16. Sebastian
CHAPTER 16
SEBASTIAN
R emind me to never let Aries pick a lawyer on my behalf again. I know I said no to using my family or business attorney, especially considering the circumstances, but I expected better than this . A man in a stained tie, with greasy hair. Apparently I should have lowered my expectations. Nevertheless the fucker did what he was supposed to do, because I barely spent an hour in the holding cell.
The worst part of the experience was facing the sheriff every five minutes as he tried to talk me into giving him Ely. Over my fucking dead body...and Drew's, and Aries', and Lee’s. Because not a single one of us would allow her to fall back into that bastard's hands.
The thought of Ely reminds me it’s been too long since I last saw or touched her. I need her in my arms so I can be sure she's safe after her trip out with Drew and Bel. It surprised me when Drew messaged and said Bel got her out of the house. I'm glad she made the decision to do something. I know she thinks leaving the house is dangerous, but it’s necessary in terms of healing. She can’t possibly get back to feeling normal if she doesn’t do normal things.
I shift on my feet as the police officer behind the glass assembles my wallet, keys, and phone into a plastic bag. I should tell him to toss the phone in the trash since I won't be using it again. The sheriff might have tampered with it. I suppose Lee could tell me for sure but I'd rather trash it and get a new one just to be on the safe side.
The thin, uniformed cop slides the plastic ziplock bag toward me along with a clipboard. "Sign here."
I stare into the man's eyes while I scribble my name on the paper, then snatch the bag from him, and head toward the double doors. Freedom at last. I step outside, to find the sun setting, the sky painted in an array of pinks and oranges.
Now it’s time to get back to the house, check on Elyse, and figure out what to do with the sheriff. If he thinks he can threaten me and I won’t retaliate, then he’s more stupid than I thought. I pause on the stairs when I spot Ely standing near the car, and then nearly lose my shit when I see who is standing beside her, talking at her.
Piece of shit. Of course he would wait until I’m behind bars to talk to his daughter. Elyse is pale, her body still as stone, although she seems to relax a little at the sight of my presence. The change in her posture is so evident even the sheriff glances over at me. His body language becomes rigid but in a different way. Like he suspects he might have made a mistake.
Fuck, yeah, he made a mistake.
Forcing my legs to move again, I shove the bag into my jacket pocket, my hands along with it, and head toward them. Once I’m close enough that I know the sheriff can hear me, I call out, “I don't care who you are, what your name is, or how much money you have. If you want your hands to remain attached to your body I suggest you remove them from my wife.”
His gaze shifts to me, and there is no hiding the hatred there as I come to a stop beside them. It's only then I notice what Elyse is wearing. The dress hugs her lithe body, the heels giving her a few inches on those long, muscular legs. She's done her hair and makeup, and in the light the ring on her finger glitters.
Fucking hell. My fucking girl is a goddess.
She meets my eyes and gives me a little pout. "We're missing dinner."
I lean down and kiss her cheek gently. "Well, I'll have to make it up to you."
I skip my gaze down her body one more time, and the sheriff's hand clamps harder onto her wrist. "Sheriff, I'm going to give you five fucking seconds to take your hand off my wife before I remove it. And when I say remove, I mean shatter the fucking bones in it so everytime you even consider moving you’re reminded of me.”
"That sounds like a threat, and I do believe you’re in enough trouble as it is, or would you like me to pile on a little more."
I shift closer to Ely in case he wants to try something, and the way my chest tightens when she leans closer to me…there are no fucking words. I know she’s terrified right now, but I doubt her father can see it. I can barely see it, and I've gotten very good at spotting every little emotion she tries to hide.
"That might work on others, but it won’t work on me. I’m not intimidated by you. Now remove your hand or I’ll remove it for you.” I snap.
He works his jaw, the muscles tense, and I know he’s considering what I’ve said, wondering if I’ll really do it.
Try me, fuck face. It’ll be a pleasure to break your hand and watch you squeal in pain.
