by Jannat Bhat
Eliana had never seen Julian in action before but she was not happy to look upon him in this state. He was beating the life out of Creesto like a robot with calculated punches. He knew exactly where it would hurt the most in the human body. At this rate, Creesto didn’t stand a chance to last more than a few minutes. But she wouldn’t let Julian kill a person tonight. Not on her watch. Or this would be another thing to add to the list of demons he couldn’t get rid of. She couldn’t be in love with a murderer, which is why when Julian was about to bestow the death blow on Creesto, she moved closer and screamed his name as loudly as she could muster and coughed immediately at the dryness that attacked her throat. Thankfully, it got Julian’s attention.
An array of emotions passed Julian’s face in a matter of seconds as he caught the face of the dark-haired girl. He would recognize her voice anywhere, even in the depths of hell where his mind was currently residing. His fist was an inch away from Creesto’s windpipe when he paused, eyes on Eliana. She shook her head silently in the deafening room, asking him to stop and Julian’s fist moved away instants later. The older man Julian had spoken to before the match had begun, cursed aloud and looked at the girl who had messed up the match. He would be losing a lot of money if Julian lost this match tonight.
But just because Julian had stopped didn’t mean Creesto would too. The bulky guy found his chance and started throwing fist after fist at Julian who did nothing to avoid him and contentedly took the hits all the while looking only at Eliana. Tears burned her eyes as Julian kept getting cuts and bruises with every punch he took and blood stained all over the cage. She went hysterical and rushed to the entrance of the cage. “STOP THIS! JULIAN PLEASE!” She cried.
Julian saw the guards grabbing and pulling Eliana from the gate, is when he regained his focus back into the fight. He wanted to be over with it already.
The presenter shortly came into the cage again raising Julian’s hand and announcing him as the winner while Creesto laid on his stomach on the floor broken and beaten. Julian was bleeding from the countless cuts but he was glad of the pain he was in, both internally and externally, because all he had felt these past days was numbness. Leaving the cage, he didn’t look at Eliana being restrained on the side and made his way to the back room where his coach followed. Eliana ran to the back but was stopped by security at the door. It was after she had shown them some of the pictures she and Julian had together that they believed she was his friend and not a crazed fan and let her enter.
“Who was that girl?” Eliana stopped outside the door labeled with Julian’s name when she heard a man’s gruff voice. She quietly peeked inside.
“What girl?” Julian asked rubbing his eyes. Eliana had missed Julian's deep voice so much that her being ached at hearing it.
“I’m not blind, Rivera.” The man said in annoyance.
“She’s no one.” Even though he had won the match, Julian sounded lost to her.
“I’m not stupid either.” He didn’t provide any response to that. “You were distracted by her.” The man continued. “So much that your head wasn’t in the fight the moment you saw her.”
“I don’t want to walk about it, Coach,” Julian said, voice strained. “It shouldn’t worry you. I won and so did you by default. Why are you making such a fuss? Just leave it alone.”
She saw Julian sitting in a chair facing the other side still in his shorts and a black satin robe over him which was untied. Coach standing next to him was looking directly at her with disapproval. “You don’t want to talk to me, fine. But you’ll have to talk to her.” He said as he moved to leave.
Julian looked up at his words and turned towards the door. His expression which was neutral instantly frosted at her entrance. Now that she’d found him she had no idea where to start. She went to stand next to him and looked down at the face she had missed so much. That dark hair falling over his forehead, those grey eyes which always looked at her with love and mischief, and those lips that had touched her on a deeper level than was physical. She saw bruises all over his face and body now. Eliana tried to take his hand but he stood up and moved away putting distance between them. “Why are you here?” He asked with his back to her.
“You know why I’m here Julian.” She said moving closer.
“You need to leave.” He said staring at the closed door, because looking at her pained him too much. “I told Ethan the same thing and you coming here isn’t going to make any difference. I’m not coming with you either.”
“And I’m not leaving without you.” She said adamant and walked forward to face him.
“I’m not leaving. Period.” He said.
“You’re hurt, Julian.” She said looking at the bruise forming on his right cheekbone. She lifted her hand to touch him but he backed away.
“Why do you care? Whether I get hurt or I die, it’s my life. You don’t get a say in it.” He said roughly.
“Julian, please. I understand that you’re mad at me and I’m sorry about blowing things out of proportion the other day. But hurting yourself is not the answer.” She said looking at his split lip.
Julian laughed bitterly. “You need to stop. This absurd pretense of caring about me, this needs to stop, Eliana.”
“Say what you want if it makes you feel better, but you’re coming with me,” She said. “Please don’t ruin your life over me. If you don’t come back you’re going to be suspended!” She tried to make him understand the enormity of his decision.
“Life?” He scoffed and shook his head. “I don’t care.” He said. Eliana was scared because she had never seen Julian as lifeless as he seemed now. His spark was missing and she was responsible for it.
“Julian, I’m not worth ruining yourself over. No one is.”
