Chapter 69
69
Claire never presumed she would feel this relieved in Tylerâs arms. She clutched his coat at his hack tightly and pressed her face on his shoulder. She gritted her teeth to keep her sobs in because no matter what, she didnât want to appear this weak in his arms.
Unfortunately, the terror running with her blood in her body was intense. She had contemplated worse things happening to her. And why? Because she acted on impule after seeing her exâhusband on the television with his new wife
Once again Hunter Macintyre managed to make her fall into a pit of traumatising problems.
She may get out of here with no scratch, thanks to Tyler for that, but the sear it carved on her mind would stay for days. Maybe weeks
âClaire. Tylerâs comforting voice made her trembling stop.
It also reminded her that he was not the man she should get this comfort from. Irrespective of how safe she felt in his arms, it was risky and a bad idea. Just like coming here with Pavel had been a bad idea.
She couldnât lean on Tyler not because she didnât want to but because of his and her own wellbeing. Hunter for him and Tia Murphy for her would emerge as an inevitable predicament in their lives. And the thought of them both made bile rise in her mouth.
âI am sorryâ Claire stammered as she detached from him and noticed the look of worry on his face.
Tyler held his breaths. It didnât take him more than two seconds to comprehend what possibility she was trying to bail out from. His eyes became stone, his huts clenching unt has knuckles tumed white.
dbus back!
âStay behind me âTyler used a hand to pull her behind his back.
Although Claire couldnât see, she was certain his face could make an evil entity stagger in his spot too. So it wasnât a surprise Pavel was taking shivering steps back.
âIt itâs not what you thinkâ Pavel spoke timally.
Claire hugged her arms, feeling pieces of her anges coming back together to become one and impactful again.
Such a cowardly man be wat She clasped her fists tight as she opened her mouth.
âIs it not Beurtes, how do you know what I was thinkingâ Tyler didnât give him a moment to fabricate his excuse as he swung his arm forcefully. rannreting his fist with Pavelâ jaw.
Claire à voce turned in a yelp as she covered her mouth. Her eyes blanked tears and flickered in shock Pavel was on the ground holding his bleeding mouth.
âSâshr. She a asked to come liteâ Pavel hissed while holding has jaw together.
It was broken. His words were a slur and his eyes watery,
âDonât you dare blame her, douche Lag
âIPâpromise she
âYou will not go on your feet from hereâ He grumbled.
Tyler took a step towards him. His body language could make the devil himself want to run away
Though according to Clare only Hunter had that abbey, Tyler was giving her similar vibes. Will any man feel any different if he funds a woman barefoot and teary faced, bring chased by a man! Not to mention the place they were in
Thinking about all that made fire burn in Tylerâs chest. He kicked Pavel. His cries didnât make him stop. He continued to thrash him until he was all blood.
in him
Claire saw the man laying stockâstill. She raised her twitching hands to stop
âHein
out, Tylerâ She held his arm.
âThe pain will wake him up again and I will beat him to unconsciousness againâ Tyler said between tightly clenched teeth
He wasnât in the mood to stop, Claire looked up at his face and the memories from that night numbed her body. The scabbed wounds on his face and knuckles reminded her of the fight her ex-husband and he had over her. And eventually it struck her that this was not RavenMoore.
This was Bloomcrest. Hunter & territory. Tyler being here was an indication of world war three. More bloodshed, more pain, more trauma and
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Chapter 69
more tears forming at the sight of everything began its jittery course through her body,
âHeâs gotten what he deserved. You have hurt him enough.â Claire tried to pull him away.
âThis is a red light area and this man is accused of molesting a bunch of models in this place.
Do you know what would have happened to your image if the news got out that you visited here with him?â He released his hand from her hold to grab Pavel
Claire remained persistent. Even though the information he disclosed left her eyes wide, she focused on pulling him back.
âIt doesnât matter. Thereâs nothing left of my image. Let him go and come with me.â
Not yet
He will be punished for laying his evil eyes on you. He concluded, causing her mouth to twist.
âWhat right do you have to punish him? Who are you to me. Tyler Murphy?â Her yell froze him, his hands that fell limp to his sides.
âCome with me at this instant.â
She pulled him away. Claire halted at a point, not knowing which way to go. Her shoulders began to tense as the images of ten minutes ago became
fresh in her mind..
âCome this wayâ Tyler said after detecting her blank face.
While he led her out, Claireâs heart started catching speed in her chest. Her lips quivered as the silently thanked Tyler for making himself appear.
