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*** Vance's POV***

The day comes to a close opening way to my favorite part. In the weeks that have passed, I have come to enjoy the endings of my evenings more than the beginnings. Interesting how one night can change your focus.

I think of Karis so much that I wonder if I am verging on obsession. That's not really in my personality. I tend to be more laid back. However, the woman has a powerful spell over me. It becomes more intense every moment that we spend together.

Closing the club, I wave goodbye to both Rex and Finn. As per usual, Rex blows me a kiss while Finn shakes his head. That boy never stops trying to agitate Finn. Everyone knows that Rex likes Finn to be riled up before they go home. As Rex has described, in great detail might I add, Finn gives it to him harder after a night at work. I don't blame Finn. Rex is a big hit at the club. The dominants all want him and the subs want to be him.

I chuckle as I pass through. My own attention is neither in the club nor on my two best friends. I just want to get to Karis' place as soon as possible. It has been a long day without her.

I crank up my car before backing out of the parking lot. Noticing a few drunks swaying back and forth on the curb, I call the local Uber to deliver them safely home. That's not my job but, saving a life should be everyone's priority. I pull out slowly, looking both ways to make sure that my night does not get derailed by an unnecessary accident. The windows are rolled down, providing cool air over my warm skin. The club was packed tonight. No amount of air conditioning could absorb the amount of body heat in that building. It's par for the course; a hazard of doing business.

The streets are crowded with people who are trying to get home, to someone's home any way. I push the volume up on my sound system to drown out the loud horns that continuously blare. Those high pitched alarms are amplified by inebriated humans who think their voices should carry above the bustle of the city.

The drive to Karis's place is otherwise quiet. I navigate the streets with ease at this point. I feel like I have driven this route too many times. However, I also feel like I could never get tired of the roads that lead to object of my affection.

Pulling up to her place, I park. I take a moment to gather my overnight bag. It's easier to shower at her place than to rush home extra early just to get ready for the day. I don't think it's intrusive. Karis brings a bag to my place when we end up there as well.

My feet hit the loose gravel of her long driveway. I could park closer to the house but, Karis doesn't want that ex-husband of her's raising any questions if he should one day find her new address. I don't put it past him. Christopher tends to be on the obsessive side. He hasn't handled the divorce as well as he pretends. It's a bit unnerving. Karis doesn't seem worried so I try not to be. Either way, I go along with my doll's wishes. It's her house, her rules.

As I approach the house, I hear shouting. Immediately, I am on edge. The voice is familiar. Karis sounds exhausted. His voice carries, above her pleas, to reach me. A bit of panic begins to climb up my throat. I rush to make it towards my sweet girl. I attempt not to run in an effort to prevent scaring Karis.

The subject of the conversation is also familiar. Christopher is screaming profanities while professing his love for Karis. That is enough to make me sick. Love does not wound. Love does not enjoy paralyzing, the object of your adoration, with fear, self-loathing. Love is not obsessive instead it is adoring, comforting and patient.

"I said I have changed." Christopher slams his hand against the door frame. I hear the wood protest the violent contact.

"Please leave. I have company coming. You are making a scene." Karis whimpers as I round the corner.

From my view point I can see the two of them. Karis stands with her back against the door. Christopher towers over Karis with an aggressive posture. I want nothing more than to rip the man away from the porch. I want to personally escort him away from Karis. Instead, I stand there covered by the curtain of dark skies. I wonder if Karis even realizes I have approached. Judging by the fear, or anxiety, that sits upon her face; I would say not.

Christopher leans in. His hand gently trembles down Karis alabaster skin. The thought, that he is making purchase on the very flesh that I kiss, makes anger boil inside of my chest. I cringe before Karis slowly backs away from the overbearing man.

"That's not the point. You aren't supposed to be here. You are not welcomed here. Go home Chris. Please. Go home." Karis attempts to push on Christopher's bicep. Christopher slaps her hand free from his bulking muscle. That one movement has my feet moving once again. You should never raise your hand to a woman.

"Oh, I see. I have been replaced." Christopher stares at me while he snarls in Karis's direction. My feet land in front of his with exaggerated stress on my toes. The gravel flies behind me as I take my stance in front of the crazy ex who has become a very unwelcomed guest.

"She asked you to leave." I stare at the glazed eyes of a man who matches the others that I have left behind. This man is under the influence. That much is completely clear.

