Ignite Me: Shards of Glass, Part One (46 page)

I was actually worried that he'd driven here.

He raised a brow. “I bet he's fucking you already! He doesn't want you he just wants what he can get! I wouldn't be like that! Also, I may have had one or two drinks!”

The way he spoke, triggered memories of Sean. I knew I had to get away from him.

I stood in a hurry, I was actually offended. “I'm going! Don't ever talk to me like that again! Get a coffee and think about what you said!” I went to grab my shopping but he grabbed my wrist and held on tightly, his fingers gripping my wrist.

“So you are fucking him! Yanno he doesn't deserve you!”

I looked at his hand. I hated that not one single person was bothering to come over, no they all choose to ignore it. Acting like nothing was happening because it's far too much effort to involve themselves.

“Get off of me! You’re hurting me!” I tugged my arm backwards attempting to get him to release me.

“I guess you only sleep with people that buy you expensive watches! I thought you were different, but really you’re not!”

I used my free hand and slapped him hard across the face. “Fuck you asshole.” The panic in my chest had started to rise and all I wanted to do was leave.

“Little bitch.” He let go of my hand, his eyes going wide as I stepped back away from him.

“FYI Damon, I did not deserve what you have done or said! You are meant to be my friend! Why are you being like this?!”

I knew I should just leave, but I wanted to know what had happened to make him act this way.

He looked up at me, his big blue eyes turning soft. “Because you’re breaking my heart by being with that fucking arse hole! I thought I could look above it, piss him off by being your friend, but I can't stand the idea of him touching you!” He got up from the chair.

“I can't talk to you right now. I need to leave! Please don't follow me!” I grabbed my bags and turned on the spot marching away, tears pricked at my eyes. I hadn't meant to lead him on, I didn't even think that I had but maybe he had seen my asking him to help me all the time as an indication that I did like him but it didn't excuse him or what he had done.

“Wait Evan, don't just walk away from me!” He shouted after me so I picked up my step, if I could put enough distance between us maybe he'd leave me alone.

I headed for the lift, I wasn't in any mental state to use the escalators, and I would probably trip or something so I hit the call button for the lift and glanced around I couldn't see him but it made me edgy.

The lift doors rolled open and I stepped in, I studied the lift buttons and worked out I would need lower ground floor so I pressed it and I was relieved when the doors started to roll shut I leant against the wall and closed my eyes for a split second but as I opened them I saw Damon slip in just as the doors rolled shut, trapping me.

“Leave me alone!” I gave him a death stare and prayed he'd stay in his half of the lift. I felt like a rabbit in the headlights of an oncoming car.

He stepped towards me.

So I held my hands up in defence.

“I never meant for you to fall for me! I never led you on, I was honest with you!” I backed away from him.

“Then why did you always open the door to me half naked or like not wearing a bra! Agreeing to go out for food with me! The texting! What the fuck was that Evan if it wasn't signs you liked me?!”

He was too close to me now, I couldn't move backward I could feel the hand rail digging into my back making it hard to concentrate. I looked up at him. His eyes were full of confusion.

“That was me being your friend! There were no secret meanings! I love Cameron! You’re freaking me out now so can you please leave me alone!”

He looked so hurt. “So what was coffee about the other day then?! Men like him don't love anyone but themselves and money!”

I couldn't breathe properly with him so close to me. Why the fuck was the lift taking so long?!

“Why do you say that?! He does love me! You don't even know him! Don't judge!”

“I don't need to know him personally! I've seen how he works! He's screwed over innocent working people just to buy out their companies at rock bottom prices, then liquidate it when it doesn’t work out! Innocent people that worked all their lives, leaving them broken only a shadow of their former selves! Then he comes along and gets the girl that I wanted! It's not fair!”

I blinked up at him, I wanted to scream at him that I had nothing to do with any of that, but his hands were either side of my face, holding my head still and before I could even try and shove him away, his body pinned me still, his mouth on mine, his lips forcing mine to move against his. I could taste the alcohol on his tongue.

My heart slammed up a gear. Fight or flight mode activated.

Don't panic kid, if you can't use your hands or arms, use your legs! Bring your knee up swiftly and hard as you can right in the balls, when they back away, run like hell!