Indeed it was stunning to see him in Bloomerest but she couldnât be any grateful. He came at the right time. If he hadnât then she would have ended up⦠Claire heaved out loudly to break free from those thoughts
As they came out of the pub under the open sky, her heart seemed to abruptly stall. Discomfort she had felt while coming here crept through her. All the oxygen and sound that existed were abruptly sucked away, and there was simply a void of vast endlessness before her. There was no air.
She felt like she was suffocating. Her heart started pounding. Beating faster and faster. She could hear it. She could feel how it was trying to free itself from her ribs.
âClaire, Tyler shook her, his voice snapping her from her distressing reverie.
When she saw in his eyes, she saw concern. And immediately hardness crept into her facial features.
âLetâs go.â
She stunned him with the steel in her voice.
âLet go of me, Cole. I wonât let that bastard breathe!â Hunter ground his teeth together as he tried to release his arm from Coleâs tight hold
âYou make me want to punch that pretty face of yours. You know how dirty your behaviour looke Claire will not be happy seeing you like this.â Cole hissed as he pulled Hunter back to the serving counter
It had taken every ounce of his energy to yank Hunter out of the previous setting. The image of Claire hugging Tyler had released adrenaline and shock in Coleâs blood too but one of them had to remain calm. Since Hunter couldnât, he took it upon himself to keep both of them under control.
âShe hugged him. The last time I saw them, they were merely strangers. They have come to the point now that sheâs hugging him to seek relief. I canât stay with those images. I will kill him.â Hunter ran a quivering hand through his hair.
His scalp was throbbing. It was too much to see in a few hours. Firstly he saw Claire in Pavelâs arms. Then in Tylerâs. It was as if his worst nightmare was becoming his reality.
1 would have reduced him to pulp and pool of blood had you not dragged me hereâ Hunter banged his fists on the serving surface.
âAnd with what right would you do that?â
âI donât need any right or reason to beat that bastard. The fact that heâs after Claire is enough for meâ
âThatâs your jealousy speaking. Here, drink this and cool downâ
Hunter slapped the glass away and shot his fuming gaze up, âClaire is with him and youâre asking me to cool down. I wonder if youâre still my best friendâ
Cole sat back as he observed Hunter accuse him. As if he was the one at fault.
âI could have been the one holding Claire. It would have been in my car she was going back home safely. But you pulled me out of there like Iâm not the guy Claire loved but him. You made me give them privacy. You gave another reason to her to praise that ass hole for the rescue I could have easily pulled out.â
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Chapter 69
âAnd then what?â Cole snapped. âAfter saving her, what would you have told her if she asked you how you got to know about Pavel and her date? How would you answer her other questions?â
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âQuestions concerning the spy you left outside her house. Questions about why you wanted to save her. Donât forget you brutally ditched her for Zara. You shouldnât be here.â Cole drank his drink in a long swig and set the glass down with a loud noise.
âHow would you have answered Claireâs questions regarding leaving Zara in a hospital to come and save her? Zara is your wife in her eyes, isnât she? You would have looked like a fool, Hunter. It makes no sense why you will leave Zara for her.â
âSo you see⦠I just saved you from answering those questions because I know you have none.â Hunterâs eyes lowered while his friendâs voice increased and sounded above the music in his cars.
Cole did have a point. Had Hunter been the one saving Claire, he would have to answer all those questions. And some of the questions could be answered with one sentenceââBecause I love you. It made no sense.
Claire would have pasted a hard slap on his face. Probably spit on his face too.
She would have reprimanded him and hated him more if he said he fell for her. No man can fall for his exâwife after the divorce. After breaking her heart. After making her lose her baby. After destroying all her dreams about having a happy married life with the man she became infatuated with at a young age.
âI do love her but youâre right she would never believe me,â He murmured under his breath while slumping on the counter.
Cole saw the defeat taking over his features and felt bad.
âYour love would have become the reason for your fall in her eyes. You are not the man who acknowledges otherâs efforts but you will have to agree that I saved you, Hunter.â
Hunter ordered a drink. Then another. Then another.
âAnother one.â
When he ordered another one, the bartender took a bewildered glance at Hunter from his peripheral vision. His forehead creased because the intimidating billionaire was looking at him only. He pretended not to notice it and went about making Hunterâs drink.
Hunter saw how his hands moved professionally. The more he saw the more intense his wrath became.
ng to Cole, he raised a dark brow
Turning
âThis bartender reminds me of that one.â
âWhich one?â Cole furrowed a brow. âPavelâs bartender friend!â
âAnd the manager.â Hunter got up.
His drink was forwarded. Downing it desperately, he heaved. Then he moved away from the counter saying. âYou stopped me from hurting Murphy. I dare you try it with Pavel and his men.
Theâ¦