Chapter Thirteen: Elijah

The rage I feel, watching the woman i am meant to protect being wheeled away is unlike anything I've felt before. I spin on my heel, setting my eyes on the bastard that pushed her into the pool. Beside him, a smug Matilda and her posie of high profile friends.

"You spiteful bitch," I growl loudly as istep towards her. She cowers behind the assailant. An arm flags around my chest, holding me back.

"Elijah. Not now."

"Im going to kill them Maciek."

"Elijah," he speaks firmly into my ear. "We can't afford to blow our cover now. Go to the hospital. I'll do damage control. If this gets back to Howard, there will be hell to pay."

He shoves me back, herding me towards the manor.

"Im sorry Felix!" Diane calls. Though the tone of her voice portrays her attempt at being sincere. All I can think is what would have happened if they had acted while I was held up by that bitch Matilda. Things could have been worse. These childish games are what I'd expect from teenagers, not women in their late twenties.

"What happened?" mayor Richards hobbles out the manor as I approach the door.

"Ask your daughter and her friends." I spit, looking back over my shoulders. His eyes narrow on the group.

"I suggest you silence your guests before the papers report about your daughter's friends assaulting a guest."

Maciek sounds calm. Out of the two of us, he's the one more likely to explode and cause hell. But given the type of job were working, neither of us can afford to blow up.

The ambulance has already left by the time I make it to my car.

"Sir! The lady's bag!"

A server hands me the black clutch bag.

"Thanks."

He bows.

"I hope she recovers quickly," he says before disappearing inside. I pull the sodden pack of cigarettes from my trouser pocket and crush it in my hand before getting in my car and skidding out the manor grounds.

"Where is she?!" deep chocolate curls can be seen through the crowd. Colette's room mate shouts at the a nurses at the desk. They try to calm her but Her head turns and she spots me. There's anger in her face as she storms through the bodies surrounding her.

"What the fuck happened?" she gets right up in my space, grabbing my sodden shirt in her tiny hands.

"They're observing her. She suffered a cut to her head when she hit the bottom of the pool."

"That is not what I asked. What. Happened. Felix." she says coldly.

"An unhappy woman targetted her because I told her my only interest was in Lettie."

"Who is she? I'll kill her."

I shake my head and she clenches her fists tighter. She shoves me out the way, stopping just short of the door to the room Colette is being held in.

"This is my fault. I should have never encouraged her to go out with you."

She slides the door open, leaving me stunned in the hall way.

Eventually Colette was released. Much to Ali's disapproval, she allowed me to drop them home.

"ive got her," she sneers as I try to help a wobbly Lettie out the front seat. Its painful to watch this small woman try and help her equally small friend, all because she blames me for what happened that evening. In one swift scoop, I lift Lettie from the ground, carrying her like a bride towards the back of the hidden works shop. She lets out a small, sleepy yelp in surprise, gripping my neck as hard as she can and burying her head into the crook of my neck.

"Go open the front door and the door to her room." I order Ali. She stares at me as if wanting to say something then decides to run a head.

"I'm too heavy. Just put me down."

"You're not too heavy."

"You're going to hurt your back!"

I ignore her worried protests and carefully carry her round the backend of the shop. Slowly I tackle the fire escape stairs. Once inside, Ali points to Lettie's room and helps with getting her comfy on the bed. There's an awkward silence in the room as Ali and I stand feet a part staring at Lettie who avoids eye contact with either of us. Some rock ringtone goes off, breaking the silence as Ali scrambles to pull hernohone from her pocket. She frowns at the screen before looking to us both.

"I need to take this. You." she points a perfect manicured finger straight at me. "You're leaving when I come back. You've done enough for one day."

She holds the phone to her ear as she exits a now lighter-feeling room.

"Lettie. I'm sorry. For what happened tonight. If I hadn't of asked you to come, you wouldn't be in this state."

"Have you finished?" her eyes finally meet mine. Its as though I'm under a spell. Those green lenses don't hinder how round and bright those eyes of hers are. I wish I could see the sky blue I saw a week ago when she forgot she wasn't wearing them.

"I wanted to come with you. I was so happy yet nervous that you asked me to. It'snot your fault your good looks get you in trouble."

I move towards the bed and kneel down by her side.

"You think I'm good-looking?" I tease her. Watching her cheeks flush has become one of my favourite things. She fiddles with her fingers.

"I think you are exceptionally good looking. So much so I'm still trying to work out why it was me of all the women in the town, to accompany you tonight."

"Well its simple," I brush a damp strand from her face. "I don't like any woman isnt you."

Its true. This woman is slowly driving me to insanity. I've had a taste and now I'm battling with myself as to whether take the loss of money or to hand her over. I lean forward, moving my hand from her cheek to the back of her neck. She gulps, her long lashes fluttering shut. It was then I knew I was truly over my head. That very moment my lips touched hers. When she parted those rosy lips to allow my tongue to explore ever section of her mouth. I knew. I knew that handing her over to Howard is not only going to destroy her, but me too. I've watched her. Admired her brightness, how kind she is to everyone. The confused facial expressions she makes when she's doing paper work at the counter. The booming laugh that reverberates when something really tickles her. How gentle she is with every customer. She moans quietly, her hand reaching up to my shirt and gripping it tightly, egging me on. I couldn't turn back now, could I? I can't take back the things I've thought, felt, tasted. I pull back slowly, resting my forehead on hers.

"Stay with me," she whispers. I move my head from side to side.

"If I want to see you again, I should probably avoid being murdered by your room mate."

She breathes out a quiet laugh before clamping her lips around mine again. This time she makes the first move, tugging me closer.

"A-hem."

Colette sighs in my mouth at the sound of her best friend interrupting our intimate moment. A part of me is glad she did. I don't know if I could have held back much longer. I doubt any vigorous activities would benefit her head injury. I kiss the top of her head as I get to my feet.

"I'll stop by tomorrow to check on you. Alison."

I tip my head before stealing another quick glance at the woman in infatuated with. She gives me a small, disappointed smile. My mind was plagued by her before today's events. God knows how I'm going to function now.