Part 18 (1/2)

Not knowing which way to turn, I head right to the busy part of downtown knowing I'll be safer there although what I really want is to be alone to wallow in my misery.

I know Jacky has a thing for anyone named McKenzie, but I always thought Sebastian wasn't interested in her. Oh, I know he'd taken her out once, but he'd convinced me it was his brother's doing and that he wasn't actively involved in the groping session outside his building that I'd witnessed. Had he been telling me the truth? Ramon thought so.

”Hey, get back,” someone shouts, nearly yanking my arm from its socket.

I turn around to tell the person to go to h.e.l.l, but he points forward, just as an eighteen-wheeler flies past.

He saved me from getting killed. I'm so upset I haven't been watching where I'm going and stepped out into the road.

”Thank you,” whispers out between my lips, as I turn and try and push through the people waiting to cross, I realize I'm outside 'La Brioche' a French bakery I have a liking for. Or rather I have a liking for the almond croissants, which they make.

Mopping my tears up again, I try to pull myself together, at least long enough to order a latte and croissant because I think it would be safer if I sat for a while before I really do walk in front of a moving vehicle.

With the treats ordered, but with my stomach not wanting to know about them, I take a seat over in the corner so I can hide my face.

Sipping my latte, I ignore the croissant for now because I'm sure my stomach will revolt if I eat anything. My tears keep flowing as I try to work out what to do. I know Gary's still out there, so the last thing I need is to go out on my own because he will find me, of that I'm sure.

As I sniffle into my coffee I can't quite get over the niggling feeling that something isn't right. Sebastian has done nothing but show me how much he loves me, so would he really hurt me like this? I also heard the shower behind a closed door and come to think about it, I noticed a stack of papers on his hall table along with Jacky's purse. Had she gone to Sebastian's apartment to get his signature and found him in the shower?

Why the f.u.c.k did I run? I'm an idiot. I don't normally run from confrontations, unless they have something to do with Gary. So why did I run from this one? Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.

Drying my tears with a new determination, I wrap the croissant in a napkin, shoving it in my bag with the loot I'd forgotten about before walking out of the bakery.

Das.h.i.+ng back down the street towards Sebastian's apartment, I would be lying if I said I'm not apprehensive as to what I'll find, but I need to know for sure because something's telling me to give him a chance. To let him explain.

Hearing my cell ringing in my bag, I pull it free looking at the screen. Ramon.

”Hey.” I stand outside Sebastian's building because he's told me once or twice that cell coverage in the lobby and elevators is nonexistent.

”She set you up, Carla. Where are you?”

I can hear the stress in his voice, but I can't pull any words together.

”Carla. Dammit. Gary is still out there. You shouldn't be walking around alone, no matter what you think Sebastian's doing. You should have called me. I'd have come and picked you up, and beat the c.r.a.p out of my brother for being a d.i.c.k.”

”I'm sorry. I really wasn't thinking and I've more or less realized it might not have been how it looked, so I've come back to his apartment. In fact, I'm standing outside right now.”

I can hear his sigh of relief down the phone. ”I'm on my way there, so let him know I should be there in about ten minutes, okay?”

”Yeah.” We hang up as I push through the doors and notice the security guard has done a disappearing act.

Pressing the call b.u.t.ton for the elevator, I glance around again, but still no sign of the guard. I shrug and step inside, watching the doors close while wondering what the h.e.l.l to say to Sebastian. Yeah, I should have trusted him, but he shouldn't have been showering with 'her' in his apartment at the same time.

If she won't leave him alone then she's going to have me to deal with in the future, because he's mine. Right now I'm so p.i.s.sed with myself for running instead of fighting. I was just too shocked at the time to think straight.

Walking out of the elevator and towards Sebastian's apartment, I freeze when I hear gla.s.s breaking from inside. Then shouting. Gary.

I don't think, I put the key in the lock and quietly make my way inside, leaving the door partially open for Ramon, who I hope gets here real quick.

”Stop p.i.s.sing me off. I'm not afraid to use this gun. I've used it before, but until my b.i.t.c.h of an ex gets here, you're safe. I want her to watch you suffer, until she gives up where her brother is.”

Oh G.o.d.

”She doesn't know where her brother is, you f.u.c.ker.”

Gary roars just before I hear something else breaking on the floor.

With my shoes left at the door, I slide along the wall, closer and closer to the living room not really sure what the h.e.l.l I'm going to do, but one thing is for sure, he isn't going to lay a finger on Sebastian.

Chapter 42.

Sebastian This b.a.s.t.a.r.d is going down the minute I get the opportunity. Not just for what he did to Carla, but because he needs stopping. We can't spend the rest of our lives looking over our shoulders for this motherf.u.c.ker.

”Why?” He continues to watch me as though I haven't said a word. ”Why are you doing this? What's Carla ever done to you? Other than trust you.”

”I know you're s.c.r.e.w.i.n.g her. She's good isn't she?”

I'm seriously going to kill this f.u.c.ker. My temper has already reached its limit.

Gary stands, slowly walking towards me without moving the gun from my face.

My hands go into fists as I clench my jaw with him now standing within a few feet of me.

”She told her brother about my drug habit, then he went and told his cop friend. It's d.a.m.n convenient that Noah's dropped from the face of the earth now isn't it?”

He hits me on the side of my head with the b.u.t.t of the gun, which knocks across the sofa.

Grabbing my head, my hand comes away covered in blood. The pain is incredible and I'm struggling to stay focused. Blinking a few times, my vision still wavers, but my heart nearly jumps out from my chest when I spot Carla peeping around the corner leading to the hall.

I need to sit more upright. He can't know she's there. Or is this, the chance I need. A distraction to be able to attack.

Finally getting myself upright, without taking my eyes from him, I pull my s.h.i.+rt free and use it to try and stem the flow of blood from my head. Breathing through the nausea, I get ready to jump him because the minute he knows I'm distracted he's going to turn. It's human nature.

Keeping my eyes on his, I glance to his right seeing Carla again, but f.u.c.k he doesn't react.

Gary steps further away from me. ”So she's arrived,” he smirks. ”Unless you want me to shoot him, I suggest you get your sweet little a.s.s in here.”

”Carla run,” I roar as Gary loses it and comes at me, which is the opportunity I've been waiting for.

He keeps the gun pointing at me, but as he goes to use his fist, I jump up from the sofa and take him down.

I shout, ”Carla, get out of here.”