by Dani René
“I’ll take Ella home.” He pushes up, stalking to the door. He opens it and steps outside with me hot on his heels. Ella’s gaze meets ours as we close the distance between my office and her desk. “I want you home. I’ll take you. Stay there until Bennett and I can sort out this mess,” he murmurs with pure rage in his tone.
She glances at the paperwork on her desk and responds, “But, I’ll—”
“This isn’t up for debate.” I stare at her.
She knows better than to argue with either of us because her safety is important. I don’t want her in public alone. Her tormentor is out there, and we’ve just confirmed that Carter’s uncle is the one who’s responsible. We can’t tell her. She’ll lose it. Once this has been sorted out, I’ll make sure she knows we did it for her. Hopefully she’ll never have to learn about Carter’s uncle being the man who violated and broke her.
“Fine, I’ll take my laptop home to work from there.”
It’s settled. This will end today. He will pay, and I’m going to love every fucking minute.
Ella
I can’t argue with two alpha men. It’s pointless. I push up from the chair and turn to head to my desk. Carter and Bennett haven’t told me what they’re going to do, but I have a feeling it’s not legal.
Shutting down my laptop, I slide it into the black leather satchel along with the charger. I don’t need anything else, and when I glance up I find Carter staring at me. “What?”
“You’re beautiful. I look at you and wonder what you’re doing with us.”
I giggle because that’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard. Both he and Bennett are handsome. They could be male models. Chiseled, tanned skin under the immaculate suits. Eyes that shine like an expensive pair of gemstones. Every inch of them is perfect.
“Carter, there are times you say the stupidest things.” My retort earns me a smirk and he narrows his eyes at me.
“Ella, you do realize your cheeky mouth is going to earn you a good hard fucking in the backseat of my car,” he murmurs hungrily against my cheek.
I don’t doubt he’s serious about it, and I can’t stifle my gasp.
“You say that like it’s a punishment,” I tease playfully and he steps back, regarding me with a predatory glance. The heat from it has my core pulsing with need. As much as my body protests from both men worshiping me, I still want more.
These men have turned on an insatiable need inside me and all I want is for them to devour me. “Let’s go, Princess.”
Bennett meets us in the foyer and gives me a hug. “Be careful,” he whispers with a soft kiss on my cheek, then leaves us. His hands roam my body, cupping my ass, squeezing hard, causing me to whimper. “I’ll be at your apartment soon, sweetheart.”
“How are you feeling?” Carter questions me with wariness lacing his tone.
He can’t really be jealous, can he? I fix him with a stare and find him curiously studying me.
“I’m feeling good. Happy.” My response is short, but I’m sure he can see the emotion on my face.
As we step into the empty elevator, he turns to me. Cupping my face in his hands, he peers at me under those beautiful hooded eyes. “Bennett and I will be doing something… we’ll be sorting out a mess.” His confession stills us both for a second.
“And you don’t want me to be alone. Or anywhere near the office?”
“Bennett’s men found something and we’re waiting for a location on the man who’s been harassing you,” he tells me then.
I tense. My heart slams against my chest, leaping into my throat.
“We’ll find him. I don’t want you to worry.”
“I’m not worried. I’ve chosen two men I know will keep me safe.”
He nods as if he’s satisfied with my answer and then crashes his mouth down on mine. All the tension that wound him up releases as his tongue sweeps alongside mine in a searing kiss I know will leave me breathless.
When he finally pulls away, the elevator dings and the doors open. I follow him to the car on shaky legs. Every time he kisses me, touches me, or fucks me, I’m a ball of need. I know he’s taking me home to keep me safe, but what worries me is what he and Bennett plan to do. I know it has something to do with my stepfather.
Why aren’t they telling me more?
As we weave through traffic, Carter reaches for my hand, lacing his fingers through mine. It’s a romantic gesture, something that surprises me. It’s not that he’s not romantic, but the feelings we’ve found with each other are still so new. I love the feel of his hand in mine. It’s like mine was meant to fit into his. Like a key fitting into a lock. He and Bennett have broken down my walls, unlocking the part of me I’d hidden for so long. “A penny for those thoughts, Princess?”
