Chapter 9

Benjamin shook Chloe gently, “Baby, wake up. We have to go.”

“Where?” She asked.

“The hospital.” Benjamin hated to break her heart by his next words. “Your mother had an accident.”

“What happened?” She asked, putting her clothes back on and slipped her shoes on.

“I’m not sure. Tilly called me a few minutes ago and told me the news. We won’t until we get there.”

“You’re coming with me?” Chloe asked, confusion clouding her vision.

“I am. What kind of man would I be if I left you alone with the very men that hurt you?”

When Jeff, Amber, Benjamin, and Chloe arrived at the hospital, Colton and Mr. Davenport looked distraught. Benjamin led Chloe by the waist to the waiting room. He wanted to let both men know she was with him now.

“Get your hands off my fucking daughter!” Mr. Davenport growled, anger swirling in his eyes.

“Is that any way for a preacher to talk? God would be ashamed of you.” Benjamin chuckled.

“Chloe, get over here.” Mr. Davenport hissed.

“No.” She whispered, clinging onto Benjamin’s arm.

Benjamin chuckled softly at Chloe’s defiance. Now that she was his, there would be only one man she obeyed… him.

The doctor stepped into the waiting room and cleared his throat. “Mr. Davenport. Can I have a word with you alone?”

“Whatever you have to say, you can say it here.” Mr. Davenport replied.

“Your wife sustained extensive injuries when she fell. Tell me again, how did it happen?”

Benjamin clenched his jaw, knowing damn well what happened. Either Colton or Chloe’s father had put their hands on a woman. Sure, it was true she was accident-prone. Mrs. Davenport had the record of getting drunk and falling, but that didn’t explain why she was in intensive care. Benjamin was sure that one of them was responsible for putting her in the hospital.

“She tripped and fell down the stairs.” Mr. Davenport argued, obviously telling a lie.

Benjamin watched as the doctor eyed him suspiciously. Then, glanced to Chloe and narrowed his eyes. “What about your daughter? Tell me where the mark on her face came from.”

“God dammit! I didn’t touch my wife and damn sure didn’t touch my daughter. Sweetheart, tell them.” Mr. Davenport growled.

Chloe flinched, hiding behind Benjamin. The doctor must have seen all he needed to, because he motioned for the security guards to come restrain him. Colton gritted his teeth, “Tell them, Chloe.”

“Benjamin.” Chloe whimpered, making him pull her into his side.

“Chloe, you don’t have to be afraid anymore. I’m here to protect you, Babygirl.”

She shook her head, tears falling from her eyes and rolling down her cheeks. She was scared to say anything, but having Benjamin by her side made her feel safe. She knew he wouldn’t let anything happen to her. Tilly’s heels clicked on the floor, alerting Mr. Davenport and Colton. Tilly had two police officers trailing behind her as she approached.

“Drew, I came as soon as I heard.” Tilly said to the doctor.

“Thank you. Can I speak to you in my office?” The doctor asked Tilly.

She nodded, “Of course.”

Tilly and Drew disappeared into his office, closing the door behind her. She sat down in the seat in front of the office and sighed. “Drew, be real with me. Do you think Mr. Davenport tried to kill his wife?”

“I’m afraid so. There are fresh bruises on her wrists, but there are also others… a few weeks old. I can’t let this go this time, Tilly… not when I see the bruise on that poor girl’s face. I need to hear it from Chloe. If he’s hurting her, I can’t let her go back to that.”

“I’m not sure about the father, but the brother definitely is. I already have given the officers direct orders to take them both in, while I talk to Chloe alone. She’s eighteen and doesn’t need a parent or guardian present.”

“Do that and Tilly… thank you for coming in at the last moment. You are truly an angel.”

“It’s no problem.” Tilly blushed at the compliment.

Drew and Tilly exited the office just as Mr. Davenport and Colton were being escorted out. She glanced to Benjamin and gushed at the sight. He had his arm around Chloe’s neck as she held onto his waist. Drew glanced to Tilly and whispered, “When did this happen?”

“I’m not sure. A few weeks… give or take.” She shrugged her shoulders.

“I think they’re cute together.”

Tilly nodded, “They are.”

Tilly approached Benjamin and Chloe, clearing her throat. “Chloe, I’m so sorry this happened.”

Chloe nodded, not wanting to say anything. She was relieved to know Benjamin was here to protect her. Benjamin tipped her head with two fingers, “Baby, Tilly needs to hear it from you. Has your father and brother been hurting you?”

Chloe nodded and swallowed hard, “Yes. They both do… and still are. Is my mother going to be okay?”

“They had to put her into a medically induced coma, Chloe. We won’t know anything until the swelling in her brain goes down.” Benjamin informed her, his heart aching for her.

Do you want to see her?” Tilly asked.

“No. She hasn’t been a mother to me for a long time. I just want to get out of here. Ben… please, don’t make me go in there.” Chloe whispered.

“You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do.” Benjamin paused, “Tilly, what happens now?”

“I’ve got all I need from her, but she can’t stay at your place. I’ve already made arrangements for her to stay with me. I have a few things to tie up at the station and I’ll be home. And Benjamin, please don’t be having sex when I get home.”

“What? I’m innocent.” He gasped a fake shock.

“Benjamin Grayson, there isn’t a single thing about you that’s innocent.”

