Enraptured(90)

"This is too much, Dace." I stood on shaky knees. "I have to go."

Fear lit his eyes. "Where?"

"I'm going home." My reply was weak.

"I'll take you."

I shook my head. "I don't want you to."

"Don't do this, Ella." He shook his head. "Let me come with you."

I swallowed my pain. "I need some time to think about this, Dace."

"What is this?"

"Us."

"You don't have to think about us, Angel. You belong with me. You know you do. Fighting it would be wrong." His hands twitched at his side and I knew he was fighting a losing battle to keep from toughing me. I needed him to win that battle because right now, I couldn't handle his touch.

"Please give me time." I begged. "I need time alone."

"Will you leave?"

I thought for a moment. "No." I shook my head. "I can't leave you."

"I'll see you at home." He pulled his phone from his pocket, dialed a number and watched me as he waited for an answer. "Daman," there was a pause and I knew he was listening to Daman on the other end. "I need you to take Ella home for me. Thanks." He hung up and I felt his eyes on me as I lingered by the door. I felt so lost. "He's waiting with Rex."

"Okay." I opened the door.

"Ella," his voice stopped me, but I didn't turn to face him. "I love you."

Tears fell from my eyes as I walked away, letting the door close behind me.

***

I was certain Rex had been anticipating a crazy woman to appear from the guarded door - and I didn't blame him. In remembrance of the way I had acted the first time I caught Dace acting out of the realm I deemed appropriate, it was an expectation that was entirely understandable. But this time I just didn't have it in me. I climbed the stairs on weak knees and with every step I took away from Dace, I felt my heart break a little more in my chest. It was agonizing.

I looked up at Daman who was sitting at the table with Rex. His head was in his hands and his shoulders were slumped. He felt guilty for allowing me to see what I'd seen. Dace was his brother - he loved him in a way I couldn't even begin to understand and yet he'd betrayed him by allowing me to walk into something he knew would break my heart and hold the potential to destroy the only honest relationship Dace had ever had. I didn't know why he took the chance. Surely he knew if I walked away from Dace, it would ruin their relationship? Surely he knew Dace would never forgive him his indiscretion?

"Dace?" My voice was low and shaky and when he looked up at me with those big blue eyes - Demi eyes - I felt my heart drop a few inches in my chest. "Can we go?"

"Yeah," he nodded. "We can go."

I made it to the door when Rex spoke. "Ella," I looked back to see him standing. He watched me with knowing eyes. "I'll see you around."

I paused as I thought of his hidden question before I nodded. "You'll see me around, Rex."

"Good," he settled back into the chair. "You have a good night girl. Don't give it to the poor guy too hard. I think he really likes you."

I felt a small smile tip the corners of my mouth. "Thanks Rex."

I stepped into the night, walking to Daman's truck. Unlike Dace's, Daman's was white. He unlocked the door and I climbed into the front seat as he lifted himself into the drivers seat. He started the truck and blasted the heat. I could feel his eyes on me as I stared at the closed door of the club. There was so many secrets hidden within its walls, I couldn't help but scowl at the building as though it was at fault. All my pain had come from some event occurring in those dark walls. I just wanted to run from it - but that would mean I would then have to run from Dace. And I just couldn't do that. I couldn't.

"Are you leaving him?" He asked after a long and unbearable moment of silence.

I picked at my nail polish. "I can't."

"You love him?" His voice was gruff and he leaned his head back against the headrest as though defeated.

"More than anything."

"So, you'll work it out?"

"I don't know what we'll do, Daman." I looked out the window to hide the glistening tears in my eyes. "I'm angry and hurt and afraid."

"Why are you afraid?" He sounded horrified and I laughed. When I started, I just couldn't stop. My nerves were strung tight and I was rattled.

"Have you seen him fight?" I laughed so hard my stomach hurt. "He doesn't even look like himself! His eyes weren't blue - they were black. He didn't have any emotion in his face, Daman. There was nothing. The man in the ring was not the man I'm in love with. He was someone else. And I didn't like him." I was full out crying now and I knew I looked and sounded like a crazy person, but Dace induced feelings and emotions I didn't know I held within me. I didn't understand them.