Aching for His Discretion (The Discretion Dynasty #1)

27. Levi

Chapter twenty-seven

Levi

W alking through the ancient ruins, I could tell our dynamic had changed just by the distance she decided to stay from me. Granted, I could have approached the situation better, but I didn’t. And there was nothing I could do to reverse what I did.

She sat on a bench and crossed her arms as she crossed her legs as well. I watched her as her face remained emotionless. She stared blankly out into the open, and I walked over to her slowly as I placed my hands in my pockets.

“Tesoro,” I muttered, and she didn’t say anything. Though I expected this. Part of me regrets the lies and the manipulation. The other part, however…was not so sympathetic.

I continued looking down at her, and she took in a deep breath before speaking.

“I wasn’t afraid of you before,” she said without a stutter, and I clenched my jaw. “I knew you were manipulative and controlling, but you didn’t scare me. Now… I don’t know what to think,” she whispered, shaking her head.

“Teegan,” I began, and she looked over at me, rendering me silent.

“Do you have any idea how the psychological detriment of making a person feel like they’re being manipulated or lied to can affect their mental health? For the person you have grown to trust and be vulnerable towards to be entirely different? Or feeling guilty for subconsciously knowing they were a part of a crime and lying to yourself or others because you don’t want it to be true? And for you to physically force me to accept this… like I wasn’t supposed to try to run away from a man who has done the unthinkable while pretending to be a saint. I’m not sitting here with you because I accepted and forgot. I am sitting here because I am terrified of what you can do and what you are capable of,” she said, her tone unforgiving and raging.

On the receiving end of her justified rant, I felt… indifferent. Almost like I’d broken her.

My Tesoro... the bubbly, talkative, happy girl I knew, looked empty, distraught, and fearful. Her eyes held pure outrage toward me, and I felt angry.

Angry that she was being so difficult. Angry that she couldn’t see that I did what I had to do to keep her safe when it came to the boy . Angry that she was too fucking nosey trying to figure out who I am and what I’ve done.

Sitting beside her, I internally sighed as she looked away from me. There was nothing I could say or do to reverse what I’d done. An apology would be a start…but in this moment, my words would have no effect on the actions I’d taken. At least right now they wouldn’t.

“I’m going back home. Tonight,” she said with finality, and I watched as she stood up after a few moments and walked over to the car.

Gazing at her for a moment, I could feel my eyes darken as my jaw clenched again in irritation. She wants to run… again. She believes she can run.

Looking at her retreating form with a blank stare, I breathed in deeply.

Teegan… my Tesoro... you are my everything.

Pretty girl, you’re too smart for your own good, but… sometimes I’m reminded that you are just a… naive little girl.

I thought to myself before I let out a humorless chuckle as I stood and walked over to the car.

I meant it when I said no one is going to take you away from me... not even you, Tesoro.

Teegan

Opening the door to my apartment, I was met with my little kitty, who jumped into my arms the second I opened the door. The boys had dropped him off a bit earlier, and I, unfortunately, had to spend the last twelve hours on a flight alone. Levi had agreed to give me some space and time, however, as twisted as it sounded, I was just thankful he’d even let me on the plane.

I consoled my little kitty quietly and took a glance at Mitchel’s door down the hall, which gave me literal goosebumps. Upon entering my apartment and closing my door, tears immediately filled my eyes as I felt all the walls I had built since the incident with Levi come crashing down. I felt like my hands were shaky, and I could barely control my sobs.

Placing Grayson down on the floor, he followed me continuously as I moved my belongings into my room and lit a candle. My phone buzzed, and I looked over to see a message from my mother.

Ever since my brothers told me she wanted me to come home, I had been a little distant, and I felt bad at the moment as I realized Levi had filled the spot where my mom used to be… calling me daily, sending me messages, and FaceTiming regularly. Despite all that had happened, I had missed her so much.

Sitting on the couch, I opened the message and read it as Grayson curled in my lap.

Mama: Teegan... Sweetie, I am sorry. I thought you were beginning to be busier with work and studying, which is why we haven’t talked much, but I just learned from your brothers that there was a bit of an argument between the three of you and that I had given them the decision of where you will study. Teegan, I know I am an overprotective mama bear, but I would never pull you away from your dreams, my love.

Your happiness and fulfillment are what deter me from telling you how much I truly miss you every day and how much I miss my little girl being home again. Never in a million years would I allow anyone to take away what you love or dictate your future. I know it’s getting late, so I didn’t want to bother you, but when you are ready, I would like to apologize again, my love. Have a good night, baby. x

My eyes felt blurry with tears as I pressed the call button while my chest racked with sobs. Hearing her voice, I couldn’t help but keep crying.