Benjamin took Tilly’s car and drove Chloe to Tilly’s house. He helped her inside, showing her to the living room. He knew she was nervous to be in a strange place. Chloe took a seat on the couch and wrapped her arms around her waist. Benjamin took a seat next to her, wrapping his arms around her shoulders. Chloe instantly melted into him, leaning her head on his shoulder and sighed.

“Ben?”

“Yes, Chloe.”

“What’s going to happen? I mean what if they let my father and brother go? Will I…”

“No.” Benjamin cut her off, “You’re never going to go back to them… not if I have anything to do with it.”

“But…”

“You don’t have to worry, sweetheart. You have me with you now. I’ll protect you with everything I’ve got.”

Benjamin rested his head on top of her head and pulled her close. He didn’t want to even think about it. Benjamin hated the fact that there was a small chance the police could let Colton and Mr. Davenport go. They wouldn’t, would they?

Chloe closed her eyes and whispered, “Do you think my mother will die?”

“I’m not sure. If she pulls through in the next forty-eight hours, she might have a chance. Let’s not worry about that right now.”

Chloe sighed, laying her head on Benjamin’s lap. He laced his hand through her hair, her breath hitching in her throat. Benjamin looked down and watched her close her eyes. She brushed against his cock, making him internally groan. He wanted nothing more than to take her again, but now wasn’t the right time. Chloe’s breath slowed down, letting him know that she’d fallen asleep. He slipped out from underneath her, careful not to wake her. He grabbed the blanket off the back of the couch and covered her body. Benjamin leaned down and whispered, “I love you, Chloe… with every inch of my heart.”

Tilly stepped into the house and hung her purse up. She slipped her heels off and smiled as she watched the interaction between Benjamin and Chloe. She was so happy Benjamin had come to terms of settling down with Chloe. Maybe now, he’d quit messing with those tramps. Benjamin walked into the kitchen as she took off her jacket. Tilly followed Benjamin and cleared her throat to get his attention. “Benjamin, can we talk?”

Benjamin nodded, “What’s up?”

“Colton and Mr. Davenport are being officially charged… with murder. ”

“What do you mean murder? Mrs. Davenport is still alive, right?”

“After searching the Davenport’s premises, they found remains of another body. You remember last month when Mrs. Davenport’s sister came to visit?”

“Yes, I remember. She stayed a few days and left to go back to Texas.”

“Benjamin, she never left. Her bags were packed, but something happened that night. Mr. Davenport denied it, but Colton was quick to rat his own father out. Now, they’re facing murder charges. And if Mrs. Davenport dies, that will be a double murder.”

Benjamin hissed, “Fuck!”

“That’s not all.” Tilly continued.

“Christ, Tilly. There’s more?”

“Mr. Davenport and Colton are facing child abuse charges as well. Colton was more than willing to share the details of how Mr. Davenport abused Chloe for years. The police… have offered Colton a deal.”

“What the hell, Tilly? You can’t be serious. You mean, he just walks free after what he did to Chloe?”

“No, he doesn’t walk free.”

“This is bullshit and you know it!”

“If Colton testifies against his father, he will still serve time. It wasn’t Colton that killed his aunt, it was Mr. Davenport. At the time, Colton was out of the state with his girlfriend. The police have already confirmed his alibi.”

Benjamin clenched his fists, and growled. “This is fucking bullshit!”

Tilly sighed, “Calm down before you wake Chloe. You don’t want to upset her in her state.”

Benjamin inhaled and exhaled deeply, “You’re right.”

Benjamin grabbed the bottle of Jack Daniel’s and twisted the cap. He threw the lid on the table, taking a big gulp from the whiskey. He knew no amount of whiskey would calm him down. Not after finding out the person who hurt Chloe could be free on the streets. Benjamin couldn’t think straight. His mind was like a jumbled up jigsaw puzzle. All the pieces were mixed-up in his head.

Tilly placed a hand on Benjamin’s shoulder, “Ben, I’m going to do everything in my power to take them both down. Chloe deserves it… her aunt needs justice brought to her. It’s the right thing to do.”

“I know.”

Benjamin leaned on the bar and drank from the bottle. After drinking about half, he felt two arms wrap around his waist. Chloe pressed herself against his back and said. “I thought you left me.”

Benjamin twisted and wrapped an arm around her waist, “Never, baby. I’ll never leave you.”

“Good… because I don’t think I could live without you. You are my Master… my protector. I love you too much to be let go.” Chloe placed a hand over his heart and pressed her cheek to his chest.

“I love you too, Babygirl. Chloe, your body is my canvas… to mold and paint a beautiful picture.”

Tilly watched from the doorway and listened to Benjamin express his feelings. It overjoyed her to know that Benjamin was finally getting his chance at love. Tilly turned and left the room without being noticed. She walked to the window and looked at the stars. She whispered, “You can rest now… Benjamin is finally finding his peace. You can rest in peace, now.”

Just as she was about to look away, a shooting star shot across the sky. She let out a strangled gasp, covering her mouth. Tilly exhaled and pressed her hand against the window as a single tear ran down her face. Now, she just hoped all will work out in the end. If anyone deserved to be happy, it was Benjamin and Chloe. Benjamin may be a badboy, but Chloe brings out a side that Tilly never knew existed. He was gentle and caring with the woman he’s always loved.