by LeAnn Ashers
Sydney starts backing up. I follow her, wanting to put all the distance we possibly can between us.
“I’m not leaving without her,” he roars. I flinch and tears fall down my face. The voice that haunts me is here, right here in front of me. My nightmare is coming true.
“Yes, you are,” Sydney says in an eerily calm voice. I don’t look; I just hide my face like a coward. How can I not? This man took something from me I will never get back, then decides to continue his torture by stalking me.
Sydney jerks her elbow, bumping me in the face, and then I hear a big thump. I look around her and see him lying on the ground, flat on his back, not moving. People dance around us, completely oblivious. Sydney takes my hand again, and we run into the women's bathroom and lock the door.
I look at Sydney. I feel in shock. She blurs as tears form in my eyes. Then the pain of everything that has happened to me hits me like a tidal wave, and I collapse to the floor, sobbing uncontrollably.
Minutes, hours, seconds could have passed by. I'm so lost in myself the sense of time is gone. I feel Sydney sit beside me, but I don’t stir until a door bangs against the wall. I look up. It’s Ethan. His beautiful eyes are full of pain when he finds me on the floor. I hang my head, ashamed he sees me in this state. I stare at the floor.
His arms come around me and lift me. My head goes to the crook of his neck, where I breathe in his scent. He smells like comfort, warmth, and most of all, belonging.
“Baby,” he whispers in a pain-filled voice. Sniffing, I wrap my arms around him.
“I’m so sorry,” he says again before he steps out onto the club dance floor then out the door with my legs wrapped around his waist and his hand at the back of my head.
How did he find me? Why does he want to hurt me so badly? Did I do something to him? What else can he possibly want with me? Kill me? I’m terrified beyond the point of no return. What kind of stupid fucked-up thing was I doing, coming here?
The cool air outside relaxes me. The air in the club was stifling. I crane my neck to look up at Ethan.
He notices me looking and looks down at me. The expression on his face has me gasping: rage so fierce that if it weren’t Ethan, I would have run scared.
I turn my head and see Kane’s big truck. He clicks the button and lifts Sydney into the passenger side. Ethan lets go of me with one arm to open his door before he guides me in and follows. I watch as Kane slams his door shut and roars out of the parking lot.
Everything hits me all of once. He’s back. I can’t run from him; he will always find me and do what he did to me before. Oh God. He’s back. My heart hurts beyond anything else at the realization.
A sob escapes.
Then another.
To the point where the sobs are wracking my whole entire body.
Ethan tries to soothe me. His warm hands try to bring me back while he whispers in my ear. I’m numb. The tears have stopped, but I just stare into space, while Kane drives us home.
I barely notice Ethan getting out of the truck and carrying me into the house, straight up the stairs and into my bathroom. I can hear the water hitting the bottom of the shower.
He steps inside, the water hitting my back, my legs still wrapped around his waist.
“Baby, come back to me,” he says pleadingly, his voice choking with emotion. His hands run up and down my face as I look at him without really seeing him.
“He won’t hurt you again, baby. I promise.” He kisses my forehead, my cheek, then my lips. With that, I slowly come back. My tears mingle with our kiss. My body shakes from the power of it. He is pouring everything into it, to reassure me, to let me know everything will be okay.
He pulls away and rests his forehead against mine. His breath hits my face and mine hits his, mingling. “I will protect you until my last breath. That man is already dead for touching what’s mine,” he growls and kisses me again.
I twine my fingers into his hair to pull him harder against me, feeling better than I have since I left for the club.
Ethan’s hands go to the bottom of my dress, and I lift my arms instinctively. He pulls it over my head and drops it to the shower floor in a wet heap. His fingers tease the clasp on the back of my bra and unhook it before he slides it down my arms. His eyes don’t leave my face; they are locked to mine.
Leaning forward, I wrap my arms around his neck again until my chest is pressed against his, his warmth coating me from head to toe.
“I was so scared,” I admit to him.
