For The Love Of A Boss 2

By Evie Shonte

Miss Austin Tyler, the model everyone loved to hate, is back. After finally making her mind up to let D.C. In and make a relationship work, tragedy struck when Buck attacked her. Now Austin feels even more out of control of her own life than before,causing her to run from D.C., back to Philly seeking a fresh start. This time D.C. isn't waiting for her to make up her mind.
Now with Keenan out of jail and back in Gina’s life, old habits die hard, while buried secrets threaten to surface. Drama manages to follow Austin everywhere she goes. She is trying to move forward in love and her career, dating someone new, despite being warned that's it wasn't a good decision. Meanwhile, old enemies that were once disguised as friends, were lurking and plotting against her with plans make her feel more pain.
Brooke and Farrah are the best friends a girl like Austin can have, trying to protect Austin from herself and her self destructive behavior. Austin is doing everything but taking care of herself because she's afraid of what the blogs will think. Will Austin finally face her issues head on or will the secrets she's been trying to protect, blow up in her face, hurting the people around her?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Royalty Publishing House
• Release date: Jun 6, 2016
• ISBN: 9781648404238

Book preview

Prologue

Darron and I were together daily after we made it official in LA. We weren’t public with our relationship yet, mainly because I wasn’t ready to tell our mothers. It wasn’t that I was concerned with what they would have to say, because I knew that they would be happy for us. Tasha, and Gina both made it known that they thought that I belonged with Darron, anyway. I just didn’t want to explain to them about my new relationship so soon after my rushed relationship with Buck.

It had been three and a half weeks, and I hadn’t been home. I was either with Darron on his tour, or I would leave for a hosting job. I had to go home. Farrah called, and told me that my condo had been broken into. When I got to my place, Farrah was there, waiting for me. I stepped inside, and it had been completely ransacked. The first thing I checked for was my wedding ring. About three months after Ty died, I took off my engagement ring, and wedding band, but I still wore his grandmother’s ring on my right hand.

My rings were still there, but all the cash I kept in the house was gone. My TVs were gone, as were all my expensive handbags. Half of the clothes in my closet were now on the floor, and they were bleached. This felt personal, and it made me think of Buck. That was the only logical explanation. Who breaks in, and doesn't steal the most expensive piece of jewelry in the joint? I sat on the floor in my bedroom while Farrah was on the phone with the police. I called Buck on his cell phone.

Did you break into my house? I asked.

Damn, I don’t hear from you in weeks, because you’re fucking another nigga. Then, when I finally do, you’re on some bullshit about a break-in. Do you really think I have the time, baby girl?

You do have the means to send someone over.

I didn’t have shit to do with your little break-in. I’m gonna let you slide for talking reckless, but if you call me again on some bullshit, please believe that I will fuck you up, Buck said.

You’re making threats now? I know you had something to do with this, because you’re a pussy.

Bitch who the fuck —

I hung up, and headed over to Farrah.

I know Buck had something to do with this.

Why do you automatically blame him? Farrah asked.

I just know it was him. He took shit like TVs, and Louis Vuitton purses, but he left the wedding ring, my grandmother's bangles… shit that he knew I couldn’t replace.

Well, the cops are on their way.

I huffed, and fell into my couch.

I don’t have time for this bullshit, I said.

The cops came, and made a report. As soon as they were gone, I packed the things that were the most important to me, and headed out. I had my car pulled next to Farrah’s, and we were speaking through the rolled down windows.

Can you call someone to change the locks, and hire someone to put the rest of my things in storage? I want to stay at a hotel until Tuesday. Then, I’m going to London with Darron.

Am I getting paid for all this? Farrah joked. I had the brightest of ideas.

If you want, since you’re done with school, can you be my assistant and PR agent? You’re the only one I trust, I asked. Farrah laughed.

You’re tripping. Plus, I’ve got an interview lined up at an event planning company, Farrah said. I pouted.

Please, Farrah? Besides, which would you rather do? Travel the world with me, or be stuck in Miami planning parties?

I don’t know, Austin.

Here is what I’ll do. I’m gonna have my lawyer draw up a contract, and you can make your decision based off that.

Okay. Let me head home before Devin thinks I’m out cheating.

I had to laugh out loud at that one.

How’s J.? I asked. J. Noel and Farrah had been talking on the phone daily. Farrah rolled her eyes.

See you, Austin.

