“He just called me now. It is the first time, but I was trying to act tough.”
“Well telling him that you were going to call the police is a good thing. You should call that detective.”
“I will. Thank you for helping.”
“No problem. I’ll walk you out tonight if you’re staying late. No need to take any unnecessary chances.”
“I’m sure I’ll be fine.”
“I insist. See you later.”
She headed toward the elevators with a heavy heart filled with concern. She should call Unc back and ask him what she should do.
Once she was in the privacy of her office, she collapsed down into her chair and held her head.
What am I going to do? I can’t keep living in fear like this. I can’t let Paul do this to me. Maybe getting that order of protection now is justified and a judge will issue it? I should have recorded the call. Shit.
It was times like these that she wished her uncle Brian was alive still. She wondered why he had to get caught in the middle of that robbery. Why him? Why did that gang of teens decide to do such a thing?
She picked up her phone and called Unc. As Uncle Brian’s best friend, Unc had taken over in protecting her, giving her advice, and she knew she could count on him. Unc more than likely felt guilty for not being there that night uncle Brian died. They were supposed to go out to an event together, but Uncle Brian was running late and said he would meet him there. He’d never made it.
Ellie dialed his number.
“Hey Ellie, what’s going on?”
“Well, I’m kind of freaking out.”
“What is it? Did something happen?”
She told him about the phone call.
“That son of a bitch. We’ll track him down. We’ll get him locked up.”
“Unc, you know as well as I do that isn’t going to happen. I have a lot going on right now in my life and with work. I won’t let his stupid texts and phone calls bother me. I just wanted someone to know. I’m going to send a text to Detective Ramirez as well.”
“Good idea. I’m glad that you called me and told me about Paul calling. The worst thing you could do is keep this all inside. I’m here for you. You know that, right?”
“Of course I do. I have some more things to talk to you about at lunch on Wednesday.”
“Oh no, sounds serious. Is there a man involved?”
“Maybe.” She felt that anxiety and fear lift slightly.
“Well then, maybe you should bring him along, that way I can meet him?”
She chuckled. “Nice try. I didn’t say I’m dating anyone. Not yet, anyway. It’s complicated. But I can’t talk now. I’ll touch base with you tomorrow.”
“Okay, you be sure to call me if that shithead contacts you. Also, call Ramirez and let him know about the phone call.”
“I will. Good-bye.”
“Good-bye.”
Ellie felt better as she disconnected the call, but as the evening went on and the office was mega quiet, she started to feel unsafe. Her mind traveled back to when she first met Paul, and how perfect, and caring he seemed. How had things gone so badly? When had she missed the signs of his possessive behavior, his distrust, and his ability to be violent?
She closed her eyes, letting the paperwork go untouched as she remembered that night.
It was raining. She was running late from work and had gotten into an argument with Paul because he wanted her to meet him at a party. From the sound of his voice, he had drunk a lot. She wasn’t in the mood, so she told him she was heading home, to bed.
She took a shower and got dressed in a tank and shorts. Her roommates were out partying, so she had the house all to herself.
She watched TV for a little while and then turned off the lights and got into bed.
She had just begun to doze off when she heard the strange noise. It sounded like glass breaking. Before she could get out of the bed to check, he appeared. A man dressed in black.
She tried to run toward the door, but then she heard her name. Turning back toward him, she saw that it was Paul. He was drenched from the rain and staring at her with wild eyes and raw hunger.
“What the hell are you doing? Did you break into my house?”
He grabbed her and she swatted at his hands. “Get off of me. Have you lost your mind?”
The backhand across the mouth shocked her, and then he pulled her by her tank top and threw her onto the bed.
“You think I’m not good enough for you? You like those high-class business men with all the money and the charm more than me?”
“What are you talking about? Don’t do this.” She cried out. He slapped her again and pulled her down the bed by her legs, getting in between them.
“I can turn you on, baby. I can make you cream yourself right now.”
She could see that he was drunk, but there was also this crazy look in his eyes. She didn’t understand it. It was like he was getting off on doing this to her.
As he raised his hand, a switchblade popped open.
“You’re mine.”
She screamed and tried to get away from him but she couldn’t. He ripped her tank top open revealing her bare breasts. She struggled to get away, begging him to stop but he wouldn’t. He struck her once, twice, three times. She was losing focus. He was so much bigger than her, a large man, nearly six feet tall, big muscles, a corrections officer, he knew how to fight, to stay in control.
When he used the knife to tear off her bottoms, she knew his intentions. She begged him to stop as he ran the tip of the blade across her breast, down her ribs to her mound.
“I wouldn’t move, Ellie. This is all mine. No man will ever fuck this pussy, or feel up these tits again. I’m going to make sure you never forget who owns you.”
The sound of the office phone ringing brought her out of her daze. She realized that she had been crying, as she wiped away the tears with the back of her hand. She was so lost in remembering, and feeling the pain she had lost track of time and where she even was.
She picked up the phone. “Yes?” she answered.
“Ellie, it’s Lionel. There’s some guy here to see you with dinner. Seno Lawson. He showed me ID, says he’s a criminal analyst, and that you’re friends. Is he legit?”