His arms tighten around me. “I know, baby, and that’s tearing me up inside. The thought of you feeling even an ounce of fear...” His grip on my hips tightens, and he kisses the top of my head.
“It felt like my whole world was crashing and I was going back into that dark place again. I knew you were coming for me, and the fear almost turned to relief. That scared me most of all.”
I look at him. His face is showing his confusion. “I depend on you for so many things, but when I’m with you, I feel safe, like nothing can hurt me when I’m around you.”
His face turns to shock, then something more flashes across his face. He closes his eyes and turns his face to the side, clenching his jaw. He reaches behind me and turns off the shower, opens the door, and then gently places me on the floor. He hands me his shirt to put on.
“I’ll be right outside.” He turns to leave but turns back around and kisses the top of my head once more, holding it there for a few moments, and I close my eyes at the feel of his lips.
When the door shuts, I grab a towel out of the cabinet and dry my hair, wringing out all the excess water before I take his shirt and slip it over my head. Then I look at myself in the mirror. I see a woman who is scared and a ghost of the person she was this morning.
“You will not go back there. You’re stronger now. Nothing can break you. Not anymore,” I tell myself and then look away. I open the door and see Ethan sitting on the edge of the bed, staring in the direction of the bathroom door.
I go to my drawer and pull out a new pair of undies, and hide in the closet while I slip them on. Then I walk over to Ethan. His gaze makes me shiver as I move to stand directly in front of him.
His hands go to my hips and pull me all the way to him. He rests his head on my chest. Leaning down, I kiss the top of his head unconsciously, my arms on his back. I realize in this moment that he was affected by tonight too.
I want to be held by him more than anything. I nervously ask, “Will you hold me?”
His hands slide up to my waist, and he lifts me off the floor then sets me down onto the bed. He lies on his back and pulls me directly on top of him. My legs go to either side of him so my body is plastered to his, my face next to his neck. His arms wrap around me, anchoring me to him.
“Sleep, Angel.” He reaches over to the side of the bed and clicks off the bedside lamp. I fall asleep to the sound of his heartbeat.
Chapter Eleven
Braelyn
Ethan walks into the hair salon with me, his hand at the small of my back as his eyes take in all of our surroundings.
I feel like I need this change to let go of the old me. The night at the club happened last night, and I woke up today feeling much better than I thought I would, but I also wanted a change. That’s why I’m here at the salon getting my waist-length hair cut. I go up to the front desk and tell them I have appointment with Jason.
“You’re with me, sexy,” a male voice yells from across the room. Startled, I look at the man who yelled. He has a playful smirk on his face.
“Let’s go to another hair salon.” Ethan glares at the man, wraps his arm around my waist, and pulls me toward the direction of the door.
“We’re already here, Ethan.” I roll my eyes and pull away from him to walk toward the man who must be Jason. I can hear Ethan’s booted steps behind me.
My stylist is a tall man who could be a model. He looks really preppy, but rocks the Edward Cullen hairstyle and actually pulls it off better than Edward ev
er did. He catches me looking and winks. Blushing, I peek at Ethan, who is too busy glaring at the stylist to notice my blush.
I sit down in the chair, and he pulls the drape around me. It covers me completely. He pulls my hair out of the back of it and combs his fingers through. My hair is hitting the bottom of my butt, and the dead ends are absolutely horrible from not being cut in years.
“What do you want done today, sweetie?”
“A cut?” I say timidly. I gnaw on my bottom lip and look at Ethan, who is watching the both of us like a hawk. He’s sitting in a chair beside us, which I’m assuming he brought here from the waiting room.
“I want it cut to mid-back with layers? With my bangs fanning the side?” I suggest as I look at myself in the mirror.
He starts spraying and cutting my hair. Ethan never takes his eyes off him, being a little overprotective. I smile at him and close my eyes as hair starts falling.
“All right, doll, you’re done.” He swings me around so I’m facing the mirror. I gasp at my reflection. My hair hangs around my shoulders and fans around my face. The bangs fan over my forehead down to my ear to blend in the layers.
“Oh my gosh! I love it!” I squeal and turn to Ethan with a blinding smile.
