Page 89 of An Eye For Illusion

My hands fumble as I hurry to unlock the door. Waves of emotion wash over me as I swing the door open and see Colin standing in front of me. My vision blurs as tears fills my eyes.

Colin’s jaw clinches as his eyes land on my cheekbone that I don’t doubt is already bruised. His hand immediately goes to my face, his thumb gently stroking the cheek Elliott struck.

“I’ll kill him,” he growls.

Tears spill down my cheek onto his hand. The relief his touch brings me is indescribable. I take his hand in mine, urging him to come inside with me. I lock the door and give it a tug to make sure it’s secure. My nerves are frayed, but there’s no time to waste; Colin and I need a plan. Now.

“What happened?” he asks as he walks with me into the living room, still holding my hand.

I sit on the sofa, and he doesn’t hesitate to sit beside me; close enough for us to remain touching. I dry my eyes with my free hand and take a deep breath. Colin squeezes my hand. I think it’s to reassure me that I’m safe with him, but he doesn’t have to because I know I am. Still, I appreciate him making the effort to comfort me.

“Elliott was angry when he got here. I didn’t realize it was him when he beat on the door.” I wonder then if he thinks I’m an idiot for answering it. “I know I shouldn’t have opened it…”

“It isn’t your fault,” he interrupts. “What happened is not your fault.” He releases my hand and wraps his arm around me, pulling me closer. He rests against the couch, taking me with him.

I try to mold my body to his, to relax against him as I rest my head on his chest. “He said he’d pay my father a visit if I didn’t open it.” I hear his heart hammer away in his chest, but he does a great job of remaining calm on the outside. His thumb rubs small, slow circles on my shoulder as I continue to explain. “He said we have to get married within a week, but he didn’t say why.”

He’s quiet still, but his thumb continues the slow circles. “I can’t marry him, Colin.” I bite my lip to stop its trembling at my own words.

“You aren’t, but he doesn’t need to know that yet.” I sit up and face him, completely puzzled by his response. “Tell him you’ll marry him Saturday.” He’s so nonchalant that it instantly pisses me off. I try to stand, but he tightens his grip. “Hear me out before you get pissed and storm off.” He gives a quiet chuckle, and I settle back in. He’s right about what I planned to do, and that sort of pisses me off, too. He kisses my hair and continues. “Not only will you marry him, but say you’ll agree to the business deal with Vinny to keep your father safe. Do that, and I’ll take care of the rest.”

I sit up and pull myself free of his grip to stand before he can grab me again. “No, you aren’t leaving me in the dark. You know way more than you’re telling me, and that’s not fair.”

“I’m just trying to keep you safe,” he says with a sigh. I came here to tell her everything, but there’s still a part of me that feels like the less she knows, the safer she is.

I cross my arms as I stare down at him. “I’m not a delicate flower, Colin Brooks.”

He grins. “You’re about as delicate as trying to diffuse a bomb.” His grin falls when his eyes land on my cheekbone again.

I place my fingers over it gently. “It’ll heal.” I want to ease him, though I don’t think it helps.

“And it’ll never happen again,” he says, standing from his spot on the couch.

He reaches out, grasps my shoulders, and pulls me into his chest before squeezing me tightly.

I’ve never felt more confused by any point in my life as I am right now, but I’ve also never felt safer than I do in his arms.

“Just trust me, okay?” he asks softly.

“I do,” I whisper back, and to my surprise, I mean it.

“I want to know everything you know about what he’s been up to,” I say softly. I don’t want to end this moment between us, but I need to know everything. “No more holding back. No more secrets.”

“Okay, but first, we need to get our ducks in a row.”

“I’ll text Elliott,” I say with a lump in my throat.

He nods against me. “I’ll talk to Donovan. He’ll help with anything he can.”

We break our embrace and turn our attention to bringing Elliott down and setting me free from his threats once and for all.

Chapter 30

Colin

By the time I end my call with Donovan, we have a rough plan put together. However, that hasn’t stopped my gut from churning since the moment I saw that fucking bruise on her face.

I wanted to turn right back around and find Elliott Moore and permanently rearrange his face. The only thing that stopped me was how scared and vulnerable Jade looked when she opened the door. She tried to put on a good show, but when she realized it was me, the wall she had between herself and Elliott crumpled, leaving the shattered parts for me to help pick up.

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