Dark Layers (Volume 3), page 18
"I can't, I can't tell you." She moans.
She tries to sit up but struggles badly. I aim to rush over to her but Elijah's hands are on my waist, forcing me to stop in my tracks.
"Anile, leave her. She's working for someone, I'm no fucking fool."
I frown at him. "I cannot believe you let that woman hit her." I say in a weak voice. I'm shocked, utterly shocked and numb - I don't know how to feel. "Who is she?"
He grits his teeth at me. "I will wipe out the human race if anyone hurts you!" He snaps.
I grab my throat as it swells. That's deep, even for him. His love for me is dangerous, so, so, dangerous.
"Elijah, you cannot do this! And who the hell is that woman?" I point towards the woman dressed in the red overalls.
He turns me to face him fully. He takes my face in both of his hands. His eyes are dark and haunted, he looks like he's been crying.
"She works for me, her name is, Tony."
"Elijah." I say tenderly. "Please get her out of my house."
He turns his face away from mine. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a massive wad of cash. He throws it over to Tony.
"You can leave now. Thank you for coming at such short notice."
"As always, you are welcome, Mr. Darks." The woman says in a deep manly voice.
"Elijah, why did you do this?" I ask while eyeing Tony as she leaves my apartment.
"Princess, you could have been killed."
He leans forward, resting his forehead against mine. Holy shit this is bad, really, really bad. I pull him in my arms and hug him tightly. I know he's only lost it because he loves me, it's all he knows. And what the fuck does Sophie mean, 'she can't tell us'? Why would she spike my drink?
"Elijah," I rise up onto my tippy toes. I kiss his forehead, "go and get cleaned up." I urge as I pull away from him.
I feel so shitty already and now I have this to bloody deal with.
He eyes me for a moment.
"Go." I order, pointing my finger towards my bedroom.
He thankfully listens to me, and once he's out of sight, I turn my attention to Sophie. I walk over to her and kneel down beside her. She's sat up and resting against the sofa.
"Anile, she deserves this." Derek says. He's now sitting on the edge of the sofa, just a few inches from Sophie.
"I never thought you would be okay with something like this, Derek." I say saddened. I'm so ashamed of him.
"Anile." He breathes. He's lost for words.
I cannot look at him, all I can do for now is turn my attention to Sophie's bleeding face. I wipe her face down with the sleeve of my dressing gown. She flinches from my touch.
"I'm not going to hurt you." I whisper.
"I'm sorry." She says weak.
"It's okay, Sophie. Please talk to me - who made you spike my drink? Why would you do that?"
Damn her face is bad. Her left eye is cut and bleeding a lot - her bottom lip also, it's so swollen and sore. That woman, Tony, really did a number on her.
She shakes her head while tears lightly dress her eyes.
"I can't, Anile. They will kill me."
"It's Castor, isn't it?" I ask.
She says nothing.
Shit this is serious, and I cannot help but feel bad for her. I pull her into my arms and hug her. She grasps my waist and falls into me, forcing me to fall on my backside. We fall together, but I don't let her go, I just hug her for a while.
"Sophie, Elijah didn't mean to take it this far, he's not evil." I plead.
"I know, I don't blame him," she sobs, "once upon a time it would have been me hurting someone who would hurt you - now look at me," she cries, "Elijah just loves you, he really loves you, Anile."
My heart swells in my chest. I really hate myself for almost letting this happen to Sophie, but I honestly have no desire to blame Elijah. He is a wild animal and conducts himself like a bloody animal - but his intentions are good.
"Can you stand?"
"Yeah, it's only my face that hurts." She says weak.
We rise to our feet and Sophie pulls away from me.
"I'm going to go. I'm so, so sorry. All these years of friendship were for nothing." She cries.
I smile tenderly at her. "No they were not. We will figure this out. Just in the meantime I think we should stay away from one another - just until Elijah can sort this out."
"How will he find out who keeps making me do these things?" She almost looks like a small child. Her bottom lip is trembling uncontrollably, her eyes watery and red.
