Page 22 of Should the Sky Fall

Right. Add a major injury on top of the shitstorm at work, and you got yourself a very pissed, very stressed alcoholic.

“It never would’ve worked anyway.” He was just lying to himself. He thought he had it figured out, but realistically, Cal would never let him go. He’d find him—it wouldn’t be hard—and drag him back, kicking and screaming. “The papers were just to prove a point, to show him I’m serious. But no one will divorce us unless we’ve been separated for a year.”

Ellis’ jaw works, anger simmering in his eyes. He knows Dawson is right. “You could report him. If you’re afraid he’ll try something, you can get a restraining order.”

Dawson lets out a humorless laugh. “No one will believe me.” When Ellis wants to protest, he says, “I’m gay. I’m a gay guy and my husband is the rich owner of a company. No one will believe me.” The odds are not in his favor. It’s already hard for women to escape an abusive partner. He doesn’t stand a chance. Who’d give a shit about him? “And don’t tell me you can help. He’s your brother, you don’t want him to go to jail.”

“He’s an asshole,” Ellis says matter-of-factly. It makes Dawson want to smile. “Him being my brother doesn’t change what he’s done to you.” He sighs when he senses Dawson’s reluctance. “You should really apply for a restraining order.”

Dawson raises an eyebrow. “You think that would actually help?”

Ellis hesitates. “As you said, he’s the head of the company. He can’t afford a scandal.”

“That didn’t stop him from beating the shit out of me for years.”

Ellis flinches, his hands clenched into fists. “Dawson. You’re not alone in this. Your sister will help, Kevin will help.”

“Who?”

“Your friend?”

Dawson chuckles. “Kieran.”

“Yeah, whatever,” Ellis says, blushing a little. It looks hilarious on him. “Iwillhelp. You can come to Sydney with me if you want.”

Dawson can’t help but laugh. That’s even more ridiculous than living with his sister or Kieran. “You hated me all this time and now you’d have me live with you?”

Ellis makes a face. “I never hated you.”

“No, you just thought I was a gold digger.”

Ellis lowers his gaze guiltily, so Dawson knows he hit the nail on the head.

“I’m sorry. It’s…” He sighs in frustration. “You wouldn’t be the first.” There’s something painful in that statement.

“Personal experience?”

Smiling wryly, Ellis shrugs. “Comes with the territory.”

Sympathy wells inside Dawson. He never worried too much about being seen as a gold digger, simply because Cal never worried about it in the first place. Is Ellis used to people just taking advantage and leaving when they get what they want?

“I’m sorry, that sucks. For your information, Cal had me sign a prenup.”

Out of all the things they talked about, this is what makes Ellis’ jaw drop. “And you still married him?”

“I thought it made sense. As you said, we got married quickly. I wouldn’t want to throw half my assets at a guy I just met either.” Looking back, he should’ve questioned it. He should’ve questioned many things.

“I’m—”

“Stop.” If he hears one more ‘sorry’ today, he’s gonna throw himself out of the window. “It doesn’t matter. Water under the bridge, yeah?”

Ellis is reluctant to agree. “Yeah. Promise me you’ll think about this?”

Dawson bites his lip and smiles. “You sound like my sister.”

“Yeah?” Ellis gives him a grin that looks strange on him, because it changes his whole face. “She seeing anybody?”

Dawson laughs. “Her husband.”