Page 47 of The Starlet

“Elena,” I command in my deep voice. Her shoulders droop, and she acquiesces. Her hazel eyes meet mine. I don’t care if Hunter is standing behind me. I don’t give a shit about anything besides my lips on Elena’s.

I close the distance between us in two strides and pull her lips to mine. She doesn’t fight back; she allows it to happen, melting into my body.

A sob breaks through the kiss, and I pull away to look at her.

“Please, Brad. You can’t be here. I need you to leave. You’re only making this harder for me.”

Hunter tugs on my arm. “Come on, man. Leave her alone.”

“No! Not until she tells me what the fuck I’ve done for her to walk out on me,” I yell, and she flinches at the tone and volume of my voice. She’s never heard this side of me before. I lower my voice. “I told you about Jasmine and what happened to her, how it nearly killed me.”

“You told her about Jasmine?” Hunter asks in disbelief. A low whistle sounds from him.

I ignore him and continue. “You have a lot going on right now, but you’re not in this alone. You don’t have to be, and I won’t let you. I love you, Elena. I’ll say it a million times if I have to. I need you like air to breathe. I need you to feel again. I’m alive when I’m with you.”

She closes her eyes and looks up at the ceiling, the tears streaming down her face. “I’m sorry, Brad.”

Chapter 29

“This isn’t over.Wewilltalk, even if I have to tie you down to my bed to do it.” He storms to the front door. I’m stunned into a state of shock and watch as he slams it behind him.

“It’s really nice to meet you, Elena. I’m a big fan of your work,” Hunter says, slowly backing out the door. “I’m sorry I brought him over here like this, but I didn’t want him to drive and he threatened to if I didn’t bring him.”

“It’s okay. It was nice meeting you, too. Thanks for making sure he’s safe.” I put my head in my hands and push them over the top of my head, pushing my hair back. “Hunter?” He turns to look at me. “Can you tell him everything is going to be fine and I’ll see him on Saturday?”

“I don’t want to meddle, and I don’t know what’s going on between the two of you, but you need to tell him that. I haven’t seen him act like this since Jasmine. I’m not sure what you’re trying to protect him from, but you need to let him in on this.”

One side of my mouth quirks up in a half-smile. “I know. Saturday. I’ve got it all figured out.”

He walks out of the house, closing the door behind him. I lock the deadbolt, and my phone vibrates with a new message.

Jimmy:He can help, you know.

Me:You’re supposed to listen in tomorrow night, not now. I’ll tell him once we have this guy.

Is Jimmy right? Would it be better to clue Bradley in on my plan?I don’t want him to talk me out of it or try to stop me. I need to go through with this and end it once and for all.

Jimmy has everything set up and is working with Detective Greene to bring this guy in. I don’t know the whole plan. I told Jimmy it would be better if I didn’t know what’s going to happen so I don’t give anything away.

I open my phone and unblock Bradley to send him a message telling him about the plan. I type it, then delete it. I try again but can’t get my fingers to hit send. I finally settle on three words.

Me:I’m sorry, Brad.

I drag myself up the stairs to my bed and pull the covers up to my shoulders. My body shakes uncontrollably as sobs fall free. I need him here. I miss his touch, his scent, and his security. Seeing him tonight just reiterated that. He looked so hurt when I said I was sorry. I don’t like keeping things from him.

My phone lights up my darkened room with a new message. I wipe the tears from under my eyes and squint at the bright light as the message appears.

Restricted:Can’t wait to see you tomorrow. Should I bring anything?

My stomach drops. This would be a lot easier if I had Bradley here to keep me sane.

Me:Just yourself. I want to have a discussion with you.

I glance at the clock. It’s only ten-thirty. My eyelids are so heavy and my eyes burn from crying so hard that I close them and will sleep to take me under.

I wake a few times throughout the night in pure panic. Vivid images of Bradley in a car accident—or worse—plague my mind. He was so drunk last night. I’ve never experienced that side of him, and I’m not sure I liked it. He was so angry, not that I blame him. I ran and refused to talk to him.

My head is pounding, and I feel as if I drank too much, even though I’ve had nothing. I flip my phone over and see I have a message from Bradley, and my heart beat speeds up.