Chapter twelve : Lucifer

As I drove to the motel Everly gave me a vague description about, she sat there looking around the car. She really looked like a kid who was just given a new toy, freaking cute. But I couldn't let that distract me, I had to talk to her. I was pissed when she decided against taking any action and Nash sensed that. Outside the room he showed me the camera recording of that renovating corridor. That asshole fucking dared to put his hands on something that was mine. But my sweet Everly gave him a tough fight and managed to get away and then fortunately stumbled into Nash. I couldn't even imagine what would've happened if he had managed to overpower her and drug her. My grip on the steering wheel tightened, my knuckles turning white. Seeing her all frightened in my arms made my blood boil, if it wasn't for her clinging onto me, I would've made sure to punch some sense into that guy.

But now she was safe and here with me and that's all that mattered to me. But now I had to make her talk.

"Everly," she turned to look at me and damn those eyes did something to me, "Why did you say no?"

"Huh?"

"Why did you refuse to take any action against him?"

"I didn't wish to endanger his career. That's it." She shrugged.

She actually thought I would believe this? "Stop lying"

She moved back in her seat and I realized I had snapped unintentionally. "Please Everly, I know that is not the reason."

"It doesn't concern you." She looked out of window.

She could be really hard to crack most times and I guessed the best thing would be to tell her the truth. "Let me tell you something, the complainant has been filed," that seemed to get me her attention, so I continued, "He harassed someone within the club premises, which affects the reputation of the club and questions its safety, things you cannot risk to be questioned about in this business. So whether you tell me the reason or not, it doesn't matter." I shrugged.

"But Nash said," she finally looked at me.

"He was trying to convince you to come on board, you know as a witness."

She just nodded and turned again toward the window, it really was tough to get her to talk.

Following the broken directions was a task all together but it was fun seeing her all flustered and confused, "I'm sorry I should've just gotten off at the bus stop."

"Can't be helped sweetheart," I shrugged, "So now, a left or right."

"Straight, I think I'm right this time, I can feel it."

And right she was, we finally reached the building which she called her motel. I leaned forward to get a full view of the motel, it seemed more like a building renovated into a staying inn of some sort. I really didn't have a good feeling about it. "Thank you so much for dropping me here." She took off her seatbelt and got out before I could say anything.

As she made her way to the entrance, two drunkards stumbled in front of her, eyeing her like a piece of meet. I was out of the car before any of them could take a step toward her, "Hey," I called out, Everly turned and so did the two of them. They grunted and then made their way inside the same building she was supposed to go. As I approached her, they still lingered in the hallway, their eyes on her. That was enough, there was no way she was going to stay here. "Come back, you're not staying here." I grabbed her arm.

"What do you mean by that?" She jerked it free, "I am staying here. I have already paid for the room."

"Doesn't matter you are not staying here." I declared.

"What do you mean doesn't matter?" She looked at me like I was being ridiculous. "I don't know Adler what's wrong with you but I am staying here. Thank you so much for dropping me here have a good night." She stared at me and turned to leave.

"Yeah man have a good night. Now get going already." One of them shouted from the inside. "Yeah, let us have some fun too," the other joined in.

She stopped in her steps, hearing them, I grabbed her by the arm and pulled her back, "Now you understand?"

"But I have nowhere to go." She said in a small voice. I loosened my grip, knowing she wouldn't run away, "You're coming with me."

"Of course not, you've already done enough for me today. I cannot just, you understand right?" She blurted.

"No I don't. I'm doing this because I want to." I caressed her cheek with my knuckles, she stepped back and turned away and I pulled my hand away. "But my luggage."

"I'll get it for you."

***

"Are you really sure about this?" Everly asked for the millionth time. And just like every time I replied, "Yes it is."

After I got all of her luggage out of that shuck place, we headed for my hotel. And now with every passing minute, this question got stuck on her tongue.

When we reached the hotel driveway I turned toward her, she was now fidgeting with the hem of her sweatshirt. "Everly, there's nothing to be nervous about. Just calm down." She looked at me and then nodded. I got out and walked across to open the door for her before she could. She frowned a little and then got out. Then I headed back to the trunk and got out her luggage which consisted of a shoulder bag and a duffle bag, I grabbed both of them before she could and then her eyebrows did that cute little thing where they drew together, "you know I'm capable enough of carrying my own stuff."

"Yes love," I smirked.

"Love? It's Everly for you." She frowned again and I smiled.

"Now give me those back." She went for the duffle bag but I drew it away from her reach. "Come on, you're not a bellboy, are you?"

I shook my head at that and then gave her the shoulder bag, "Here you can have this."

"Well thank you," she murmured and put it on.

As we headed inside, I could see her visibly tense, and I had to suppress my urge to take her in my arms. Linda greeted me in the lobby and by her face, she seemed pissed. Well of course she would be, I might have missed on a few conference meetings, but now having my sweet Everly beside me, it was worth it. "Mr. Adler, the meetings you missed on–" she started.

"Yes I'll deal with them later," I cut her off. She sighed.

"You should at least listen to her. It's bad manners interrupting someone." Everly whispered. Well at least that's what she thought because Linda and I heard it clearly.

Linda smiled, "Thank you Miss Madigan but this is how it is." Everly looked up surprised and turned to me and I shrugged. Linda looked at me, "Mr. Adler I have already forwarded the details to you, please make sure to look into them. Have a good night." And then she left.

"This way." I guided her to the elevator. I pulled out my key card and inserted it in the panel as we got in and the doors closed. Everly being Everly chose the farthest spot from me and stood there, "How does she know my name?" She asked.

"Hmm, she just does." I shrugged. She waited for more but I didn't give her any. It was going to be an interesting night.