"You don't speak for her. She is my wife. I have every right to be here." The adamant glare of his blue eyes raises questions in my mind.

"We are divorced. I am not your wife. You have no right to be on my property." Karis wedges herself between the two of us. I slide my hand to her hip to place my fingers against her shirt. I just want her to know that I am here if she needs me.

Karis moves in a way that I find offensive. My hand slips from her side as she squirms away from me. I take the hint with bitterness in my head before excusing the action. I don't want to let my feathers get too ruffled.

"You're fucking this loser. I knew you were a whore. Fuck. Just screw the first man that asks you to bed." Christopher smirks causing my hand to flinch. I don't bother stopping myself as my knuckles collide with his jaw.

"Stop. Vance please. Just go home. Christopher, go." Karis moves away from both of us as I try to process the words that I haven't heard before.

"I'm out. I am not playing back up to the likes of this." Christopher waves his hand as he steps to the side. I watch his back while he makes his way to a cab. I silently thank God that Christopher wasn't stupid enough to drive. That's a small miracle. Karis has informed me that the man doesn't mind driving while intoxicated. It contributed to her leaving in the first place.

I look at the precious woman before me. Her body shakes. Karis wraps her arms around her torso while shaking her head. I want to console her. I want to protect her. Every ounce of her body language informs me that I am not at liberty to do so.

Searching her face, I find tears. Those small droplets of water make my heart ache. I stand still, petrified into quietness. A million thoughts rage through my head. Without the confidence to approach any subject, I resign myself to the wordless air.

Karis moves away from me. Heading towards the house, she doesn't even look in my direction. Her body slips behind the door as I hear the latch click.

Pinching the bridge of my nose, I snarl. That mother fucker managed to ruin my evening. I do not take kindly to my plans being derailed. Turning back towards the parking lot, I start walking towards my car. An internal battle has me slowly making my way back the way I had come.

Half of me wants to give Karis space. I am sure this altercation has taken so much out of her. The other half wants a resolution. The best end to this conflict would be me wrapped around the beautiful blonde that is hiding in her home.

At some point, my mind makes the decision before I can register that I am driving away from Karis. Silence sits in the space of my car. I stare blankly at the black top as I let the miles get between me and her house.

Once I see my garage, I pull in resentfully. This is not the house I expected to occupy tonight. With a real attitude problem, I harshly close my door behind myself. Throwing my keys on the counter, I reach for my phone to set it aside. Instead, I send a text to Karis asking if she is going to be okay and letting her know that I am here if she needs me.

After a few minutes, I realize that I am not getting a response. With resignation, I choose to shower. The water is hot but not relaxing. I think through the previous hour. Seeing nothing that I could have done to avert the outcome, I try to think of anything else.

After drying off and getting dressed, I retrieve my phone, placing it on my nightstand. The cold sheets greet my warm body as I slip underneath the covers. With the lights off, I stare at the dark ceiling. I can't see a scenario where I will sleep well. I am spoiled. The last couple of months have been bliss with Karis tucked inside of my hold. Tonight I am reminded that it's not permanent. I have no claim to her. It's her choice whether I feel her in my bed or if I will spend the night as I am now, alone.

My thoughts are heavy with worry for her. She is often the source of my anxiety. I do not mind. Going into this I was acutely aware that she is broken. I was just hoping that at some point we were making progress in her healing. After tonight, I am not reassured that any progress has been made.

Christopher was; and is still toxic. He can't see how much he hurts her. I wonder if he even actually cares. Tonight's events do not give me a good vibe. If he knew, I don't think it would bother him as much as it should.

My phone lights up as the chirp alerts me of a message. Slipping the screen up, it is Karis whose name pops up. I carefully read the screen before everything stands still once again. Not wanting to validate the reality of the words, I scan them again. Comprehension is lost on me. I refuse to accept what her words mean. There has to be a mistake.

Karis: Vance, I am so sorry about tonight. You shouldn't have to be put in a position to defend my honor. Please forgive me. I shouldn't have let him get to me. This is why what I have to tell you makes so much sense. I'm not good for you. I'm not even good for myself. Please know that in another life, you would be my perfect dream. In this life, there is no room for my mess to interfere with everything you have going for you. I wish it could be different. I can't do this...

The phone screen times out bringing darkness with it. Her words bounce against the walls of my mind. I can't do this....