I was curled up in my bed, on my laptop, Skyping Darron, when I heard a knock on my door.

Hold up, babe. I don't know who’s knocking. It may be Farrah.

I got myself out of bed. I was just wearing a thong, and a tee-shirt. I could hear Darron say, Damn.

Shut up! I joked as I put my robe on. I went to open the door, and surprise, surprise. Buck was standing in front of me.

What the fuck are you doing here? I asked.

You’re not that hard to find, Austin. You always stay at the Lowes, and you always stay in a suite! he said. I tried to slam the door in Buck’s face, but he put his foot out to keep me from shutting it.

What are you doing? Get out, I told him. Panic was evident in my voice.

I just want to talk, Buck said as he walked into the bedroom. I could hear Darron speaking from the laptop.

Who was at the door, babe?

Isn’t that cute? Your new nigga is worried about you, Buck said with a menacing expression on his face.

Austin, what’s going — Buck closed the laptop before I could hear the rest of what Darron was trying to say.

What do you want to talk about? Make it quick, I told him. I folded my arms across my chest, hoping I didn’t look as terrified to be in his presence as I actually was.

I know who broke into your house, Buck said.

Of course you do. Who did you pay to break into my home? I asked.

Why do you have to be so difficult? Buck asked. He was seething with anger.

Why do you have to be such a bitch ass nigga? I replied. Buck backhanded the shit out of me. I grabbed the side of my face, pissed, knowing it would leave a mark.

Why the fuck would you put your hands on me?

I just told you that you were a disrespectful little hoe. Keep talking to me like I’m just some nigga off the street.

I stared at him in his eyes. My blood was boiling, and I spit in his face. Buck grabbed me by my hair, and yanked me as close to him as possible. I could smell the alcohol on his breath.

I think you need to be taught a lesson, he said.

He ripped open my robe, and I screamed, but he only slapped me again. He was ripping off the little bits of clothing that I did have on, all while he was beating my ass. Each time I screamed, he tried to shut me up with another blow, but I felt like I was fighting for my life. Buck was crazy, and there was no telling what he was going to do to me. When he unbuckled his belt, I took that as my chance to run. He caught me by my hair, and then pinned me on my back, by my throat. I could feel his grip tightening as I gasped for air. The sharp pains from him entering me, felt like I was being ripped in half, and it seemed to last forever.

All I could think about was Darron, and what kind of pain he would be in if I didn’t make it out of this alive. All of our life, we were on a trajectory to this point… being together. Yes, I’d loved Tyreek, but he wasn’t my soul mate. He wasn’t the one God had made just for me. Darron was. It was always Darron, and I was too foolish to know it.

Now, I was laying on the floor of my hotel room, the carpet burning the exposed flesh of my back, while Buck moved on top of me. The rape was brutal, and I felt like less of a woman as each second ticked by, but I couldn't feel much for long. The two hands that Buck had pressed firmly on my throat, caused my vision to blur on the corners. I focused on the constant in my life that had always been there for me.

I love you, Darron, I whispered, before everything went black.

1

I regained consciousness when I heard Farrah calling my name. When she found me laying on the floor, and she screamed.

Oh my god! What happened? I’m calling nine-one-one.

That’s all I heard, before I passed out again. When I came to, I was in a hospital room, and Farrah sounded like she was in the hallway speaking with police.

Her ex did this. That… I’m sure of. I don’t know the whole story. I just found her like that.

They stood out there talking for a minute or two, before I coughed, alerting them to the fact that I was awake. Farrah came rushing in.

What the hell happened? I flew to the hotel, because Darron called me in a panic.

How long was I out of it? I asked.

Maybe two hours... I can’t believe Buck did this.

He raped me, I said in a whisper. Farrah looked down.

They figured that. They want you to get a rape kit done. They have Buck in custody already. I can’t believe he did this. Darron and both of you guys’ mothers are on his way here. The press is all over the place. I don’t know how much they know. I’ve been trying to keep them out of it, but it’s gonna be hard. Austin, I feel bad for not coming over like I originally wanted to. I just got caught up in my own shit, Farrah said. I shook my head at my best friend.

Don’t apologize. This isn’t your fault. I... I... I feel so dumb, I said as I broke into tears.

You’re not dumb. He violated you. The detectives wanna take your statement.

I don’t want anyone to see me, I told her.

