Page 51 of The Tycoon
“Sam! What the hell happened to you?” I exclaim, pulling him into a hug.
I feel him stiffen, most likely from pain. Apologizing profusely, I let him go before looking at his wounded face.
“I’m sorry! Are you ok? What happened?” I ask.
Meeting my eyes, Sam’s smile drops. Taking my hand, he starts to lead me towards our small living room.
“You’re not going to like my answer, but you should be sitting down for all of this,” he replies, motioning towards the sofa.
Scrunching my face, I drop my tote on the coffee table. Taking a seat on our broken couch, I scoot over to give him roomto sit on the cushion that isn’t torn to shreds. Now my anxiety is really spiking, I wish he would just spit it out already.
“Ok Sam, you’re really freaking me out.”
Sitting down next to me, he nods his head.
“Yeah, I know. And what I have to say will only freak you out more. But before I say anything Dolly, I want you to know that I really care about you. I always have, and I always will. No matter what, you have me, ok? And we can make it through anything together,” he says.
Licking my lips nervously, I blink at him while I absorb his words. I don’t care for how ominous he sounds. Make it throughwhattogether? I have no idea what he’s talking about, this is getting incredibly weird.
“Ok. Yeah, sure Sam. Now, can you please spit it out already?” I ask, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.
“Uh, yeah. Ok. So, well. I’ll just come out and say it. I look like this thanks to your boyfriend!” he spits.
Taken aback by his statement, I huff a disbelieving laugh. Shaking my head, I reject his accusation.
“Yeah, right Sam. Sutton has been with me all week! Look, I know you’re…jealous…but this is pretty low. There’s no wa–”
“Dolly, I’m telling you the truth!” he says, cutting me off.
Centering his gaze upon mine, I watch a look of sincerity flash over his beaten face. Sam has done a lot of sleazy things, but hehas never lied to me. The realization turns my blood to ice.
“It happened when you left the cafe. Sutton was there the whole fucking time. He came at me as soon as you left! Started screaming and carrying on…he threatened to kill me in front of the entire restaurant! Now, I’m an athletic guy, but you know I’m not much of a fighter, so I left to try to diffuse the situation. Well, he followed me out and pulled me into the alley where he proceeded to beat my ass! Punched me so hard he nearly broke my jaw, slammed my head against the wall until he knocked me out! I mean, fuck Dolly, I lost a damn tooth, I have stitches in my cheek, and staples in my fucking skull!” he exclaims.
Turning his head, he lifts his brown hair to show me. Sure enough, I see three metal staples buried deep in his scalp. My mouth falls open, my heart drops into my stomach. It’s clear that Sam has been in one hell of a fight, but Sutton is so in control over his emotions. I can’t visualize him making a scene in front of everyone at the cafe, let alone beating him into a bloody pulp. His story isn’t making much sense to me. This isn’t the Sutton I know, this isn’t the Sutton I’ve fallen in love with.
“Oh, God, Sam…I don’t…I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything, Dolly. This isn’t your fault. It’s fucking Sutton Douglas’ fault!”
Shaking my head incredulously, I’m unwilling to accept his truth. My mind whirls with different possibilities and scenarios. I know Sam is jealous, and jealous men do and saysome pretty crazy things. I mean, Sutton looked just fine when he came to pick me up that day. He definitely didn't look, or act, like he had been in any kind of fight. Although now that I think about it, he did have those odd stains on his shirt. What was it that he said it was? Hot sauce?
Oh, God. I knew it wasn’t hot sauce.
My heart stops as my brain pieces things together, all the color drains from my face.
“Why…why would he do that?” I ask, my voice shaking at the seams.
Shrugging his shoulders, Sam scoots closer to me.
“He wants me to stay away from you, he’s jealous of what we have,” he replies.
Lifting a brow, I give him the oddest look. Sutton has told me on multiple occasions that he still wants me to keep my friends. I highly doubt he would alienate me from someone who is essentially my brother, especially in such a vile manner. I’m honestly more disturbed by the fact that Sam seems to think that we’re more than friends.
“But there’s nothing between us, Sam! We’re just friends, and Sutton knows that! Sutton and I are together, he’s definitelynotjealous!”
Clenching his injured jaw, his split lips pull into a deep frown. I can tell he isn’t happy with my response, but I have to call it like I see it. Sutton isnotjealous of Samuel Hartley; he hasno reason to be. Sutton has everything Sam has ever wanted in life; money, status,me.If anyone is jealous in this equation, it’s Sam.
“You don’t believe me?” he asks, his voice tinged in anger.