I nod, stepping aside as he enters. He doesn’t speak, but I can feel the tension radiating off him in waves. Shutting the door, I turn to face him.
“I’m not feeling well, and I wish you hadn’t come here. There are so many things I need to think about right now. I think you should—”
“I think I should find out why you haven’t let Carter in. He’s been calling nonstop for the past two days. We planned on heading to your stepfather’s apartment tonight. My men are tracking his phone. We want to get him when we can corner him.” His words cause my stomach to roll.
“That’s more reason for me to leave, Bennett. I can’t be here anymore. He found me and I need to keep running.” Glancing up, I can see he’s not buying it. He knows I’ve found solace with him and his best friend.
“Ella, cut the shit because I’m not going anywhere until you listen to Carter. It’s not my secret to tell. But you have to believe he isn’t here to hurt you.” Bennett reaches for my hand and I allow him to take mine. He looks at me with such sincerity, causing my self-control to slip, and I need to get it back.
Pulling my hand from his, I turn to face the window. “Bennett, I can’t.” I cast a glance at him over my shoulder, regarding him. He could have been lovely to work for, a sincere, gentle person, but his best friend is not.
“You’ve been hurt before, but Carter won’t hurt you.” He watches me for a long while and all I can do is nod. There was something between me and Carter, but he lied. He’s hiding something that I can never live with, never forgive. I can’t trust him.
“Bennett, with all due respect, I know he’s your friend. Please, I need you to stay out of this.”
When my eyes find his, I see the agony in them. He’s trying to be supportive, but I’m too fu*ked up to allow anyone into my life right now. I watch him pull out his phone and hit dial. My body tenses because I think he’s calling Carter, but when he speaks I relax.
“Lizzie, can you block out my day? I have something urgent to see to.” He hangs up and turns to me. “Now, you and I are going to do something fun. Go and get dressed.” Even though it’s a command, the smile on his face makes me offer one in return.
“What do you mean? Where are we going?”
He stalks toward me. Grabbing both my hands, he places a kiss on each. “I’m taking you to see the sights. Go on. I won’t take no for an answer.” After the tears I spilled last night, my eyes are puffy and I’m sure they’re bloodshot, but the way Bennett stares at me, I feel like the most beautiful woman in the world.
“You do realize I’m still your employee?”
“I do. There’s a lot you don’t know about me, Ella, and I hope you’ll give me the day to show you I’m here for you. I don’t want you to leave Ainsworth International.”
“I can’t be—”
He cuts me off mid-sentence. “I know. Let’s just forget the tension and what happened. Let me take you out and you can take the day to decide if you really want to walk away or if you’ll give Cart the chance to explain what and why.”
I stare at him. There’s nothing stopping me from doing this, from forgetting the fear that’s held me for far too long. I nod.
“Okay.”
He offers me one of those charming smiles and nods. Flopping onto my sofa, he lifts one ankle, crossing it over his opposite knee. “I’ll wait right here.” He winks and I shake my head.
Heading into the bedroom, I grab my clothes and step into the bathroom. This will have to be a quick shower. Turning on the taps, I wait for the water to heat up and step under the cascading spray.
Using my orange blossom body wash, I lather up and wash my hair. Ten minutes later I’m toweling myself dry. When I glance in the mirror, my reflection is drastically different. My eyes are no longer puffy and red, and I feel better. Stronger.
I am strong. I am strong. I am strong.
“I’ll be another ten minutes,” I shout toward the living room.
“Take your time, beautiful.” His deep rumble echoes through me.
My phone vibrating on the nightstand pulls my attention out of the thoughts running wild in my mind.
Sliding my finger over the screen, I find a message from the man I’m avoiding.
Carter: You can’t hide from me forever, Princess. I won’t stop until you let me explain.
Reading those words have me on edge because I know he won’t stop. Turning to my closet without answering the message, I grab my black jeans and a blue shirt. It’s dressy but casual enough.
Striding into the living room, I find Bennett in my kitchen with a mug of coffee. He’s staring out the window, but when he hears me, he turns and his gaze alights with a smile.
“You look lovely. Are you ready?”
I can’t stop the blush from heating my cheeks. “Thank you. I’m just going to grab my purse and we can go.” He finishes his drink and sets the mug in the sink.
“I promise, not one mention of my best friend, but I must tell you, he knows I’m with you.”
I shrug, but I know it’s not as casual as I want it to come across as.
“Bennett, please. Don’t ask. I’ll allow Carter one chance to explain, just not right now.”
He nods, smiles, then follows me to the front door. When I open it my breath hitches. On the small welcome mat is another snow globe with a note attached. I must have stumbled because Bennett’s arms are around me.
“Ella, what’s wrong?” He practically walks me back to the sofa and once I’m settled, he stalks to the door and picks up the offending item. I watch him pull the note from around it and his gaze locks on mine after he reads it.
“What… I… What does it say?” My whole body is trembling and I can’t stop tears from falling. Pain hits me right in the chest and nausea has me pushing off the sofa and racing to the bathroom.
I fall to my knees and heave.
My body wracks as I wretch and the burn in my throat has tears running down my cheeks. I jump when I feel Bennett’s hands on my back. He lifts my hair, holding it back as I puke my guts up. I’m still shaking as he rubs slow circles on my back.
“Shhh, I’m here, love. Just try to breathe.” His soothing words calm me, but my heart is trying to fight its way through my chest.
I don’t know how much time passed. I lose track of everything, until Bennett settles on the bed beside me. He pulls me into his hold and murmurs in my hair.
“I’m going to see Cart. We’re heading out to find Charles. I need you to keep the door locked. And under no circumstances, do not open it.”
I nod, but I can’t find my voice. My throat hurts from throwing up. He presses a kiss to my forehead and rises. Once I’m alone, I curl up under the comforter, but I know sleep will elude me.
Do you know when you see something that scares you to the point of paralysis, when you feel like your body can’t take any more? That crippling feeling, that’s what I feel knowing the truth.
The lock of the front door clicks, and I can’t help sighing. I wonder if Bennett allowed Carter in because if he did, I’ll never forgive him. I needed time.