Protect Me (16 page)

“Abbi, I am so sorry.” He wiped his hand across his face covering his mouth.

“Ryan, it’s not your fault.” She reached out and placed a hand on his bicep. It felt like granite under her fingers.

“Are you ok? I am having the doctor on board come and look at your eye and make sure you don’t need stitches. Is that ok?” He paused for a moment as if trying to find the words he was about to say next. “Did he, penetrate you, at all?” His voice cracked again as he finished the last part of his sentence. He could barely make eye contact with her.

She realized that Judy and Ashley had been standing back behind her, giving them some privacy. Not that she wanted to be discussing this with Ryan, but she felt too embarrassed to be discussing it with an audience present. She suddenly felt dirty, violated. If Ryan didn’t want her before, he sure as hell didn’t want her now that she was tainted. A feeling of shame washed over her body, flowing into her gut causing her stomach to twist. The reality of what had just happened began to sink in.

She lowered her head bringing both hands towards her lap staring at them as if she had been defeated. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Ryan’s eyes snap towards her once she had broken off contact with his arm. “No, he didn’t. And yes the doctor is fine.” She could feel her eyes begin to burn as the tears leaked out.

“Hey, Abbi look at me.” Ryan’s hand gently lifted her chin bringing her gaze towards him. “I swear to you, Abbi if it is the last thing I do, I will make you stop feeling like this; like you’re not good enough. If tonight has proven anything to me, it’s that I am a damn fool and that I am not letting you leave my sight again.” His fingers gently brushed away a tear that had been rolling down her cheek then he stood releasing her face.

At first she thought he was leaving the room, her chest began to tighten. She didn’t want him to leave. Just as she began to voice her objections, she felt his hard arms cradling her off the ground. He picked her up and held her tightly to his chest. She felt so tired, and every fiber of her body felt safe now. As long as he was near her she was safe and she felt like she could finally relax. Not just from the trauma of the events that had just unfolded, but from her life. Every muscle in her body let go as she felt her eyes getting heavier. She could see the room leaving her view as he carried her down a hallway into a quiet, dimly lit parlor towards the end of the hall. She knew that no harm would come to her here, and so she succumbed to the darkness and closed her eyes.

*****

Ryan had taken his friend’s advice and gone after her. He walked out onto the upper deck from the second floor bar. Finding nothing more than a few party goers hanging out along the lounges and stools placed along the sides of the deck. He made his way over to the railing, looking out into the black ocean. He knew that Abbi was different. Hell, never in his life had he felt this kind of connection to someone. He could feel her as she walked into a room and since that day she had fallen into his life at the club he couldn’t think of anything but her. Jace was right, he was scared. Of what exactly he wasn’t sure. Maybe that she wouldn’t reciprocate his feelings? Obviously from her reaction to the kiss, she did. Then what exactly was he afraid of?

He took in a deep breath of salt air, running his hands through his hair in exasperation. He made his way over to the stair well taking the first few steps down. He saw her walking out onto the dance floor, Judy and Ashley joining her, as well as Gabe and Jeff, two of his newer agents. He wasn’t sure what it was about Jeff, but he just didn’t have a good feeling about him. Jace had pushed to hire him, since his background had come back clean with no priors and he passed his lie detector test Ryan couldn’t find a reason to say no. He stepped down a few stairs and stood just outside the shine of the light. Watching them all dancing, he stayed brooding, in the darkness. He could feel the anger creeping up his face burning his skin as Jeff’s hands made their way up Abbi’s body.

He took another step down as his eyes flashed over to an image of Jeff leaning down, his lips on Abbi’s. Ryan took in the sight as he could feel the knife twisting in his gut, he realized at that moment exactly how Abbi had felt seeing Isabelle kiss him. Jealousy began to spread across his skin as his hands began to clench. He saw her break away from the kiss and turn towards the bar, she had only made a few steps when she turned her head towards him. He was so angry with himself; he should have been upfront with Abbi from the beginning. He should have asked her out the day he went to the grocery store. He could feel the anger creeping into his eyes. As she adverted her gaze back towards the bar, he took the last few steps down onto the deck. He had already screwed things up enough. He at least owed her an explanation to what had happened upstairs.

