by Layla Hagen
Half-crawling, half-running, I barrel to the door. The crackling floor behind me announces to me that Gabe is out of the bed, lurching toward me. I barely have time to process the thought when Gabe jams me into the door, squishing my breasts against the wood.
"You bitch." He pushes himself into me, pinning my hands just above my head, holding them with one hand.
"Let me go," I grit through my teeth. My whole body becomes clammy with sweat when I hear him unzip his jeans. I force myself to breathe in deeply, but pain slices through my chest with the next inhale. My nails graze at the door, hoping against hope it will attract someone's attention. Gulping down hard, I push the next words past my lips. "That's how you're gonna do it? You don't even have the guts to look at me?" I grasp desperately at words, something to halt him.
Gabe flips me around. "Problem solved," he says. I glance down at his unzipped jeans, and any hope of fighting my way out of this crumbles, fear overpowering me. I wish I had the power to turn off my senses. That way, I wouldn't hear his ragged breath in my ear, or smell the whiff of alcohol. I wouldn't feel his hand pressing my wrists above my head so hard it's like he's wrapped them in barbed wire. I wouldn't hear him pushing down his jeans. I've never been this afraid. I once read that fear paralyzes you, dulling the senses. It has the opposite effect on me. I sense everything in the most ruthless detail.
All of a sudden, the music stops, startling Gabe. Then the door bangs open, sending both me and Gabe stumbling forward. I regain my composure, but Gabe, whose dropped pants limit his movement ability, falls flat on his face. I grip the railing of the bed to steady myself as I take in the scene before me. Damon storms inside.
"You bastard," he spits.
Gabe rises to his feet, pulling his jeans up. Then he launches himself at Damon, wielding his knife like a sword. Damon deflects Gabe’s arm with such force the knife flies out of his hand, colliding with the wall and dropping on the floor.
“I don’t need a knife for this,” Gabe says. His face contorts into a grimace as he and Damon start fighting. Both men fight to kill. I scream as Damon receives almost as many punches as he throws.
“They’re in here,” Chase’s voice resounds from the corridor. He and Hazel burst into the room, followed by a police officer. The officer immediately takes Gabe on, putting shackles on his wrists.
Damon hurries to me, wrapping me in his arms.
"Did he—”
"No. If you hadn't arrived, though..." I don't finish the sentence, unwilling to voice those words. I let all his wonderful warmth envelop me, the smell of his skin fill me. I lose myself in him for a few seconds, maybe even minutes, shutting out everything else. I’m still shaking when Hazel pats me on the shoulder lightly, arranging my hair, sniffing silently.
"Hazel, don't cry." I take her hand in mine, squeezing it slightly. "I'm okay. It was just a scare." Both Damon and Hazel stare at me in disbelief. One look at myself reveals why. I hadn't noticed just how ripped apart my dress is. I look like I've been in a life-or-death fight. Behind us, the police officer escorts Gabe out of the room. Gabe recites every profanity he knows, most of them directed at Damon, and some at me. I even hear James's name a few times. Damon fists his hands, his knuckles turning white. I can tell he'd love to retaliate, but he's making an effort to remain by my side. I appreciate it greatly.
"Officer, what are the charges for beating the crap out of a rapist, drug-selling asshole?" Chase inquires.
"Don't worry, young man. He'll get a lot of that in jail. Go to your friends."
“How did you find me?” I ask.
“Damon had us check every room in the house when you didn’t come outside,” Hazel answers.
Chase looks out the door after the police officer and Gabe disappear through it then glances at us over his shoulder. "Let's get out of here."
"Yeah, let's go," I say. Without warning, Damon lifts me in his arms. I rest my head on his chest, playing around the buttons of his shirt with my fingers, trying to block out everything else. It's a challenge, given that the house is full of unhappy drunkards because the party was shut down. Still, I try. I close my eyes and take deep breaths. When he puts me in the safety of my car, I open my eyes again.
“The police officer wants to talk to you,” Damon says.
“Okay.”
The officer comes my way and I talk to him for a while, recounting everything. Then Damon secures my seatbelt and places a kiss on my forehead before shutting the door. Hazel and Chase are right outside the car, Hazel tearing up and Chase wiping her tears away, holding her tightly in his arms. I wave at them, forcing a reassuring smile on my face. Behind them, the mayhem of the busted party doesn't paint a pretty picture.
"What happened?" I inquire once Damon's in the car, too. "How did the police get here?"
"Someone alerted the parents about the party." The engine roars to life, and every muscle in my body unclenches. We're finally leaving this place behind.
"A neighbor?"
"Must have been someone from the party because they also knew about the drugs, so the parents came with the police."
"What will happen to Gabe?" A shiver runs down my spine, gooseflesh forming all over my thighs. I do my best to cover them with my dress.
"He'll go to jail again, but for a few years this time."
"Did you know what happened to his sister?"
His eyes narrow infinitesimally, his hands clasping tighter on the wheel. "I found out right after my return. I met her briefly when I first came to California. She was a sweet girl, but had the misfortune to have Gabe for a brother. When he went to jail, he told his creditors his sister was their guarantee that he'd pay everything."
