Christian (The Mitchell/Healy Family #3)(29)
Author: Jennifer Foor

I backed away further, distancing myself from the monster he was. “Please don’t.”

He moved forward, rushing toward me. I closed my eyes, burying my head between my legs. I could literally feel the floor vibrating with each of his steps. He leaned down until his hot, familiar, alcohol breath was near my face. “Are we having fun yet?”

I couldn’t speak. I couldn’t even move.

“Did you really think anyone would believe a nobody like you? Did you think they’d help you take me down? You’re nothing but an easy fuck. I took what I wanted and you’re pissed it’s over. Get that through your head and walk away. I won’t let a little bitch like you ruin my life, do you hear me?”

I nodded my head, not even knowing if he noticed. I couldn’t open my eyes and see him so close to me. The pain of rehashing the awful event was making me dizzy again.

The loud taunting from the living room was feeding the atmosphere around me. The negativity was preventing me from standing up for myself. I was outnumbered, and belittled, lost in an environment set out to destroy me.

Seth grabbed me by the hair, pulling it back and forcing me to look at him. My lips trembled as I kept my gaze on him. I was petrified of this guy, and people were laughing at that. “Check this crazy bitch out.”

They were laughing more; laughing at me, making me want to close my eyes and never wake up. They were awful people, feeding off his essence while they cut me down and ripped me apart. Everything I ever thought I wanted was hidden behind a sick façade of evil people.

Then I heard his voice; my knight in shining armor. It got louder as he came into the room. Suddenly Seth’s hold was released. He backed away from me, holding his hands up when he saw the size of Ethan; though both muscular, years of working on a ranch had given Ethan more definition. It was very clear who’d win a fight.

“You have one second to get the fuck away from her before I kill you.”

Seth kept his hands up. “We were just talking, dude. You can have her all to yourself now. I’ve already had my fill.”

I heard the sound of the punch before looking in their direction. It was apparent who’d thrown the punch. While Seth covered his face with his hands, blood was pouring out between his fingers. Ethan reached his hand out, pulling me up and leading me out of the house. We didn’t take time to gather my things, and honestly I wasn’t worried about them. All I wanted to do was get as far away from those people as I possibly could.

I’d like to say that I calmed down once I was in the security of his vehicle, but it was impossible to settle myself. Too much had been said for me to sit back and relax. I was the laughing stock of everyone, and soon they’d probably share the video with fellow peers from school.

I felt Ethan’s hand lacing with mine. He squeezed, giving me a silent reminder that he was there with me. I refused to pull away, knowing for certain that he was the only real person in my life that I could turn to. I’d wanted to die back in that room until I heard his voice. In that moment of despair I knew he was there to save me.

“Thank you,” I managed to get out.

“Don’t you dare thank me. It’s takin’ everything in me not to go back there and kill every one of them.”

“They aren’t worth it.”

“Yeah, but they deserve worse. I heard what he said to you. Our call never disconnected. I heard that bastard tauntin’ you. If I could reach through that phone and choke him I would have.”

I wanted to smile. I needed to. It just wouldn’t happen. I’d been through too much, and though I’d tried to be strong, they’d broken through my temporary wall of solitude and gotten straight to what I had left. I was nothing, and the idea of being whole again was so far out of reach it was impossible to imagine.

“I wish he’d killed me in that house, Ethan. I don’t want to feel this anymore. Please make it stop. Make it go away.”

I don’t remember talking after that statement was made. The next thing I knew I was being carried inside and laid down on top of his bed. He didn’t bother removing anything but my shoes before covering me up. I didn’t let myself fall asleep until I felt him climbing on the mattress. When Ethan took my hand I knew I was safe. That’s when I finally let myself go.

When I woke up to the sound of a rooster I realized I was back at the ranch. My bedding, a black and white tree theme, let me know I was in my own room. A warm body was nestled next to me. His hair was shabby making me think it was Ethan’s. I reached my hand over to touch him, and when I did I got the shock of my life. It wasn’t Ethan in my bed, but Seth. I screamed and opened my eyes realizing I was in a dark room.

The figure beside me pulled me close and kissed my left temple. "You’re havin’ a nightmare, babe. Go back to sleep. No one can hurt you now. I promise," he said in a groggy voice. With my heart still feeling like it was beating out of my chest I lay there awake, in the pitch black room. Had it not been for Ethan’s hold on me I may have gotten up to get a glass of water, but I knew feeling protected was more important than being a bit parched.

There was a time so recent that I would have loved being this close to him, knowing it always lead to intimacy. It pained me to imagine ever doing that again. The thought of sex made me queasy, and I didn’t see it going away anytime soon. For the most part I needed exactly what Ethan was giving me. He was my hero; the one person that would ride through the gates of purgatory to save me. While wide awake, I replayed the events of the day in my head. It was revolting how my peers had believed a liar over me. Seth may have been popular, but he was a known cheater. For them to gang up against me was surprising, to say the least. My mind wandered, sending me to consider my options. With no one willing to collaborate my story, I was left to either go to extremes to save my dignity, or surrender to the fact that he was never going to be punished for what was done to me.

Ethan stirred and woke to find me staring at him. It would have been nice to conjure up a half-smile, though I found it impossible. "What are you doin’ awake?"

"I can’t sleep," I confessed.

He moved the hair away from my face. "Are you frightened?"

"Not when I’m with you." I didn’t have to be embarrassed when it came to Ethan. I’d spent years opening up to him. Even in my current state I knew he wouldn’t dare hurt me.

"That’s a step in the right direction."

"All of my stuff is probably ruined. How am I goin’ to explain that to my parents?"