this go either. Hardin's fuming. His head looks like it's going to explode."

"Hardin and Cole need to stay out of it also. Why is Hardin so mad? I'm not his sister and even if I was I would tell him like i'm telling you, Stay Out Of It!"

"Tess, this is ridiculous. He needs to pay!"

"He will. The right way. I promise!"

He shook his head and said, "I'll talk to Hardin and Cole but I make no promises. Mom called and asked me to pick you up. The doctor called and they're releasing you to go home. I'll go check with the nurse and get an update."

He walked out the door signaling the end of the conversation. I knew he wasn't going to let this go. I figured if Nick wants to play cat and mouse that two could play at that. What my brother didn't know was that ever since that phone call ended I had been formulating a plan. I wanted my own revenge on Nick. He seen me as weak and scared. He thought he could intimidate me. He has severely underestimated me. When I promised my brother he was going to pay the right way, it would be by my hands. I would not stand by and let him threaten to kill me. That was my motivation. I just needed to get out of here first.