by Todd, E. L.
Fight for Love
This is a work of fiction. All the characters and events portrayed in this novel are fictitious or used fictitiously. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the publisher or author, except in the case of a reviewer, who may quote brief passages in a review.
Copyright © 2013 by E. L. Todd
All Rights Reserved
ISBN-13: 978-1492954903
ISBN-10: 149295490X
Fight for Love
Book Five of the Forever and Always Series
E. L. Todd
1
My heart wouldn’t stop slamming against my ribs. Every beat was painful, constantly reminding me this wasn’t a nightmare. This was real. Sean was really gone. I couldn’t even stand on my own two feet because I was so scared. I fell to the floor and held my knees to my chest, sitting in front of the door. The tears fell, streaming down my face. My fiancé was gone and I didn’t know what would happen to him. He had injured Carl badly. He could go to jail if he was convicted and I wouldn’t see him again—not for a long time.
And then there was the more frightening revelation. Carl may be after me and Janice. Even though it was just an idea, something I couldn’t prove, it still haunted me. Why else would Carl wait so long to make his move? Janice and I are responsible for his downfall. We successfully ruined his reputation, his job, his freedom—everything. That would send anyone to the dark side. Or in Carl’s case, the darker side.
When Ryan opened the door, a look of panic on his face, he saw me sitting in the entryway. He slammed it closed then kneeled. “Scar, what’s going on?”
Seeing him just made me cry harder. My words were incoherent and impossible to decipher. I sounded like a child learning to speak.
He grabbed my shoulders and shook me. “Talk to me.”
“Sean.” That was all I managed to get out.
Ryan grabbed my cheeks and looked me in the face. “Stop crying and tell me.”
I took a deep breath so I could control my shuddering sobs. I didn’t stop crying, but I was able to speak. “The police took Sean back to New York. He thinks Carl is trying to get to Janice and me.”
He ran his fingers through his hair while he stared at the floor. “Why does Sean think this?”
“Why else would Carl wait to make his move? It’s been almost a year.”
“Perhaps it took his lawyer some time to get enough evidence to bring it to trial.”
“Sean doesn’t think so.”
Ryan placed his hands together then pressed them to his lips. “I think it’s unlikely, Scar.”
I was so frustrated I exploded. “Do you not remember him, Ryan? How he tried to molest Janice in the office? How he threatened to fire me if I didn’t sock his cock? How he’s psychotic and tries to manipulate and control everyone around him? He’s crazy. Janice and I brought him down. Of course he wants revenge.”
“By getting Sean arrested?”
“No,” I said with a shaky voice. “By leaving me unprotected.”
“But he’s in jail. What’s he going to do?”
“He can hire people. I know his family has money.”
“Like a hitman?”
The word made my heart beat even faster. “Yeah.”
“This is all speculation.”
“Are you willing to risk that I’m wrong? It’s not just me on the line, but Janice too. Is that a gamble you can afford to lose?”
“Scarlet, I would never let anything happen to my family. That’s not the issue. That will never be the issue. I just don’t want you to jump to a crazy conclusion and freak out over it. Plus, I don’t want to scare Janice unless I have to. She still has nightmares about Carl. Why make something of nothing?”
I grabbed his hand. “Ryan, I know Carl. There isn’t a doubt in my mind that he has something planned for us.”
He looked into my eyes and saw the determination and sincerity within them. Carl was psychotic and insane. He came from a rich family who were also somewhat famous. His father invented one of the first tablets then created an app that skyrocketed in sales. Money wasn’t an issue for him. He could hire someone to take out Janice and I, making it look like an accident, and he would never be considered a suspect because he was sitting in jail. Sean wouldn’t be able to protect me while in custody and during the trail. It was a methodical plan that didn’t just happen overnight. Carl was crazy, but he was also very intelligent and bright. His reign of supremacy lasted for years at R and R. He was a master at controlling people in his environment, making them do whatever he wished.
Ryan squeezed my hand. “I believe you,” he whispered.
I wrapped my arms around him and held him close, crying into his shoulder. “I’m so scared.”
He ran his hand down my back while I was pressed against his chest. “Don’t be. I would never let anything happen to you or Janice.”
“What are we going to do?”
“I don’t know,” he whispered.
“I promised Sean I wouldn’t leave your side for any reason.”
“I wouldn’t let you anyway.”
I pulled away and wiped my tears. “I hope Sean is okay.”
“He’ll be fine. Don’t worry about him. His life isn’t in danger.”
“But he must be so worried about me.”
“He knows Cortland and I will protect you.”
I stood up then stumbled to my room. After I stuffed my bags with all my essentials, I returned to the living room and looked at my apartment one last time. Now that Sean wasn’t here I didn’t want to stay here anymore. It wasn’t my apartment or his apartment, but our apartment. Without him, I didn’t belong here. I twisted my engagement ring around my finger while I stared at the room, missing him already. We were so perfect just a moment ago, making love all over the apartment and being together again. I wished he was never taken away from me.
