Chapter 319: I'm Not Gonna Sit Back

David’s POV

I knew exactly what I had to do the second Norman dropped me off.

No way in hell was I letting Holly fly to LA alone. Not after today. Not after ropes biting into her skin right in front of me. Not after watching that helpless and tired look on her face as she held that scared little boy like her whole world depended on it.

I called her on our way back to my place and got the name and room number out of her without saying why I was asking.

The car rolled to a slow stop in front of my place, the engine humming for a second longer before Norman killed it.

I didn’t wait.

I pushed the front door open and stepped inside.

Justin was sprawled across the sofa like he owned the place, one arm thrown over his head, the TV casting flickering light across his face. The second he saw me, he shot upright, eyes sharp.

“You guys came back alone. Where’s Holly?”

Straight to the point. No greeting. No bullshit.

But I was already moving.

“Later,” I threw over my shoulder, heading straight down the hall.

“David—”

I didn’t stop.

My door was halfway open when I heard Norman step in behind me, the door clicking shut, followed by Justin’s voice again…louder this time, more demanding.

“What the hell happened? Where is she? Is she okay?”

I stepped into my room, already reaching for my drawer.

I heard Norman explaining things to him but I tuned them out.

My passport was exactly where I left it. I grabbed it, grabbed my wallet, a small first aid kit because of the cuts on my arm, tossed them onto the bed, then yanked open my closet and pulled out a duffel bag. Small. Enough for a couple of days.

That was all I needed.

I packed fast…jeans, shirts, essentials…movements sharp, precise. No hesitation. No second-guessing.

This wasn’t optional.

Within minutes, I was taking off my clothes and changing into something cleaner. Something that didn’t smell like today and Rachel's perfume.

I dragged a hand through my hair as I exhaled, zipped the bag, grabbed my wallet, and walked back out.

Justin was on his feet now the moment I stepped back into the living room.

“What’s going on?” he demanded, eyes darting between me and Norman. Then they landed on the bag in my hand. “And where the hell are you going this time?”

I didn’t slow down.

“Out.”

“The hell you mean out?” He took a step toward me. “You just got back. Norman said Holly is safe but has something else going on and now you’re packing a bag?”

“Relax, Justin,” I muttered as I fixed my shirt.

“Relax?” He let out a disbelieving laugh. “Am I supposed to just sit here alone right now? At a time like this? What if the cops come back in the morning and ask for something else?”

I stopped just long enough to glance at him. “Stop being a baby. You'll be fine.”

His mouth dropped open slightly in disbelief.

“I’m serious,” I added, adjusting my grip on the bag. “You’re a grown-ass man, Justin. You’ll survive a few hours without me.”

“A few—” He scoffed. “Where are you even going?”

I was already heading for the door.

“David.”

My hand wrapped around the handle.

“Where are you going?” he pressed again.

I pulled the door open and replied. “LA.”

That shut him up…for all of two seconds. Then he exploded. “LA? What the hell is in LA?”

I stepped out, the night air hitting me again, sharper this time.

I didn’t turn back. I didn't have time to waste. “Stay out of trouble until I get back.”

The door shut behind me before he could say anything else.

“Are you sure about this?” Norman’s voice cut through the tension as we slid into the car. “You said you have an enemy in LA.”

The engine roared to life, tires screeching as we peeled out of the driveway.

I didn’t hesitate.

“As a matter of fact,” I said, my voice calm in a way that didn’t match the storm inside me, “that’s exactly who I’m going to see.”

A beat.

Silence thickened between us…heavy, loaded…before Norman could even process it.

I didn’t give him the chance.

“Handle Justin. The company. The evidence pickup. Everything,” I added sharply, each word landing like an order, not a request.

He glanced at me, something unreadable flickering in his eyes, but I was already looking ahead.

“Look out for my brother till I’m back, Norman.”

This time, he didn’t argue. Didn’t question. Just gave a slow nod, like he could feel it…whatever this was, it wasn’t something he could stop.

I’m really going to meet my so-called enemy.

Orion Miller.

I might need more than luck for this.

Maybe prayers.

Maybe an ambulance or something because I'm sure he's going to beat the shit out of me when I tell him why I came.

Now I stood outside her hotel room door at almost midnight, duffel in one hand, heart hammering like a drum. I knocked twice. Rustling inside, then the lock clicked.

Holly opened the door in nothing but a white bathrobe, hair damp from the shower, eyes wide with shock. “David? What the…how did you even—”

I stepped inside before she could finish, closing the door behind me. “I can’t let you go alone. Besides… I’ve got personal business in LA sooner than later.”

She blinked, still stunned, bathrobe slipping a little off one shoulder. “What business?”

“You’ll find out,” I said, voice low.

That’s when I saw it…the raw red rope marks circling her wrists like ugly bracelets.

My stomach dropped instantly. The duffel hit the floor with a thud.

I didn’t think. I just scooped her up like she weighed nothing, one arm under her knees, the other around her back, and carried her straight to the bed.

“David,” she started, but I shook my head.

“Shhh. Let me take care of you for once.”

I set her down gently against the pillows, grabbed the small first-aid kit I’d thrown in my bag, and sat on the edge of the mattress.

Her ankle was still swollen from earlier…twisted when Rachel's men dragged her. I took it in both hands, thumbs pressing slow, careful circles into the sore spots.

“You’re safe now,” I murmured, eyes locked on hers.

She winced at first, then sighed as the pressure eased the ache.

I cleaned the rope burns on her wrists next, dabbing ointment soft as I could, wrapping them in fresh gauze.

Every touch was slow, deliberate. “You’re so damn strong, Holly. But you don’t have to be strong alone anymore. Rest. Trust me. I’ve got you.”

Her breathing slowed. The tight lines around her eyes softened. By the time I finished with her other wrist, her lashes were fluttering shut. She was out…deep, exhausted sleep, chest rising and falling steady.

I adjusted her carefully, pulling the blanket up to her chin, tucking it around her shoulders like she was made of glass. Then I stood there for a second, just watching her.

I needed to wash the day off me.

I stripped in the bathroom, stepped under the scalding spray, and let the water beat down. But the memories hit harder than the heat. Rachel’s hands on me. The ropes. Holly tied up, about to be sold like she was nothing. I was so damn close to being defiled in front of everyone, helpless, powerless. And Holly…my Holly…almost gone forever.

My fist slammed into the tile wall before I could stop it. Pain flared up my arm, but it felt good.

“Fuck you, Rachel,” I growled under the water. “Fuck every Jameson who ever touched my family. I will burn you down. I’ll use every connection, every dollar, every favor I’ve got. You’ll pay for every scar, every tear, every second you made us bleed.”

I stayed in there until the water ran cold, until the rage settled into something sharp and steady. Then I dried off, pulled on a pair of black shorts, and climbed into bed beside her.

She stirred just enough to curl into me. I gathered her close…flush against my chest, her head tucked under my chin, one of my arms locked around her waist like a promise.

Her breathing was soft, even, safe. I pressed my lips to her damp hair and closed my eyes.

Tomorrow we’d fly to LA together. Tomorrow I’d meet Ava and Orion face to face. Tomorrow I’d ask for their blessing, because I finally understood something crystal clear…

I couldn’t live without this woman in my arms. Not for one more day.