“You? You think I did all this because of you?” He gave her a humorless smile. “Whatever happened between us is in the past. Nothing’s going to change now.”
“Why are you fighting everyone over this?” She asked. “Why won’t you just come back?”
“Because me staying away, it’s the right thing to do.” He sighed.
“Right thing for whom?”
“For everyone.”
“Since when have you done the right thing?”
“Ever since . . . you.” He said quietly lowering his eyes.
“Julian, listen to me.”
“I’m done talking.” He said and turned back to her at the door. “Catch a flight back Eliana and don’t come back. There is nothing for you here.”
I have you here, Eliana thought and followed him out the back door and saw Creesto surrounded by his fans. His eyes fall on her and he leaves the groupies and comes to her with a few guys following his lead. She looked at Julian who was busy getting on his motorbike, avoiding her. Eliana took a step towards him but Creesto intercepted her.
“Hello there.” He drawled with his thumb sliding against his lower lip in a crude way. “What’s your name dearie?” Eliana felt disgusted by the way Creesto and his followers were staring at her.
“My name is none of your business.” She said and tried to leave but they stopped her again.
“It’s no wonder Rivera was distracted. If I had a girl like you, I’d get beaten up all day every day just to have a taste.” Eliana looked for Julian but she couldn’t see him. She stiffened when Creesto touched a strand of her hair and wrapped it around his finger. “She’s such a beauty. If only she’d give us a moment.” The guy nearest to her came closer. “I promise, I won’t disappoint.” Eliana was getting nowhere with these guys and she was running out of time to convince Julian. “Don’t look for him. He’s not the man for you. He’s not right in the head leaving you all alone out here.” Creesto said. “But you have nothing to worry about. You have me now.” He came forward and the rest moved back letting their leader make the first move. Creesto dropped her hair and took her arm trying to pull her forward but when Eliana’s scream cut the air, Julian was the first to come to her rescue. Her grey eyed guy had his hand
on Creesto’s arm pulling it away from her with brutal force almost crushing it.
“I warned you in the cage, Perez. Don’t mess with me.” Julian said moving in front of Eliana.
“Back off, Rivera. You don’t need this girl, so leave her to us.” Creesto said, tilting his head at Eliana.
“She’s my girl,” Julian growled dangerously. He didn’t wait for the other man to reply and hit him square in the face, breaking his nose with a sickening crush. The other men gathered around to attack Julian, but he was much faster and quicker than them. Avoiding their punches swiftly and hit them where it hurt. Looking at the scene, Eliana realized that one could only get to Julian if he wanted them to. But if his focus was zeroed in, nobody stood a chance getting a hit on him.
Creesto came forward again with a snarl, nose bleeding and Julian grabbed the back of his head, pulling his hair he smacked Creesto’s head on the hood of the jeep that stood nearby. Creesto fell to the ground with that, moaning as rest of the men backed, not wanting to fight Julian one on one. Julian bent down on his heels so he was closer to Creesto.
“Mine, Perez. If I see you or your men anywhere near her, I will not stop, I will end you.” He threatened the fallen man. “They don’t call me unstoppable for nothing.”
The sky split open and rain started pouring on them in heavy showers. Julian removed his jacket and held it out to Eliana. “It’s not safe around these parts. Go to the airport and catch a flight back immediately.”
“I’ll go if you’ll go,” Eliana said draping the jacket over herself.
“How many times do you need me to repeat myself? I’m not going.” Julian said.
“Then neither am I.”
Julian cursed at her stubbornness and went back to the bike massaging his knuckles, he turned on the engine. He drove up near Eliana and waited quietly, accelerating on the spot. Eliana wasn’t sure what else to do, so she climbed onto it and wrapped her hands around him. He stiffened at her touch and closed his eyes losing himself for a few moments at the feel of her. None too soon he came back to his senses and drove into the rain.
Julian stopped outside a B&B and climbed off. He would arrange Eliana to stay the night here and she could leave in the morning, then it wouldn’t be his concern anymore and he could go home. Silently, he strode inside. The lights were out due to power outage and the reception was empty. Julian rang the bell several times but no one showed up. Eliana looked around uncomfortably in the dark pulling Julian’s jacket tightly against her.
“Hello! Anyone here?” He called out. A middle-aged man came into view with a lamp barely lighting his face. “We need a room,” Julian said.
“Of course, Sir. By the hour or by the night?” He asked looking from Julian to Eliana and back again with a sleazy grin. Did this town not have any decent people? Eliana thought. First Creesto and now this man. Julian did warn her that this area wasn’t a safe place to be in.
Julian’s eyes hardened and his hands clenched into fists at the man’s question. “And we don’t accept cards here, just cash.” The man winked at Julian. “I’m sure you understand.” He would have beaten the man to a pulp if Eliana hadn’t spoken then.
“I’m not staying here, Julian,” She said touching his arm to get his attention. “Let’s go. Please.”
