“They’ll make you sleep with the fishes.”
“I’ll make sure you sleep behind bars. For the rest of your life.” Carter had grown up with a guy on the island who’d become a cop in Atlantic City. Which would come in handy when called his buddy, Mac, and had Arnoff’s casino busted for prostitution. “Difference is, my people are on the right side of the law. You’re going down—for your prostitutes and for what you did to Ellie.”
Arnoff’s eyes flickered like a wild animal in the oily kerosene light. The second the man tried to rush past him, Carter hit him in his windpipe with a hard thwack. Arnoff sputtered and choked, trying to regain his breath.
That wasn’t going to happen on Carter’s watch. He picked Arnoff up by the neck and held him against the wall, legs dangling.
“Get. Out.”
Arnoff’s eyes bugged out. He spluttered and attempted to fight back.
“Not convinced? Fine, I can do this my way. Looking forward to it, actually.”
Carter dragged him up the stairs, then through the main hallway and foyer. He opened the front door of the hotel, clutching the man’s throat.
“Don’t come back. And don’t even think about Ellie. If you come sniffing around at tomorrow’s auction, I’ll finish this.”
With a violent thrust he flung Arnoff between the front porch pillars. The man landed on his side on the steps, rolled a few feet and crouched in the fetal position, rocking, whimpering. Then all was silent.
Carter returned inside and kicked the door shut. Then he made sure the entrance’s lock and deadbolt were secure before he walked away.
Inhaling rapid breaths he filed his hands through his hair. He wanted to see blood dripping from the man’s pores. But there had been enough bloodshed tonight.
Russert emerged from the dark hallway. “Is he gone?” he wheezed, holding the side of his head where a trickle of red ran down his temple.
Carter nodded. “If he wants to live past tomorrow, he won’t come back.”
Concern flooded Russert’s expression. “Is Ellie okay? I feel terrible she was left alone to fend for herself.”
Ellie . “Man, I hope so. She’s asleep in my room. I’ll make sure she’s safe. You have my word.”
When Russert nodded, Carter raced back to his room. Outside his door he paused to collect himself. Then he entered quietly hoping not to disturb her.
The bedside lamp shed soft light over her sleeping form. She looked so beautiful, so fragile. He ached to hold her.
When he took a step toward her the floor creaked. Ellie shot up in bed wild-eyed. She threw off the sheets and darted from the mattress in flight mode. “Don’t come near me,” she screeched.
“Ellie, it’s me. Carter.”
The words took a moment to register. Still her eyes were wide, fear-filled. “Is he here?”
“No, baby. I took care of him. He won’t come near you ever again.”
Her shoulders slumped, arms dangling at her sides. “I can’t believe what happened. I didn’t know he was capable of...”
“Neither did I, but it’s over now.”
She began to tremble. “I should’ve been more cautious. Why did I think I could handle him?”
“Hey, stop right there.” He moved toward her with measured strides and embraced her, concerned how cold her skin felt. “His attack is not your fault.”
“But if I’d listened to my instincts—”
“You did nothing wrong. So get that out of your head right now.” He cupped her face tilting her chin up until she met his gaze. “Arnoff is the problem, not you. Do you hear me?”
Her eyes welled with tears. “Then, why?”
“Ellie, honey,” he whispered, pressing his lips to her forehead. “Let it go. If you keeping questioning it, you’ll replay the night over and over in your mind. There is no excuse for his attack. That’s all you need to know.”
The tears overflowed. She started shaking all over. “What could erase that memory?”
Carter grazed his lips over hers. Soft, tender passes meant to soothe. “You’re so beautiful. So strong, Ellie. You amaze me.” He kept his kisses light coaxing her gently back into a sense of security, reestablishing trust.
She parted her lips for him. His tongue glided against hers. She released a trembling sigh.
“I’ll always protect you, sweetheart.”
She melted into his embrace.
Arms securely around her, Carter continued to whisper words of comfort. “Hear the ocean? The tide is steady, peaceful, flowing in and out…”
“I love that sound.” She curved her arms around his neck and whispered, “I love you, Carter.”