Page 6 of Elevating Eve

Not bothering with a second warning, Jonathan yanked his tie off, balled it up, and shoved it into Frank’s mouth. She watched her ex gag and splutter around the fine silk, clearly trying (and failing) to spit it out.

How had everything in her life gone so utterly and spectacularly wrong?

“Eve, I think you need to sit down.” The words sounded strange, as if she heard them underwater. “Eve?”

She tried to meet his gaze, but she couldn’t take her eyes off Frank’s struggling, prone form.

“Eve.” A new sharpness in his voice snapped her out of it.

“Yes, Mr. Hale?”

“Sit down.” It wasn’t a suggestion anymore. “You look like you’re about to pass out.”

She plopped ungracefully onto the floor, hugging her knees to her chest.

“Good girl.” He pulled his cellphone from his jacket pocket, holding it up for her to see. “I’m going to make one of two phone calls. I’m either calling the police, or I’m calling one of my partners so he can escort this piece of shit off my property. Your choice.”

God, she just wanted this to be over. For Frank to be out of her life once and for all, and to find somewhere quiet to curl up and cry for the foreseeable future.

But when she looked down at him, everything changed. His expression held no regret, no fear. Not even a hint of pleading lurked in his eyes.

Frank Talley looked like he wanted nothing more than to wrap his hands around her neck and squeeze as hard as he could.

Revulsion coursed through her body, making her feel physically ill.

It wasn’t the first time he’d hit her.

But it would sure as fuck be the last.

“I want you to call the police,” she said, voice little more than a whisper.

Jonathan’s small smile of approval washed over her, filling her cold, numb body with warmth. Unlocking his phone, he dialed 911 and hit send. Just before he brought the phone up to his ear, he looked her in the eye and once again said, “Good girl.”

Her breath caught in her throat.

Just two simple words.

With the power to change her entire world.

CHAPTER 3

Jonathan

Hours later, Eve sat huddled in a leather armchair in his office, a white knitted blanket wrapped around her shoulders. A soft knock sounded on the door, and Zach Potter peeked his head in without waiting for an invitation.

“I brought her some tea,” the Manor’s receptionist said, keeping his voice low. Pushing the door open a little more, he held up a silver tray with a steaming mug, a few types of sugar, and a silver spoon.

“Thank you,” Jonathan said, motioning for him to come all the way into the room. “That’s very kind of you.”

Zach always took it upon himself to take care of everyone, staff and guests alike. He’d stayed at the Manor for hours past his usual quitting time, for the sole purpose of bringing Eve some tea once the police finally left. The man had the biggest heart of anyone Jonathan had ever met.

He shuddered to think what the Manor would be like without him—not a thought he could bear considering for more than a second. Less than a year ago, Jonathan feared Zach was on the verge of quitting. Thank fuck that crisis had been averted.

The fact that Zach’s chaotic journey to find happiness had placedEve in his path only just occurred to him. Wasn’t that an interesting thought.

Laying the silver tray on the end table next to Eve, Zach asked, “Is there anything else I can get you, honey?”

She shook her head, not looking up. “Thank you,” she murmured, taking the mug. She cupped it in her hands, the steam wafting gently over her face as she took a single, tiny sip.

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