Julian left the B&B and climbed back onto his bike. Eliana did the same and he took to the direction of his home. She was feeling dizzy as she’d barely eaten the past few days but remained quiet and laid her forehead against Julian’s back. His scent and warmth was comforting.
Julian had no choice but to bring her home. He didn’t trust anyone else with her. Especially after Creesto and the filthy man at the B&B, he needed to be sure Eliana was safe. He parked his bike reaching the house and climbed down but he didn’t talk to her. Being this close without touching her was hard enough. He unlocked the door and went inside. The first thing he did was go into the kitchen and get some torch lights and candles before moving to the living room to kindle the fireplace. Then he went to the bedroom and took out a pair of shirt and trousers from the closet to pass it to Eliana.
“Here. You should change before you catch a cold.” He put the clothes down next to her on the settee. “You can go to the guest room, it’s down the hallway third door on the right. Come back here when you’re done.” Julian said and disappeared along the hallway himself to change. He was making coffee for Eliana when she stepped into the kitchen. She looked delectable in his clothes and it made the alpha in him growl low in his chest in satisfaction. She was his girl and he wanted her with him. Permanently in his home by his side. But of course it didn’t matter what he wanted, not until she wanted it too. It took a moment to tear his eyes away from her. “I asked you to stay there.”
“I’ve never been good at following orders from you.” She said and leaned against the counter.
“What do you want from me?” He sighed heavily and stopped stirring the coffee in the mug and looked at her in the candlelight that was lit on the counter across Eliana. Her hair was still wet and hung heavily around her face like a veil.
“I want you to come back.” She said looking at the bruises on his face that were turning dark. “You’re hurt. Let me tend to you.”
“I’m fine. This wouldn’t be the first time I’ve been hurt.” Julian slid the coffee mug towards here. “Drink up. You’ll feel better.”
“Promise me that you’ll come back. Only then I’ll drink this.” Eliana laid down her condition.
“No.” He looked straight at her.
“Then I’m not drinking it.” She turned her head sideways. Julian’s eyes flashed and he picked up the mug and drained its contents down the drain. “Get some sleep in the guest room. You’ll catch the first flight out of here tomorrow morning.” He said and headed to the master bedroom.
Eliana felt her shoulders stoop down in defeat as she stared at the empty mug, then made her way back to the settee in the living room. She laid down on it watching the flames dance and brought the loose white shirt to her nose inhaling Julian’s scent deeply. Just his smell made her feel tranquil and she regained her courage to persuade him. But right now, she just wanted to sleep.
Hours later, Julian was fidgety in his bed as he tossed and turned. The bruises on his cheek and mouth still pained after he had put an ointment on them and his body felt sore from being beaten. But not more than the girl present in his home. He could ignore the pain but he could never ignore her. He was as aware of her as he’d ever been. Why did she have to come here? He thought. Wasn’t she the one who had pushed me away repeatedly? Then why come to me now? He got up from his bed and quietly padded down the hall in his grey trousers. He peeked into the guest room and found it empty. The bed hadn’t been slept in.
“Where did you go now, Bennett?” He murmured and looked around the house. He found her on the settee in the living room fast asleep, shivering lightly. He shook his head. He had asked her to sleep in the guest room but she just had to defy everything he said. He grabbed the blanket off his bed before coming back. Julian crouched down beside Eliana and allowed himself a moment to simply look at her in the light of the dying embers. He had missed her. She was tantalizing in his clothes that were two sizes too big on her and her dark hair sprawled over the settee. Her face was pale and body a little thin. She looked worn out and had dark circles around her eyes. She looked just as miserable as he felt. Julian gave in to his need to touch her and gently caressed her cheek with the back of his fingers. Eliana’s eyes fluttered open at the contact and she saw her beloved. For several moments they just gazed at each other taking in the faces they had yearned.
“I missed you.” She said softly, eyes heavy with sleep. “Don’t let go, Julian.”
“Give me a reason, Elly. One reason for holding on.” Julian said, voice barely audible.
She took hold of Julian’s arm and drew him closer. “Us.” She whispered.
He was a breath away from her, his control almost out of reach. “Ki
ss me, Elly. For fuck’s sake, kiss me before I lose my damn mind.” He pleaded hoarsely and closed his eyes. There was silence for a few seconds except for the rain hitting the windows before he felt the soft touch. The gentle brush of her lips against his was destroying the defense he had so carefully built. He wanted to lay down next to her and take her in his arms. Holding her close, he wanted to forget everything that hurt.
“Goodnight, Julian.” Eliana murmured, and she drifted back to sleep.
Don’t play with fire, Elly, or we won’t survive. I know I won’t. Julian took a deep breath fighting the urge to take her to his room before he covered her with the blanket and making his way back to at least try and get some rest.
In the morning, Eliana woke up to find an envelope beside her. Julian was seated in the chair across the settee. “Your flight is in a couple of hours. The ticket is in there.” He said pointing to the envelope. “I’ll make you some breakfast, then you can leave.” He said and stood up.