“Oh God, yes. You can send him up. He’s a friend, Lionel. Thank you.”
“Of course. You call me if you need me.”
“I will.”
She stood up placing her feet back into the high-heel shoes she wore all day. Her feet protested as she walked over toward the mirror and checked her makeup. It was obvious she was crying, but she hoped that Seno wouldn’t be able to tell.
Looking out her office window, she saw him coming through the dark office, looking around with a concerned expression and carrying a box with brown bags in it. She could also see bottles of water.
“Hi, what’s all this?” she asked, opening up her office door.
“Nice office. I thought I would surprise you with dinner.” He placed the box down onto the desk.
She watched him, absorbing the scent of his cologne, the way his dark Dockers hugged his ass and his thighs, and the way his tight black collared, cotton shirt stretched across bulging muscles. In an instant appreciation, desire, and attraction sparked something within her. Then came the eerie thoughts of only moments ago.
“Hey, what’s wrong?”
He was right in front of her, placing one hand on her hip and the other against her cheek. She felt the emotion flood even her eyes.
She smiled softly.
“Thanks for surprising me.” She hugged him tight as she willed the tears to remain away. She wouldn’t break down in front of him and scare Seno off. She felt so very safe in his arms, and that was what she need right now. Safety.
* * * *
Seno knew something was up. His mind was reeling with numerous questions and concerns. He knew that she had a meeting with some dick who was part of Justice and Vin’s investigation. Justice wa
s pissed off after seeing her with the guy, in his penthouse having a lunch meeting with wine and a romantic atmosphere. He also said that this guy touched her, placed his arm around her in a possessive way, but that Ellie nudged him off. His brother was concerned. He had trust issues just like the rest of them.
Seno caressed her back as he held Ellie in his arms. When she pulled back, she tried to sidestep out of his hold, but he wouldn’t let her. Looking down into her green eyes, he held her gaze and saw they were red and watery. She had been crying. Who made her cry?
“Okay, let’s sit down, have a nice dinner, and talk about what has you so upset.”
He let his hand slide down her arm to her hand, squeezing it, he led her toward the desk.
He looked around the room and saw a small table with two chairs.
“We can eat over there. I hope you like what I brought. I know you enjoy your salads, so I ordered grilled chicken over a bed of mixed lettuce with walnut-and-raspberry vinaigrette on the side.”
“This is so nice. Thank you,” she whispered, taking a seat on the chair as he unwrapped the salads and breadsticks.
She picked up the fork and stared at the salad.
“Something wrong?” he asked her.
“I’m sorry, Seno. I guess I’m not hungry.” She stood up and walked over to the desk. He followed her.
“Still full from lunch?” he asked, and her eyes widened. She started to say something and then stopped herself. He raised his eyebrow at her.
“It wasn’t what it looked like. It was a business meeting that flowed over into lunch.”
“With wine and a romantic atmosphere?” He moved closer, placing his hands on his hips as he absorbed her expression, her body language, and mostly her eyes. He was a criminal analyst, with a knack for seeing things other people didn’t see. Ellie was on edge, nervous, upset, and she also felt guilty. Why?
“It wasn’t like that.”
“You mentioned that already. What was it then? Why do you sound guilty?”
“Guilty? I’m not guilty of anything. Is that what Justice thinks? Does he think I’m intimately involved with Renaldo?”
“He’s concerned to say the least. This guy Renaldo and his partner Luke are somehow connected to two murders. So yes, I’d say that Justice is trying to figure out if there is anything romantic going on with you and these men.”
“No. No there is absolutely nothing romantic going on between us. They’re clients and nothing more.”
“Do they know that?”
“I’ve thought I made my point.”
“Then what has you so upset? I can see the fear and the sadness in your eyes, Ellie. Talk to me.”
She shook her head. Her cell phone rang.
She was quick to use it as an opportunity to stop their conversation but as she looked at the caller ID, he saw her hesitate and then answer the call.
“Hi, Detective Ramirez. I’m sorry but now isn’t exactly a good time. Yes, everything is okay, I’m safe. At the office. No, I’m not alone, a friend is with me. No, we won’t need escorts but I appreciate it. Yes, first thing tomorrow morning at the police department. Okay, I appreciate you doing this. I hope not either.”
Her one-sided conversation was killing him. This had something to do with her ex. At least it seemed that way from what Hunter told them all about what happened in the cabana the other day.
She said good-bye and disconnected the call. She gripped the desk and hung her head. Seno moved slowly in behind her, wrapped an arm around her waist, and pulled her back against his chest.
“Tell me what’s going on. What’s this all about?”
“I don’t want to, Seno. I don’t want you involved or thinking badly of me.”
He turned her around, kept his hold around her waist, and pressed her rear against the desk so she couldn’t escape his embrace.
“Why would I think badly of you?”
She shook her head. “It’s too much. It’s too aggravating and I don’t want you involved.”
“Well, that’s not really an option here. If it involves you and whether or not you’re in trouble or not safe, then I’m involved. Tell me what that detective wanted.”
