It Was Always You by S.L. Sterling (5)

Is that everything, miss?" the young man asked as he loaded the last of the boxes onto his dolly to take out to the moving truck. I looked around my empty apartment. The only thing left to do was sweep the floors.

"I believe so, but I will double check and meet you downstairs." I was flying out on Saturday. I hoped the movers would have my stuff in Emerald Bay in time for me on Saturday night. Once I was sure all the rooms were empty, I headed down to see them off.

"Looks like that’s everything," I told the young mover. My phone vibrated in my hand, and I checked the screen, Dean again. I placed the phone back in my pocket, ignoring the call.

"Did you need to take that, miss? It’s been ringing all afternoon. Someone must want to get a hold of you."

I looked at him and shook my head.

"Okay, well, we will arrive in Emerald Bay by the latest Saturday evening. No worries, miss." He latched the back door shut and locked it. "Everything will arrive."

"Oh here, I almost forgot I owe the down payment." Digging into my back pocket, I pulled out a check. "We agreed the rest would be due on delivery. I just need to know what the added cost was for you to move my car so I can make out the check."

"No, miss. It's not necessary. Your bill has already been paid in full."

I stopped writing the check and looked up at him. "What? By whom?"

He searched the bottom of the invoice. "Elliott." He smiled and hopped up into the truck then passed me a copy of my invoice.

I watched as the truck drove down the road and felt my phone vibrate in my pocket again. Taking it out, I opened my text app.

“That's too bad,” I mumbled and shoved the phone back in my pocket. An hour later, I turned my key in to the building superintendent then wheeled my suitcase out to the sidewalk to wait for the cab I’d called. I had spent most of the last three weeks with Jen and felt as if I was intruding. Tonight, I had decided to spend the night at the Radisson.

It didn't take long for the cab to pick me up and take me to the hotel. I ordered room service once I had checked in. I hadn't eaten all day, and with everything that had gone on, I was starving. I then made a call to Elliott. His phone rang twice before he answered.

"Hey, sis! How did everything go with the movers?"

"It went well, Elliott, but you didn't have to pay for it."

"I wanted that to be a surprise for you. I'm happy to do it. What time do I need to pick you up on Saturday?"

I could hear the police radio chattering in the background. I hated bothering him while he was at work.

"My flight lands around two in the afternoon on Saturday. I can take a cab. You don't have to be there to pick me up; I have the address to my new place."

"Don't even start that nonsense, Tatum."

"Elliott, I don't want to be an imposition. You found me the place, and now you've paid for my movers." I felt terrible.

"I'm going to stop you right there. I wanted to pay for them. I'm excited you’re moving down, and the last thing you are to me is an imposition. I want to be there when you arrive." The line grew quiet. I wasn't going to fight him anymore. "Have you heard from him?"

"Yes, he called, but I didn't answer." I had a feeling Elliott knew I was hiding things, but I didn't want him to worry about me any more than he was.

"Good, the sooner you’re away from there, the happier I will be. I don’t want anything to happen to you."

I heard the radio go again in the background and heard Elliott respond.

"Listen, I gotta go. Got a call. I'll see you Saturday!"

I fell asleep after dinner. It had been a long few days of packing and getting everything ready, and I was exhausted.

Something startled me out of my sleep. The television was on, the room was dark, and it took me a minute to get my bearings and remember where I was. Someone was pounding on the door. I glanced at the clock on the table. Ten forty-five. What on earth? The only one who knew I was here was Jen.

Figuring it was her, I got up from the bed and went to the door. "What is up with—" It was as if all the air had been pulled out of my lungs. "Dean."

"Why haven't you returned my calls or my texts?" Pushing past me, he made his way into the room, closing the door behind him.

"Dean, what are you... How did you know I was here?"

"I have my ways." He shrugged.

"You followed me?" I questioned.

"Well, I've been calling and messaging for the past three weeks with no response. I had to do something. I don’t like being ignored, Tatum."

"That's because I have nothing more to say to you, Dean." I crossed my arms over my chest and leaned against the wall.

"I finally went to your place of work today and found out you were laid off three weeks ago. Then I went to your apartment and saw you dealing with movers. I waited, parked across the street, and followed you here when you left. I'm tired of being ignored, Tatum." He pressed himself up against me, his cold eyes meeting mine. "We need to talk."

"Dean, I have nothing to say to you. I want you to leave."

"You do understand that you belong to me. I told you I made a mistake. We forgive people who make mistakes, Tatum. Now, tell me where you think you’re going." He towered over me, placed both hands on the wall, one on either side of my head, and gave a threatening stare.

"It was a mistake the first time, and I forgave you. You've had your second chance, and again you lied. We're over, and you don't need to know where I'm going. You don't own me." I tried to walk away, but he grabbed hold of my arms and pinned me in place. "Dean, let go of me. You’re hurting me." His grip was so strong on my arms, I could feel bruises forming.

"I have my ideas about where you are planning to go, and I don't like it. I've told you, I don't want you seeing your brother. I'm warning you to think twice about leaving."

"You're hurting me." I struggled to get out of his grip, but there was no use.

He released my left arm and ran his hand over my breast. "You still get turned on by me," he said, rolling my hardened nipple between his fingers.

I could feel my stomach start to turn.

"Don't deny your body what it wants, Tatum." He leaned in and kissed under my ear, biting my neck hard as he continued manipulating my nipple. "I bet you're wet for me." His hand moved to the button on my jeans.

"Dean, please don't." I started to cry while trying to shove him away with my free arm, but it did little good; he wouldn't budge. "We're not going to happen. We are over. Now leave!" I shouted, panicking. I hoped that I had shouted loud enough for someone in the next room to hear me and knock on the door.

"We're far from over, Tatum. Don't make me hurt you." He wrapped his hand in my hair and roughly pulled my head back. His angry eyes looked into mine as he pulled me away from the wall and led me over to the bed.

My cell phone rang. "You've already hurt me," I cried. I glared up at him and felt him finally release my hair. "I need to get that call." Keeping my eyes on him, I walked over and picked up my cell. "Elliott, I'm glad you called me back." I could hear the shake in my voice and hoped that he couldn't detect it.

Dean glared at me for what seemed like forever, and then walked out of the room, shutting the door behind him. Running over, I latched the deadbolt and let out the breath I didn't know I was holding. I leaned against the door, focusing on Elliott's voice to try and calm down.