Chloe: Doors open. In my room
Ryder: I make no promises. You’re a good friend to her Payton. I may or may not be dressed when you get home.
The second message had me smiling and hoping that I would be able to figure out the situation with Chloe quickly. I opened the door and didn’t hear any noise which was odd because there was always some type of music on in the background when she was home alone. She didn’t do well with silence and had her iPod set on a deck in the kitchen that could be heard throughout her every room.
I quietly walked back to her bedroom and stopped dead in my tracks when I saw Grayson lying on Chloe’s bed with no sight of Chloe anywhere.
“Wh-where’s Chloe? She told me to come over?” I could hear the nervousness in my voice. He had his jeans on but had taken off his shirt since Ryder and I had left. He had a decent body but it was nothing compared to Ryder’s chiseled chest and broad shoulders.
“She went out. I was the one that needed you to come over.” He sat up on the bed and placed his head in his hands. “Why are you with that guy? He’s not right for you. I thought you were going to listen.”
I was thoroughly confused and frightened. Grayson and I had never talked about the men in my life so I wasn’t sure where things were going.
“Who I am with is none of your damn business. Where’s Chloe?” I demanded. I didn’t want to be alone with him and hoped she would be coming back soon.
“I. Said. She went out. I gave you time, Payton. I let you have your fun with those guys in Vegas. I consider myself a patient man but I’m done with your slutty ways. I tried to warn you but you are obviously too stupid to take the hint.”
I knew I needed to get away from him. His voice was getting more agitated and he was pulling his hair. He hadn’t looked me in the eye since he sat up, though, which I couldn’t figure out if it was a good thing or bad. He wanted me there alone with him. He knew about Vegas. I was fucked.
I had sat my purse down by the door when I walked in and my phone was stuck in there. Ryder knew I was at Chloe’s house but there wasn’t a reason for him to drop by unannounced. Who the fuck knew where Chloe was, I just hoped she was okay. I needed to play things out right. Grayson wasn’t a violent person; I could talk to him and figure out what he wanted. I needed to stay calm.
“Did you send me those letters?” Damn it! I shouldn’t have asked that. I’m supposed to be talking him down, not pissing him off more.
“Ding ding ding, we have a winner! Your prize will be coming shortly, sweetheart, don’t you worry. I’m surprised it took you this long to figure it out. I should have taken what I wanted while you were in Vegas. You were all alone up there after your boyfriend left; I should have been there for you. I knew he wasn’t right for you, baby, but it’ll all be okay now. I’ll take care of everything.” This is very, very bad. Grayson was delusional and I was what he wanted. He was looking up at me with crazed eyes that made me want to back away. I couldn’t let him know I was frightened.
I leaned against the wall, still close to the door. I didn’t want to get comfortable and felt safer knowing I could try to run if it came to that.
“What about the wax ‘R’? How did you know about Vegas and Reece?”
“Chloe is very forthcoming when she drinks. After a few glasses of wine, I can pretty much ask her anything I want. She had told me about your book right after it was released. She calls you Reece sometimes if she’s drunk enough. Chloe envies how free you are but I see the walls you’ve put up. Hearing her talk about the men you slept with without even thinking of the people back home. The ‘R’ was for Reece; just another hint that I knew who you were and what you were doing in the city of sin. It was very selfish of you but I gave you time. I thought you’d come around, but that guy you brought to dinner is telling me otherwise. I saw him with you in Vegas. Have you fucked him? Does he know your filthy secrets?”
Why would people back home care about who I slept with? Chloe didn’t and she was all I had.
“Yes, he knows about them. What are you talking about coming around, Grayson? I’m confused.”
“Really? I’ve been with Chloe for years so that I could stay close to you. I watched you fuck around with other men and it killed me inside. I knew one day you’d be mine, though. I’m done waiting for you. I never wanted Chloe. I wanted you.”
This is so not good. I had never shown interest in him and I didn’t think he even liked me. He was always distant and secretive, only talking to me when he had to.
