“We’re here. And before this gets a bit uncomfortable, may I suggest taking care of this upstairs when the three of you are alone,” Cash said as he pulled into the underground garage.
Zane turned in his seat and looked toward them. An obvious smirk on his face.
“And where you can punish her privately,” Zane stated.
Hudson and Jagger both sat forward and locked gazes. Tia Rose was in for it the moment they got her upstairs.
* * * *
Tia Rose took off her shoes and sat down on the couch as she waited for Cash, Zane, Riker, and Nash to discuss the next steps for Hudson and Jagger to take. They felt pretty confident with the security in the building, and the fact that the only way upstairs to their penthouse was by private elevator, and Jameson was working tonight. He wouldn’t let anyone through without Jagger and Hudson’s approval.
As the men said good-bye and told her to listen to her men, she let out an uneasy sigh. Leaning her head back, she closed her eyes and so many thoughts flooded her brain.
Someone wanted her dead. Her brother wanted her help, and he was considered a suspect. She should really tell Hudson and Jagger about seeing him tonight. But what would they say about giving him money? She nibbled her bottom lip.
She really believed that her brother was telling her the truth. Every bit of her gut instincts kicked in and she thought he was being sincere. She hoped that he turned himself in. If he did, and he came to her for help again, then she would do it.
She trusted her gut. Especially tonight when she heard noises and felt the goose bumps along her neck and hairline. She knew she was being watched and followed. Then to come home to her trashed apartment was crazy. She was so grateful that Hudson and Jagger were there, waiting for her, and that they helped handle the situation.
I don’t have any clothes, no laptop to work from. I need to call work and speak with the Sinclairs. What am I going to do?
She covered her face with her hands.
“Tia, we need to talk,” Hudson stated, and his voice had her sitting up to face him. Jagger leaned against the post in the living room a few feet away. It was like he was keeping his distance. Maybe he didn’t trust her? Could she blame him? She hadn’t been completely honest with him. She needed to come clean.
“Yes, we do,” she replied.
“First of all, tell us about Salvador. Is he a threat to what we have between the three of us?”
She immediately shook her head.
“Tell the truth. Do you still love him? You still want him?” Jagger asked from afar.
She stared at Jagger.
“No. I never loved him. I cared for him, but he used me, and dumped me for someone beautiful and thin. I met him when I was naïve and stupid, and felt that he was perfect, which made me feel real.”
“When did you meet him, and why was he perfect?” Hudson asked, approaching the couch and sitting down beside her.
She took a deep breath and held his gaze. Hudson and his beautiful hazel eyes watched her with intensity. It made every part of her body come alive. She loved him, and she loved Jagger.
She leaned back and released a long sigh.
She couldn’t look at them as she spoke. She feared seeing their displeasure, or perhaps their true feelings toward her. Even now, after making love, and sharing so much of herself with them, she feared being abandoned.
“You should know that before I left for Paris, my life was terrible. I lived with an understanding and acceptance that I was invisible.”
“Invisible?” Hudson asked softly.
She looked at him, but only a moment. It was one thing to admit to defeat, to hating whom she was to herself, and another to say it aloud and admit such deep feelings of negativity.
“Invisible, fat, unattractive. Unworthy of being noticed, cared for, or even thought of. I was a nobody, who allowed people to walk all over me, and put me down. I had no spine, no fight in me to defend myself or to feel anything but disgust for who I was.”
“Jesus, Tia Rose. Why did you feel that way? You’re so beautiful. How could no one notice you?” Hudson asked, as he laid his hand over hers.
She pulled it away and looked away from him.
“You don’t understand. I was all alone. Even when I was surrounded by coworkers and other people, I was alone. I couldn’t stand up for myself. I know a lot of it has to do with the abuse I sustained as a child, but still, I left. I made the decision to take off and live.”