Lisa's P.O. V.
Chris stood before me with accusation in his eyes. He smirked almost as if he were happy to have caught me with another man. I don't know how to explain this away. I thought I had gotten rid of him with my texts, but he somehow found me. Does he have a tracking app on my phone?
This sick bastard.
I felt the adrenaline kick in, forcing my heart to beat at a faster rate than I would have liked. Davis stepped in front of me, immediately making me feel safe. I didn't calm down though, because Davis can't beat Chris up the way he wants to. Chris would tell his dad everything and they would break the contract, causing Dad to lash out.
"Let's go, Lisa. You're coming with me," Chris demanded.
Not a word was spoken between Davis and I, but I knew he wouldn't let me go. He looked at Chris like he was ready to kill him. I really thought he might, but I don't need him going to jail for murder because of me. I was still trying to find a lie that was plausible enough for him to believe. Then it hit me- Liv.
"I am not cheating. Davis is my trainer. He's Liv's adoptive dad. He's teaching me self defense in his home gym."
"Oh, is he? Lisa, do you really think I'm that na?ve? No, he fucked you, didn't he?"
He stepped forward, ready to grab me and pull me away. I know that if I get into the car with him, I won't be okay. He'll hurt me so badly I probably won't be able to go out for days. There won't be enough makeup to cover the bruises he'll give me tonight. I was scared shitless.
God, I'm so stupid. I shouldn't have come here.
"Lisa isn't lying to you. Do you really think she'd fuck some old guy? What's your problem, man? You can't just show up to another guy's house and start accusing people of sleeping together." Davis sounded really convincing as he yelled at Chris. "Who the hell are you?"
"I'm her fiance!" Chris snapped, spewing the word fiance as if it made me his property.
"Then, as her fiance, you should be happy that she's taking self-defense classes from one of the best teachers. I'm sure you wouldn't want any harm coming to her. Liv asked me to train her, and so I am, as a favor to her. I don't normally train people as I am much too busy, but since Liv asked me, I said yes. So Lisa meets me here to train when she can."
Davis is actually an excellent liar. Even I was convinced of the story. He sprinkled in just the right amount of truth and detail. Chris seemed to waiver as he looked between us. Thank God we hadn't been affectionate stepping out of Davis' house. There would be no way to lie if he'd seen us kiss.
"Let's make something clear, little guy. If I ever spot you near my house again, I'll beat the shit out of you. I don't need this melodrama, so grow some confidence, because you seem like a pathetic, controlling man." Davis' threat seemed to piss Chris off further. If he keeps at it, Chris will probably tell me I'm not allowed here anymore. Honestly, I am sure he's going to say that, anyway.
"Don't worry, neither Lisa nor I will step foot near your home again. I'll find another instructor to teach her. This way, you're not troubled with her any longer."
I had to keep myself from reacting to his words. I can't lose the time I have with Davis. It's the only thing keeping me sane. He's the only one driving this darkness away. I can't lose him, not yet.
"No need. I'm invested now, especially after someone hurt her. Did you not see her cheeks the other day?" Davis was being smart, using the abuse Chris had caused me against him.
"Of course I saw that. She's my fiance. I know everything about her."
"Perfect, then you know that she will not trust some stranger to teach her. I'll continue to teach her as promised."
I had to fight the smirk that threatened to pull at the corner of my lips. Davis was being as clever as a fox as he spoke. I didn't know that he could handle a situation this way, with clever logic and not just fists. Chris was pissed, evident by the tick in his jaw as he looked at Davis.
"Fine, but I'll come too."
"I don't know you enough to invite you into my home. Are you really that insecure that you can't let Lisa come train on her own?"
Chris was too proud of a man to want to appear jealous. He clenched his teeth as he looked between Davis and I, searching for any indication something was amiss. His eyes met Davis' with a fury. I am starting to believe that Chris thinks he's stronger than he is. That or he's plain stupid. He's staring at a man that could beat his ass 10 ways to Sunday without any fear. Surely he can tell he'd lose a fight with Davis.
"I'm not insecure. I just don't know you. You could be after Lisa."
"Trust me, if I wanted Lisa you'd be on the ground and she'd be over my shoulder dragged back to my house."
The imagery he painted had oddly turned me on. I wanted to see Davis beat Chris. I wanted to be drapped over his shoulder and taken into his house like a sack of potatoes. That sounded hot as fuck.
