Chapter 41
Everything was a blur.
My ears were ringing. I couldn’t see straight
But I knew it was him.
The sound of fists hitting flesh echoed around the room. I could hear Layla screaming, Darren groaning, the shuffling of boots then Karl’s voice, low and ragged, saying something I couldn’t make out.
Then everything faded.
The next thing I felt was warmth, arms around me. Strong and steady. I was lifted, my head dropped against a firm chest. I caught his scent, clean cologne, sweat, and something familiar.
I forced my eyes open.
Karl
He looked down at me for a split second. His jaw clenched so hard I could see the muscles twitch. Then his attention moved to the path ahead. More footsteps followed behind us, but he didn’t stop.
The world tilted slightly as I was carried into the car. He slid me in gently, shut the door, and got in beside me. I leaned against the seat, barely upright. He reached over to fasten the seatbelt, fingers brushing my collarbone.
His seyes flicked to me every few seconds. His knuckles were bloody
“I’m taking you to a place nearby,” he said, voice low but right “There’s a cabin I own in the area, you’ll be okay.”
I nodded faintly. I didn’t have the strength to speak.
The drive wasn’t long, but I kept drifting in and out. Every time I looked up, his eyes were already on me.
When we arrived, I barely registered the high wooden gates and the tall pine trees surrounding us. The place was tucked deep into a private stretch of land. Quiet and hidden
The car crunched over gravel, pulling up in front of a massive glass–paneled lodge, dark wood, silver fixtures, and a wraparound balcony with floor–to–ceiling windows. It didn’t look like a cabin, it looked like something out of a billionaire’s escape catalogue.
He carried me inside, the floor was heated, the walls were polished oak, a soft fireplace was already lit, the smell of pinewood lingering in the air.
The nurse was already waiting,
She moved quickly, speaking in clipped tones as she disinfected the cuts on my cheek and wiped dried blood from my nose. I winced at the sting, but Karl didn’t leave my side. He crouched beside the couch, watching every move, his hand resting near my knee,
“She’ll be okay,” the nurse said, writing something down. “Some bruising, mild concussion. She needs rest, keep her hydrated, pain meds are in the kit.”
He nodded once. She packed up and left.
The door clicked shut.
Karl stayed crouched in front of me. His hands reached for my face. He tilted it gently with his fingertips, inspecting the swelling under my eye, the dried scrape near my lip. His eyes were darker than I’d ever seen them.
I didn’t flinch.
“You should yell at me,” I said softly. “You told me not to leave. I left. I ruined everything.”
He stared at me, completely still.
“What are you talking about?” he said. “You’re hurt
“I disobeyed you, you were right. 1 should’ve stayed home”
His brows pulled together like I’d just said something insane.
Chapter 11
“You think I care about that right now?”
I blinked
“You think I’d rather be right than have you safe?”
He sat up slowly and reached for the edge of my hoodie. “Arms up.”
I didn’t argue. My limbs were too heavy to care. He slipped the fabric off, careful around the bandaged spots, and pulled one of his own shirts over my head. The hem hit me mid–thigh. His scent wrapped around me immediately.
His hands stayed on my shoulders, steadying me.
“Lie down,” he said.
I did.
He pulled the blanket over me, then crouched again. He brushed his thumb over my jawline, the movement slower this time, almost
uncertain.
The hurt in his eyes made it hard to breathe.
‘ve come earlier,” he muttered. “I should’ve known something was off”
“I should’ve
I didn’t know what to say.
He leaned closer, his hand still on my cheek. I thought he might kiss me. I felt every inch of him near me, his warmth, the rough pads of his fingers, the tension in his shoulders.
But he didn’t move
He just stayed there, face inches from mine, eyes locked on me like he needed to remember I was really here.
He got to his feet and raked his fingers through his hair.
I pulled the blanket closer and leaned back against the pillows. My voice came out softer than I expected
“How did you even know where to find me?”
He stood by the window, his arms crossed. His jaw tightened before be looked at me.
“You really think I wouldn’t?” he said.
I let out a quiet breath. “Then again, you always do. I shouldn’t be surprised”
His expression changed. He turned around and walked over, stopping in front of me. His eyes locked on mine.
“Darren is done,” he said. “He’s going to lose everything. He messed with what belongs to me.
My brows pulled together. I shook my head slowly. “I’m not something of yours.”
He crouched down in front of me again. His hand rested near my knee. His eyes didn’t leave my face.
“You’re more than that,” he said. “I can’t think when you’re not near me, I can’t sleep. I can’t breathe right. I can’t even focus on work.” He reached up and pushed a strand of hair behind my ear,
“I can’t do anything when I don’t know if you’re okay,” he added. “And worst of all…”
He reached for my hand and brought it to his chest. Then he moved it down slowly, guiding it lower until I felt his hardened cock through his pants. My eyes widened instantly.
His voice dropped to a whisper.
“You do this to me.”
My heart started to race fast.
“You don’t want to know how difficult it has been for me, every night I try my best, going to sleep with fucking blue balls.”
1978
16:42 AM
Chapter 41
I thought I must be hallucinating from how hard I’d been hit by Darren.
n hit by Darre
Karl’s eyes were fixed on my lips now
“What are you trying to say?” I asked in a low voice.
ד
want to fuck you, Ellen,” he said, leaning closer, “I want to fuck you hard.”
Before I could respond he closed his mouth over mine.
E