He could see she was already in a defensive stance as he approached her. Desperately he tried to explain to her that Isabelle meant nothing to him, but this frustrating woman wouldn’t let him get a word in edge wise. She sure as hell wasn’t backing down either. Never had he dealt with a more stubborn woman in all his life, and he came from a southern town where a lot of girls are hard-headed. With every word he tried to speak, she immediately protested.

It wasn’t until she began to bring up her social class that he knew there was no getting through to her. He would have to approach it when she was on neutral ground and on a night that she hadn’t been drinking. He wanted to tell her it wasn’t her it was him, but he had seen enough times, that statement only made women angrier. It was hard to admit it to her, but he tried to open himself up, explaining that he had problems that he didn’t want to bring into her life, but she made it clear that those issues had already come between them. He wanted to walk after her as she marched off but he knew it wouldn’t help.

He shook his head and turned toward the bartender as Jace came up in front of him.

“So, did you talk to her or just stand over here like a creep and stare at her?” Jace motioned for two drinks.

“I tried to, but her smart ass mouth wouldn’t let me get a word in edge wise.” Ryan caught the glare in Judy’s eyes as the girls made their way into the parlor.

“Those are the best kind man. A girl who has a little spunk like her little friend there. I might have to get to know her a little better.” Jace elbowed Ryan.

“Yeah, I don’t know much about Judy and Ashley but I believe they are right up your alley my friend.”

“I’m digging the shorter one, she’s feisty.”

“Short, shit she’s what five foot tall, you would look like you were dating your little sister.” Ryan laughed as he took a drink out of his glass.

“Five foot everything my man. And you know what they say, great things come in small packages.”

“Is that what the girls tell you to keep from hurting your feelings?” This time the laugh came from his gut as he saw the look of pain cross Jace’s face.

“Man that was a low blow even for you.” Jace protested as he walked over towards a couple at the edge of the dance floor.

Ryan’s eyes surveyed the party. It had actually turned out to be better than last year’s party. They had used the yacht for the past few years however it had seemed so empty with the sparse number of participants. But as his employees had gotten to know him better they hadn’t been as tense about attending. He watched as Jace made conversation with the couple, it always came so natural to him. He was glad to have Jace, he was loyal and when it came to work he worked just as hard as he played, although he was known for playing a little harder at times. Ryan had worried in the beginning that it might affect the business, but Jace’s natural way of getting people to open up had been a great asset to the company. As he looked out toward the doors leading inside he saw Jeff exchanging with Judy and Ashley who had come back outside. They made their way back out towards Gabe as Jeff went inside. It didn’t seem as though they were looking to shoot him down, so Ryan hoped they had been able to talk Abbi out of her nonsense.

He found himself walking back over toward the railing at the front of the boat. There was something about the water that always relaxed him. This was why people bought boats, to sit out in the salt air listening to the sound of the waves softly breaking against the bow of the ship. Tonight was an exception since the music was so loud, but this was his favorite place to come when he had a lot on his mind. He broke away from his thoughts as he felt his phone vibrating in his pocket. Digging for it he felt Jace come up to his side. Unless there was something wrong at the dock, he shouldn’t be getting any calls tonight. A sinking feeling began to blossom in his stomach.

“I thought we said no personal phone calls tonight; tell grandma we will call her back tomorrow.” Jace joked.

“It’s Abbi.” Ryan looked up at him confused.

“Maybe she’s seen the light and wants to talk. Answer it.” Jace motioned towards the phone.

Ryan pressed the answer button and held the receiver up to his ear, plugging his other with his hand. “Hello?” No response came back through. “Abbi, can you hear me? Hello?” He spoke a little louder. But all he could hear was a static coming back through the other end. “Abbi?” Then he heard it, the words triggering a natural response that exploded from his core.

“Get off me, Jeff, Now!” She shouted as he heard a thud in the receiver.

He threw his phone down as his body began reacting.

“What the hell is going on, Ryan?” Jace shouted as he followed closely behind him.

Ryan was nearly knocking people over as he dashed through the crowd. He found his way towards Judy and Ashley who were standing just outside the door.

