Doing my best to stay on subject, I held her gaze, thinking back to her revelation of events.
I was in the kitchen, had my earbuds in. Didn’t hear him come in. He came up behind me. Covered my mouth and dragged me out of the kitchen. Threw me on the floor. When I tried to fight him off, he punched me. I kicked and screamed. Heaven came home. He ran. Must’ve been scared … Kept saying, “I’ve got you now, sweet Heaven. You’re not my first choice, but you’ll do.”
“Why did he threaten Heaven if he doesn’t know her?”
Everly shrugged.
I sighed, stood tall, and paced the room, my mind going through various options in regard to getting the answers necessary to resolve this for her. That was what I did, who I was. And right now, I’d never been more inclined to resolve an issue, whatever it took to ensure no one harmed this woman again.
“I’m sorry,” she said quickly. “I don’t want to upset you.”
When I pivoted back around, Everly was standing, a pleading look wrinkling her forehead, making her appear sweet, innocent. So fucking sweet and innocent.
Only she wasn’t. Sure, on the outside. Like a fairy princess. But inside … deep down there was a sexy spitfire, a submissive who knew exactly what she needed. A strong, independent woman who accepted who she was even when others didn’t understand her. That was one of the many reasons I’d enjoyed scenes with her over the past few months, all of them carefully designed and carried out at the club we belonged to.
I frowned, moved closer, then grazed her smooth cheek with my knuckles. “You didn’t upset me, sweetheart.”
When Everly plastered herself to me, her arms wrapping around my waist, the air rushed out of my lungs in surprise. I cupped her head, holding her against me, the urge to keep her there forever stronger than it ever had been.
Not for the first time, I noticed the drastic differences in our sizes. She was so small, the top of her head barely reaching the middle of my chest, so delicate. From the first time I’d scened with her at the club, back in that ridiculous living room setup, I’d found myself coming back for more. Ian and I had a fondness for the fairy princess—as we’d come to think of her—but try as we might, the woman had managed to keep her distance.
I held her, secretly loving the way she fit so perfectly against me. More so the fact that she was clinging to me, clearly not worried I would hurt her. I wouldn’t. Not ever.
“You’re safe, Everly,” I whispered, sliding my hand over her silky hair. “I won’t let anyone hurt you.”
It was a promise I fully intended to keep.
The door opened and I glanced over to see my brother, a frown on his face. He missed nothing, his attention to detail honed better than mine.
“I think there’s more to this story,” he said, nodding toward her.
I didn’t release Everly and she made no move to separate.
“Did you talk to the roommate?” I returned my attention to the sweet woman in my arms, sliding my hand slowly over the long fall of her hair.
“Yeah. Heaven’s only one of her roommates. There’s another one.”
I tilted Everly’s head back, met her gaze. “Is that true?”
“Yes, Sir. Dante.” Her eyes widened as though something had just clicked. “Oh, my God.”
When she pulled away, I felt the loss but kept myself from reaching for her again.
“Dante?” Ian muttered. “You live with a man?”
I bit back a smile at the barely restrained accusation in his tone.
“It’s not like that,” she said quickly. “He’s… We’re … It’s not like that.”
I found people tended to not be quite so defensive when that really was the case. There was certainly more to the story, but it was clear she wasn’t in any condition to lay it out for us. And we weren’t really in a position to inquire.
Yet.
“What’s his last name?” I asked.
“Novak,” she mumbled, her thoughts obviously elsewhere. “But that makes sense. That guy … he’s trying to hurt Dante.”
“By hurting you and Heaven?”
“Yes.” Everly wiped her eyes, squared her shoulders. “I need to call him. To tell him not to go home.”
I nodded.
She patted her pockets, her butt. “I don’t have my phone,” she sobbed. “I must’ve left it at my house.”
Ian produced his phone, passed it to her.
Everly swallowed hard, then focused on dialing. I took a step back, standing shoulder to shoulder with my twin as she made her call.
Her tormented gaze shot to mine. “He’s not answering.” There was silence before she spoke again. “Dante, when you get this message, I need you to call me. Don’t go home. Please. Just call me.” Her eyes shot to Ian’s. “Can he call this number?”
