Eden's Pleasure (Pulse Book 1) (19 page)

The room had been torn apart from one end to the other. It was almost unrecognizable. She stepped into the bedroom, her brow furrowed, and noticed that the bed had been left untouched. Yet her clothes and the contents of her dressers and closet had been strewn throughout the room.

“Miss?” one of the officers called to her from the bathroom. She walked in and he pointed to the mirror. “Does this mean anything to you?”

Written across the mirror in her red lipstick were the words:
I’m here dollface!

Her eyes widened, and her mouth fell open. Stumbling backwards from the room, tripping over the mass of clothing on the floor, her knees came to rest on the bed’s edge and she landed abruptly.. The officer followed her and knelt down in front of her, putting his hand on her shoulder in concern.

“Are you alright, miss?”

“Yes…I have a letter from the same person. It was delivered Saturday.” She had shoved it in her purse last night in her haste to leave. “I have it here. I also have an envelope of photos that he sent to my office, but they’re still in my drawer.”

Taking the folded envelope from her purse, she handed it to the officer who took it with his gloved hand. He watched her as he opened the envelope, looked down at the page, and called to another officer. Handing it off to him, it was placed in a plastic bag and taken out of her sight.

“Has anyone else touched the letter?” he asked, and she shook her head no.

“I’m Officer Kelly. We will need to see those photos. I can arrange to pick them up at your office. Can I call someone for you? Is there anyone that you can stay with for a few days?” He asked so many questions they seemed to all scramble together in her head.

She shook her head and shoulders in sync. “No.” The reality that she had no one to turn to made her sad; she hated this man for making her feel so empty. This son of a bitch wasn’t going to scare her! She bit back tears.

But he did. And she
was
scared.

As much as she didn’t want to do it, she handed the officer a business card from her wallet. He looked at the card, and he waited for her to tell him what to do. “Would you like me to call this person for you?”

“Please.”

Officer Kelly left her. She glanced around the room trying to take note of any missing contents, but the mess was terrible, leaving her in awe at the devastation. She noticed that even though the bed had not been disturbed, her childhood teddy bear that she had tied to her headboard was now gone. Only the pink ribbon that it was tied with remained hanging there.

The officer returned, handing her back the card. She put it back in her wallet and stood. “Miss Fox, I made the call. It won’t be long until your friend arrives. For now, I need you to fill out a report and list anything that may be missing from the apartment. Do you have any idea who may have done this?” he asked while taking out a small notepad and pen, ready to take her answer.

“I do, I’m afraid.” Eden let out a sigh, and her shoulders fell forward in defeat. She had never wanted to speak his name out loud again. But here she was, brought to this moment of having to say the very name that repulsed her and bringing back a terrible past to stare straight into her face.

A single tear left her eye and trailed down her cheek. “Jackson Hartley.”

Eden sat at the breakfast bar as she finished up her report with Officer Kelly looking on. She had answered so many questions her head was swimming, and her hand cramped from writing her report. Officer Kelly had been such a help, unlike most of the others that just snapped questions at her. He had pretty brown eyes and lashes that most women would kill for and one dimple in his left cheek that gave him a boy-next-door charm, making Eden feel a little less anxious.

She looked up, observing the apartment. It was bustling with cops and investigators, obviously dusting for prints, taking bits and pieces of evidence in plastic and paper bags. They were making such a mess with black dusting powder, yet tiptoed through the clutter like graceful ballerinas in a well-orchestrated performance of
Swan Lake
. Eden could feel herself cringe at the thought of having to clean it. Thank god the place was small. They took fingerprint samples and photo after photo of every inch of the apartment. She was exhausted just watching.

“Just one more thing, Miss Fox,” Officer Kelly said. “You say you have had no contact with Jackson Hartley in three years. Why do you think he would show up now?”

“Don’t know. He thought he owned me, that I was his possession. I told you I left unexpectedly one night, I ran away. I thought he would leave me alone. It’s been three years. Didn’t think he’d find me! Didn’t think he’d try.” She hung her head in exasperation.

She felt herself hanging from a thin thread ready to snap at any moment. It all felt like a really bad dream. Panic moved in again, taking her over and she nearly leapt from her seat when a hand touched her shoulder. She turned like a shot and, seeing a familiar face, stood quickly. Tears that she had held back started streaming down her cheeks.

“I’m here, baby!” Chase took her in his arms, holding her tight. She immediately knew he would guard her. She felt so safe with him.

He looked around the tiny apartment in shock. He would have never recognized it as hers. The once-pristine living room and kitchenette was completely taken apart.

“Oh god, Chase, I’m sorry. Thank you for coming. I had no one to call…I…” She was babbling, probably from shock. He just tightened his hold on her and whispered a soft
shhh
in her ear.

“I’m taking you home with me, you’ll be safe there. We’ll talk then.” He kissed the top of her head while surveying the apartment.

“Mr. Dean? I’m Officer Kelly. I’m the one that called you.” He put his hand out to Chase. In turn, Chase shook it while shielding Eden.

“Are you finished with Miss Fox? I’d like to take her home.” He was not really asking, but rather informing the officer of his intent. A power shift could be felt in the air. Officer Kelly stepped aside, allowing passage.

“Miss Fox, you’re free to go. You have my card. Call me if he tries to contact you,” Officer Kelly said as they passed.

Chase looked at Eden, wonder in his eyes over hearing the officer’s last statement. He reached into his jacket and handed the officer a card. “This is where you can reach Miss Fox,” he told the officer and directed Eden from the apartment.

On the drive back to Chase’s apartment, Eden stared out the window as the buildings passed her frozen gaze. She wondered what he was thinking. What would she tell him? How was she going to explain this mess? Surely he wouldn’t feel the same. Instead of wanting to care for her, he’d be planning his escape.