With a sneer he squeezes her wrist, hard, and in turn Ely winces. So help me God, if he leaves a bruise on her I will kill him. Consequences be damned. Lightning quick, I snatch two of his fingers and crank them back. Almost instantly he releases Ely, who tugs her hand away like it’s been set on fire.
Staring into the sheriff's eyes, I warn him with nothing but a glare. “Next time I won’t be so kind. I don’t care if she’s your daughter, and I don’t care what your reasoning is.” Turning towards Elyse I lower my voice, and ask, “Are you okay, babe?”
She lifts her head, holding her chin high, and nods. “Yes, I’m okay. Thank you.”
“Good, then I think we should be going now.” I nod towards the car, and thankfully Elyse takes the hint and turns on her heels in that direction.
The sheriff and I remain deadlocked glaring at one another and I tighten my hold on his fingers. The need for revenge burns like acid in my veins. I want to rearrange this asshole's face, but I can’t lead with emotion. I can’t. I know it would feel great to hurt him the same way he’s hurt Elyse, but it wouldn’t stop him from doing something similar to another girl. So while I want to kill him, I decide to leave him with a warning instead.
I twist his hand enough that it sets him off balance, and he immediately tumbles to the ground, with a grunt.
“You piece of shit.” He snarls, pressing his hand flat against the concrete, while trying to push himself back up onto his feet.
With a triumphant smile I step forward, and slam the heel of my leather loafer into the back of his hand. A sickening crunch meets my ears, and a howl of pain rips from his throat. I know I’ll be put back behind bars if his guys witness what I’m doing, but in the end it’ll be worth it. Leaning down I take him by the throat, and tug him forward, while keeping my foot pressed firmly on his hand.
Then through gritted teeth I speak into his face. "Consider this a warning. Touch her again, and I'll peel the skin off your bones and feed it to you. Elyse is no longer fighting her battles alone. Fuck around, and you will certainly find out, sheriff.”
I release him with a shove, and take a step back. Swiping a hand down the front of my suit jacket I turn towards the car. Elyse stands in front of the door, waiting for me, and I peer around the parking lot to see if there are any other dangers.
But it isn't a danger I spot. A few rows back are Drew and Bel, watching, waiting. Emotion swells in my chest. They’re looking out for her, for me.
"The deal..." the sheriff growls behind me and I look at him over one shoulder, watching as he clutches his injured hand to his chest. “After what you just did I should tell you to fuck off, tell you there is no deal, but I’m a gracious man. So the offer is still there, and you’d be smart to accept it, because things are going to get a whole lot worse for you.”
"Great. I love a good challenge." I taunt.
Turning my attention back to the car, I continue walking until I’ve reached Elyse. Then I tug open the door and help her inside before climbing in behind her. I can still hear my pulse thundering in my ears, a mixture of adrenaline, and rage leads me.
The driver pulls away, and I glance towards Elyse, realizing she’s not buckled in yet. Shifting, I grab the seat belt and fasten it quickly.
She peers over at me, her eyebrows pinched together with confusion. "Why did you do that?"
"I wanted to make sure you’re safe."
"From a car accident? The speed limit is twenty-five all through town."
"Not particularly. Mainly, me.” I lick my lips, eyeing her once more, my mouth watering as I take in the milky white flesh of her legs. “You have no idea what I want to do to you right now. That fucking dress is driving me crazy. I want to slice it off of you inch by silky inch. Pull back all the fabric and kiss every inch of your skin."
She gulps loud enough I can hear her. “Uhhh, okay.”
Needing something else to focus my attention on beside undressing her and fucking her like a mad man in the backseat I gently pull her wrist up so I can inspect her flesh in the low light.
A ball of anger tightens in my gut. The skin is bright pink where her father touched her, but I don’t see any bruises. "Did he touch you anywhere else?"
She shakes her head. "He didn’t have time. You came out before he could get much more than a few nasty words in. What...was he talking about… when he said the deal?"
I sigh and scan her features, the makeup, the hairstyle. "Did you go out with Drew like this?"