"What? Why did he do that?"
"Desperation."
"He blamed you and James."
"It's always easier to blame others. You are so strong," he whispers, caressing my cheek. "I’m sorry. This is what I wanted to avoid right from the beginning."
"And you did. Gabe didn't hurt me, and now he'll go to jail for years. There is nothing to worry about anymore."
“I’ll take you to your dorm and take care of you.”
“You’re more hurt than I am.” I jolt as I take in his wrecked knuckles and tender lip. “I’ll take care of you.”
“We’ll take care of each other.”
Damon strokes my hair lightly. I lean in, searching for his lips, needing them to soothe me. When he brushes my lips, I sigh in his mouth, shifting closer to him, needing the warmth of his body. Worry laces his kiss, and he frowns when he returns his attention to the road. I pull my knees to my chest and rest my head on them, remaining cocooned like this for a long time until I drift off to sleep.
Chapter Thirty-Six: Dani
"Are you ready?" Damon watches me with a grin the size of Texas as I descend the steps outside the dorm three weeks later. I'm quite proud of my choice of clothing: a gorgeous, red gown. The shoes were a bad idea. The heels are about two inches too high for me, and every step I take feels like it'll be the last one before I fall flat on my face.
"You look great in a suit. Should wear one more often." He’s wearing a black suit and a white shirt, looking more elegant than I've ever seen him, and completely breathtaking.
"It's your brother's rehearsal dinner, and I am officially meeting my future in-laws today. I must make a good impression."
"They'll both be in a frenzy because of the wedding. No one will pay you much attention, trust me."
"That's encouraging. Are you going to talk to your dad about the factory today?"
"I'm certainly going to try." Now that I know what my dream is, I intend to go full steam to get it. "Don’t worry about meeting my parents. James lobbied so hard for you since your return that they worship you. Now, let's get to the in-laws bit."
"Did I say that out loud? Whoops." He opens the door of my car, helping me inside. "You won't hear more about it for another four years, at least. Where are Hazel and Chase?"
"Right here," they bo
th say from behind him. When we're all inside the car, I glance in the rearview mirror at Hazel and Chase, holding hands and smiling at each other.
Then Chase looks at me pointedly. "So, how come Hazel and I are invited to the rehearsal dinner? I thought this would be Damon's awkward meet-the-family day."
"Hazel's invited, and hence, you, too," I say.
"You're coming to make it less awkward," Damon groans, pushing the gas pedal.
"Oh, and you are also meeting Hazel's parents," I point out matter-of-factly.
"What?" Chase looks wildly from Hazel to me, and it's all I can do not to burst out laughing. "You're not serious. Is she serious?"
Hazel nods, grazing her lips with her teeth in an effort not to laugh. "They spontaneously decided to stop by."
"And you all decided to spontaneously give me a heart attack?"
Chase's clumsy attempts to get out of the whole thing punctuate the three-hour drive to my parents’ house. For the last part of the journey, Chase and Hazel start bickering. I'm grateful no one brings up the incident with Gabe at the party. In fact, no one’s mentioned it at all in the weeks that passed. I had to visit the police station once. Things aren't looking good for Gabe. The officers were throwing around terms like ‘seven to ten years imprisonment’. I shake my head, dispersing the thoughts of the incident. It's over; that's all that matters.
When we arrive at my parents' house, the parking lot is full with guest cars. Damon parks, and then we make our way around the house toward the garden where the official entrance to the ballroom is. When I say official, I mean it. There are arrows with James and Serena's name pointing toward it, as if there's any chance someone might end up at another wedding. I snicker, imagining how much fun Dad made of Mom because of these arrows. The garden looks utterly amazing. With twinkle lights around the trees, it’s like we've stepped into a fairytale.
"Are you sure this is the rehearsal dinner and not the actual wedding?" Hazel asks. "There are so many people."
It becomes clear real quick that despite all the hired wedding organizers, my mom is the official whip-cracker here. She's snapping at the service people continuously, and we stay out of her way. Chase and Hazel hover around us. Serena is nowhere, but I do spot James and Dad in the doorway of the ballroom. Parker is with them, which means Jessica is around, too.
"Dad, this is Damon," I point out unnecessarily when James and Dad come to greet us. They shake hands, smiling. No one says anything, and I sneak a glance at James, silently pleading for him to come up with an ice-breaker. Chase was supposed to fulfill the ice-breaker role, but he's too stressed looking around for Hazel's parents.
"Dani has something to tell you." James grins at me. I gulp...well, that wasn't what I had in mind as an ice-breaker.
"Well, I..." My words wither as I notice Dad's smile growing wider. I’m certain he knows all about my plans to work at the chocolate factory.
"You told him," I accuse James. I told James about a week ago.
"Guilty."
My father gives me a bear hug, the kind James always gives me, saying, "I'm sure you'll do great."
"I have thought it all out," I start, ready to recite the speech I've prepared. "I'll start as an intern. I don't want any favors—”
"Dani," Dad interrupts with a good-natured chuckle. "I'm sure you made a ten-year plan. We'll discuss it after the wedding, and you'll tell me everything. Your mother might just have all of our heads if we talk business today. Now, I'd very much like to talk to this gentleman." He looks up at Damon, who's gone suddenly pale. Chase puts his fist in front of his mouth to hide his smile.
