Aching for His Discretion (The Discretion Dynasty #1)

30. Teegan

Chapter thirty

Teegan

W alking out of the hospital for my lunch break, I felt a sense of happiness. A few days had passed since Levi apologized, and we had made up. I was back to enjoying the little things with him and had fewer overwhelming thoughts of the negatives. However, I felt a dreadful sense of guilt. Alec was supposed to be released to his father, who also put in his resignation yesterday, much to everyone’s surprise.

Overall, the school would be slightly better without Alec constantly reminding everyone how he didn’t need to work for what he had, and as for Dr. Harrington, stepping down would help the medical school have a chance of actually making improvements that weren’t simply based on profits.

I was happy Levi was becoming more truthful and expressive. As much as my inner voice warned me about him and how the red flags clearly presented themselves in front of me, I couldn’t stay away. I felt like an addict almost for how much I craved his attention, approval, comfort, time… everything.

For my mental health’s sake, I had to ignore the fact that I was being blind to all the warnings and ignoring all the signs that pointed to this all being one big mistake.

Although I didn’t get to see him too much today, he left me a message that had me smiling all morning, effectively contributing to my delusions that everything was okay.

Levi: Tesoro mio, I hope you have a wonderful day, baby. No stressing, no worrying, no overthinking. Be the best version of yourself. x

Entering my favorite cafe, I ordered a mango smoothie and a croissant wrap with a cookie. I went to use my card when I felt someone’s hand slip around my waist and money being handed to the cashier. I looked over to the person in shock and pulled out of their hold as they smiled at the cashier and ignored my look of pure fright.

Grabbing my food, I made a beeline for the door and soon heard the man’s footsteps behind me.

“Teegan,” Theo said.

I ignored him as I walked straight into the hospital after a brisk four minutes. However, as I made my way to my floor, I was grabbed and pushed into one of the women’s bathrooms. I accidentally spilled my food on the ground, but I no longer had much of an appetite for it.

“You know I don’t like when you run,” he muttered as he locked the door, and I took a few steps back.

“Mr. Theodore, I have to get to work,” I said softly, and he hummed as he approached me slowly.

“How was your trip?” he asked, and I stayed silent as he continued. “It was a few hours away, so I couldn’t tag along to watch over you. Though I noticed you left the state for a bit, too, even let him meet your parents. Again… a little too restricted in terms of how often I can travel, but I still have eyes and ears everywhere.”

I gulped softly as his eyes followed the action before returning to my eyes.

“Theo, please,” I whispered, and he gave me a small smile.

“See, before… you were clueless but had your speculations. Kept them quiet because you’re a smart girl but you knew something wasn’t right. And now,” he muttered as he rested his hands on his thighs, lowering himself to be eye level with me. “It looks like you know more than enough.”

I bit my lip as he twirled a piece of my hair in his hand.

“But you won’t admit to that. You’re too smart to make such a dumb move… although you did sleep with a murderer, so it makes me actually question your judgment,” he said, laughing as I ripped myself from his hold and walked toward the door.

“You should’ve just told me the truth, Teegan. If you told me what you knew, you would be innocent… but you didn’t. And now, Mitchel’s murder and Alec’s kidnapping are going to be on you, too.”

I stopped in my tracks as my hands grew sweaty, and he walked toward me, placing a hand on the small of my back.

“Enjoy your little freedom while you still have it… It’s a shame, really. You would have been a good doctor,” he whispered, and I pushed him away with as much force as possible.

“Stop harassing me,” I seethed.

He tilted his head to the side. “Even after discovering the truth, you are still trying to protect him,” he muttered.

I ignored him as I opened the door and went straight to the Psychiatric floor. A bit ironic considering my current mental state.

Rushing into the women’s locker room, I locked the door behind me and immediately started sobbing. I pulled out my phone, and with shaky hands and blurry eyes, I called the only person I could think of.

Putting the phone up to my ear, he spoke. “Tesoro?”

“L-Levi,” I cried, and he said a few things in Italian to the people he was talking to before speaking into the phone again.

