Page 119 of Ruined By Protection
Not anymore.
Taking a deep breath, I push open the heavy wooden door to find Matteo, Noah, Daniel and Lucrezia gathered around a table covered with maps and documents. They all look up simultaneously, their expressions shifting from intense focus to softness when they see me.
The air in the room feels charged as I move toward the table. Lucrezia moves next to me, her arm brushing mine in silent support. I can feel everyone watching me, their gazes heavy with concern but feels more like pity.
“Everything’s set,” Noah informs me, “Just need you to bait the trap now.”
"I can handle this," I tell them, though my voice wavers slightly.
Matteo's eyes meet mine. "We know you can."
I open the messaging app and stare at Elliott's name. My fingers tremble as I begin to type, carefully choosing words that will feed his ego.
Elliott, I'm sorry I left the way I did. I just needed some time to think about what happened between us.
I hit send then pause, swallowing hard before continuing.
Sometimes I feel like you don't actually love me. Not when you hurt me like that.
The room is silent and I can feel Matteo's presence behind me, not touching, just there.
I need to know things will be different if I come back.
I hit send again before I can change my mind, then place the phone face-down on the table. My hands are shaking so badly now that Lucrezia reaches over and squeezes them between her own.
"You did great," she whispers.
The response comes faster than any of us expected. The phone buzzes against the polished wood, making me flinch. Daniel and Noah exchange glances while Matteo remains perfectly still beside me.
I turn the phone over, steeling myself before reading Elliott's reply.
Baby, I've been so worried. You know I love you more than anything. Things got out of hand but I promise it will never happen again. Come home and let me show you how sorry I am.
How many times had I heard this exact promise? How many times had I believed it?
"He's using the same script," I say, strangely calm and level. "He always does this—apologizes, promises it won't happen again, then waits until I feel safe before..."
I don't finish the sentence. I don't need to. The four faces watching me understand exactly what comes next in Elliott's cycle of abuse.
Another text drops, like he’s afraid I might escape the hook.I’ll come get you in New York.
I repress a shudder at the idea of it, as well as the fact that he knows exactly where I am.
"What should I say now?" I ask, looking at Matteo.
He moves closer, his protective shield enveloping me. "Tell him you need to discuss it face to face. Ask if you can meet at the country house, just the two of you."
The brutal practicality of his suggestion makes my breath catch, but of course he's right. Elliott would expect me to be ashamed, to hide the evidence of his violence.
I type the message, showing it to Matteo before sending.
I need more assurance. Maybe I could come to the country house where we could talk in private.
The response is immediate.
Of course, sweetheart. Whatever you need. The house will be ready for you. Just tell me when you're coming.
I place the phone down again, exhaling slowly. "He's taking the bait."