“I had no idea, Grayson. I stopped going to Vegas but I’m not going to stop seeing Ryder. He’s who I want to be with.” I saw him stand up and take a step toward me. He towered over me and I kept waiting for my survival instincts to kick in but I was stuck, frozen in place. What did he want from me?
Once he was within a foot in front of me, he reached out and tucked a loose piece of hair behind my ear. I got goose bumps when his hand touched my ear and knew I was in trouble. He leaned in close to my ear and whispered, “I’m going to show you, Payton. You’re mine.”
I could feel his breath on my neck and his attraction to me against my belly. I was sick to my stomach at the thought of him wanting me that way. “You have a good thing with Chloe. She loves you. Reece may seem interesting and fun but that’s what I used to be. I’m not like that anymore.”
Instead of replying, I felt his hand brush up against my waist and slowly move to my backside. He pulled me in close and ground himself against me. I truly hadn’t thought he’d be that aggressive with me. I could handle a guy who was mad, but Grayson wanted something I wasn’t willing to give. I just wasn’t sure what my next move should be.
“It was never about Chloe, baby.” He grabbed the neckline of my v-neck shirt and ripped it in half. I turned my head and shut my eyes as I screamed in fright. His hands were groping my breasts, pulling my bra down with rigid movements. “I need to taste you. In my dreams you’re sweet to taste but like it rough in bed. You like it rough, babe? I’ll make you scream my name as you come for me.”
I had never felt so exposed and fragile. He towered over me and had me against the wall. Without thinking, I brought my knee up swiftly and hit him square in the balls. He stumbled for a moment and I knew it was my chance. I turned quickly and started to run out the door. I had made it to the living room when I felt my hair being pulled back and could hear the ripping of some of the strands out of my head. I was yanked back and had an arm around my neck.
“Tsk, tsk, sweetheart. I guess this answers my question if you like it rough or not.”
This was the last thing I heard before everything went black.
Chapter 15
Ryder
I was falling for her. I just needed to find the perfect time to tell her. We’d finally gotten to a place where I didn’t think she’d run, even if I opened up and told her how I felt. As I drove to Swizzlesticks, I couldn’t help but grin at how I could show her how much she meant to me. Seeing her worry about Chloe’s relationship broke me. That was her family. I could see it in her eyes that she would move heaven and hell to make sure Chloe was okay.
I would be there for her when she got home to talk to if needed. I wanted to bring her down to the beach. I wanted to tell her about Cami. We both had gone through something no one should have to go through.
As I pulled up to the bakery, I could see why Payton loved the place. The black chalkboard had neon writing noting the alcoholic flavors of the day. I put the car in park and headed inside, curious what my options would be. I stayed in shape but had a sweet tooth that I gave in to every so often. I decided on ordering a half dozen Whiskey and Coke cupcakes and picked out an assortment to bring home as well. I got a few of the Buttery Nipple truffles, some Chocolate Martini bon bons, and some chocolate covered strawberries that were dipped in mocha flavored liquor.
As I was checking out, I heard the bell chime noting that another customer had walked in. I thought nothing of it until I heard Chloe’s distinct voice
call me name.
“Ryder? What are you doing here?” She walked up to me and peeked into the container that had been put together for me. “You’ll want at least another five or six truffles if you plan on trying them. Payton may be little but she can eat that entire container in a night and not gain a pound.
“I can run out and see if this is what she wanted. Why didn’t she come inside?” I was now suddenly worried that I hadn’t gotten enough of what she liked.
“What are you talking about? She isn’t with me, isn’t she with you?” The look in her eyes was genuine. Chloe had no idea where Payton was. My mind starting thinking of all the worst case scenarios and I had a bad feeling in my gut.
“She’s supposed to be with you. She said she was headed to your place, Chloe.”
