Page 56 of King of Deception

Her voice grew distant in my ears as she recounted everything that I already knew. Nathan’s name flashed across my phone screen, so I stood up, announcing, “Nathan’s here.”

“Mr. Drakos—” Monaghan lifted a hand.

“We’re getting a restraining order, Detective.”

“Abel!” Ella finally addressed me, albeit angrily.

“Oh, that’s not what you want?” I raised my eyebrows. “You wanna lay down and take more punches?” Immediately I regretted the way my words had come out.

“You’re not gonna speak on my behalf,” she hissed.

The door parted open, and an officer let Nathan in. Smiling and nodding, he proceeded to shake hands with the Captain and Monaghan.

“Mr. Wright, I’m glad you’re here,” the Captain said, gesturing for him to take a seat. “We seem to have conflict.”

“Ella.” Nathan leaned over as he sat next to her. “I’m sorry about what happened, but we’re gonna do—”

“We’re gonna get a restraining order,” I stated matter-of-factly. “Aren’t we, Mr. Wright?”

Surprised, he looked at me with a look that begged for me to take it down a notch. “We’ll do whatever Miss Boraine wants to do,” he dipped his head.

Forcing a chuckle, I threw my hand in the air and looked away, sighing.

“I just want him to leave me alone,” she announced, looking at the Captain.

“Then I’m afraid we might have to pull some strings to do what Mr. Drakos suggested,” he nodded, pressing his palms together. “You think that’s something you’d like us to pursue?”

She looked at me with bitterness in her eyes. I couldn’t blame her. This morning, I was Abel, the waiter. Now, I was Mr. Drakos, blatantly demanding that the precinct captain expedite a restraining order process by simply requesting it.

I didn’t attempt to keep track of time since it seemed to stop completely while the tension between Ella and me grew with exponential proportions. Every glance, every word was laden with resentment, anger, and a deep sense of betrayal.

Did I feel guilty? Absolutely. Was I going to abandon her now? Never.

When everything was done, Nathan, Ella, and I headed toward the exit.

“This is my number.” Nathan handed her his card. “Please, feel free to call me any time.”

“Thanks,” she whispered as she accepted it.

“I’m gonna take you home,” I announced.

“No, I—” she tried to protest.

“I do agree that it’s best,” Nathan interrupted her, subtly giving me a meaningful look. “At least for today. You shouldn’t be alone.”

She scowled at him and said nothing. He quietly smiled, patting me on the shoulder, “I’ll see you later, buddy.”

And we were alone, walking over to my car. Ella was determined not to look at me or speak in any way, and again, I couldn’t blame her. I had promised not to hurt her, but in the worst timing possible, I did. I had proved to be a liar, and there was nothing I could say to defend myself.

In the car, every molecule of air that entered my lungs carried the unspoken tension that ticked like a bomb waiting to explode. Ella kept her sight on the road through the window, leaving me with no chance to read her expression.

If only she would talk to me or at me. Scream, shout, call me names. The silence was so much more painful, and she must have known that.

And me… all I knew was that I didn’t want our ride to end because it could simply be our last. Unfortunately, it wasn’t long before I had to slow down at the foot of her building.

Finally turning to me, Ella’s face and the tears in her eyes took my breath away.

“I want you to know that I’m not blaming you for anything,” she said in a low, steady voice. “I’m a disaster magnet, and that’s exactly what you are… another disaster.”

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