She shook her head adamantly. “He didn’t...”
“I have a hard time believing—”
“He didn’t, he just roughed me up. I want the whole thing to go away.” She sniffed.
“Okay. Okay, shh.” He tucked her head against his shoulder. Her tears seeped through the cotton of his shirt.
No matter what wrongs Ellie or her family had committed against him, this moment broke his heart into pieces. No woman deserved to be struck, her trust in men pummeled—the way his mother’s had. Even more repulsive, he recognized a slight reflection of himself in Arnoff, the similarities staring him in the face. He’d bartered his protection in exchange for Ellie’s reliance on him, physically, emotionally and financially, for something as shallow as revenge.
Carter shuddered. He had to make this up to her, to right his wrongs. “Are you positive he didn’t violate you in any way?”
She shook her head against his neck, her forehead hot and damp. “I just want to feel safe again.”
“I know, baby.” He stroked her hair. “I want to make you feel safe.”
“Please,” she whispered, her face white with fear, “don’t let him find me. Make him go away.”
He lifted her in his arms and carried her to his bed. “You’re safe. I’m right here.”
She nodded, a gesture so full of trust and unconditional faith. Carter wouldn’t fail her.
A few minutes after he laid her down, stroking her hair, he heard her breathe more deeply. He tried to move away from the bed.
“No! Stay with me,” she pleaded. “Don’t leave me.”
“Nothing’s going to happen to you.” Ever again , he vowed.
“I’ll do what you want, I’ll stay here with you. I’ll take whatever demands you make. Just...please don’t leave.”
“I’m here. I won’t leave you.”
“Promise?” she whispered, drifting into dreams.
“You’re safe. Go to sleep, Ellie.”
Holding her tight until exhaustion overcame her fear, Carter rose up to sitting. She grabbed for him and he stroked her cheeks. Soon her arms fell limp against the mattress.
He gently traced her eyebrows, the beautiful outline of her face, her adorable nose, her incredible lips. He wondered how anyone could hurt such a fragile being. The notion provoked a violent streak that roared to life inside him, his own internal version of Mr. Hyde.
When he was assured she’d stay asleep, he tucked the covers around her. Then he slid carefully out of the bed without disturbing her.
“I’ll be right back,” he whispered, stroking her cheek with his thumb as he kissed her forehead. “There’s something I need to take care of before you wake up.”
Carter slipped from his room making sure the door locked behind him. He stalked down the dark hallway. He’d felt the burning need for revenge before, but this uncontrollable urge for blood and retribution blasted through him like an inferno.
As he moved through the hotel he didn’t notice the contrasts of ambient light and shadows. He saw red through the film of pure hatred. His muscles rippled and seethed beneath his skin. The hot, pulsing need for vengeance scorched his veins.
The secret room .
How dare the bastard brutalize his beautiful Ellie in their room? Animalistic urges shot up his spine raising his hackles. Instincts alert, his shoulders expanded and his fingers flared. His body tensed, prepared for attack.
Stalking through the library, he descended into the cellar. A pain-filled cry met his ears. He leaped down the last few steps and landed in the room. Just in time to see Ellie’s uncle soaring through the air and landing with a hard thump against the speakeasy bar. Russert held his jaw and moaned.
Carter zeroed in on the source of Ellie’s fear. He pointed at Arnoff, his chest heaving. “You. Out. Now.
“This is my hotel!” the man wailed, slurring his words.
“We’ll see about that.”
Carter advanced.
When Arnoff looked into Carter’s eyes, the man’s drunken rage melted into alarm. He lashed out, scratching Carter’s cheek with his fingernails, knocking him back a few paces. Carter recovered quickly.
Reinforcing his strength, Carter widened his stance. “Don’t make me do this the hard way.”
“I’ll ruin you!” Arnoff threatened.
Carter scoffed. “It’s been done.” Ellie’s father had tried that. “Can’t you come up with something more interesting?”
“I know people.”
“Yeah, and so do I.”
“I’ll have a hit put out on you,” Arnoff vowed.
“Been there done that, too.” Carter would find a way to get his money back from the gangsters Neville invested with. He’d dodged their retaliation this long. “Bring it.”