My dad’s advice to my 16 year old self sounded loudly in my mind as I brought my right knee up swiftly and felt it meet its target.

He staggered away moaning in pain.

“You ever fucking touch me again and I swear to god you will regret it! I am not just something you choose to take because you think you are owed it! I don't know what your personal issues with my boyfriend are but stay the hell away from me!”

I moved off towards the door, leaving him doubled over. The doors pinged open and I literally ran out, I didn't stop running until I was outside. I dragged air into my lungs and tried to calm myself down.

I wanted to go home, but I didn't trust Damon not to go there and try to finish the argument so my only other option was to call Cameron but that would require me to explain and right now I was far too jittery so I dialled Jones I knew he'd tell him but at least it would buy me some time.

He answered after three rings.

“Miss Watson is everything okay?!” He sounded worried and I guess I could understand that, he knew if I was calling him I needed help.

“Um, no not really!” My voice broke. “Something kinda happened and I would like a lift back to Cameron's cause I don't know where his nearest tube station is.” I shivered, I was hungry now as well as trying to understand what happened, it wasn't a great combination I felt sick.

“Okay, stay where you are, what has happened!” He sounded so calm.

“I don't even know where to begin! Damon, he's lost the plot! I just, I just don't feel safe to go home!” My voice broke a little and shock.

“I'm now on my way, has he done anything to you that might require medical attention! You also know I am going to have to call Cameron!”

I was confused for a second or so, then it hit me that he maybe he thought Damon had assaulted me sexually.

“No, Jesus, no nothing like that! Things were said, he just lost it and kissed me against my will! I couldn't even stop him.” I actually felt stupid that I had frozen the way I had.

“That's actually classed as assault Miss Watson! I'll try and censor it for Cameron until he gets in but he will probably have a meltdown! Not at you, you are not to blame! I'll be with you in 10! I'm not that far away, I've been on errands!”

I sighed. “That's what I was afraid of! Okay, I'll see you soon and thanks.”

I cut the call. I wondered what he would tell Cameron?! I also knew he'd lose it, he hated Damon and I really wished I had listened to him now.

10 minutes later the adrenaline had worn off and I felt my legs give out as I slid down one of the concrete pillars. Tears streamed down my face, thinking how much Damon was actually being like Sean, and I cursed myself for ever thinking he was my friend, Cameron had been right the whole time. I glanced up and saw the SUV skid to a halt in front of me, Jones jumped down and ran around to me, I was so pleased to see him, his face was etched with worry, but he lifted me up from the ground like I weighed nothing. I felt safe in his expert arms.

“You are safe now Miss Watson, let’s get you inside.”

I let him lift me up and place me in the back of the SUV, he placed my shopping next to me. I felt my shoulders sag into the seat as I relaxed, I was safe now.

“Miss Watson, are you sure you're okay! You look very pale” He looked concerned as he studied me.

I smiled at him. “I'm okay, a little shaken up, but now I am in here I feel safe!” I pulled my seat belt on. “I had little choice but to use self-defence was the only I could get away really!”

I stared out of the windows. Damon really had issues with Cameron and I wondered if he knew someone that had been bought out by Cameron's company but it certainly didn't excuse his behaviour.

“Serves him right! I've told Cameron what happened, I had little choice!”

We sat in silence as he drove me back towards Cameron's, to safety. The sound of a ringing phone interjected my thoughts.

“Have you picked her up yet?! Is she okay?! Are you sure he only kissed her! Fucker! I'm on the express train now! Please keep her safe until I get back! Make sure she's okay!” Cameron's worried tones floated through the SUVs speakers on the hands free set.

“She's with me now Cameron! She's a little shaken up, and that goes without saying!”

I closed my eyes, he cared and he wasn't angry at me. I didn't want to cry, I wouldn't cry.

“Evangeline?! Are you okay?!”

He sounded worried.

I tried to find my voice. “No not really, but I will be! I'm sorry.” My voice cracked.

“It's not your fault, don't even think of excusing what that little fucker did to you! I'll be back soon! You're safe now my darling! You did the right thing!” His voice was soft and gentle, full of concern for me.

“Okay.” Tears ran down my face. I didn't want to say anything else in front of Jones, he was already going out of his way to fetch me.

