I can’t clear the tears out of my eyes, so I’m blindly kicking about. I faintly hear my own cries of desperation. It’s as if I have gone inside of myself, searching for something I didn’t know was there. Hearing Paul’s oomphs of pain gives me more strength than before. I can do this.
Before I can move away, Paul is sitting on my legs and ripping my pants open. My attempts at kicking are futile as his body weight immobilises me. Feeling me relax in defeat, he shimmies down my legs, quickly pulling my pants off. Not missing the opportunity, I resume my frantic kicking, stronger and more precise than before.
In my haze I hear car brakes squeal and a door slams. There is yelling before Paul disappears out of my blurred vision, and I’m dragged along the concrete by my pants which are still hanging around my ankles.
I’m released and left lying on the cold concrete floor. Taking a deep breath, my body relaxes. I am safe.
Realisation dawns and I roll onto my side and pull my legs up into my body. Silence descends upon me as I close my eyes. The pain leaves my body as numbness and coldness take over. I just want to wake up from this nightmare. Float away from here and wake in my bed. Wake up in my bed next to Nate. To have his warm body hold mine. His arms wrapped tightly around me.
I don’t know how much time passes before I lift my head and try to focus my eyes. Saxon. He’s standing over Paul, holding him to the ground by the cuff of his shirt as he punches him over and over again. I take in the scene in front of me and notice Paul is lying limp, his body heavy, and his head lies to the side.
“Saxon,” I croak, my voice raw and hoarse. Saxon doesn’t respond as he continues to pummel Paul. I’ve never seen anyone like this before. So much hate and venom spew from every part of him. His eyes are hard and his body tight. “Saxon,” I call again a little louder, using all my strength. My head falls back to the hard concrete floor, and I close my eyes.
I’m lifted into the air, and my eyes shoot open in awareness. Saxon is breathing hard, looking at me with wild eyes. Releasing a deep breath, I drop my head onto his chest. The peace that always comes with him takes over, and I truly know I’m safe.
Opening the passenger door of his car, he sits me down and moves away. My eyes fly open at the loss of him. ”Please don’t leave me,” I cry out.
“Never, sweetheart, never. I’m just getting a blanket so I can cover you up.” He comes back with a blanket from his trunk, which he wraps around me. He kneels down in front of me as we stare at one another.
He places his hands on my knees over the blanket, and I can tell he’s trying to gather himself. “Are you okay?” he whispers.
Without control or intent, I break down. My chest falls over my knees and great wracking sobs leave my body. Saxon swears under his breath as he stands and swiftly picks me up, sitting down in the passenger seat with me on his lap. I lay against his chest while letting it all out. His hold around my shoulders tighten as he rocks me, resting his mouth on my head.
“You’re safe, Brooke. I’m here. I’ve got you, baby, you’re safe.” He repeats the soothing mantra over and over until the world falls away and all I focus on is those words. I’m safe, Saxon is here, he’s got me.
Saxon lifts me once more and I lie limply in his arms, not even having the strength to hold onto him. Noticing the door we’re heading towards, I glance around and see we’re at my house. Saxon unlocks the door to let us in and then kicks it shut.
Carrying me to my en-suite, he sits me down on the toilet. Running his fingers along my cheek and down my arm, he looks me over slowly. “I’ll be back in a minute,” he says, his voice and expression soft.
How did I get here? I vaguely remember sirens, police, paramedics, and Saxon’s strong and authoritative tone. What happened? Why was Saxon there? Did they catch Paul? Is he locked up?
My questions are stilled as Saxon enters the en-suite, two glasses in hand. He hands me a tumbler half-full of amber liquid and indicates with his own to drink it.
“It’ll help,” he says as he throws his back. I follow suit and cough as the harsh liquid hits my throat. It’s not long before the warmth is swirling in my stomach, spreading and flowing through me.
Saxon takes my glass and places both on the bathroom counter. He stands before me as he begins stripping his clothes, kicking off his shoes before pulling his socks off. He undoes his slacks and pushes them down before stepping out of them and kicking them into the corner.
Taking off his cuff links, he places them on the counter and undoes his shirt, taking it off and throwing it on top of his pants.