Page 39 of Strip for Me

I just nod.

Thirty-Two

ELLIE

"Ellie,Ellie, Ellie . . . did you forget about me?" Drew asks me as he walks closer to me. He walks slowly, giving me time to look at him. Drew has always been handsome in a cold way. It’s what attracted me to him in the first place, the ice-blue eyes; the perfect suits and built body underneath; the blond hair and handsome face. But, it’s all a lie, to hide the jerk underneath. His ice-blue eyes watch me closely, as my heart feels like it’s pounding against my chest. I don’t think he would hurt me, but I don’t know him.I have a feeling I never did. I don't reply to him as he moves to stand in front of me, his hand going to touch my bump.

I slap his hand away and move backwards, my back hitting the wall near the stairs. I put my hands on my bump, feeling protective of my baby. There is no way I’m letting him touch me there.

"That was rude," he says with a cold laugh. His laugh seems to echo around the room. My eyes glance to my phone, the call is on, and Todd must be listening to our conversation.At least, I hope he is.

"You’re not touching me or my baby," I say. I keep my voice surprisingly calm, compared to how I’m feeling inside.I don’t want him to know how much he is scaring me.

"I don't want to touch that bastard child, but I want my wife back,"he says, narrowing his eyes at me when I laugh a little. I don’t believe him.

"Not happening, asshole," I say, walking sideways towards the stairs with every word. If I can get to the stairs and run up, I’ll find a bedroom and lock myself in until Todd gets here. It’s clear to me that Drew put Dom in jail because he wanted to get me alone. I bet he planned all of this. Why won’t he leave me alone? It makes no sense because he left me alone at home all the time when we were together.

"I'll tell you what, Ellie," he says, sliding his hands into his pockets and stopping.

“You don’t get to tell me anything anymore,” I say, holding my ground. I spent years listening to him telling me what to do, what to wear, what to cook him, and the list just goes on and on. I won’t be that person ever again. I want a life, with the men I love.

"I'm going to give you four months Ellie, four months to make the right decision and then come to me," he says. The way he says it, it’s like he expects me to come to him.Holy ducks, he is crazy.

"You are bloody crazy, Drew!" I shout.

"Not even one bit, and I did you a favour, you can thank me later," he laughs.

"If your favour was getting Dom arrested, it won't last," I say as he stops in front of me.

"That was a distraction to get you alone," he says and laughs louder. The laugh is so cold, it’s frightening.

My heart pounds against my chest as I watch him walk away and leave the house. I scramble after him and lock the door.

I place my hand on my bump, worry filling me.

What was his favour?

“Ellie!” Todd’s voice shouts through the house. I look from my spot on the stairs where I’ve been sitting since Drew left. I don’t even know how long it’s been as I’ve tried to process everything.I really didn’t know my husband at all.I look up as Todd’s hands slide over my own, and he kneels in front of me.

“Are you okay?” he asks me.

“Yes. Drew just wanted to scare me, I think,” I say, and his face tightens in anger.

Todd pulls me off the stairs and holds me close in his arms. “When I answered your call and heard his voice, god El,” he says, kissing the top of my ear. I suddenly pull back and look up at him,

“Dom has been arrested,” I say.

“What?” he asks in shock.

“Drew had him arrested for assault. I think he only did it, so I would be alone,” I say. I go to tell him about Drew having a gun when I realise I shouldn’t. He clearly only had it to scare me and nothing else. I doubt he would hurt me when it mutes the point of him wanting me back. If he shoots anyone else, he would end up in jail for it.

“I’m going to call Kaiden. Why don’t you go and sit in the lounge? I’ll bring you a drink,” he says, kissing my forehead. I nod, and he lets me go. I look around the floor and see my phone. I pick it up and walk into the lounge, sitting on the sofa. My phone is full of messages from the guys and a few from Liz. I frown when I see a phone call from my father’s phone. He never calls me.IfI speak to my parents, it’s my mum who calls. But,then again, they haven’t spoken to me in a long time, not since I left Drew. I can’t really understand them at all. I would never do what they did to my little girl. I stroke one of my hands across my bump and look at my phone.

I ring my father back, but he doesn’t answer, and I just decide he likely called me by accident.

“Here you go,” Todd says, coming into the room and handing me a cup of tea.

“Thanks,” I say, loving the warm feeling of holding the cup. It’s surprising how a cup of tea can make everything better.

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