“I’m just thinking about you and Bennett,” I answer honestly.
“Are we naked?” he quips on a sinful smirk.
I snap my eyes to his and find amusement dancing on his features, making him look younger than he really is.
“No, you’re fully dressed. Stop being an ass.”
That earns me a deep chuckle. “An arse?” Another quirk of those full lips that have me squeezing my thighs together.
How can he make me wet with a grin?
“Yes, an overly confident ass actually,” I retort playfully.
“Oh, darling, how I’d love your sexy arse in front of me with that little skirt over your hips while you show me that tiny white thong you’re wearing.”
My mouth drops open as I stare at him in shock. How the fuck?
“Don’t look so shocked, baby. I know the outline of your body like I know the back of my hand. I can see you’re wearing a thong because the smooth material of your skirt hugs those curves I’m tempted to taste right now.”
My mouth is still gaped in shock, but the man is as serious as if he’s telling me a business deal has just gone wrong. There’s no humor in his eyes and when he turns to me, he offers a sly wink and gets out of the car. We’ve pulled up to my apartment building and I didn’t even notice.
The car door is opened for me and Carter offers his hand, which I gratefully accept. Making our way into the building, I lean in and whisper, “It’s a shame you have to go out now. After your little alpha male display in the car, I’m rather wet for you,” I murmur in his ear, and I hear a deep growl rumbling in his chest.
As soon as we step into the elevator, even before the doors close I find myself against the wall with a hard body pressed against mine. Lifting my leg to hook around his waist, his deft fingers lift my skirt and find the soaked lace of my white panties.
“Mmm, I do love how wet you get for me.” His fingers shift the material and dip into my pussy, flicking my clit.
My body tenses, and I roll my hips against his hand.
“Fuck my hand, Ella. Take my fingers in your sweet, little cunt.” His filthy words spear me, racing through my blood only to send pleasure to every nerve in my body.
“Carter,” I moan when he crooks his fingers inside me, sending me spiraling all before we’ve even reached the seventh floor. He slips both digits from me and traces my lips with the slick arousal coating both digits.
“I want to taste you on your lips.” His tongue darts out, licking the seam of my mouth, sucking my bottom lip in between his teeth as he bites down, turning my core into molten liquid.
Our moment is broken when the doors slide open and we’re deposited in the hallway. I follow Carter as we head toward my apartment door, which he opens and enters first, making sure there’s nobody waiting on the other side.
I toe off my shoes and drop my purse on the sofa, inhaling a deep, calming breath. The stress has taken its toll on me and I feel the tension in my shoulders. After my orgasm in the elevator, I thought I’d be relaxed, but knowing I’m about to be alone sends my nerves into disarray.
“What the fuck is this?” Carter’s voice drags my attention to the card he’s holding in his hand. It’s a sleek silver envelope, which I take in conf
usion.
“Where did you find it?” He glances at me and I can see the worry on his face. After the incident at the restaurant, he knows it can mean only one thing. My stepfather. We both settle on the sofa and my body shivers in fear. I take the envelope from him and rip it open.
“What does it say?”
I lift my gaze to his for a moment before my body convulses with sobs. Carter rips the card from my grasp and reads it. The air around us changes, ignites with rage, and I see his hand trembling with the emotion that’s overtaken his body.
* * *
I always know where you are, Snowflake.
* * *
He drops to the sofa beside me, pulling me into a hug. The force of his arms around me stills my shaking body and I don’t know what else to do, so I cry.
“He’s here.” My words are ragged, as if there’s a blade in my throat, slicing me open with each word. My chest tightens in agony at the message inside that card. The promise. The vow. He’s coming for me and he’ll hurt me. And this time, I don’t think he’ll stop. This time, I know he’ll kill me.
It’s quiet for a long while and my tears dry and my sobs fall silent.
