Chapter 14
Elena
Maybe if I really admitted I was wrong, he'd give me a chance to fix this. To go back.
But then the words came out of my mouth, and I couldn't stop them.
"I was wrong to think I could marry you. I was wrong to believe we could have a life together. I was wrong to—"
Blood rushed up my throat. I had to clamp my mouth shut to keep from vomiting right there in front of him. The words I'd almost said—I was wrong to love you—stayed buried where they belonged.
I swallowed hard and met his furious gaze.
"Now I know exactly how wrong I was. William, we should—"
I never got to say "get divorced."
A body slammed into William from the side. One punch sent him crashing to the floor.
By the time I processed what was happening, Jax was on top of him. His fists came down again and again, like he was trying to beat William to death.
My heart stopped.
"Jax!"
I threw myself at him, wrapping my arms around his waist. I pulled with everything I had.
"Jax, stop! Please, just stop!"
My voice cracked as I screamed. I managed to drag him off to the side, but he didn't stop. Even with my arms locked around him, his legs kept kicking at William's body.
I pressed my mouth close to his ear.
"Do you want to go back to jail? Is that what you want?"
The words cut through whatever rage had taken over. Slowly, he stopped fighting.
William stood up. He wiped the blood from his lip with the back of his hand, his face completely blank as he stared at us.
At me, tangled up with another man. My lips practically touching Jax's face.
Something dark and cold flashed in William's eyes. The jealousy rolling off him was almost tangible.
My stomach dropped. I knew that look. I'd seen it before, right before he destroyed Jax's life.
"William, please." The words tumbled out before I could think. "He didn't mean it. Please don't—"
Jax yanked me behind him.
"Elena, don't you dare beg him. Don't you dare."
His eyes were bloodshot. He looked like someone I didn't know. Someone who'd lost control completely.
It scared me.
William's gaze swept over Jax like he was nothing. Then it landed on me.
"Elena. Come here."
He wasn't going after Jax first. That surprised me.
I pressed my lips together. I should go to him. I owed him an explanation for today.
I took one step forward.
Jax's arm shot out, blocking me.
"Elena, don't listen to him."
He spread his arms wide, keeping me trapped behind him. The look he gave William was pure defiance.
William ignored him entirely. His eyes stayed locked on mine.
The hallway lights flickered. The uneven glow made it impossible to read his expression.
After he spoke, he went silent. Jax, on the other hand, wouldn't shut up.
"Elena, I won't let you go with him!"
His voice dropped lower, taking on a desperate edge.
"Did you forget what he did to me? If you walk away with him now, I won't survive it. I can't."
My chest tightened. I knew what I had to do.
I looked up at William and let out a slow breath.
"William, I can't go with you right now. I—"
He turned and walked away before I could finish.
His back was to me. Completely final. Like I'd already stopped existing.
My throat closed up. I lowered my eyes, hiding the bitter smile I felt forming.
How could I forget? To William, I'd always been a burden. He'd never waste his energy fighting for me.
I turned back to Jax.
"What are you doing here?"
At the same time, he asked, "What's going on between you and William?"
We both went quiet. Neither of us wanted to answer.
So we talked about other things instead.
---
Jax walked me back to the hotel. I rolled my shoulders, trying to work out the stiffness.
He watched me with something painful in his eyes.
"Elena, if you're tired, just quit. I can take care of you."
I gave him the softest smile I could manage.
"I'm not tired. But you—if the construction work is too hard, take a break. And please, please stop being so reckless. You can't win against William."
The words felt cruel, but they were true. Jax had no family, no money, no connections. William was the heir to Holloway Group. Fighting him was suicide.
Jax's eyes narrowed.
"Maybe not," he muttered.
"What?"
He shook his head quickly.
"Nothing. I should get back to the site. Get some rest, okay? Call me if you need anything."
I watched him disappear down the street before heading inside.
After I took my medication, I stared at the nearly empty pill bottle. Even with conservative treatment, I was spending almost two thousand dollars a week on medicine.
I couldn't keep this up.
I'd have to ask for an advance on my paycheck.
---
The next morning, I arrived at the hotel early and found the floor manager.
He was a sleazy-looking guy with narrow eyes. Right now, they were even narrower than usual.
"Elena, you've only been here two days and you're already asking for an advance? That puts me in a tough spot. What if you take the money and run?"
"I won't. I need this job. Why would I run?"
He wagged his finger at me like I was a child.
"That's just talk. You need to give me something concrete."
I thought for a moment, then pushed my ID across the desk.
"You can hold onto this."
He laughed. Then he picked up my ID and threw it on the floor.
"You can replace that anytime. It's worthless as collateral."
He stood up, clearly enjoying the way my face had gone pale.
"Think about it, Elena. A pretty girl like you must have something valuable to offer. Something worth bending the rules for."
My stomach turned.
He knew exactly what he was saying. And now, so did I.
"I'll give you a day to think it over. Come find me when you've made up your mind."