She huffs, no doubt at my change of subject. "No, of course not. Bel had me change before I came to get you so we could...you know...show a united front."
Gently I slick a lock of her hand between my fingers. "She's a smart one, my sister."
"She definitely is, but so are you. Smart at evading. Tell me the truth. What…what was the deal about?” she presses.
Shit. I don’t want to lie to her, but I don’t want to send her into a spiral of feelings, either. "Nothing. It's nothing."
She swats my hand away and leans into the door away from me. Shaking her head, she stares at me with disappointment. "No, you don’t get to do that. You can’t just say it’s nothing, when I know it really is. I’m tired of being left in the dark, Sebastian.”
I meet her eyes now, smoked out from the makeup. Fuck, she’s so pretty. Even with tears in her eyes. "Look, I don't want to talk about it. It doesn’t matter. He doesn’t matter. Whatever deal he was offering wasn't something I'd ever consider, so it doesn't bear talking about. I can’t share something with you that I know nothing about. That’s how little I care about him, and what he has to say."
She wraps her arms tight around her middle, and turns to stare out the window. "I want to believe that but I can’t. Is there really any point in all of this if you don’t intend to tell me things? You keep saying we’re a team, that we need to present ourselves as a united front.”
"Yes, and we do. We are."
"Well, it doesn’t feel like we’re a team. If we were, I wouldn't be sidelined by things my father says. I’d be prepared. I’m your wife, the person you’re supposed to trust no matter what but you can’t even trust to tell me something so small, something that has nothing to do with you at all?”
I turn to face her more fully, tucking my leg beneath the other. "Anything that has to do with you has to do with me. I'm trying to keep you safe, Ely. I made it clear from the beginning: your safety is always my priority. Over your feelings, over my feelings, over everything."
"So we aren’t a team? I don’t get a say? You'll make the decisions and I’ll just be expected to follow along and play the good little wife when you need me."
I huff out a breath and scrub a hand down my face. "I don't expect you to play anything. I expect you to be my wife, and that's it. Let me take care of you, keep you safe, and spoil you. Let me give you the life you've only ever dreamed of having. I want to be a team. I want to confide in you and I will, but when it comes to protecting you, both physically and mentally, there is nothing I won’t do.”
It's her turn to huff, and I watch as her breath fogs the glass beside her. After a few moments the tension between us eases and the pressure on my chest lifts. I want to say something, anything to make things better but I don’t know what to say.
"We cooked dinner." She announces, her voice cutting through the silence.
A smile tugs at my lips. Elyse is strong, determined, and stubborn as a mule, but she’s not stupid. I know she wants to be independent, her own person, and to make her own choices and I hope someday I can loosen the reins on her but for now I’m grateful she’s letting me lead the way, letting me protect her.
"Oh yeah? I didn’t know you could cook. What did you make?”
“ I did not make anything. Drew and Bel made tacos. I cut up the veggies, but it doesn’t matter. It’s probably way too cold to eat now.”
Reaching for her, because any time my skin is touching her I feel a sense of calm wash over me, I gently caress her arm. "It’s not a big deal. I’ll toss it in the microwave and heat it up. I’m sure it will still be delicious.”
“Yeah, I guess. You didn’t tell me on the phone why he arrested you.”
It’s a statement but I know the question lingers. She wants to know why he arrested me, why I was at the coffee shop in the first place I presume.
"Ely..." I warn.
"Let me guess, you won’t tell me that, either?” Twisting in her seat she gives me her back once more. I’m frustrated, but I understand her anger. At some point I’ll have to come clean about everything, but right now when she’s already in such a fragile state of mind, that time isn’t now. I reach into my pocket, dig through the stupid bag, and snatch out my phone. Then I remember I can't use it and throw it to the floor. "Give me your phone."
She bristles, her shoulders shifting as she actively tries to present more of her back to me. "No."
"Ely, give me your phone,” there's a bite in my tone as my patience fizzles away. “Please?” I add, trying to abate some of my anger.