“I'll see you soon my darling! And Jones you know what to do!”

“Of course, I'll be right on it when I get back. I'll pick you up in an hour!”

“Yes, thank you.” He cut the call and I wondered what it was Jones knew what to do?! Whatever it was Cameron was being secretive about it so I clearly wasn't meant to know.

After half an hour we drove into One Hyde Park's underground parking space and Jones parked up. “I'll travel up with you in the lift, you look very pale have you eaten today?!”

I sighed. “Well, uh no, not really! I mean I was meant to be having pizza with Damon, but that never happened!”

He nodded. “I'll make you food when we get in, when you have a shock like that your body drops its sugar levels.”

I grabbed my bags and climbed out of the SUV, allowing Jones to guide me off in the direction of the lift.

“I had a cereal bar at lunch cause I was in a hurry after the hairdressers, I probably won't tell Cameron that, he hates them!” I sighed, I really was going to have to sort out my eating schedule.

He called the lift and raised a brow. “Yes, I think we can leave that out! He really does care a lot for you! I know he's very demanding and sometimes border lines on obsessive, but he's like that because he cares!” The lift doors rolled open and he indicated for me to step in.

I nodded as I stepped in as he followed me. “Yeah, I'm working that much out!” I smiled at him. I felt safe with him, he had authority in the way he held himself.

“Can I ask you something Jones?!” I glanced at him.

He nodded. “You can, I might not answer it though!”

I grinned. “I was wondering are you like ex-army?! Cameron said something like special ops!”

He grinned. “I am yes and he is quite right! I retired due to a gun wound in my shoulder, I came to work for Cameron shortly after!”

“Oh, I am sorry to hear that, but glad Cameron has someone like you looking out for him.” The motion of the lift was making me feel sick.

As the lift stopped I started to feel dizzy. “Oh wow head spin!” I felt my legs start to give out from under me.

“Okay, I got you Miss Watson!”

Jones caught me around the middle and led me out of the lift.

“Think I'm okay now! It's just lack of food! I'm sorry!” I was actually embarrassed.

“It's fine! It's also probably delayed shock! Let's get you into the lounge area, then I'll go get you some food!”

“I'm so sorry, this is so embarrassing! I'll be okay to walk now!” My face burned with a blush.

“Really, it's fine! It's my job!” He let me go and let me walk.

“What rescuing your boss's girlfriend from situations?! I don't think it is but thank you for being kind to me!”

We made our way into the lounge and I sat myself down. I was so glad to see his apartment, to be safe from Damon that I let myself relax.

“It is my job Miss Watson, and even if it wasn't I would still have come to fetch you! What would you like for food?!”

I smiled. “Could I have a bowl of cereal cause I guess Cameron is gonna insist on feeding me when comes in!”

He nodded. “Sure, I'll bring you some water too!”

He left the room and I kicked off my shoes and pulled my legs up onto the sofa getting comfortable. After a while Jones came back in with the biggest bowl of cereal I had ever seen and a bottle of water.

“I've put almond milk on the cereal as it’s naturally sweet, so should sort your shock out! I'm gonna be in my office working, but if you want me for anything just come knock!” He handed me the bowl and put the water down on the coffee table.

“Thank you and I will!” I smiled and looked at the contents of the bowl. It was different to what I'd had for breakfast this had curls of chocolate in it and the almond milk was a light brown color, it kinda looked like chocolate milk. I spooned some of the milk over the flakes and then got up and walked over to the entertainment center and turned it on, Cameron's iPod was still in the dock so I scrolled through his music. He had a very eclectic taste in music and I settled on shuffle and let it play whatever it wanted and adjusted the volume so it wasn't too loud. The first song, it shuffled to play was
Words As Weapons by Birdy.
It was beautifully haunting, it summed up my feelings pretty well.

I sat myself back down and shovelled a huge spoon full of the cereal into my mouth. It tasted great. The music switched to some kinda string music without any singing, I found it relaxing. I looked at the bowl and found I'd actually eat the whole lot. “Oh wow, I was hungry!” My stomach was happy now I had fed it. After a while I got up, bowl in hand and wandered through to the kitchen to wash the bowl up.