"What do you mean these things?" I frown. "This isn't the first time you have done things to torment me, is it?"
She shakes her head in shame. "He has to find out who's doing this, Anile. He has to." She urges.
"He will. Just go home - back to Maidstone, Sophie, and stay out of harm's way."
She nods like a scolded child. I cannot help my mental pain for her. Who the hell made her do this?
"Is your car here?"
"No, Derek came and picked me up because I had been drinking."
"Derek, can you take her back to her place so she can pack up her stuff?"
He viciously shakes his head. "No fucking way!" He rises to his feet.
His surety annoys me.
"Not even for me?" I ask while narrowing my eyes at him.
"Anile, please don't make me do anything for her." His face turns pained, his frown is deep and sad - this will mentally hurt him if I make him do this, I know it.
"Anile, it's okay. I'll get a bus to my place and then I'll go back to Maidstone." Sophie says weak.
I have no choice but to agree. "Okay, do you need me to help you downstairs?"
"Only if you don't mind." She says.
"Of course I don't mind."
I take her arm and start walking with her towards my front door.
"No, Anile. You have to stay with us." Elijah says.
I stare over at him. He's leaning against the archway into my living area, from my bedroom. His wearing only his blue suit trousers - he's removed his top. Jesus he looks good. I shake my head while staring at him.
Sophie breaks contact with me. "Anile, I'll be okay." She says.
She tries to straighten herself out.
"Here." I tug at the hem of her T-shirt, she's in such a mess.
She smiles sweetly at me but I don't see her angelic sorry expression, all I see is sadness and failure. She turns her back on me and slowly walks out of my apartment. Once the door is closed, I eye Derek and Elijah.
"Both of you, sit!" I order.
They don't argue, they both get seated on the sofa. I cross my arms and pace in front of them. How the hell am I suppose to sort this bloody mess out? Fuck, what the hell is wrong with everyone? First drugs, and now beating the accused! Ugh.
"Right, who's idea was it to get Sophie over here and beat the truth out of her."
"We both agreed." Derek says proud, his eyes moving between Elijah and me.
I have to admit, I'm shocked by his honesty. I could get my head around Elijah doing something like this, but not Derek.
"Derek, why would you think this is okay?" I stop my pacing and just peer down at him.
"Anile, it was not the best idea but something had to be done." Derek says.
"So you couldn't have called the Police, no?" I snap.
"Princess," Elijah rises to his feet, "don't make such a big deal about this. The little bitch spiked your drink and yet she lives to see another day - in my opinion, she's a lucky bitch." He shrugs his shoulders as if it's an everyday thing for him.
"You really are a sick Bastard sometimes." I screw my mouth up in disgust.
"I do whatever it takes, Princess. And when someone hurts you, there is no limit to what I am capable of."
"Same here." Derek agrees.
I grab my forehead and just shake my head in dismay. Jesus, this is so bloody notorious. I know they both love me and I'm so grateful for their protection, but I don't want people getting hurt!
"Look, obviously you two are not going to agree with me on this. So how about we try to work out who made her spike my drink? I think it's Castor."
"I already know who it is." Elijah says confident.
"Well?" I say.
"Well what?"
"Can you elaborate?"
He smiles sweetly at me. He takes a few steps closer. He cocks his head to one side while gazing down at me.
"It's not for your pretty little head to worry about. From now on, just stay away from Sophie, and anyone else for that matter. If you want to go out, Derek or I will take you."
"You cannot lock me up Elijah, I do have a life."
He closes the distance between us. He takes my face in his hands. The immediate contact forces my system to flush viciously - fuck I'm hot!
"I am not trying to lock you up. I'm just going to keep you safe," he sighs heavily, "yesterday I booked us a holiday - it was supposed to be a surprise but after the day you have had, I think you could do with something to look forward to."
I unknowingly smile. It widens, further and further. It continues to rise until my cheeks hurt. I shake my head because I am putty when it comes to his sweet nature.