“I figured I would call her when I got home. I knew she’d want to talk with me but I needed some sweets after dealing with dickhead all night so I left to grab a box for myself. I was actually tempted to head to the liquor store after stopping here so that’d I’d be on a sugar high and tipsy when I bitched out my sucky-ass boyfriend.”
I pulled out my phone and called Payton’s phone. After a few rings it went straight to voicemail. I looked back at Chloe and she still didn’t seem fazed that Payton said she was headed to her house. Payton had told me she would just call Chloe once she got inside so I wasn’t sure what made her decide to drive back over.
Chloe must have realized my confusion and worry because she put her hand on my forearm and calmly stated, “She’s fine. I’ll head home now and we’ll be sharing a bottle of wine and some cupcakes in no time. Stop worrying over nothing. What’s the worst that could happen? She has to wait for me with Grayson?”
We both left with our boxes of sweets but I couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t right. I tried Payton’s phone again but it still went to voicemail. She had texted me from it not even a half hour ago so I knew she had it on her.
I ended up following Chloe over to her house and got a sense that something was wrong. Maybe she was just inside waiting. I was probably overreacting and kept reassuring myself that I would be able to see her in a minute and make sweet love to her once I got her safely home.
I followed Chloe up the steps and waited for her to dig her keys out of her purse. After what felt like hours, she finally got the door open and I could hear a male voice grunting from one of the rooms in back. I didn’t hear anything else though and Payton wasn’t in sight.
“Babe? You here?” I pushed passed Chloe and started looking through the rooms.
“Grayson, have you seen Payton?” She was walking toward the master bedroom, and after checking the other rooms, I stepped up behind her. The door was shut and when she tried to open it, she was met with resistance.
“It’s locked. We never lock the door, Ryder.” Chloe whispered, her voice laced with worry. Her eyes were wide and her hands were fidgety.
I put my ear up to the door and could hear shuffling near the floor and what sounded like Grayson struggling with something.
“Open the damn door! Payton? Are you in there, baby? I’m right outside but I need to know if you’re okay. Please say something.”
I was about to lose my shit and bust down the door. “You never meant anything to her! She’s mine and always has been. I just need to put her in her place.” Grayson’s voice didn’t sound the same as it had at dinner. It was lower, void of emotion.
I turned to Chloe, needing her to back away while I got through the door. “Can you go around to the window outside and see if you can see anything? Keep your phone on you and be prepared to call for help.”
“That’s my boyfriend you’re talking about. Watch it!”
“Well, that’s the love of my life in there and I can’t get her to say anything while your boyfriend is claiming her as his! Now go to the window!” I growled the last part.
I took a few steps back and tried mentally preparing myself for whatever I was about to see as I kicked the door in. Looking inside the room, I took in the scene. The bed was rumpled but empty. My vision turned to the floor, and close to the door, I saw Grayson. He was on his knees with his pants undone. I was about to tackle him when I saw Payton’s body, only it wasn’t moving.
She was positioned in an unnatural position and I could see the gash to her head and stomach. Her shirt was torn to shreds and her bra was pulled below her chest, exposing her bruised skin. Blood was all over her body and I wasn’t positive where it was coming from. There was a pool of it starting under her head and her stomach was already turning a deep purple. I looked away from her body and remembered where I was and what was happening.
“CHLOE! Call 9-1-1 now!” I yelled as I ran forward and punched him straight in his face, hearing the distinct crack of bone breaking. Blood sprayed onto my clothes and the ground. Two more punches to the gut knocked Grayson to the ground and I knew I had to get to my girl. “Stay the fuck away from her, or so help me, I’ll kill you with my bare hands. You’re a sick piece of shit!”
Kneeling next to her, I took her hand in mine and it was limp. I could see her chest moving up and down but it was labored. Her jeans were still on and I silently said a thank you that he hadn’t gotten that far. What did she do to deserve this?
A sudden force to my back knocked me over, but I was careful not to fall on her. Another to the side and I was hunched over, feet away from where I needed to be. I needed to protect her. Just as Grayson’s foot was about to slam down on my stomach, I grabbed hold of his foot and twisted. He collapsed near us and I took the opportunity to jab him in the stomach a few times while he was down.