Leaning her head against the window, she closed her eyes.
Is this the beginning of the end?
Eden asked herself.
His hand stroked over her cheek, and she opened her eyes to see Chase watching her. He had parked the car and she hadn’t noticed. He looked so worried. She wanted to reassure him that everything was all right but couldn’t even convince herself of that lie. She could not, would not lie to him now.

The ride in the elevator was silent, but he held her tight. She appreciated his strength since her legs were like jelly. Her stomach ached with nausea. When the door opened, Hazel was standing, waiting for them. She took Eden’s hand in hers and directed her to sit on the sofa, handing her a snifter filled with golden liquid.

“Drink that up, dear, a little brandy to warm you. Mr. Dean told me you had a scare. None of my business though, dear. I just wanted to make sure you were fine.”

“Thank you,” Eden said, shocked at Hazel’s concern. She thought that this woman didn’t like her after their first awkward meeting.

“I’ll be off now, Mr. Dean. I left breakfast warming in the oven for you both.”

“Thanks, Hazel.” He winked at her, and she disappeared just as fast.

“Come, you need to eat something.” He took her hand and steered her to the kitchen.

Eden picked at her food, and not a word was shared between them. Anxiety was building. Her heart rate was increasing while contemplating when and what he would say. She could feel him watching her. She finally mustered the courage to look over at him and met his gaze.

“Sorry for all of this mess.” She lowered her eyes to stare into her folded hands.

“Don’t be sorry, baby. I’m glad you asked for me. I want to be here for you.” He smiled, and she covered her hands over her face, rubbing as if trying to rid the night from existence. She was exhausted and let out a huge sigh.

“Go ahead and ask. I know you have questions.” She decided she needed to get on with explanations.

Chase leaned back in his chair and slipped his arm over the back of her seat.

“I’m worried…for you. And yes I have many questions, but it’s up to you to tell me what’s going on. I’m here to listen.”

“Guess I owe you that much.”

“Let’s go somewhere more comfortable.” He took her hand and led her to a room down the hall behind the stairs. She didn’t remember seeing it on her tour, but again that night was full of firsts for her.

A media room. In it was a huge LED screen at one end. A black sofa covering the other end of the room was at least twenty feet long with red throw cushions and blankets to wrap up in. On the red walls were framed photos of movie stars and movie posters, and a red and white popcorn cart sat in one corner.

“We’ll be comfortable in here.” He motioned her to sit on the sofa and then joined her, sitting with one leg tucked under him.

“Get comfortable, Eden, you look stiff.” He hauled her into his arms and over his lap to face up at him. He softly touched his lips to hers, kissing her with delicate angel kisses. Chase knew she needed gentle care right now, even if his desire was to take her aggressively and make her cry out his name and hold her breath as she felt him sliding in.

He looked into Eden’s sad eyes before releasing her, pulling her up to face him. She drew a cushion from behind and hugged it tight to her chest like a child with a security blanket. Chase so badly wanted to be that blanket, only wanting to shelter her in his hold and give her all the love and attention she so deserved. He knew her life had been a struggle. A vulnerability hid just under a thin veil. His girl deserved only the best, and he had the means to give it to her. She would want for nothing, he’d see to it.

Needing to know exactly what their battle would entail, he pressed on. “So tell me what happened,” he said, in almost a calm demand.

Hesitating momentarily, she drew in a deep breath, bucked up the courage, and the words burst from her mouth. “He’s here in Boston, somewhere out there. He knows where I am, and he’s here to get me. He knows, he’s been following me I don’t know what to do. I’m scared. He’s going to hurt me. Mik’s away, Carl can’t help. I have no one else. Don’t know what to do,” she blurted out, her words all meshing into one jumbled disaster.

“First, you take a breath and slow down, and then you tell me who he is. The one that hurt you?” he asked, a feeling of rage sweeping over him. “That caused your scar?”

“Yes.” She swept away a tear. Her lip trembled as she tried to speak.

“Son-of-a-bitch better hope I never get my fucking hands on him. He’ll have more than a fucking scar to contend with,” Chase bit out. “I’ll fucking kill him.”

“Don’t say that, Chase, then I’d lose you too.” She squeezed in tighter.

Running his fingers up and down her arm in an infinity pattern, he watched his finger’s path on her soft skin, calmed down and smiled. “Sorry, baby. Go on.”

“We were high school sweethearts. I thought we were in love. We moved in together after graduation even though his parents protested. My mother passed away when I was small and left me a sizable inheritance so I bought a little house and started college. He couldn’t find work, and that’s when he joined the army…then he changed.”

“How did he change?” Chase asked, smoothing his hand over her hair, his touch so attentive.

“Jackson got angry at the smallest things. He’d sit and stare for hours at nothing, just stare and then he would snap out of it and want sex or to slap me around. Sex was so cold…he’d get off and leave the house for the night, then come in with flowers in the morning before he left to go to the base.”

She took a deep breath, and tears welled up in her eyes. A single tear escaped. Chase reached over and wiped it away, fixing his attention solely on her. He was so overwhelmed with the urge to strike out that he found it arduous to listen without completely losing it and ripping something apart.

“One night, he came home and told me that he wanted to turn up the heat…sexually…I didn’t understand at first, and then, when he showed me a coil of rope and a crop, I freaked out. I tried to get away but…he just hit me over and over until I passed out from the pain.” Tears streamed down her cheeks. Chase pulled away the cushion, crushing her to his chest.

“It’s ok, baby, I’ve got you. You don’t need to say another thing.”

“Yes I do. I’ve never told anyone other than Mik…you need to know…you deserve to know why I’m such a mess to deal with.”