“I’m not going anywhere. I’m right here for you. Talk to me, Ella.” His voice is soothing, like a balm over fresh wounds, and I revel in it, trying to allow it to heal me, but I don’t think he can anymore.
Carter’s phone ringing disturbs the now silent sobs coming from me. “Fuck,” he grunts.
The word stabs at me, slicing me wide-open as I glance down at the lit-up screen. My heart thuds loudly in my ears and my body locks in fury, rage, and fear.
I find the strength and pull away from the man I trusted. The man I gave everything to. “Fuck you! Get the hell away from me!” My screeching is loud enough to wake the dead and Carter’s gaze is pained.
“Ella? Wait—”
When he releases me, I run into the kitchen, pulling a knife from the drawer, and spin on my heel to face him. The liar. “Get. The. Fuck. Out,” I hiss and he holds up his hands in defeat.
“Princess—”
“Shut. The. Fuck. Up. Don’t you ever come near me again, you lying fucking bastard!” I screech before he can get the nickname he gave me out. I lunge at him, causing him to flinch. Adrenaline shoots through me in an instant, warming my blood. I manage to slice his arm. It’s small, but he rears back once more.
He grips me hard and shoves me against the refrigerator, but I don’t relent. I fight him as much as he does me. His gaze locked on mine in resignation. His phone interrupts us again and that’s when I’ve had enough of his goddamn lies. I attack him again, but he doesn’t allow it.
Instead, he hisses, “Listen to me, Ella.”
“We’re done. Get the fuck out. Did you play this game with him?” I shove the card at his chest. My voice is hoarse, shrill, and my throat burns in agony. The fear on his face only infuriates me more and I lift my knee, getting him right in the spot I want him, and he keels over. Shoving him toward the door in his crumpled state, I pull it open and he stumbles into the hallway.
He’s gripping his cock as he hisses through clenched teeth. “Ella… Listen to me, please.” The ringing, his words, everything becomes too much. It’s all too much.
“Leave me the fuck alone. We’re done. It’s done. Do not come near me again.” Slamming the door in his face, I lean back against it and slide down the wood. His banging from the other side is loud and echoes around me, but I don’t relent. Tears stream down my face, and the sobs choke me as my heart is gripped in the pain from the truth that so violently fucked my world apart.
One man took not only my innocence, but now he’s ripped one of the men I love away and I’m left with nothing. I’m not Carter Hamilton’s obsession, I’m his. The monster who stole everything from me. And the realization has my body wracked with sobs. When the banging on my door ceases, that’s when my world crashes down around me.
I’m alone.
I’m dead inside.
I’m just a broken, tainted little girl.
I’m just a filthy whore.
Carter
Most of my years I’ve spent inside different women. Each night I’d fuck them and walk away. It didn’t matter if they were married or if they had a boyfriend. I wanted to get my dick wet, so I did. I ploughed through half of my sorority, and then most of my personal assistants.
Even though I wanted a long-term relationship, I’ve never found anyone worthy of my time.
Until her.
Ella Carmel walked into my life.
Now, she’s pushed me away without allowing me to explain who he is, why he was calling me. I don’t blame her for being scared. I should’ve told her. We thought it would be easier if she never knew my uncle was the one behind her pain.
Pulling out my phone, I hit dial on Bennett’s number.
“I need your help with Ella. We were fine, and then Charles called. My phone was on the sofa between us and she saw the name and photo of my uncle on the screen. She freaked out, called me a lying bastard, and then pulled a kitchen knife on me,” I tell him while stalking to my car. Slipping into the driver’s seat, I plug in the hands-free kit and pull out onto the road.
He sighs, then chuckles. Bastard. “She stabbed you?”
“No, flesh wound mostly. We need to fix this, but she won’t allow me back into the apartment to explain.” My office isn’t far from here, so I’ll grab what I need from there and make contact with Charles. Perhaps I can find out his location.