“Tesoro, what’s wrong?” he asked, and I gulped softly.

“Theo... h-he’s been following me, and h-he threatened me with losing my career, my life… He knows that I know, and he w-wanted me to confess,” I said shakily.

Levi stayed silent for a moment as if he was contemplating his next few words.

“I don’t know what to do, Levi,” I cried, and after a few moments, listening to my soft cries, I heard him speak.

“Tesoro,” he said after a few moments, and I hummed in response as I wiped the tears that were still falling.

“Do you want me to take care of it? ” he asked, and my heart dropped to my stomach.

“W-what?” I asked softly.

“Do you want me to take care of it, Tesoro?” he asked menacingly, and I felt frozen in my spot.

“Levi, y-you can’t—” I began, and he shushed me softly.

“Tesoro, I only want to keep you safe… you know that, baby.”

I nervously ran my hands through my hair. Guilt began building in my chest as I felt conflicted about what to think of the situation.

“You can’t,” I whispered, and he tsked into the phone.

“You need to trust me, Tesoro. Let me protect you.”

“P-please don’t hurt him,” I whispered again, and he remained silent.

“He’s hurting you...” he stated after some time.

I shook my head frantically, though he couldn’t see me.

“Levi, please d-don’t hurt him.”

“I will take care of him, Tesoro. Because I need to protect you... you know that, right, baby? All I ever want is to keep you safe, hmmm?”

His tone reminded me of when he apologized a few days earlier… when my subconscious warned me to stay away from his manipulation.

I did what I needed to do to keep you safe. I only wanted to protect you, sweet girl. Everything I do and will ever do... is for you.

But what could I do on my own? Nothing. I had to trust him. I had to trust that he would keep me safe..

“Okay,” I whispered after a few moments.

“Don’t worry, Tesoro… everything will be taken care of,” he replied, and I nodded as I put the phone down and took a sigh of relief. Everything was going to be okay... and I wished it would— but nothing would prepare me for the evening I would soon face.

Entering my apartment complex, I greeted Mr. John as he handed me my mail. We conversed for a small while before Mr. Madison, my landlord, came out.

“Teegan, how are you, my dear?” he asked, and I smiled.

“I’m doing all right, Mr. Madison. Been very busy with school lately.”

“I bet. You know, Grayson didn’t escape this afternoon to bother me for something to eat… I know that was a strange sentence. It sounded a lot better in my head. The point is, send him my way so I can give him a treat when you get the chance. My wife has been buying cat toys and treats for him online, and I need to get rid of them,” he grumbled, and I giggled as I grabbed my mail and bag.

“Sure thing, Mr. Madison. I’ll check on him now. He’s probably asleep,” I said, and he nodded as I bid both him and Mr. John goodbye as I went upstairs.

As I approached my door, my smile faltered as I noticed it was cracked.

Did Grayson manage to get out? I thought as I approached it, but it was odd. He’d usually go see Mr. John or Mr. Madison, but neither one of them saw him. I noticed as well that the lights were also off. Maybe he got out earlier? He always turned on the button lamp in the living room when it was getting a bit too dark.

“Grayson? Baby?” I yelled out and looked around but heard nothing.

Pushing the door slightly, it was silent and dark. However, the sight before me caused me to drop everything in my hands onto the floor.

In the middle of the room, illuminated by the hall light... lay my kitty. Not moving, not breathing… just lying there silently. I turned on the light in utter shock and ran over to him as I dropped to my knees.

“Grayson,” I whispered as I pushed a piece of hair behind my ear. I moved his little body and gasped in horror as tears filled my eyes and he lay motionless. I couldn’t move. I couldn’t breathe. I felt stuck. My kitty, my baby . I checked his pulse, leaned down to listen to his heart, his airway and… nothing.

From the corner of my eye, as tears fell, I noticed a letter. I didn’t pick it up as I moved my kitty into my lap and pet his fur softly; however, I could still read the letter in its entirety.

Little girls like you don’t belong in this lifestyle. You were able to run from the police, but you can’t escape what’s in front of you.

Regards,

Antonio Amante

AKA - Your future father-in-law