“You’re gorgeous, Angel,” he praises
Blushing, I turn away from him. “Aww, look at that blush. I’m Jason by the way.” He grins and pulls the drape off me. I stand up and admire my reflection again, but instantly feel self-conscious for looking again.
I turn to Jason to give him my biggest smile. “Thank you!”
“No biggie, lovely.” He winks and starts to sweep up the hair before turning to me again. “We should hang out sometime.” He glances out of the corner of his eye at Ethan. I look over and see Ethan’s furious expression. I can’t stop the laugh as Ethan wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me away.
Jason puts his hands up in front of him. He grabs a business card off the counter and hands it to me. “My cell is on here,” he whispers loudly.
“You better not be fucking poaching on her right in front me,” Ethan snarls and pulls me farther away from the guy. Smiling, I bend my face down to hide my smile.
“My boyfriend and I are free this Friday,” Jason says through a laugh and grins at the both of us.
I’m no longer able to hold back my laughter at the irony of it all and Ethan going all caveman on me. Ethan lightens his grip slightly.
“Come on, Angel, let’s get out of here.” His lips are against my ear. Nodding, I follow behind him, my hand entwined with his. I look over my shoulder and wave at Jason.
After paying, Ethan all but carries me to the truck, while I laugh under my breath, amused by his antics. I probably look like a rag doll compared to him in height and weight as he carries me around.
He opens the truck door and sets me in the seat then looks up and sees the grin I’m currently holding on to. He huffs for a second before slamming his lips down onto mine. Shocked, I don’t return the kiss for a few seconds. I close my eyes and hang on for the ride. This kiss is claiming, heated, demanding, and so much more.
His hands glide down my arms and leave goose bumps in their wake even though it’s over eighty degrees outside.
He pulls away, and I whisper breathily, “Wow,” as I stare at Ethan, dazed.
He chuckles at me. “Remember that kiss next time some fucker flirts with you.” He tugs on my chin and shuts my door. My mouth hits the floor, while my eyes follow his movements.
Noting my shocked expression, he smirks and starts the truck. Blinking, I look out of the window, trying to stop the smile that is trying to creep over my lips. Butterflies swarm in my belly. I feel like a giddy teenager.
“Is that a blush I see, Angel?” he teases.
I glare at him as I cross my arms over my chest, and then I blush deeper. He leans over and kisses my cheek. Unable to pretend being mad any longer, I scoot over into the middle seat and entwine our fingers while our hands are resting in my lap.
“We have dinner at my mom’s tomorrow. You should bring Jessica,” he suggests.
“Okay, but you need to warn people. She’s, umm, very talkative.”
“Oh, that’s okay. So is Chase.”
“Oh goodness,” I groan and lay my head against his shoulder. Putting those two together will be a disaster in the making. From what Ethan’s told me, he will give her a run for her money in the crass department.
~*~
I’m on my way to pick up Jessica. Ethan gave me strict instructions not to get out of the car. I wouldn’t dare argue because I’m freaked enough from everything that has happened.
Gulping, I try to get the knot out of my throat. A few minutes later, I pull up in front of Jessica’s apartment. This the first time I have been here. I put the car in park and look around.
Her apartment is in a bad neighborhood. Really bad. There is a hooker literally walking down the walkway right now, and a drug deal is going down in the alley across the road. She shouldn’t live here. It’s not safe.
I know what happens in places like these in the dark. I used to sleep in those alleyways. Jessica is a walking beacon for trouble. But she’s pregnant and vulnerable. I know she makes the same money as I do, so why is she staying here?
I see her head pop up over the stairwell. She holds her swollen belly as she walks down the stairs. She’s hitting six months now. She crosses the sidewalk and looks at the men across the alley, and before they can see her, she ducks her head and gets into the car.
“Hey, chick!” Jessica yells a little too loudly and puts on her seat belt.
“Hey.” I smile and put the car into drive.
The closer we get to Ethan’s mom’s house, the more nervous I get. I’m dying to ask Jessica about why she’s living there. I know it’s not because she wants to.