"Where to?"
He kisses my cheek tenderly. "Egypt."
"Oh my!" I gasp. "Well, what about work? I need to find a job first so I can pay for my ticket."
He sounds as though he's about to choke while gasping. "Do not fucking insult me Anile, that is a punishable offence." He whispers so Derek cannot hear. "I have paid you up to the end of your contract. You have a nice amount in your bank account, so please do not stress about work. And as for the holiday, that's on me, Princess."
He pulls me in his strong arms and cuddles me. His heated skin pressed firmly against me feels erotic. The contact forces a hot shiver to course throughout my veins, it's a rush of Darks ecstasy. I inhale deeply. Oh my! He smells like my jasmine soap, sweet and floral and exotic.
"You smell like me." I giggle.
"I know, I like it." He breathes.
He kisses my hair a few times and I just bask in his embrace. God I do love this man.
"Thank you." I whisper.
"For what?"
"Always making my day better, and keeping me safe. I love you."
When I tell him I love him, he shivers in my arms. I cannot help but smile.
"You are welcome Princess. And I do too." He lightly laughs while shaking his head. "They do say, love is a suicide mission."
I pull him at arm's length. "Well, that explains a lot." I joke.
"It bloody well does!" He gasps.
I mentally drown in his deep blue lagoons while giggling - he's so intoxicating.
"Elijah?"
"Yes, Princess."
"Do you think today will end on a good note?"
"Oh I intend on making today better for you - Derek." He calls out unexpectedly. "I'm going to book you a ticket to Egypt; I'd like you to join us, if you can."
"Sounds like a plan. I'll check my passport." Derek says in an overly happy voice.
I cannot help but *sigh* while eyeing them both.
"Happy?" Elijah whispers.
I smile like a giddy teenager. "Happy."
This is going to be one hell of a holiday - although I'm a little worried about the heat; I can just about manage my thermostat around Elijah, let alone one of the hottest countries in the bloody world!
"Good. Let's get you some breakfast and get you all showered and cleaned up, Princess." Elijah whispers. He kisses my head once more.
"What are we going to do about Sophie?" I ask.
"Please don't worry, Anile. It's my job to worry and sort things out - not yours."
"It's not always down to you." I say while pulling away from him.
"Look, if you want to make a big deal out of this, then fine, I'll just ignore you."
"You wouldn't dare." I gasp.
He crosses his arms and just stares down at me. He doesn't say one word.
"Elijah!" I say in a warning voice but he still doesn't answer me.
"Fine. But the next time you two decide to go all CIA on someone, please consult me first."
"As you wish, Miss Gooden." Elijah jokes.
"Yeah, sure Anile. Next time we will wait until you have come down from your extreme buzz." Derek jokes.
I peer around and wonder where my phone is.
"Where is my phone?" I frown. "And come to think of it, how the hell did I get home from Punch and Judy's?"
Derek and Elijah eye one another suspiciously.
"Don't you remember?" Derek asks.
I shake my head. "No, I have absolutely no account of last night from around ten onwards."
Derek rises to his feet. "You must have gotten a taxi, we found you almost passed out in your lobby."
"Really?" I peer down at my hands. "Why were you both here last night? I thought you were working, Elijah?"
"I came over after work." He says steely. "Derek came over because he thought you could both watch a movie."
"Huh, I see. Whatever Sophie spiked my drink with is dangerous." I say firm.
"It was, Anile. We were really worried." Elijah whispers.
I cannot help but try to recap last night but absolutely nothing comes to mind.
Derek makes his way over to the kitchen and starts setting out plates.
"There isn't any food in." I inform him.
"There is, Elijah went shopping this morning."
I turn back to face Elijah. My mouth is set in a firm o; I'm shocked.
"You," I point my finger at him, "went shopping?"
This is so sweet and way beyond him.
"For you Princess, I'd do anything - and beside, you didn't' have a scrap of food in the cupboards."
"I have to say, I'm impressed. I will domesticate you." I laugh.