“I have to go down to the police department tomorrow. To fill out some papers.”
He held her gaze.
“What kind of papers?”
“And order of protection. I need to start the process.”
He felt his concern immediately flare. He scrunched his eyes, and she lowered her eyes and tried to pull away but he held her tight.
“Who is bothering you? What have they done to scare you? Talk to me, Ellie.”
“I said I don’t want you involved.”
“I am involved. Tell me, now.”
“I can handle it.”
“Not alone. Together. Now tell me. Is it your ex-boyfriend?”
She nodded her head.
He licked his lower lip and tried to remain calm. “What has he done?”
She explained to him about the text messages and the call.
“What specifically did he say?” She hesitated again and then told him.
He was pissed off. Plain and simple, and when his brothers found out, they would be as well.
“Please don’t tell Justice, Hunter, and Mace. They’ll get mad at me. Mace and Hunter will insist that I take all those self-defense courses, which I am starting tomorrow. I just don’t want to talk about it all.”
He reached over and cupped her cheek with the palm of his hand. “Baby, they care about you just as I do. There are no secrets between us. None of us. If we want this relationship to work, then we need to trust one another.”
“I told you that I couldn’t jump into a relationship like this one. Well, with any kind of relationship.”
“Because of this asshole?”
She chuckled. “Yes, because of this asshole. A lot of stuff happened. He hurt me very badly.”
“Physically?”
Her eyes filled up with tears and he felt his heart ache for her. Ellie was a gorgeous young woman who should be treated like a goddess. He wanted to know more, everything.
“And mentally, emotionally. God, Seno, you have no idea how hard this has been for me the past year and a half. First, I lost my uncle Brian to a robbery gone badly, and then Paul. Paul came along during my weakest time and went psycho. I was in counseling up until a month ago. It’s been so difficult to trust anyone.”
He swallowed hard and then hugged her against his chest. He caressed her hair and her back.
“Baby, we said we would go slow, that we can be friends first, but you’re going to have to meet us halfway. You can trust us. My brothers and I won’t hurt you.”
She pulled back, with tears in her eyes and an expression of defeat on her face.
“I don’t know if I can, Seno. I don’t know how to let the walls down. It’s safer to stay locked in.”
He held her gaze, looked at her lips.
“I want you, and so do my brothers because we know that you’re right for us. Don’t you feel it? Isn’t the connection, the attraction stronger than this fear of remaining locked inside of yourself?”
A tear rolled down her cheek. “I don’t know.”
He softly kissed her lips and then pulled back. Her eyes remained closed and he watched her. She blinked them open. “Do you feel it? Can’t you see and recognize that I’m one of the good guys?”
She stared into his eyes. He felt the palms of her hands slowly move up his chest. It was like being on pins and needles as he held back from kissing her again. She needed to make the next move. She needed to fight against that wall and let him in.
When she stood up on tiptoes and closed the gap between them to kiss him, he squeezed her tightly and allowed her to pour her emotions into the kiss.
* * * *
Ellie let go for the first time in quite a while. The feel of Seno’s embrace, his meaningful words, and the way he pushed for her to fight against being a victim and i
nstead to be the survivor she was, had her taking a huge chance. She kissed him with vigor and excitement, wanting to absorb the sensations of being pressed up against his sexy body while his hands explored her body. She felt his palm move over her ass and squeeze it, so she thrust her hips against him and felt his hard cock against her belly. Seno towered over her, and even that turned her on. When his other hand moved to the hem of her dress and then up her thigh, lifting it against his hip, she moaned into his mouth.
They were on fire, kissing, petting, and exploring.
She felt his fingers move up along the crack of her ass, and she gasped, pulling from his mouth.
“Easy, Ellie,” he whispered, using his hold of her thigh and her ass to pull her tighter against him. She was aroused, hungry for more of his touch, yet the fear reminded that the last time a man touched her he forced himself on her and bruised her everywhere. She wanted Seno and his brothers to touch her.
“I can’t, Seno. Oh God,” she said pulling away, and covering her mouth with her hand to stop herself from losing it.
Strong arms wrapped around her and turned her back to face Seno.
“My God, Ellie. What the hell did he do to you?” She shook her head and he hugged her to him.
“I’m so sorry, Seno. I don’t know if this will ever work.”
Chapter 8
“The guy has a fucking alibi. I was so hoping that he was our killer,” Justice stated.
Vin laughed at Justice as they went over the files from the coroner’s report and the evidence from the multiple homicides.
“That would make this case nice and neat, but it isn’t. Not with these art galleries playing a role somehow. There has to be more to this,” Vin added.
“I’m wracking my brain but nothing is giving,” Justice said as he rubbed his eyes after closing the file.
“Let’s take a break. So how are things going with Ellie? Did you get to talk to her about yesterday?”
“Nope.”
“You’re not pissed at her, are you?”
“I was, but then Seno went to go see her last night at work. We didn’t want her walking out on her own so late at night.”
The American Soldier Collection 8: She Loves Me, She Loves Me Not (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 9