“Teegan, sweetie? Are you all right?” she quickly asked, concerned as she heard me crying, and I wiped my tears.

“H-hi, Mama…” I whispered.

“Honey, I didn’t mean to make you cry with my message. I just wanted to apologize for your brothers’ behavior,” she said softly, and I continued crying.

“Mama... can I-I come home for a couple of days?” I asked her, feeling hesitant for some reason that she wouldn’t say yes.

“Do you even have to ask, baby? Your father will buy you a plane ticket right now, and you will be on the next flight in an hour.”

“He doesn’t have to do that...” I said softly, and just by her tone, I could imagine her shaking her head at me.

“It’s already done. No need to pack heavy. Just get to the airport and catch your flight with Grayson. We’ll see you in about four hours at the airport.”

“Thank you, Mama.”

“Of course, my love… now no more crying. You’ll do that when I’m hugging you, and we can do it together,” she joked over the phone, and I giggled as I bid her goodbye.

Knowing that I still had a good amount of clothes at my childhood home, I packed some of my flashcards, books, laptop, and tablet, as well as a few essentials, before grabbing my kitty in his carrier and leaving my apartment.

Some hours had gone by, and I found myself back in Illinois. I felt jet lag for sure, but it left my body as I spotted my mama and papa standing by the waiting area, looking slightly stressed.

I approached them as tears filled my eyes. My mother looked over at me and gasped as she came over and pulled me into a hug.

I laid my head on her shoulder as she shushed me softly, and I felt my father grab my things out of my hands as he comforted me as well.

“You’re okay, baby… You’re okay. Everything is going to be all right,” my mother whispered in my ear, and I nodded as I continued sobbing, pulling her closer, missing the feeling of being home.

Knocking on my parents’ door, I waited patiently as Grayson stretched by my feet. It was around two AM, and I felt physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausted.

After arriving home, I had taken a much-needed shower and was dressed in an oversized sweatshirt and a pair of boyshorts. I tried to sleep but found myself feeling restless as I tossed and turned in bed.

The door opened, and my father cooed softly as he brought me into his embrace. My mother came over to us and smiled though I could see the tears in her eyes as she most likely was worried about my well-being all night. I felt horrible about dumping my emotions onto them, but they welcomed me with open arms.

“You’re exhausted, sweetheart. I think you should get some rest, hmm?” my father suggested, and I simply wrapped my arms around him tighter. My mother chuckled as she pushed a piece of hair behind my ear.

“Don’t tell me the big girl wants to sleep in her parents’ room tonight?” she asked jokingly, and I shrugged.

“…Grayson gave me the suggestion.”

“Of course he did.” My father chuckled and let me go as I entered their room and lay in the middle of their king-sized bed. Grayson cuddled up by my feet, and I could faintly hear my parents laughing as I began to drift off, finally feeling able to fall asleep.

Two days passed, and I had less than a day before I needed to go home for my next rotation. Currently, I was sitting in the family room with my books and flashcards sprawled out everywhere as I prepared for my psychiatry rotation.

My father had brought me some breakfast a few hours ago, and slightly cringed at the amount of studying I was doing on my break.

He didn’t pry for reasoning as to why I was so upset, and my mother did her best to do the same. However, she was insistent that I knew that I could tell her anything and that she wouldn’t judge.

Of course, I didn’t tell her about what Levi had done… but I told her about him, how much he meant to me and how we got into a huge argument.

She was surprised to hear I had met someone and hadn’t told her, but she was supportive and nonjudgmental. Even reasoned that my brothers had been so angry lately because I was seeing Levi.

Nonetheless, Grayson and I found the stay quite pleasant, and I was so happy to be back home, even if it was just for a little. My brothers were thankfully out of town, and my mother continued wholeheartedly to express how angry she was at them for hurting me. I knew she only wanted for us to get along, but… it was difficult getting through to them.

Hearing the doorbell, I placed my book down and stood as I smoothed out my maxi grey bodycon dress and slipped on my fluffy white slippers.

“I got it, Mama!” I yelled to my mother in the kitchen as I pushed a piece of my hair behind my ear. However, as I went over to the door, I was stopped in my tracks as I caught sight of a very expensive white Audi through the window, parked in my parents’ driveway. I quickly sped over to the door, and the air was practically knocked out of my lungs after I opened it.

The man, standing with his back to me, turned around in his white button-down and grey dress pants, holding a humungous bouquet of red roses.

He practically brought me to my knees as his teeth shined through his smile.

“Hello, Tesoro mio.”