Following Her (Unexpected Heroes #2.5)(6)

Despite Ella’s refusal to let her ex frighten her, she knew she never should’ve said a word to her family. But she’d needed someone to talk to. It was just a thing in her family that they thought the women should be coddled. There were times that was nice, and then there were times when she really wanted to bash them all in the head. Right now, she was more in the mood for the latter.

“Hello, Ella, you look well.”

A cold shiver traveled down Ella’s spine, but she squared her shoulders and schooled her features before turning toward the man who had no business being out of handcuffs.

“I have nothing to say to you.” Her voice was pure ice.


“And I thought the two of us were good friends,” the man said. She wouldn’t run and hide. That’s what he wanted.

“I’d never be friends with a criminal like you. And if you think you’re scaring me, think again, Wade.”

“Tsk-tsk, Ella. I don’t like it when a woman speaks down to me.”

Wade, who probably didn’t have a last name because no parents would want to claim him, had been tormenting her ever since her ex, Felix, went to jail. If she dropped out of testifying in the trial, her ex knew there wouldn’t be much of a case against him.

But people like Wade and Felix thrived on power, so no matter her fears, she couldn’t back down. Looking into Wade’s cold, dead eyes, she knew he was capable of doing monstrous things. She was safe as long as she didn’t put herself into a situation where he could get her alone. And she wasn’t going to let that happen.

He stood before her all in black: his jeans, his shirt, his coat, even his shoes. He wanted to stand out, wanted to look intimidating. He did it well with his bulging arms, his formidable height, and the scar that ran down the side of his cheek that only added to his intensity. At least she was safe in this building with all its cameras and security detail. They both knew it.

“You realize that I have this little digital recorder, right?” she said as she pulled out the device and clicked it on. “Every single time you approach me, every time you threaten me, or try to intimidate me, I keep it on record. I’m not afraid of you or your boss, so I suggest you find some other female to haunt,” she said before turning away.

Ella didn’t make it two steps before his bruising fingers were gripping her arm and he was spinning her back around. Pain zipped up and down her arm, but there was no way she’d give him the satisfaction of showing it.

“I suggest you be a little more careful, Ella. As a matter of fact, I suggest you run and hide far away from here. It’d be a shame if you were involved in an . . . accident,” he said with a leer before snatching the digital recorder out of her hand and crushing it.

If he was so stupid as to think that was her only recording device, then he was certainly working for the right man, because they both were fools.

Ella’s voice never changed as she tugged fruitlessly at her arm. “I suggest you release me immediately.”

“What are you going to do about it?”

Ella gave her best victory smile as she heard the sound of approaching footsteps. Before Wade could turn to see who was coming, they had company, and Wade was being pulled away from her by her favorite policeman.

“You okay, Ella?” Officer Robertson asked.

“I have it all under control, Don. However, a night in jail will do this man good. I won’t be manhandled by anyone, and he’s violating a restraining order.” She smirked at Wade and practically saw steam billow from his ears.

“This isn’t over, Ella,” Wade sneered as Officer Robertson cuffed him.

“What you need to remember, Wade, is that bullies never win. They may have their small victories, but they always lose in the end. You can use your looks and your steroid muscles to intimidate people, but I don’t easily cower. Enjoy your roommate tonight. I hope he’s extra nice to you,” she said with another smirk that had the man spitting in rage. Maybe it wasn’t the best move to antagonize him, but she’d never been one to shy away from a challenge.

Officer Robertson hauled Wade off, and it wasn’t until they turned the corner that Ella allowed herself to let down her guard. She leaned against the wall as trembles racked her body.

“Your cousin was right. You sure as hell need protection, because that mouth of yours is going to get you killed.”

She knew that voice.

“I can’t deal with you right now, Axel,” she groaned, her eyes squeezed shut as she tried to gain control over her shaking limbs. How much had he seen?

“It looks like you can deal with a hell of a lot. You’re a tough woman, Ella, but sometimes it’s okay to back off,” Axel said.

“I won’t back down from criminals. I won’t let them intimidate me,” she said, her eyes snapping open as she got her second wind. “What’re you doing here, anyway?”

“Checking on you. Got here just in time to see the end of the show. I was a bit bummed to see the officer—I would’ve loved to deck that lowlife.”

“Yeah, because that’s how issues are solved. With your fists,” she said as she pushed away from the wall and began walking toward the exit. She was glad her day was over. Though it had started out quite well, the end of it was far less than perfect.


“I do what I need to do and I can’t stand men who hurt women.”