Ryan grabbed my bags. “Come on. Let’s go.”
I stayed in the entryway for another moment before I followed him out the door. Unable to think or doing anything on my own, Ryan took my keys then locked the door before he grabbed my bags again. We got into a cab at the sidewalk but I was still out of it, thinking about Sean and what he must be feeling. Ryan guided me where I needed to go.
When we arrived at the apartment, we stopped before we walked inside. Ryan looked at me. “Let me do the talking, okay?”
“Okay,” I said quietly.
He stared at me for another second before he walked inside.
Janice was sitting at the table, and she looked up when she heard the door open, a smile on her face. “You’re home early,” she said happily. She stood up to embrace him until she noticed me standing beside him, my face as pale as a ghost. “Scarlet?”
I said nothing because Ryan asked me not to.
She glanced at Ryan then back at me. “You and Sean got into another fight?” she asked incredulously. “This is just ridiculous.”
Ryan put the bags on the floor then kissed Janice, silencing her with his lips. She always responded to him in the same way when he touched her, like her entire body was paralyzed except her lips. He broke their kiss then guided her to the couch. I trailed behind them until I was sitting on the other side of Janice.
Ryan held her hand. “Baby, I need to tell you something.”
“You’re scaring me,” she whispered.
He paused for a while before he said anything, staring into her eyes with a look of strength and confidence. “Carl is pressing charges against Sean, so the feds took Sean away. He’s on his way
back to New York.” Her eyes widened in shock. “It’s Sean’s belief that this arrest wasn’t a coincidence. He thinks Carl planned it this way so he could come after you and Scarlet.”
Janice’s face was stretched in surprise. She didn’t say anything, just staring at him. Finally, she looked away and pulled her hand from him, making her body as small as possible. Her arms were crossed over her chest and her legs were pressed together. I could see the fear in her eyes. She was scared too.
He grabbed her chin and directed her look on him. “Baby, I would never let anything happen to either of you. I don’t want you to be scared.”
“How can I not be scared? This is my worst nightmare.”
“Sean may not even be right.”
“Then why did you tell me this?”
He leaned closer to her. “I would rather not take any chances. When it comes to my family, I don’t risk anything.”
She nodded but said nothing.
I moved closer to her then placed my hand over hers. “I’m scared too.”
She looked at me and nodded her head.
“But I know Ryan will protect us,” I added.
She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “I don’t want him to protect us.”
I stared at her, trying to understand her meaning. “What?”
“I don’t want anything to happen to Ryan. This is all my fault. I should have just quit my job and left. None of this would be happening if I hadn’t been so stupid.
Ryan grabbed her so quickly I couldn’t catch the movement. “I never want to hear you talk like that again,” he snapped. She didn’t flinch at the harshness in his voice. I knew she was used to his protective side.
Tears started to bubble in her eyes. “I would never forgive myself if something happened to you. I love you so much.”
He kissed her tears away. “Baby, nothing is going to happen to me—to any of us.”
“Ryan, I’m scared.”
“There’s no reason to be. We’re going to be okay.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck and held him tightly, crying quietly into his shoulder. I knew Janice loved my brother more than anyone else in the world. It was obvious in every action she made. I was glad my brother found someone who would do anything for him. My brother rested his chin on her shoulder with his eyes closed. His hand ran up and down her back, calming her silently. Seeing them together made me miss Sean even more
2
“I need to go back to the shop,” Ryan said.
“What? Why?” I asked.
He looked at me. “Because I can’t run the shop if it’s closed. I already missed a few appointments.”
“Oh.”
He rose from the couch then grabbed his jacket. “I’ll be home a little later.”
I walked with him to the door.
Ryan stared at me. “What?”
“What do you mean what?”
“Did you want to say something to me?”
“No. I’m coming with you.”
“Why?”
“I told you. I promised Sean I wouldn’t leave you. I have to keep my word to him.”
Ryan sighed then looked at Janice. “You’re coming too, then.”
She walked slowly as she approached us, fear still sketched into her face. “Okay.”
Ryan ran his fingers through his hair. “There’s nothing to be scared of, okay?”
Janice and I didn’t seem convinced.
Ryan opened the door and held it open for us. We walked out and headed to the street. Ryan was just as affectionate with Janice as he always was. He was even more attentive to her in light of her fear. I felt like a walking zombie. The last thing I wanted to do was go to the shop. I wanted to lay in bed and sob to myself, thinking about Sean and how he was doing. But I promised him I wouldn’t leave my brother. I intended to keep my word. Even if he was totally wrong about Carl, Ryan was right. It wasn’t worth the risk.
When we got back to the shop, a few people were standing outside. They glared at Ryan, clearly annoyed that he closed the shop then took off. I was surprised that he kicked everyone out just to come to me. When I thought about it again, I realized it wasn’t that surprising.