“Hey...” I start uneasily and look at her from the corner of my eye.
“Yes?” She shifts in her seat, giving me the stink eye.
“Why do you live there?” I ask in a rush before I can back out.
She sighs and lays her head back against the headrest, looking up at the car ceiling.
“I’m saving my money,” she says in a bland tone. I can tell she doesn’t want to talk about it, but I also know there’s more to the story than just her wanting to save money.
“It’s okay, you don’t have to tell me. I know all about not wanting to spill my demons,” I tell her softly and rub her knee.
We pull up in front of the house. Sydney and Kane are kissing in the driveway. It’s heated enough to melt the plastic off his truck beside them. Jessica and I get out of the car as another man pulls up beside us and gets out then leans against his truck. A man who I’m guessing is Chase.
“Get a room,” he yells at Kane and Sydney. He starts laughing as another man who was with him comes up and stands beside him.
“Holy hell, I just came,” Jessica says loudly, too loudly, beside me. My eyes almost fall out of my head. Oh my God... Did she just say that?
“I’m Jessica,” she says and walks over to Sydney, who has stopped kissing Kane to look at her.
“I invited Jessica. She’s new to town,” I pipe in.
Ethan’s mom pops her head out the door. “Let’s eat, everyone.”
While Chase walks in front of us, Jessica tilts her head to the side to check out his butt. “Damn, there must be something in the water,” she mutters to herself, but Chase hears her and starts laughing.
A sharp pinch on my backside has me yelping. I turn around, holding my butt. Ethan is standing behind me with a sexy smirk on his face. He pulls my hand away from my butt and places his hand there instead, rubbing it to ‘ease’ the sting.
I roll my eyes as I pull his hand away and push him toward the house.
During dinner, Ethan keeps his hand on my leg the whole entire time. It’s a miracle people don’t ask what is wrong. His thumb strokes the inside of my leg from time to time. I can barely keep still.
&nbs
p; Evelyn turns to look at all of us, but her eyes go straight to him a second later. “Does everyone want to go outside on the patio?” she asks when she sees we’re done eating.
We all get up. Chase walks in front of Jessica again. She openly checks him out again with her head tilted to the side, then she turns to me. “I could watch that man’s ass all day, every day.”
Chase gapes at her for a split second before he bursts out laughing. Ethan entwines our fingers and we start toward the door but stop when we see Evelyn standing there, stoic and ghostly pale with fear. Ethan’s body stiffens to battle ready in a split second.
“Mom, what is it?” He charges over to her, letting go of my hand.
“No, no, no.” She shakes her head in disbelief. She looks over at us with wide eyes. Something is horribly wrong. The look in her eyes reminds me so much of me I almost collapse to the ground. I know that look.
Walking up to Ethan, I put my hand on his back and look around him. He wraps his arm around me tightly, like he’s trying to pull me into his body.
“I finally found you, bitch,” an evil voice cackles. I look at the man standing in front of us. My head whips back like I’ve been smacked. He looks a lot like Ethan, but that’s where the resemblance ends. This man is pure evil and it radiates off him.
He is staring at Evelyn with so much rage I want to grab her hand and take her away from it all. Looking behind me, I see Chase tucking Jessica behind him, his body taut. Dave has his hands resting on Evelyn’s hips and moves her so he is standing slightly in front of her. Kane has Sydney completely hidden behind him, her face buried into his back.
“Where is our bitch of a daughter?” he roars at Evelyn. She flinches and tears roll down her face. Shaking, I hold tighter on to Ethan, who pushes me further behind him. I know he’s about to attack this man. What is happening? Who is this man?
He walks around the porch and stops closer to Evelyn. Dave pushes her farther behind him. “Ahh, I see you have a new dick to suck.” He tsks and laughs darkly.
Ethan starts to rush the man, but Chase grabs him at the last second. He still leans toward him, anger rolling off of him. “Who the fuck are you?” he yells, his face red, his hands clenched with barely restrained anger. I grab tighter to the back of his shirt.