They have to take the statement, then the rape kit. You’ll be fine, Austin. I’ll try to stay close by.

I told the detectives the whole story, beginning with why Buck, and I broke up in the first place. Then, they had a nurse do a rape kit, which included pictures of all the bruises. Most were fresh, and some were already healing. I just kept thinking, why me? Two hours later, I was finally able to go back to sleep. I was being discharged in the morning. When I woke up, my circle was in the room. Tasha, Gina, Darron, and Farrah were all awake, ready to wait on me hand and foot.

Baby, Gina said as she rushed to me. She saw me open my eyes.

I’m so sorry this happened.

Mommy, I said. I held my mother close as I cried. She climbed into the bed with me, and held me. Everyone cleared out while my mommy stroked my hair. As she stroked my hair, I wished that I’d taken her advice when she first met Buck. She knew he was bad news, but I was too blind to it.

Buck flew with me to Philly, so I could introduce him to Gina. When we got to her house, she greeted me with an apron on.

Hey, Gina. This is Buck. Buck, this is my mom, Gina.

Buck looked my mom up, and down.

Damn, he tried to say under his breath, but I heard him, and I gave him the side eye.

Hi, Ms. Gina.

Boy, it’s just Gina. Nice to finally meet you. Come on in.

We walked inside, and Jo was sitting on the couch, reading a book, surprising the hell out of me. When he saw me, he stood up, and gave me a hug.

Hey, Jo. This is my boyfriend Dominic, but everyone calls him Buck.

Jo extended his hand, and Buck shook it.

Nice to meet you, Dominic. I hope you’re taking good care of my daughter.

I sure am, Buck said, then looked at me. I just smiled.

Buck, get comfortable. I’m gonna go help Gina cook.

Ard, babe, Buck said, sounding like a true North Philly dude. When I got in the kitchen, Gina looked at me.

So, that’s Buck, huh?

Yup, that’s him, I replied. Gina raised an eyebrow.

He’s an interesting character, she said. I laughed.

Yeah, he is. He’s different from Ty.

You think? Gina asked, sarcastically.

I didn’t think you would go for someone like him. What happened with you, and Darron? she continued. I looked at Gina.

How do you know about me, and D?

Darron tells his mother everything, unlike your secretive ass.

Gina, I’m not secretive, I said.

The only reason I know about you, and Buck is because of the blogs. Then, I waited for you to tell me something, but weeks went by. It wasn’t until the boy answered your phone that you were forced to tell me. You know you hurt Darron, Gina said.

Things were never going to work out with Darron anyway.

Bullshit, Gina said, getting visibly upset.

You think that it’s gonna work out with Buck? That little boy isn’t on your level. He’s nowhere close to being on your level. You’ll end up learning that the hard way, if you don’t know that already, but I feel like you do.

Why are you being like this? I said with tears in my eyes when I asked her.

There’s no need to cry, Austin. I’m just talking. Sometimes you have to make these kinds of mistakes, but I don’t want to see you hurting again. You have experienced enough pain from losing Tyreek, and who knows? Maybe you aren’t ready for what Darron has to offer. Maybe this needs to be a fling you have, but don’t get serous with that boy. You’ll regret it, she said.

Gina was always blunt with the advice she gave me. I knew Darron was the better choice. A blind man knew he was the better choice, but I was so damn scared to love him.

When I got out the hospital, I flew straight to Philly on a private jet with everyone. Darron stayed with me in my old bedroom. We hadn’t spoken yet, because we hadn’t been alone. I was sitting Indian style in the bed, braiding my hair.

Thank you for sending Farrah, I finally said.

Why did you let him in? was his response.

I didn’t. He barged in. I never thought I’d be so violated. I thought he was going to kill me.

Well, he didn’t. You’re here because you’re a survivor, he said. I nodded.

I love you, Darron.

I love you, too.

That night, he just held me close. By the morning, the media had gotten hold of the story. I was usually glad to see what the media had to say about me, but I didn’t want to hear anything. I didn’t want to speak to anyone who wasn’t in my immediate circle. Farrah assumed the role of my PR agent, and since we both had a degree in it, we took our time to issue a statement on behalf of myself, and Darron:

---

At this time, Austin, and D.C. are asking that you respect their privacy while they deal with this issue. They are grateful for all the well wishes, but Austin would like to handle this matter privately.