“I apologize for the inconvenience,” Ryan said as he unlocked the door.
A man crossed his arms over his chest while he scowled at Ryan. His arms were completely covered in ink. “You’re lucky you’re the best in Seattle. Otherwise I would have gone somewhere else.”
Ryan hid his annoyance well but I could still see it in his movements. His shoulders were tense and his hands were clenched tight. “Thank you for the compliment.”
“It wasn’t meant to be one, asshole.”
“What did you just call him?” Janice snapped.
Ryan gripped her arm and stared her down. “Shut up now.”
She gave him an apologetic look then averted her gaze.
I was just as mad that the guy called my brother an asshole, but Janice was too quick for me to speak up. Judging by the look of pure anger in his eyes, I was glad I didn’t get my chance. He looked livid—more livid than I had ever seen him.
Ryan got the door opened then we walked inside. The man immediately sat in a chair, waiting for Ryan while two other guys came inside. “I’ll be with you in a moment.”
“This shit better be free,” the man said.
I was growing more annoyed with this guy. I didn’t like it when anyone spoke to Ryan with anything but respect. He had been abused by my mom for too long. Ryan seemed to take the insults with stride, but I knew it elicited the same anger I felt.
Ryan looked at us. “Follow me.”
Janice and I followed behind him until we were in the back of the store. He shut the door to his office then looked at us. “Stay back here until the day is over.”
“And do what?” I asked.
Ryan nodded to the laptop. “Get to work.”
“Can we have your books to do your finances and pay your bills?” Janice asked.
“Yeah. Scarlet will show you the ropes. He opened his safe and piled everything on the table. “Knock yourself out.” He shut the door then left.
Janice sat down then leaned back, a look of misery on her face. After she sighed she started going through the paperwork on the counter. I sat beside her and counted the cash in the bag and wrote the monthly checks for his rent, electricity, and insurance. I told Janice how to file everything but she wasn’t listening. I didn’t call her out on it. I was just as stressed as she was.
“This is all my fault,” she whispered.
“Don’t say that,” I snapped. “It’s not true.”
“I’m the reason Sean was arrested.”
“No. You stood up for yourself and brought him down. We did the right thing.”
“And now we might be killed.”
“That’s not going to happen.” My voice came out strong even though I only felt weak.
“Just when I thought I would never have to worry about him again, he strikes. My nightmares finally stopped but now they’ll return with a vengeance. Ryan is going to be in jeopardy. And what about Sean? He could go to prison for years if this case goes to shit.”
I tried not to think about. I didn’t want my fiancé behind bars. When I thought about him wearing a jumpsuit, sharing a cell with other felons who could be murderers, it made the tears burn behind my eyes. Prison was a horrible place to be. I didn’t need to see it myself to understand that truth. I hope Sean’s money and influence could make this all disappear.
“Have you talked to him?”
“No.”
“Have you tried to call him?”
“No. I just assumed he wasn’t allowed to communicate with anyone now that he’s in custody.”
“You can still try.”
I pulled out my phone and called him. Like I expected, it went to voicemail. I decided to leave a message even though I knew he wouldn’t listen to it for a long time. “Hey, baby,” I said with a broken voice. “I j
ust wanted to tell you that I’m with Ryan and I’m safe.” Tears started to fall and I wiped them away. “I love you.” I hung up and placed the phone back into my pocket.
Janice rubbed my back gently, trying to comfort me. “Did you tell his parents?”
“No. I don’t want to talk to them.”
“Why?”
“They’ll hate me even more than they already do.”
“They don’t hate you, Scarlet.”
“Well, they’ll start to, then.”
“They wouldn’t.”
“I’m the reason why he was taken away.”
“No. He attacked Carl by his own choice. He went bat shit crazy on him.”
“Because I left without saying a word to him. If I had just talked to him, this wouldn’t have happened.”
“He still was the one who decided to throw the punch instead of just leaving. And to be honest, I doubt Sean regrets it.”
“He doesn’t regret hurting him, but I know he hates himself for being taken away from me. He knows Ryan will protect me but that still won’t comfort him. He’ll be panicking the entire time.”
“You’ll get a chance to talk to him eventually and you’ll convince him you’re safe.”
“We need to go to New York.”
“What?”
“I have to be with Sean while he goes through this.”
“That’s just asking to be a target.”
“No. If Carl hired someone to watch us, he already knows where my apartment is and where Ryan lives. If anything, we would be safer in the city. They couldn’t figure out what hotel we were staying at or where we were. The city is too big.”
“But if you see Sean, they’ll be able to follow you.”
“I still need to be there.”
Janice sighed. “I can understand that. We’ll talk to Ryan and see what he thinks.”
The sound of arguing was heard in the front of the shop. Janice and I both looked at each other, fear plastered on our faces. Was someone coming after us? When we heard the sound of glass breaking, we both jumped. Janice opened the door and bolted out of there before I could process what was happening. I sprinted after her until we reached the front of the store.
