A Vow of Deception, A Vow of Revenge novel Chapter 71

Tyson shot Marcus a fierce glare.

"Uh, Tyson—I just remembered I've got something to do, so I'll get going now!" Marcus blurted, already edging toward the door.

"Don't you dare run off!" Tyson barked.

Marcus could hear the genuine anger in Tyson's voice and froze in his tracks. Slipping away now might land him in even hotter water than just taking a beating.

"Tyson, I—I really can't hold it any longer… Look, if you're mad, just smack me and get it over with," Marcus pleaded, trying to sound pitiful.

"I'm not going to hit you," Tyson said coldly. "I'm going to give you a chance to make it up to me."

Marcus blinked, caught off guard. "A chance? What kind of chance?"

"Figure out a way to get Nona to meet with me."

Tyson knew full well that if he tried to contact Winona himself, she'd never agree to see him.

"Ty!" Celia's voice was sharp. "You're still trying to meet her?"

"Not now," Tyson snapped, cutting her off before turning back to Marcus. "Can you do it?"

"I… I guess I can?" Marcus scratched his head, uncertain. "I'll find a way. Leave it to me."

"Hurry up. The sooner, the better."

"Got it, I'm out of here!" Marcus risked a glance at Celia—her expression was priceless—but he wasn't about to hang around for more drama. He bolted for the door.

Celia's face was a storm of emotion. He almost felt sorry to miss the show, but he didn't have the guts to stick around and watch.

Celia swallowed her grievances, hesitating, but in the end her voice came out soft and wounded. "Ty, are you okay? Does it still hurt?"

She crouched beside him, resting her head gently against his chest.

Celia's eyes went wide with panic. "Ty, don't… I can help you too! Maybe not right now, but I swear I'll find a way in the future!"

Tyson gave her a helpless look. "I know, Celia. But isn't it better to have more than one plan?"

Tears shimmered in Celia's eyes and she fell silent.

She knew how much Tyson cared about landing that deal with Thorne Group. And she couldn't push too hard—if Tyson ever found out she'd been lying to him all along… she couldn't even imagine how furious he'd be.

…

Winona finished her shower and stood in front of the mirror, gently rubbing ointment onto her wrist.

The cool, minty balm soothed her skin; the angry red mark had faded to a faint line.

As she replayed the night's events in her mind, a realization struck her. Elvis had been so furious—he'd even lashed out and kicked Tyson. Was it because Tyson had hurt her?