Billion Dollar Revenge (The Lincoln Brothers #2)

34. Chapter 34

Chapter 34

Chelsea

There’s no one else here but me and him. Suddenly, the room feels oddly still and cold. I’ve never feared for my life until today. The way his pupils dilate sends a chill down my spine.

I concentrate on breathing slowly and steadily, so he can’t see how rattled I feel.

“What are you doing here?” I say, keeping my voice steady and in control.

“No hello?” he sneers, goading me.

Straightening my shoulders, I bite back. “You put a private picture of me in the newspaper, so I think we can skip the pleasantries.”

He steps closer to me, eating up the space between us like I’m his prey. “Chelsea, Chelsea, Chelsea,” he mocks. “There’s no need to get snappy.”

My heart pounds powerfully, but I keep my back ramrod straight. His feet continue to step closer, but mine stay glued to the floor.

I can see the purple under his eyes, his hair limp and without styling products, his top has a coffee stain, and he's wearing a pair of basic blue jeans. This image of him before me is so unlike him. His usual immaculate image has fallen from grace.

“Why are you here?” I ask.

He flashes me a deranged smile. “To see you.”

He's in front of me now. I should run. But I freeze the moment his hand touches my arm. I try to tug it out of his grip, but it makes him squeeze it tighter, and my eyes prick with tears.

“You’re hurting me,” I whisper-shout as a tear leaks from my eye. My strong facade falls as soul-deep fear courses through my veins. Is he going to kill me?

Tears sprinkle my cheeks, but an inaudible gasp leaves my mouth when I see a blurry Evan behind him.

A new thought hits me. Evan’s going to kill him. No. I can’t have Evan go to jail.

Evan holds his index finger to his lips in a shh motion. My eyes flutter and roll as the hold Bobby has on me is bruising; he’s never inflicted this much pain before.

My heart rattles inside my chest like I’m sprinting instead of standing here, unmoving.

Tears continue to roll over my cheeks and down into my mouth. I taste the salt.

“Why are you crying? I thought you loved me?” he taunts, his voice tight and strained.

I hold his eyes as I say, “I thought I did.”

His face darkens into a scowl. “You loved me before he had his turn with you,” he spits venomously.

My heart is racing so fast it causes pain to hit my chest. I feel like I need oxygen; I’m lightheaded.

In the distance, heavy footsteps enter the studio, and an unfamiliar deep voice speaks. “You are under arrest, Mr. Cox. Anything you say can and will be used against you.”

“You fucking bitch,” he snarls, sending a spray of saliva in my face. I wince as it hits me, recoiling as sobs rack my body.

Someone touches my arm, and I instinctively try to hit it away, terrified it’s Bobby. I thrash around in panic.

“It’s me,” a voice repeats over and over.

Evan’s voice penetrates through the noise. I stop flailing and wipe my face one last time.

Blinking, I turn toward him. “Shell, it’s me, baby.”

My body is overtaken with a fresh wave of uncontrollable sobs.

“You’re safe now.”

He sits on the floor in his suit.

“You’re going to ruin your suit.”

“Fuck my suit. All that matters is you.”

His words sting, but it’s a different kind of pain. I want him, but one touch will make it harder to leave.

“Come here. I’ve got you. Lean on me.” He guides my arms around him. His familiar touch and spicy scent wash over me like a warm blanket.

My arms circle his neck, and he wraps me in his embrace. He holds me until there are no more tears, but my breath is still shaky.

When I’m spent, I slowly peel myself away. Our faces are an inch apart, his eyes scanning mine. His hands gently cradle my cheeks. I stare into his familiar handsome features, his square jaw visibly tensed.

Old familiarity and yearning crash into me. His lips part, revealing his white teeth, and I realize he’s talking.

“Okay?” I catch the end of his sentence.

“Better now,” I tell him.

He nods. “Are you ready to go home?”

He must sense my hesitation.

“My house. I need to hold you.”

I need to stay strong and say no.

“We sh?” I start.

His eyes call to me, making him irresistible. “Please. We can just talk. I can-n…” he stammers, shaking his head and running a hand through his hair.

If I thought Bobby shook me up, the pained lines on Evan’s face and his rigid posture show he’s struggling with what happened too.

“Let's talk to the police, and then I’m taking you home.”

“Okay.”

“Okay?”

I nod. “Take me to your place. But?”

I can talk to him. A hug would be nice too.

He tilts his head when I leave him hanging.

“Bourbon and Chick-fil-A are also required.”

His lips twitch. “You got it, baby.”

His affectionate words seep into my body, bringing a warm welcome I’ve been craving from only him.