Page 47 of Bound To Me

I went into the break room to gather my belongings and turned my phone on. There were more texts from Elliott, but I didn’t read them; instead, I called him. He answered right away.

“Jacqueline,” he breathed, sounding relieved. “I’ve been so fucking worried.”

“Michael is here,” I blurted out. “He’s at my work. Please come get me. Please come now.” The lump in my throat finally took over, and I began to bawl, not even realizing my whole body was shaking until I sat down.

“Jesus Christ. I’m on my way. Are you inside? Are you safe?” I heard keys banging together as if he were running to his car.

“Yes, I’m in the break room. We don’t close for another hour,” I explained through my tears.

“Stay on the line with me, baby.” I heard his car start and an engine revving, tires screeching.

“Please tell me you didn’t know. Please tell me you really love me, Elliott. Please.” I put my knees up to my chest and hugged them with one arm while the other held my phone to my ear.

“Yes, baby, I love you. I love you more than anything. I swear to God I had no idea what he did to you.” His voice was panicked and it scared me; hearing him unraveled was unnerving.

His words didn’t stop the ache in my chest, the utter devastation and betrayal I felt. But I loved Elliott—thatI knew. And I needed him, especially now. If he wasn’t in my life, I would already be bent over Michael’s knee.

“I love you, Elliott. I’m scared,” I admitted.

I was not only scared of Michael but also of how much I already loved Elliott and how my heart was already broken by both of them.

“I’m not gonna let anything happen to you, baby. I’m right here. I will be there in just a few minutes, okay?”

Meg walked in and interrupted my thoughts as she bent down and put her hand to my shoulder. “Babe, you okay?”

I shook my head. “No. That man out there—he’s my ex. He’s my abusive fucking ex,” I cried to her.

She gasped. “Oh God, Jackie. Are you okay? He fucking bolted right after you walked away.”

Relief suddenly flooded my entire body.

“Oh, thank God.” I sighed.

“I’ll make sure Lauren bans him. Fucking loser,” Meg huffed.

“Thanks. I’m on the phone with my boyfriend. He’s picking me up now,” I explained.

My boyfriend.

“Good,” Meg said as she stood up. “I’ll keep an eye out.” She patted my shoulder and walked out.

“Elliott?” I said into the phone.

“I’m here, baby.” He was starting to sound relieved. “I’m about five minutes away.”

I nodded and my head pounded with a sudden headache.

“Okay. Call me when you’re here. I need to gather my thoughts.” I hung up.

I needed to gather all the facts—I needed tothink. This is what I knew: Michael hired Elliott to see what I was up to. Was he still in prison then? And when exactly did he get out? Elliott found out that I was boarding a plane to LA—how? And then he got the seat directly next to me. He befriended and disarmed me with his smile and gentleness. He gave me his card, hoping I’d call him. But he knew my number anyway, didn’t he? He had to have known. Then Michael began harassing me again—andElliott? When did Elliott tell him to fuck off? Or did he ever? So many questions ran through my head as my phone buzzed in my hand.

Elliott walked through the back to come get me. He took my hand without saying a word; his eyes were concerned and focused as he led me to his car, opened the door for me, and then hopped in next to me. He sped off onto Beverly Blvd and reached over to take my hand.

“Take me to my hotel. I can’t be at your house right now,” I said quietly, not moving my hand away from his, but looking out the window.

“Please let me stay with you. Jacqueline, I need to protect you. I need to figure out what Michael is trying to do,” he responded sternly.

I looked over at him and shook my head. His worried eyes met mine as we stopped at a red light.

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