Angrily she reaches into the little purse near her hip, retrieves the phone, and practically throws it in my direction. I catch it before it can smash into the side of my head and bite my tongue. I don’t want to fight with her, not unless it leads to sex.
Wrangling my emotions together I quickly shoot a text to Drew telling him they can go back to his place instead of returning to the mansion. Elyse and I need some time alone with one another. I slide the device back into her still open bag, then unbuckle her belt.
“What are you doing?” She grumbles as I drag her across her seat and onto my lap.
“Whatever I want.” I reply cockily.
She attempts to resist but soon relaxes, resting against my chest. “Sometimes you make me really mad.”
“I could say the same thing about you babe.”
She shivers in my arms and pulls away slightly to look into my eyes, "I just don't like the secrets…they keep coming back to haunt me."
I know she's not talking about her father now. "I understand that, but you have to accept there are some things you’d be better off knowing nothing about. Things you just won’t ever know because the potential impact it would have on you outweighs the good of telling you.”
She frowns, and I doubt she realizes how innocent and sweet she looks at this very moment. "But I want to know everything."
All I can do is sigh. She has no idea what she's asking. "No, you don't, Little Prey, but maybe someday in the future you'll prove me wrong. That day is not today. We need to go slow, we need to learn what we can handle from each other, and then move forward. We aren't going from you hating me to expecting me to spill all my secrets to you in the next minute."
She rests her head back against my chest, and I let her intoxicating scent filter into my nostrils while I stroke her hair gently.
"That makes sense but I don’t want to feel this way forever, like you get to know everything and I’m kept in the dark. I want to be your equal Sebastian.”
“You are my equal, you’re my everything, but I won’t risk your safety, or well being. Until I’m certain you can handle what I’m telling you both physically and mentally you will be kept in the dark on certain things, but I promise it won’t be that way forever.”
She doesn’t respond, but I know she understands. I can sense it in the way she allows me to hold her, from her relaxed state of mind. The driver stops outside the house, and I open the door and shift her body into my arms, so I can carry her inside. When she makes no show of putting up a fight I let my guard down and relax further.
I wish every moment could be like this between us.
The silence of the house greets us when I walk in and I waste no time getting upstairs and into the bedroom. When I reach the bed I gently place her on the edge of it, and like a toddler who is done playing dress up, she turns and kicks her heels off with a satisfied sigh. I smile while stripping off my jacket, then I lower myself to the floor beside the bed and take her foot into my hand, messaging the soles of her feet.
She gives me an approving groan while wiggling her toes.
"I know you think I want to keep you in the dark but I don’t. I want you to know everything. I don’t want there to be a single thing between us that the other doesn’t know about. You already know I killed my grandfather. That's not a secret anymore, nor is it a secret I did it because of you. I couldn't stand the idea that he bought a person, but it wasn't until the deed was done I realized he'd technically saved you from your own father. That doesn’t make him innocent, though. Saving you from your father put you in the hands of worse evil and I couldn’t stand by and watch him destroy you.”
She shudders, and I can't tell if it's from my words or my hands massaging the arch of her foot.
So I continue. "My grandfather spent years grooming me, breaking me down, just so he could build me back up. I know it’s hard to understand, and even see but I swear on my life I know the type of person he was, and the things he would’ve done to you. He easily would’ve made living with your father look like a fantasy world, and when he was finished with you, when you had outlived your purpose, he would’ve killed you and thought nothing of it because in his mind you were expendable.”
“So in a way you saved me?”
Something sour churns in my gut and I don’t know if that’s really the truth. Did I save her? Sure. But I also subjected her to a similar world. I used her, possessed her, claimed her. In many ways I was no better than my grandfather.
“I don’t know if you could ever consider what I did saving you. My grandfather was a very bad man, and sometimes I’m afraid I’m worse. Where he wanted you as a possession I took you for myself, and nothing and no one short of killing me will make me give you up. So if you want to see me as the hero in all of this I’m fine with that, just know that no matter the means necessary you’ll always be mine.”