"Jesus Christ. Fine, she'll keep training with you. Lisa, let's go. Follow me to our house," Chris commanded.
Our house.
The words made my stomach drop. I didn't want to go. I know this isn't over. My mind was racing with a million different ideas of what Chris would do to me once he got me to his place. Determined not to show my fear I placed a stoic mask over my face, seeming indifferent to it all, even though I was far from it.
"I'll see you early in the morning for our run, Lisa," Davis said loudly. I think he wanted Chris to know that someone would be looking for me early in the morning. Perhaps he hopes it will keep Chris from hurting me too badly. "Remember what I've taught you so far if anyone tries to give you trouble."
I nodded my head at him, trying not to show him how scared I was. He leaned down, opening my car door for me.
"Tell me now if you don't want to go with him. I'll keep you here. I'll keep you safe, Lisa. Say the word and I'll beat his ass," he whispered to me so Chris wouldn't hear.
"Thank you, Davis. I think I can handle myself better now. No one is laying a hand on me." I looked at Chris as I spoke the words, letting him know I won't let him hit me again.
"Good." Davis nodded his head, closing the door after I climbed in.
I watched him through the car window as he stepped back. His eyes never left me as I followed Chris' Ferrari back to his home. I watched Davis through my rearview mirror until I could no longer see him. My heart sank, missing him a million times over already. I barely know anything about Davis, aside from the fact he fights, has a daughter, and makes me feel safe and cared for. He's not like any guy I've ever been with.
I was nervous as I pulled into Chris' driveway. Today's training was fresh on my mind, reminding me that I had what I needed to defend myself if I have to. I parked beside his
precious cars, finding myself being dragged out of my own by Chris' hand. He gripped my arm so tightly that I was sure it would bruise if he didn't let go soon. I pulled my arm out of his grip, causing his brows to pinch together in fury.
"What the hell is your problem?!" I yelled at him, staring back at him as if I wasn't intimidated at the moment.
"You are!" he seethed through his teeth. "Why would you go to some guys house like that? You're meant to be my wife, you shouldn't be around any other guy, especially not alone."
"For fuck's sake, we were training. This is a forced marriage Chris. It's not like we're madly in love," I reminded him, rolling my eyes.
My face was instantly held and squished tightly by his large hand. He squeezed so hard my cheeks were digging into my teeth. His face was so close to mine that I could smell the alcohol he must have been drinking earlier.
"You're going to be my wife, Lisa. You better start getting use to the idea of being solely mine. No more guy friends, mentors, or trainers. The only guys in your life will be me, your dad, and your brother. All other men will no longer exist to you." He let go of my face with a push, causing me to take a small step back. I rubbed my sore cheeks, wishing I could hurt him back.
"Are you insane? How am I supposed to avoid every man on the planet?" "Stop calling me insane. Get in the house Lisa. It's time to learn your place."
"No!" I yelled furiously, crossing my arms angrily. "I'm not stepping into that house. Not with you like this."
"Lisa, you can either walk inside on your own or I can drag you. Either way you're coming in." His eyes were dark, showing me his cold heart.
"You don't control me, Chris. I'm going home."
I turned to get back into my car, feeling my hair be pulled so hard I thought it would come out by the roots. I stepped back trying to follow my hair, but he was pulling so hard and fast that I tripped backwards. He dragged me, pulling me as I struggled to get back up, flailing my feet uselessly before me. He let me go, throwing me down onto the floor as he slammed the door shut.
"Layla, bring the cuffs, and wait for me in my room," he called the girl that had greeted me at the door the past couple of times I've been here.
I guess her name is Layla. She appeared before him with a bow, handing him metal cuffs before dashing upstairs, seeming almost excited. I rubbed at my scalp feeling like I was lucky to have any hair left on my head. Tears were stinging my eyes, held back by sheer willpower. I refuse to cry in front of him. My hands and feet struggled to get me back up as he approached me. The cold metal of the cuffs clicked around my wrists as I found myself cuffed to him.
He scooped me up, throwing me over his shoulder as he pulled me up the stairs, but half way up there was a loud bang at the door. Chris froze, cursing beneath his breath. He had sent Layla to his room so she wouldn't be coming to answer the door. He'll have to put me down and answer it himself. I felt a sudden relief, thanking whoever was at the door. Now I have time to think of a way out of this.
How do I defend myselfin this situation?