I came up behind her and pulled her close to me. I felt a few tears run down my cheek as I held her in my arms, hoping and praying that she was going to be okay. We had just found each other, I couldn’t lose her. In the background, I could hear Grayson stumbling to get up and as much as I wanted to beat him unconscious, I wasn’t going to leave Payton.
I moved the stray hairs away from her face and whispered how much I loved her and needed her. “I’m here for you now. Be strong, my precious girl. He won’t hurt you anymore, I promise. I need for you to open up your eyes for me, sweet angel.”
Not a sound came from her. I kept watching and hoping that she’d open her eyes or make some type of noise but there was nothing but silence.
Chloe walked in the room and took in what she saw. Grayson was still hovering around like he was scared to leave. She walked straight over to him and kicked him in the balls. “You lying, disturbed, cunt face whore! That’s my best friend! What did you do to her?” She kept kicking him over and over again and he just stood there and took it. Chloe was bawling as she kept screaming at him. “You’re a monster! How could I have ever thought I loved you? You deserve to rot in hell!
“Sh-she was meant for me. I needed her to see that I was the right one for her but she started fighting me. You don’t deserve her love, I do! She’s my soul mate and I need to be with her.” What he was saying wasn’t making sense. I chanced a glance over to Chloe just as I heard the sirens and she looked like she was in shock.
Grayson stood awkwardly in the middle of the room, watching Payton. I couldn’t stand for his eyes to be on her. “You need to back the fuck away. You don’t get to look at her like she’s your reason to breathe. You beat her unconscious!” I could hear the footsteps nearing the front door and Chloe yelled out that we were in the back.
I still wasn’t sure why Grayson didn’t run but I was glad he was easily apprehended by the cops. He kept muttering how he couldn’t leave her as he was escorted away.
The paramedics forced me to back away from Payton as they worked on her. Chloe was sobbing on the floor with her knees up to her chest. I crouched down behind her and held her as we both cried for the one we loved who was helpless before us.
I couldn’t lose her. We had both been through enough heartache in our lives and we deserved our happy ending. The paramedics kept talking in medical jargon and
soon she was being lifted onto a stretcher and taken outside.
“I need to be with her. Please.” The young paramedic gave me a grave look and nodded solemnly.
*****
Present
Payton has been in a coma for two weeks. Two weeks I’ve sat by her side hoping to see her condition improve. Two weeks I have been told to go home and they’d call if anything changed. The medically induced coma was only for the first week, now it’s all up to her. They say her body is protecting itself by shutting down so its vital organs can heal. When she’s ready, she’ll wake up. She has to.
Chloe has been by every single day. She filled me in on the sexual assault and attempted murder charges against Grayson. He is being held on a one million dollar bond and would likely see lengthy jail time as long as he didn’t prove to be clinically insane. His DNA under her fingernails that matched the scrapes to his face is enough to put him away for now. Grayson had a few broken ribs, internal bruising, a nasty black eye and a broken nose to top it all off. She’s a fighter. My fighter.
My baby girl had massive internal bleeding and a cracked skull, among other more minor injuries. Doctors believe she put up a good fight while standing up, but when he knocked her to the ground, she most likely hit her head on the baseboard which caused the fracture. The swelling on her brain has gone down significantly. After three surgeries to stop the internal bleeding and repair a ruptured spleen, fractured ribs, and a collapsed lung, she’s finally stabilized.
Watching her chest move by machine is terrifying. She looks so lifeless with a tube down her throat and wires everywhere. Her head is wrapped in gauze and her stomach is all bandaged up from her recent surgeries. The bruises are turning a nice shade of green now and her cuts are scabbed over.
Doctors worried that with the swelling to her brain there might be permanent brain damage when she wakes up. Her main physician seemed optimistic about Payton waking up and I won’t leave her side until she does.
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