“Where is Abbi?” His voice came out in an angry growl.

“Easy there hulk. She’s with Jeff, she’s fine.” Ashley rolled her eyes.

“Listen Ryan, I am on your side, but tonight I think you need to drop it. She has been through enough.” Judy looked sincerely in his eyes. Her look grew more concerned as she looked over at Jace who had run up behind Ryan. “Ryan, what’s going on?”

“I need to know where she is and I need to know now.” Ryan stepped closer to her. “Judy, please tell me.”

“She’s downstairs, Ryan what is going on?” She yelled out to him, he had already started sprinting towards the door leading downstairs.

He motioned people out of his way as he attempted the handle. “The asshole locked it. Y’all need to get out of the way.” He said to people within a few feet, at this point a crowd has started to gather. Ryan’s stomach did flips as he heard the piercing scream faintly coming from the other side of the door.

“Kick that shit in, Ryan.” Jace came up to his side.

Ryan took a few steps back, he extended his leg with force as his heel made contact, and the hinges of the door creaked and snapped off the frame. The wood around the handle splintered and flew off in every direction. Ryan shoved the door out of his way, but nothing could prepared him for what he was about to see. He stepped onto the platform at the top of the spiral stair case as Jace and Judy rushed in behind him. Jeff had Abbi on the floor, pinned down with her hands bound. His body trapping her, forcing her down to the ground, as he fondled her panties down from underneath her skirt. He saw nothing but anger, his head buzzing with rage as he lunged down the staircase leaping over the top of the railing and jumping halfway down to the ground. From above him he could hear Judy scream out as she took in the scene below.

His blood sang out, wanting revenge. He wanted to hurt Jeff, like he was doing to Abbi. He was going to hurt Jeff. One second he was landing on the floor and the next he was bolting across the room towards Jeff. He could see Abbi’s swollen face as he made his way over to them. Before Jeff realized what was happening, Ryan went at him full force, lifting him off of Abbi’s body by his throat. Ryan’s hands gripped the skin around Jeff’s throat, lifting him up before slamming him down onto his back. A deep growl came from within Ryan. He didn’t think. He just reacted. All he could picture in his head was the sight of Abbi’s face moments before. Her eye swollen and red as tears streamed down her face, the sound of her voice in his phone receiver trying to fight off Jeff as he forced himself on her. Within seconds Ryan’s sight went blank. Pitch black nothingness in front of him, as he felt his hand slam down and connect blow after blow, with Jeff’s face.

He wasn’t going to stop. The rage was too strong inside of him for that. Even as he felt the hands gripping at his arms, trying to pull him off and then another pair straining to make him stop the assault. There was no stopping at this point, he was out for blood. He was solid and it would take more than two men to get him to stop at this point. And then through the darkness he heard her voice, pleading him to stop. Slowly he quieted his movement as he leaned back on his heels. Closing his eyes for the briefest moment, when he re-opened them he was transported back into the room.

He stood and made his way over to where Abbi sat on the floor. She was so beautiful, and so caring. How could anyone want to hurt her? Careful to not disturb the wounds on her face he looked over her. Her eye was swollen, along with her busted lip, blood slowly rimming the inside of her lips. The heat of rage flooding back inside of him, he had pushed her straight into the arms of a man who would abuse her. All of this was his fault, he should have known better than to let her walk away. All he could do was apologize and even with the removal of blame from her. He would live with this guilt for the rest of his life. Now he was sure that he would spend the rest of his life trying to make it up to her.

Her body looked so frail, exhaustion settling into her face as the adrenaline began to wear off. He stood and gently picked her body up off of the floor. Jace had already called for the doctor on board to meet them in the lounge on the far end of the hallway and sent a call to the Captain telling him to head back to port. As he made their way down the hallway he could see her eyelids growing heavier. He made his way into a different parlor and placed her down onto one of the oversized lounges. Gently he placed a pillow behind her head as he tucked the edges of the blanket underneath her. Quietly he sat at the edge of the lounge, with all his might he hoped that what she had just experienced wouldn’t break her spirit. He would try for as long as it took to make her feel safe again. He would protect her. This time he wasn’t going anywhere.