Krystal didn’t try to hide her disappointment, looking Vida over in her oversized clothes. “Call me if anything changes, Colton.” Leaving a furious Vida and an amused Colton, the woman left before Vida could smack her silly.
“Well, if that isn’t too sweet,” Tessa said mockingly. “You both look so cute together.”
“Tessa, don’t start.” Vida heard the warning in Colton’s voice. As usual, Tessa ignored it, walking forward with a look in her eyes that had chills of warning running down Vida’s back.
“My client just called, cancelling his appointment, so I’m done for the day,” Tessa told Colton.
“That’s fine. See you Monday.” Colton tried to shut her down, but Vida could tell the woman was out for blood.
“Thanks, it works out for me since I’m going out with Roni tonight. You remember her, don’t you, Colton?” Vida felt Colton stiffen next to her.
“You and Vida should join us. The four of us can sit around and talk about how good you are at fucking, and you can sit back and glory in how much pussy that dick you’re so proud of gets.”
“Shut up, Tessa. Leave now.” Colton made another attempt to head off the confrontation.
A cruel smile twisted her lips. “She knows you, too, Vida.”
Vida racked her memory for a face for the unfamiliar name, coming up with a blank.
“When I mentioned your name, she said she knew your mother. Asked how you were doing. Seems like your mom and her were friends, even shared the stage together a few times, from what she tells me. They liked to party together too. Colton, don’t you remember?
“Roni said that Goldie talked about Vida all the time. You even used to call Goldie to party with you when Roni had to work and she didn’t. She told me about the good times you used to have together. You really should talk to her, Vida. It would be a real eye opener. Of course, you may not mind that the man you’re fucking also fucked your mother, but it freaks me out.”
“Get out, Tessa, and don’t come back. You’re finished here, forever. If you even try to come in the door, I’ll call the cops and have you arrested. It would give you a taste of what I had for three years.”
“Colton… you don’t mean it.” Tessa’s face was suddenly as white as Vida’s.
“Get the fuck out or I will throw you out.” Colton’s face was a mask of fury that was barely held in check. Tessa realized too late that she had finally cut the final thread with Colton. He was done with her.
Vida, through her own pain and horror, could plainly see that Colton never wanted Tessa near him again. When Tessa finally ran out the door, it left both Vida and Colton staring after her.
Vida tore her hand from Colton’s grip, backing away from him. Going to the counter, she packed her computer into her backpack.
“Vida.” Colton’s soft voice drew her eyes to him. “Let me explain.”
“Just answer one question for me.”
Colton ran his fingers through his long hair and then crossed his arms across his chest. Vida could tell he was bracing himself for her question. “Go ahead.”
“Is what she said the truth?”
“Yes and no.” Anger flew through Vida’s mind. Storming into her was the hurt that he had never told her. He had listened to her talk about her mother and never mentioned he was one of the men who had briefly used her. To think that he had touched her, that she had even wanted to have sex with him last night, humiliated and sickened her.
“You sick bastard!” Vida screamed at him. Jerking up her backpack, she ran for the front door, only to find it blocked with Colton standing in her path.
“Vida, listen to me. I’ll tell you everything you want to know. Calm down.”
“Don’t tell me to calm down you... you… perv.” Angered beyond reasoning, she swung her backpack with the computer in it, hitting him before he managed to jerk it from her hands.
She turned to run for the door, but his arm around her waist prevented her from going out the door. He lifted her off the floor as she struggled, her feet kicking back towards him, trying to gain her release. Colton reached out, locking the door and turning the open sign off before walking with her struggling body back to his room.
Shutting the door behind them, he let her go and then leaned back against the door, blocking any chance of escape she had.
Shaking her hair off her face and getting her breathing under control, Vida threw him a dirty look. “Let me out, Colton.”
“Where do you plan on going?”
“I’m going to stay at King’s place until Sawyer gets back next week. Then, I’m gone.”