Page 77 of Never Say Never

Chapter Twenty-Five

Cohen

Questions, questions and more questions. I explain what happened. I tell them about the retreat, how he went after her then and I stepped in. How I helped procure evidence on the other harassment and assault cases pending against him. After the detective on the other case shows up and backs my story, they release me.

This was not just about going after her but revenge on me. Revenge. The irony is not lost on me as I walk out of the police station rubbing at the red marks on my wrists.

She was nearly assaulted because I tried to protect her.

Walking down the wide concrete steps, thunder begins to roll. I should get back on a plane and go far from her. Find another leggy blonde to drown myself in. Walk away and not look back.

But I can’t. Instead, I get into the back of a black cab and give them Scarlett’s address. As we drive it begins bucketing down, as the rain falls in heavy sheets and the tension coils deep in my belly.

The questions I just endured will be nothing compared to what she will ask me. But I’ll answer every last one if that’s what it takes.

It’s time for the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. As someone used to telling mostly lies, the truth scares the ever loving hell out of me.

Lightening cracks as I exit the cab and walk up the path to get door. Not a single light burns in her windows. Complete darkness.

I would almost guess she wasn’t home, but I know she doesn’t mind the dark.

The rain picks up soaking my clothes, the chill of the water sizzles on my skin. Skin that’s hot for her and as I near the door I feel that familiar jolt.

Raising my bruised hand I bang on the door. Nothing.

And as the storms soaks me to the bone, I keep pounding on the door.

My body hums in anticipation of the confrontation that’s sure to come. I only hope after she has her say and I’ve appeased her questions, that she will take me to her bed, and will comfort me with her touch. That I might lose myself in her.

I need to feel something. I went numb seeing Alan on her and when I finally got my hands on him, I couldn’t stop. The numbness drew me down and I nearly blacked out.

The sound of bones breaking and skin splitting echoed in the tiny space of the lift.

I beat my fist on the door until I can’t stand it anymore.

The only thing that made me stop was hearing her crying out my name and when I stopped and looked up, I saw myself in the polished reflection. I looked like a monster, anger etched on my face and blood on my hands.

The door opened and they pulled me away.

She fought to get to me, and when she finally did she heard them call me by name. My real name. Cohen James Black.

I could see it on her face when she worked it all out. Piers was there, the one who took my place. The one she loved first. He stood accusing, while she stared at me in disbelief. James may have the reason I came, but he’s not the reason I stayed. She is.

Now I have to find a way to show her that. Make her believe. But I can’t even get her to open the door.

One last knock and I jump as lightening cracks like a whip across the sky.

My head falls forward in defeat as the rain pelts down on me. I let it wash over me. Cool drops soaking into me, washing away the blood on my hands.

I wish it was as easy to wash away the sins that can’t be seen.

#####

Scarlett

The boom of thunder wakes me from a dream. A million miles away from here, my mind lost and happy in a place where Cohen and I were wrapped up in each other’s arms.

Safe from Alan’s taunting, Piers’ judgement and the fucked-up mess revolving around James Black. No retreats. No mergers or takeovers. No long-lost family.