Page 73 of Erotic Behavior (Observant Behaviors)
Beckett
Ravenwalkedbackintothe bedroom with a look of rage on her face.She was mumbling under her breath as she handed me a plate of food and then started pacing the room before throwing her phone in my direction.
“Look at that!It’s bullshit like this that makes me furious.Who does he think he is, anyway?Hasn’t he caused us enough trouble?”
I put the plate she handed me down on the nightstand and reached for her phone to read the text message that was still pulled up on the screen.Her father was a piece of work, and I really wanted to strangle him.
“Baby girl, come here.”
“No, not this time, Beckett.I’m done with this bullshit.He doesn’t get to control me.He’s the dead beat dad of my nightmares and now that I finally have everything I ever dreamed of, he thinks he can take that away.You know what?Give me that phone back.”
My eyes widened as Raven stood in front of me with her hand out.She pushed the call button, then put the phone on speaker and laid it between the two of us.
“Hello, daughter.”
“You don’t get to call me that.”
“That’s what you are aren’t you?”
“Only a father can call a girl their daughter, and you were never a father to me.”
“Did your future husband make it home in one piece?”
“What do you want from us?”
“I told you before.Tell Beckett to back down and give me the property.If he does, then his legal problems will stop.”
“First off, he has no legal problems because you are an idiot and you partnered up with a fool.Second, he will not give in to you.Not because he doesn’t want to, because I won’t let him.The work he does is important and you are disgusting.”
“For a man of his… nature… I’m surprised he allows you to speak like that.”
“He doesn’t control what I say.”
“He should.He is the man, after all.Or in his sick little sex games, does he let you play that role?”
“Fuck you.I hate you.I am happy that you were never there for me or mom.Because you disappeared all those years ago, you don’t get to control me or my husband, so tell Calvin I said to fuck off and you can too.You have no idea what I am capable of when I put my mind to something.I will make your life a living hell.How do you think the media would like to hear about all the underage brides you take?Or the cult-like characteristics of your so-called church?You may think you can play the legal and media game with Beckett, but you know what I saw that day, and I can put you away for the rest of your life with nothing more than one small testimony.”
“Raven…”
“No, you don’t get to talk anymore.The next time we hear from you, I go to the police… the real police, not a crooked ass cop like Calvin.”
The entire time Raven spoke, I sat there in awe, just taking in her fierceness.Her father and her ex had pushed one too many buttons, and she was finished with them.She was blackmailing him, which could be a whole other issue, but I didn’t even care.The silence from the other line spoke for itself and when she pressed the end button, I reached for her as the tears ran down her face, only conflicting with the smile she held for me.
“I’ll do it, Beckett.I’ll put him away forever to protect you.”
I held her to my chest and ran my fingers through her hair as I rocked her gently in my lap.“I know you will, baby girl, and I love you for it.”
After a few minutes, she calmed down, and I looked at her tear-stained face, realizing only then how stressful the day must have been for her.“Let’s eat and then take a bath.I think we could both use a little time to relax.”
The phone didn’t ring again, not with a callback or even a text while we sat and ate.By the time we’d had our fill of food, it was an ungodly hour, but we both needed to wind down.I ran a bath while watching Raven undress and comb out her hair before she piled it into a bun on top of her head.I’d never get used to seeing her share my living space.After so many years alone, having her there just felt right.It was the intimate moments like these that I loved more than anything else.
“Can we go to the club tomorrow?”she asked as I stripped off my clothes and got into the tub, gesturing for her to join me.
“If you want.”
“I do.I think I want to try some things there.If you’re okay with that.”
“I told you Raven, I’ll give you anything you wish for.All you have to do is ask.”