That's when Hazel elbows him, pointing in the distance. "My parents have arrived; let's go say hi." Chase goes even whiter than Damon.
I look after Dad and Damon, my stomach squirming tightly. "What does Dad want to talk to him about?"
"Quit the scared face, kid."
"Don't call me kid, James."
"That's right; you're not a kid anymore. Look at you, showing up at my wedding rehearsal with your boyfriend and an agenda to take over the chocolate factory. You once told me you're entitled to life-long cuddling because you're my younger sister. Can I still hold you to that?"
"Yes, but only if you go save Damon. Look, Mom's heading in their direction, too. They'll gang up on him."
"If I go there, she'll corner me."
"What for?"
"Oh, she has an entire list." He runs a hand through his hair, looking more agitated than I've ever seen him. "Have I checked Parker's best man speech, does Serena need any help, are your and Jessica's bridesmaid dresses all right—you name it, it's probably on her list."
"James Cohen." I put my hands on my hips, pulling myself taller. "You're a grown man. You can handle Mom."
"Not when she's overseeing my rehearsal dinner and wedding," he says.
I tilt my head to one side, drilling him with my gaze. "Go."
"Okay, okay."
To my astonishment, James manages to split up the group pretty quickly. He, Mom, and Damon head inside the venue, while Dad walks my way.
"What's the verdict?"
"Verdict? You barely let me talk to him."
"What?" I ask, feigning innocence.
"You think I don't know all the tricks? Should've seen me when I first met your mother's family. I'll say, Damon is doing quite fine," he says. I breathe, relieved, beaming at him. "Any man who makes my daughter feel like she can grab the stars is a man I respect. I don’t like to be wrong, but I’m happy I was concerning him. You two are good for each other. You show each other how to find your strengths.”
"Thanks, Dad."
We both head inside after that. With the weight of the awkward meeting off my shoulders, I can concentrate on the fact that this is my brother's rehearsal dinner. It takes place in the large ballroom of the house where Mom used to host her charity parties. The decorations surpass anything I've seen before; lavish silk garlands and rich bouquets of orchids fill the entire place. My mother put her heart in this. I find Damon talking to Parker in front of the small bar.
"Cousin, look at you." Parker takes my hand and twirls me around twice. My head spins when I come to a halt. Thankfully, Damon slings a firm arm around my waist. "I must say, I never expected you to walk in here wearing a bright red dress. You seemed too shy for that."
"Well" I glance at Damon, grinning, "things change. How is your best man’s speech coming along?"
"It's perfect," Parker says proudly, then takes off with a curt nod to join Jessica. She's talking heatedly with Hazel and Serena, who looks radiant.
"Hey, where's Chase?" I ask. Damon shrugs and we both scour the crowd for him. It's not easy spotting him, but eventually Damon points toward him on the opposite side of the ballroom. Hazel's parents flank Chase, and by the look of it, they’re grilling him. "What do you think, should we go help out?"
"Nah, it's more fun watching. I can't believe so many people showed up to the rehearsal dinner. "
Leaning in to him, I whisper conspiratorially, "I know a quiet place not far away from here where we can escape for an hour or so. You might know it; we snuck up inside it twice. If we're careful, no one will notice we're gone."
"Mmmm, that sounds tempting." He tilts my head up, kissing me gently. "Sneaking around again?"
I flash my most mischievous smile. "Some things don't have to change."
Epilogue: Five years later
Damon
"Nervous?" James asks. We're in the living room of the beach house he and Serena own near San Francisco. I look over my shoulder before answering, but Dani is well out of earshot. She and the other girls went on the terrace about ten minutes ago.
"Not at all. I have everything planned down to the last detail."
"Believe him, he really means the last detail." Chase shakes his head, prompting James and Parker to chuckle. After pouring himself a drink, he joins the three of us on the couch.
"If you give me that look again..." Chase warns me.
<
br /> "What look?" I feign innocence.
"That look that says, Chase, you've been dating Hazel for five years. Get your sorry ass down on one knee and propose. Just because you've decided to doesn't mean I have to."
"He knows the whole repertoire." Parker flashes a huge, shit-eating grin. "That's a laddie."
I raise my hands up in sign of peace. "I won't say one word."
"I will," James offers.
Chase groans. "Please, don't."
"I find married life great," James continues, undeterred.
"Since we're going down that slippery road," Parker adds helpfully, "I also think it's great."
"Let's focus on our boy here." Chase leans back on the couch, raising his glass in my direction. "Wouldn't want him to get cold feet."
"He won't. He knows if he does, there will be nowhere to hide from me." James is smiling while saying this, but I know he's only half-joking.
"See, that's why I'll wait for a while before I propose. Don't want any overprotective brothers hustling my ass."
"Hazel doesn't have any brothers," I point out.
"I'm sure some long-lost ones will show up the second I propose," Chase replies.
"So you have thought about it," Parker teases.