"And I have to say, I do not enjoy food shopping. I need to get you a house maid - to also keep this place clean."
"Hey, you cheeky git," I playfully whack his arm, "my house is plenty clean."
He hunches his head down to my level. "Princesses don't do housework, or food shopping - and you are a Princess."
I turn puce on cue. Fuck, he's so romantic and sweet.
"What did you buy?"
"The usual. Five a day to last you a week; meat, spices, sweets - and ice cream, I like ice cream."
My face is like, what the fuck?
"You like ice cream?"
"Oh yes, mint chocolate chip." He says proud.
I bite my lower lip. I love it when his boyish side comes out in full force.
"I like mint chocolate chip too. We can share."
"Nooo!" He elongates 'no'. "Get your own."
I pout my lips at him. "Fine, I'll wait for my maid to show up and send them out for some." I joke. "Oh wait, he's already here." I point at him while giggling.
"Yeah, right. This shopping trip cost me a massive amount of credibility - it will not happen again." He pulls his wallet out of his trouser pocket. He opens it and pulls out a little pink card. "Here, that is my maid's number, call her."
I take the card and cannot help but laugh so much it makes my tummy hurt. He's right, today will end on a good note, I know it.
I steal glance at Elijah's hands and notice his knuckles are really cut up.
"Oh my God!" I gasp wide-eyed. "Elijah, your hands! What happened?"
He croaks to clear his throat. "I was angry and distressed at the state you were in. I hit a wall a few times this morning."
I blink rapidly while frowning. "Why are you covered in blood?" I peer between Elijah and Derek.
"I, um, I had to help Sophie up a few times, it's her blood."
"Oh," still blinking in confusion, I turn my attention to his hands, "here, let me clean them up."
I try to take his hands but he quickly hides them behind his back and smiles down at me.
"Princess, I found some sanitizer in your bathroom and cleaned them properly. Stop worrying." He whispers.
"Are you sure they don't hurt?" I cannot help but stare up at him with sympathy.
"No, the only thing that hurt was my heart. But now you are okay, I am okay."
I roll my eyes at him and *sigh* heavily. He's such a man's man.
Chapter Twelve
Anile's Diary
Time is flying by and things are finally good again. Everything that happened with Sophie is a distant memory - thank God. I still talk to her by text but physical contact is forbidden as Elijah requested. I didn't argue with his conditions, I know he's only doing this to take care of me and keep me safe.
Elijah got me a job at CB's Law Firm - I'm Mr. Marcus Nero's second person - and I have to admit, Derek and Elijah were right, life is much better now we have our own lives.
Elijah and I seem to have moved past the difficult times and have managed to merge our extraordinarily different lives into one. Elijah keeps trying to get me to move in with him but I refuse. Life is good and I do not want to rock the boat because it's floating okay - finally!
I have thankfully spoken to my mother; she is doing well and getting better. I have also tried to get her released into my care but my father wouldn't allow it, so I just have to accept the odd phone call from her and insure I regularly check into her clinic to be sure she really is okay.
I still have not spoken to my father. Derek told me that I should take as much time as I possibly need to get over what he has done to my mother and I, throughout our lives. And that is what I have done. I have needed this healing time so badly. I never realized how much he damaged me. Maybe that is why I am okay about Elijah and his bizarre ways, because of my father's mental damage. I am grateful for my strength though, I am happy with Elijah, I am happy with my life. Only a few things are missing - my mother and my father - but hopefully one day we will all be reunited.
Derek has finally found someone who will cherish him - her name is Aliyah, and she is just beautiful. Long chocolate brown hair; fair skin like a porcelain doll; as tall as the heavens and as skinny as a teenager. She is lovely too, kind, generous and caring. She is just what Derek needed.
Derek and Elijah are also getting along greatly, and they actually seem to be becoming real friends. This has made my life so easy, and made me extremely happy. We all do couple things together, movies, dinner dates and sports activities - at Elijah's request of course.
