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“Why did you though… Nurse Williamson said she saw a visitor leave here before I arrived. Who was it, Belle?” he asked concerned, dropping his hands down as I saw his weary features.
“He gave me no choice,” I replied as my gaze dropped to the scratchy gathered sheets around my waist, avoiding his eyes. Even though the pulled tension between us begged me to meet his gaze.
“Look at me, Everleigh.” His forefinger reached under my chin, lifting my head up as his face came closer to mine. “It was Stone, wasn’t it?”
I nodded in agreement before his forehead placed against mine. “It was Stone that Nurse Williamson saw leaving.” I nodded in acknowledgment before his forehead placed against mine. “Why was he here Belle? He wasn’t just here…” I felt the warmth slip away with him as he leaned back, running his fingers down my cheek just as the realization hit home and I didn’t need to say the words I dreaded voicing.
“He did this…? Everleigh, are you saying...”?
“Shh… It's okay. I'm okay, honestly,” I said. “He tried to silence me.”
“I'm going to kill him…”
“No!” I shouted, raising my voice. “Listen, I overheard him on the phone. I knew something was going on.”
“What do you mean?” he asked, leaning in and holding my hand tightly as if bracing himself. It was as if he knew something big was happening, but then Dawson was an inquisitive man. He may have sensed something already, how was I to know? “Everleigh…”
“After your meeting with Stone earlier, I watched security drop him off in the lobby. I didn’t think he’d seen me as he was busy on the phone but at some point, he must have noticed me. I heard him on the phone to Tye.” I winced, saying his name, knowing the subject was raw. “I heard him say Tye’s name, so I text Tye, wanting to meet to find out what the hell was happening. I know you’d have stopped me, but I was trying to help you. It’s clear that whatever is happening is behind your back. I was supposed to meet Tye tonight, except when I arrived at the address he gave me, it was Stone there to greet me not Tye. Tye set me up, but I have no idea why he’d even tell Stone about me. I’m a nobody, just an employee he… well you know…”
“Yeah, I know,” he gritted through clenched teeth. “Tye’s a lot of things but he’s loyal, he’s loyal to me, Everleigh. You must have it wrong, he’d never…”
“I’m sorry Dawson, I have proof. Can you pass me my cell?” I replied.
Dawson raised his brow as I pointed to my bag over on the chair in the corner. “Belle…”
“Please…” I pushed, pleading with my lips pursed together. “Just trust me…”
“Okay…” he replied before he stood up and walked over to collect my bag. He dug inside and found my cell buried at the bottom before passing it to me.
“I found some information…” I said before I unlocked my cell and flicked to the saved pictures I had taken. I passed it over to Dawson and his eyes grew wider with an uncertainty in them. “Tye and Stone were working together.”
“Everleigh, how? Where did you get these?” he stammered. “Fuck, do they know?”
He stood up and began pacing the room, flicking through each picture as the pieces slotted together.
“No,” I hissed before I rolled my eyes. “Do you think I would still be breathing if he knew what I had on there?”
“Oh, baby…” He sighed, perching himself on the edge of the bed as I scooted up, making room for him before his arm encased me in his body. “Belle, baby, you put your life on the line taking these pictures. You should never have taken the risk. Shit, if he’d have caught you with this information, I dread to think what he’d have done. No, I can’t imagine my life without you beside me.” He held me close, breathing long deep breaths into my neck.
“I know, Dawson. I thought I was meeting Tye and would’ve got a bit of information, but Stone ambushed me. He’d left the door open and expecting Tye, I went in. Imagine my surprise at a table of documents left for any Tom, Dick or Everleigh to come across. Instinct took over and I took my opportunity.” I sighed into him, closing my eyes. I felt safe for the first time tonight.
“I couldn't have coped if…”
“No what if’s, Dawson. I’m here, safe in your arms,” I interrupted.
“On one condition, Belle,” he said, kissing the top of my head before pulling my shoulders back to look at his darkened eyes.
“What's that?” I questioned, tilting my head to the side and biting my lip nervously.
“That we take the bastard down – once and for all, together.”
“I thought you'd never ask, my beast.” I chuckled as his roared laughter filled the air and the sparkle of mischief appeared written across his face. “Let's get me recovered and out of here, shall we?”
“Absolutely, then the fucker pays…nobody tries to harm or take what’s mine. He made this war when he laid a finger on you, Everleigh.” He swallowed deeply before placing a chaste kiss against my lips. “Especially when it's love involved, Belle.”
“Love?” I gulped back. “Dawson?”
“Love, Everleigh,” he commanded as he ran his thumb across my lips. His breathing was heavy as his muscles worked hard up and down but his stare never faltered. “I’ve always loved you, no matter my actions, Everleigh. I’ve always loved you, how could I ever not, our hearts beat as one. I'm a bastard at times, dirty, rough, and consuming but I'm yours… always and forever. So, yes Everleigh, I love you.”
