Ian Stokes was standing there, his twin beside him, their full attention on the scene playing out in Zeke’s foyer.
“My name’s Heaven,” she said softly, her eyes instantly dropping to the floor.“We’re roommates.She said she was supposed to be here.Begged me to bring her.”
Isaac stepped forward, his hand curling beneath Everly’s chin, tilting her head back.“What happened?”
Tears filled Everly’s eyes.Her left eye was puffy and slightly discolored.
Isaac’s hand dropped instantly, as though he knew on some level that she’d been through a traumatic experience.
“Are you scared of Isaac?”I asked, not sure what the hell was going on.
“No,” she said quickly.“Not at all.”
Isaac seemed to relax, but he didn’t reach for her again.However, it was clear he was going to take over the situation with his insistent, “This way.”
“I’ve got this,” I assured him, placing my hand gently on Everly’s arm.“There’s a guest room upstairs,” I supplied.“Let’s go where we can talk.”
Everly nodded, peering over at her roommate.“Give me a minute, please.”
Heaven looked tortured by the request, but she finally agreed.“Of course.”
“I’m going with you,” Isaac insisted.
Knowing I wasn’t going to shrug off the commanding Dominant, I simply nodded, then signaled for Everly to take the stairs to the second floor.She was silent, even when we stepped into the room I’d used when I used to stay at Zeke’s.
Rather than direct her to the bed, I pulled out the desk chair, asked her to sit.I crouched in front of her, ignoring the Dom standing directly behind me.
“What happened, Everly?”
Her watery gaze slid to my face.“He just attacked me.He thought I was her.”
“He thought you were Heaven?”
“Yes.”
“Who thought that?”Isaac asked, his tone still rough, but slightly less edgy.
She shrugged.
“Does Heaven know him?”I inquired.
Everly shook her head, the answer only adding to my confusion.
Keeping my voice soft, nonthreatening, I decided to dig deeper.“Did he attack you?”
Everly nodded, more tears surfacing.
“Where were you?”
“At home.I was in the kitchen, had my earbuds in.Didn’t hear him come in.”Her words came in a rush, her breath far too quick.
“You’re safe now,” I assured her, placing my hand on her wrist.“Everly.You’re safe.”
She nodded, but I could tell she didn’t believe it was true.“He came up behind me.Covered my mouth and dragged me out of the kitchen.”Her tone was bordering on hysterical.“Threw me on the floor.When I tried to fight him off, he punched me.”Her fingers brushed her swollen eye.“I kicked and screamed.”She dragged in deep gulps of air.“Heaven came home.He ran.Must’ve been scared.”
I doubted that, but I kept the thought to myself.
“Why do you think he thought you were Heaven?”
