Red Phoenix's Passion is for Lovers Collection (Boxed Set) by Red Phoenix Page B

mother would react, so she remained silent.
    “Does it have to do with that boy Kevin?”
    Tears started falling at the mention of his name. Tess nodded her head.
    Her mother stood up and yelled, “Did that boy hurt you?”
    Tess looked at her in disgust. “No, Mom!”
    Julie instantly calmed down and sat beside her again. “Tell me what happened.”
    “I love him, Mom. I love him so much and now he is gone.”
    “What do you mean he’s gone?”
    “I went to his house. They packed up their stuff and left this morning.”
    Julie stated unkindly, “I told you they were trouble.”
    “No, Kevin is not trouble! I love him. He is the best thing that ever happened to me.”
    “How can you be this upset about a guy you’ve known for only a week?”
    “Nine days, Mother!”
    “ Excuse me , nine days. Those two extra days make so much difference,” Julie said, sarcasm dripping from her voice.
    “They do, Mom. You’ll never know how much.” Tess started sobbing. She had no control over her emotions now.
    “I can only think of one reason you would be acting this upset…” Julie choked out the question, “Did you sleep with the boy?”
    Tessa answered dully, “Yes.”
    Julie jumped off the couch. “What! Is that what you were doing those two days off? Fucking each other like rabbits? I thought I raised you better than that. Damn it! I knew that kid was up to no good!”
    “I was the one who wanted to, not him. I’m glad I did, too. If I hadn’t, I would never have had the chance.”
    “Please tell me you used protection.”
    Tessa refused to answer.
    “Oh my God! My straight-A daughter fucks a guy after only a week and then doesn’t even bother to use protection. How stupid can you get?”
    “I hate you! Just leave me alone.” Tess tried to get up to run to her room, but her mother grabbed her.
    “You are not going anywhere, young lady. How many other guys have you slept with?”
    Tess spat out, “None! Kevin was my first.”
    “Well, thank God for that,” Julie huffed.
    “How can you be so cruel? Kevin’s gone! I don’t know where he is and I am really afraid for him.”
    “What are you afraid of?”
    “His dad was the one who set their house on fire. He killed Kevin’s little brother. He must have come for them. That has to be why they left so quickly.”
    “Well, as much as you hate me, at least I can do this for you.” Julie got on the phone and talked with a cop with whom she had a long-standing friendship. After she finished the conversation, she sat back down with Tess. “We should know more in a bit, but I can tell you that Kevin is not his real name. His name is Luke Sanders. Apparently, his father went to jail four years ago for arson, aggravated assault, and third-degree murder. He escaped from prison three weeks ago. Pumpkin, this man is dangerous. I know you don’t want to hear it, but I am glad they’re gone if he is roaming free.”
    “But what about Kevin and his mom? Don’t you care about them?”
    “I don’t know them, but of course I hope they’re safe. However, the only person I really care about is you.”
    “Mom, if anything happens to Kevin a part of me will die.”
    Julie chuckled as if amused. “His name is Luke, Pumpkin. And you don’t need to be so dramatic.”
    Tess turned on her. “You don’t know anything! You have never felt the kind of love I have for Kevin. It’s way deeper than anything you felt for Dad.”
    “Don’t you start! You know nothing about your father and me.”
    “Well, I know I would never choose a stupid career over Kevin.”
    “How dare you! Go to your room!”
    “Gladly!” Tess ran as fast as she could and locked the door behind her. She wailed on and off all night. Everything was wrong. Her heart was crushed from worry and heartache. All she wanted was to be in Ke— Luke’s arms. It seems weird to call him something else.
    Luke wanted her to know his real name, to call him by it. That was why he had told her that last