---

Just because we requested that people respect our privacy, didn’t mean they actually did. I was grateful that Farrah was on my team, because she fielded all the calls from people, with the assistance of my manager. I knew eventually, I would have to face the public.

For all intents and purposes, I lived with Darron at his house in Atlanta, once I decided to leave Gina’s house in Philly. I cancelled everything that I had coming up, and just stayed under my man. He really was my protector.

I was in the kitchen making us dinner which was DiGiorno pizza. He wasn't home yet, but was on his way, so I was on the phone with Farrah.

Girl, you know you can’t keep talking to Devin and J at the same time. One of them is gonna find out.

Well, J already knows about Devin, and… well, Dev… Just know that I’m handling this.

Yeah, sure. You say that now, but don’t call me crying later, I told her.

There’s nothing to cry about later. J and I are just friends.

Were y’all just friends when you went to Dallas to see him?

Keep joking about this if you want, Farrah said.

Babe! I heard Darron calling me as he came in.

I’m in the kitchen, I called back.

D.C.’s home? Good, that means I can get off the phone with you, Farrah said, happy to end our conversation.

Yeah, I’ll talk to you later, I said as I hung up with Farrah, and greeted Darron with a kiss on the lips.

Damn, baby, you smell good, he said as he grabbed my ass.

Instantly, I pulled away.

This pizza should be done soon. I have to use the restroom. Can you take the pizza out the oven for me?

All right, was all he said as I walked off.

In the bathroom, I had to fight off a panic attack. I drank water, and took deep breaths until I regained my composure. It was like this, every time Darron tried to touch me. I panicked in some sort of way. We hadn’t had sex since the incident. While he hadn't pressured me about it, I knew he had to be frustrated.

I rejoined Darron, and we ate pizza, and watched movies on the couch.

So, when are you going to get out the house? he asked, breaking the silence.

I’m not sure. Holly Drummond contacted Farrah for me to be on the show. Maybe I should.

I think it would be a good start.

Now, Holly was never my favorite person. She was ultra-critical of me, even before I started modeling, just as Tyreek’s girl. I chose her show, because I knew she had a large audience. Darron and Farrah both came with me to the show. I wore a knee length, black fitted dress, a pair of black pumps, and a statement necklace.

Holly introduced me, and I came out to a receptive audience.

Hi, Holly! I said as I took a seat on the couch.

Well, aren’t you beautiful, Holly said, and smiled.

Thank you. You are as well. Thank you for having me on the show.

So, how have you been? We’ve all heard the news on your assault, Holly said, getting right to the point.

I’m doing a lot better than I had been, but that’s because I have a great support system.

Your boyfriend, D.C., is a part of that support system, right?

I blushed, thinking of him.

Yes. He always has been, I answered.

So, back to this assault. What happened, because there are so many different stories out there.

My ex, Dominic, sexually assaulted me.

What would make him do such a thing? Holly asked.

I find myself wondering the same thing, often. We weren’t together long. He choked me, one time too many. Of course, I thought he would stop, or that I could change him, but that’s never the case.

I believe that, too, Holly interjected.

So, I broke up with him. Things became official with D.C., and I wasn’t in Miami. I was either working, or with D.C. Dominic was the furthest thing from my mind, but then I got a call that my house had been vandalized.

Was it him?

I have no way to be sure, but it felt like something that he would do. I called him, and he denied it. The night of the incident, he came to my hotel, and barged in. We argued, and then he attacked me. I was on Skype with D.C., before Dominic barged in, but Dominic slammed the laptop shut. That is when D.C. called my best friend. She found me on the floor.

Wow! You never know who to trust sometimes.

I just nodded in agreement.

This has been a rough couple of years for you. How do you stay so strong? Holly asked. I smiled when I answered her.

I just seem strong, since I’m very private. I’m not stronger than the next girl. Sometimes, I wonder how I’m still standing.

After losing Tyreek?

Yeah. We were both in that car. Tyreek was all I knew. I couldn’t move for days, and I shut everyone closest to me, out.

But… you’re here now.

I nodded and smiled.

Yes. I’m here now, and I’m finally happy again. That’s all I need, I replied.

That’s really all any of us need.

2

I knew that, since it had been four months of no sex, Darron had to either be really in love with me, or he was cheating. I felt like it was the latter. My suspicions were confirmed when his phone started ringing in the middle of the night. It was going off for the fourth time in a row. There was no way it was money, so