AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I was sick of being scared and vulnerable. He had to know the truth.
“Your son hates you. He will never do as you want.”
He stormed towards me as I stood my ground. I watched the ticking in his jaw increase by the second and his fists clench to the beat.
“He will… a pretty girl who opens her legs at every opportunity won't stop me,” he sneered, pushing his nose an inch from my face. My hand pushed against his chest to back away out of my space.
Intimidation was his favorite game it seemed, but I wasn't about to give in. No matter what backlash of spiteful venom he compiled from his throat; they were just words.
“You can try to break me. Hurt me or destroy me, but I will always have what you want. I’ll always have Dawson’s heart, trust and loyalty,” I spat back in his face before turning on my heel and marching quickly away from him towards the door. I felt my rapid breathing bursting against my ribcage, but I carried on until I couldn't move. Stone had grabbed my hair, gripping it tightly, causing tears to gather in my eyes. I was locked in his presence and held at his will.
“No, bitch, you think you have this played out.” He marched me forwards before he stopped on the top step. “You will do as I tell you or…”
“Or what Stone?” I tried pushing him away, but his tight grip never faltered. I felt a red mist of anger overtake me. “I mean it Stone, or what?”
“Make him see sense or I promise you won’t like what happens next,” he snarled, pressing his weight with his elbow into the curve of my back.
I shook my head to the best of my ability within his grasp. “Dawson won't let anyone control his mind. Whether that be you or me.”
“Big mistake,” he whisper-shouted. “You have him by the balls, and you know it.” His heavy breath warmed my ear. “So be it, dear. I told you, I warned you that you wouldn’t like what came next…” I shuddered as he gave me a push, releasing my hair at the exact moment I felt myself moving in slow motion. I felt the rise of a high-pitched scream reach my throat and escape from my mouth, and the stairs disappeared from beneath me.
I tried to reach up for the railing, my arms flailing in the process, but I couldn't reach. My fingers just clasped onto thin air. I tumbled faster, unable to stop the inevitable fall about to hit me. The rapid beating of my heart and fear of what Stone had planned next lay in the pit of my stomach as the thud of my skull hitting the ground echoed in my head. A piercing pain in my wrist and a sharp ache radiated through the whole of my body until I could take no more and nothing but darkness overtaking my eyes and I lost consciousness completely.
17
Dawson
Iwish I could've scooped Everleigh up within my arms, ran out of the hotel and kept her locked away from everyone – calming the erratic beating in my chest. The pair of us staying in her apartment forever more. A few days locked up together away from prying eyes would be heaven, but then I knew we would drive each other crazy, pushing one another to breaking point. A place where maybe one of us couldn't come back from.
Deep down, I knew she needed time to process and so did I. It didn't stop me feeling like utter shit, a coward running away. I hoped the underlying action of giving her my coat showed I wasn't going anywhere. She had to see history wouldn't repeat itself. That I was fighting for her: for us.
Everleigh had the one item of clothing that even an armed mugger would have to kill me for, to prise it off my body and I'd still be hanging onto it with my fingertips until the dire end. It was a coat yes, but it held so much more meaning than that. It had been my constant, just like her. The one possession that I'd become attached to like a baby with a pacifier, except she'd manages to replace that addiction. A thought that deep down, should have petrified me but actually soothed my heart and mind.
Damage control and limitations dealt with in the hotel, I noticed it was later than anticipated as Reese pulled up at Everleigh’s apartment. An hour that was all, but at 9pm I hadn't expected for it all to be laid in darkness.
“Thanks, take tomorrow off. I won't be in,” I stated, getting out of the car as my jaw ticked, attempting to hide the worry as I ran my fingers through my hair.Maybe she’s gone to sleep? That's got to be it.
“Thanks, sir. My cell is on though, if you need me. Night,” Reese replied as he nodded and got back into the car before driving off.
I had a sensation of dread in the pit of my stomach that something was wrong, but I couldn’t put my finger on it. I gulped down hard and walked up to the front door and tried to open it, but it didn't budge as normal and instead my shoulder unexpectedly met the brunt force of the wood.At least I knew the damn thing was secure.Why was the door locked though?I grabbed the set of keys she had given me last week from my pocket and spun them around until I found the right one. I opened the door to pure darkness. Not one light on.
“Everleigh. Belle? Where are you?” I shouted as I switched on the hallway light. My mind started to panic as the tone of my voice became more desperate the longer the quietness remained. “Everleigh?”
I slammed the door shut, flicking all the switches on as I marched through, checking each room. I hoped she was fast asleep, and it was just panic taking hold, but she wasn't on the sofa.
I ran to the bathroom, hoping to see her lazing in the tub but nothing. My pulse was rapid and fast as my breathing increased with each step I took. I tried to control the fear shivering down my body.
The bedroom was in darkness, and I held my breath as I switched the light on and saw the freshly made bed and the broken blouse from today placed on top. My jacket was nowhere to be seen.
Where the fuck was she? Everleigh’s clothes were here so she’d obviously been home and left again. Was she angry that I was late arriving home, and this a punishment for not letting her know what was going on? Or had she been playing me these last few weeks? Had she decided payback was in order and now left me just like I left her; a game to show me what it felt like? I didn’t think so. My gut screamed she wasn’t cruel, she was kind and caring, loving too. That she had forgiven me.
“Everleigh, where are you sweetheart?” I whispered into the room as I picked up the shirt and scrunched it up to my nose, inhaling her perfume. The faint whiff of my Belle and the musk of sex allowed my mind to slow to a reasonable level.
No, she wouldn't just leave. Stone. He threatened. He wouldn’t, would he?
I heard the faint ringing of my cell as I ran to my thrown belongings. I rummaged through them, searching for my cell and praying her name lit up my screen, but instead a local code did. I pressed the green button and slumped against the wall.
“Hello,” I snapped as I leant against the wall and slid down to the floor. I clenched my free hand to stop the need to plunge it into the plastered walls surrounding me. I wanted to numb the pain as I prayed Everleigh would waltz in the door at any second.
