Understood (Unspoken #1)(19)

“Ellie! I need to talk to you,” he said louder. His voice carried through the door, and she backed away from it.

She stumbled over the rug and went sprawling onto the floor. Nausea welled in her stomach, and her pulse pounded in her head.

The door opened, and she screamed in fear. She rolled to her feet and snatched the phone from the kitchen bar. The bathroom. If she could make it to the bathroom…she could lock the door and call 911.

She ran into the bathroom and slammed the door behind her. She made sure it was locked then retreated to the most distant point from the door. The shower stall.

She curled into a protective ball as her shaking fingers punched in the phone number.

“Ellie?” Ray’s voice sounded closer. He was just outside the bathroom door. “Ellie, there’s something I need to say.”

Oh, God.

“911, what’s your emergency?” The dispatcher’s voice came over the line.

“This is Ellie Matthews,” she blurted. “My husband is here. He’s not supposed to be here. He’s trying to hurt me.” The hysteria made her voice rise another octave. “Don’t let him hurt me again!”

The dispatcher’s voice faded into the background as Ray’s voice got louder. The phone slipped from bloodless fingers as she heard the dispatcher assure her the police were on their way.

“Ellie, please listen to me.”

Ray’s voice had a pleading quality to it. She buried her head in her arms and rocked back and forth, praying the police would make it in time.

There was a long silence on the other side of the door. She was frozen, her skin so cold, every muscle in her body tensed in the most awful of fears. Memories of the last time she’d tasted such fear seared a path through her mind like the sharpest blade.

“Ellie, I just wanted to say I’m sorry.”

Ray jiggled on the doorknob, and a fresh wave of terror assaulted her all over again. Her mouth opened to scream, but no sound came out. She wrapped her arms protectively around herself and curled into the tightest ball she could manage.

“When I saw the playback of that interview…when I heard the things I said…Ellie, I’m sorry.”

She heard a scuffle. Police officers identifying themselves. Bumps then a crash. The door jiggled again.

“Ellie, open the door. You’re safe now.”

She continued to rock. Sobs racked her body. Sobs she hadn’t known were coming from her. She buried her face further into her arms.

A few seconds later, the door flew open. The shower stall opened, and she felt a hand on her shoulder.

“Ellie, it’s me, Wes Hoffman. We’ve got Ray in custody. He can’t hurt you, honey.”

His soothing voice slid over her, but she was locked in her fear. She couldn’t make herself relax.

His hand smoothed over her hair before he carefully pulled her into his arms. “We won’t let you down again, Ellie,” he said quietly. “We won’t let him hurt you.”

Another man spoke a short distance away. The sound was muffled to Ellie’s ears.

“Jeremy, get him the hell out of here before Jake shows up or Jake’ll kill him,” Wes directed.

Wes’ hand tightened around her. “Ellie, honey, let me get you out of here. You’re safe now.”

She tensed. She was slow to process what went on around her. Was Ray still out there? She began to shake uncontrollably as what had happened started to sink in. Ray. On her doorstep. Oh God.

She heard the thump of heavy footsteps and then Jake burst into the bathroom. She felt him as much as she heard him.

“Oh God, Ellie!”

Wes pulled away from her and suddenly she was in Jake’s arms. She threw her arms around him and held on tight. Hot tears coursed down her cheeks, wetting his shirt.

He stood up, picking her up with him. She clung to him, hoarse sobs ripping from her throat.

Jake carried her into the living room and sat down on the couch, her body cradled against his chest.

“Ellie, sweetheart, did he hurt you?”

She shook her head against his chest. Her hands crept around his neck, and she tried to control her trembling.

His hands caressed her hair over and over, and he smoothed kisses across her brow.

“You’re all right now, Ellie. The bastard can’t hurt you. I’ve got you, sweetheart. I won’t let anyone hurt you again.”

She finally relaxed against him, her eyes closing in relief. She lay limply in his arms, so worn out, so emotionally drained she couldn’t have moved if she wanted.

“Jake, I’ll need a statement from her so we can hold the bastard,” Wes spoke up.

“Not now,” Jake said harshly. “Can’t you see she’s scared out of her mind?”

She raised her head, surprised at how weak she felt. “No,” she said softly. “I’ll answer his questions.”

“Are you sure?” Jake asked. His eyes held such tenderness, such love. Her chest tightened and tears welled in her eyes once more.

She nodded and turned to look at Wes who sat across the living room in the armchair.

“Did he threaten you? Did he hurt you in any way?” Wes asked.

Jake tensed against her.

“No. He kept saying he was sorry,” she mumbled. “I thought it was Jake at the door. I opened it and Ray was there. I lost it. It’s just that…”