“She hasn’t called me. I’ll try her in a few minutes. I wanted to get this done tonight, but Sarge says he’s on the move and they lost his trail. We can, however, head over to his apartment.” There’s a satisfaction in his tone and I have a feeling what we’re about to find is nothing short of horrific.
“So far, she’s safe. He was calling me, so it means he wants to make contact. We can search his place first, then you can come here and talk some sense into Ella. I can’t lose her, Bennett,” I warn.
“I know. We won’t lose her. I’ll text you the address.”
“Okay, I’ll help you. Give me twenty minutes.” I nod in agreement.
“I’m just heading to my office now. There’s something I need to get, and I’ll meet you there.” I hang up and speed down toward Canary Wharf. The afternoon is quiet thankfully and moments later I’m pulling into the parking lot.
The lift is waiting when I reach it. I try calling Ella again, but her phone is now directed to voicemail.
“I need you to listen to me. I’m not working with him. I’m ready to kill the bastard. Please, Princess. I love you.” My words are raw, honest. It’s the most I’ve given a woman. Ever.
Steel doors slide open and I step out onto the top floor. As I head to my office, my assistant smiles up at me. Once I’m in the privacy of my space, I make a beeline to the safe and open it. Inside is the beautiful Hamilton blade. It’s been passed down from father to son for centuries, and I recall Charles wanting it a long while ago. This is his time to finally get what he wants.
“Mr. Hamilton, there’s someone here to see you.”
Glancing at my assistant who’s standing in my doorway, she seems nervous and fidgety. It can’t be my father because he normally walks in without announcement.
“Who is it?” I question, shutting and locking the safe. I settle into my seat, waiting for her response, which doesn’t come immediately.
The beautiful brunette twirls into my office with a smile so bright it could power the whole damn building. “Carter.”
“Kat.” Raking my fingers through my hair, I sit back as she closes the door and strides toward me. “What are you doing here?”
“I wanted to see how you’re doing.” Katherine pouts as she flops into one of the chairs opposite my desk. “How is your new lady friend?” Her amber eyes—which match our father’s— sparkle with curiosity.
“Fine.” I don’t want to talk about Ella, the woman who’s somehow woven herself i
nto my ordered life, fucked with everything I know and who’s not letting me near her.
“Carter Hamilton, are you going to lie to me?” There’s nothing I can get by her. My sister has a built-in bullshit radar and right now it’s beeping directly at me.
“We had a fight. There’s something that happened and she doesn’t trust me, but she hasn’t given me a moment to explain.”
My sister sits forward, devouring every detail.
“Charles called. Our uncle had something to do with her when he was in the States,” I inform Kat, wondering if she’ll admit what happened to her.
I still don’t understand how Charles knew I’d be with Ella. There must be more to the story. I glance up to find my sister pale and her eyes are about as wide as saucers.
“Kat?”
She regards me for a moment before responding. “You said Charles called. You mean Carlo, Mom’s brother, the one who moved to the U.S.?”
“Yes.”
“Carter, you said she saw our uncle’s name and freaked out. She knew him?” She’s utterly confused now as the pieces slot into place. I’d be confused by her reaction if it wasn’t for what Bennett told me. But I know what the fucker did to my sister, and I’ll ensure he pays for that as well. With more than just his life. I want to torture him until he’s nothing but a whimpering fucking mess on the floor.
I meet her enquiring gaze. “She did know him. He was her stepfather for most of the years she was growing up.”
My sister sits back and sighs. “So he’s back?” Her face is filled with fear and I cock my head to the side as I nod. “Fuck, I was hoping he wouldn’t return.”
My gaze narrows as I stare at my sister.
“Tell me, Kat.” This time I lean my elbows on the desk.
“I just…” She shrugs, but her brows are creased and I can’t help staring at her. I want her to admit it. Perhaps it will help her with admitting it. And I want to know my sister will tell me anything. Trust is something we’ve always had between us, and it hurt that she didn’t tell me about what happened to her, but I also believe it couldn’t have been easy for her.