I’m out of the car before it stops fully and rushing inside to get my stuff. I’m not sure how much time I have or if he’s even trying to catch me. Doesn't matter. I’m not going to be here when he finally returns home.
When I get inside, I shoot straight to Dasher’s room to get my stuff. I toss everything into my bag and make it back downstairs in a couple of minutes. When I get to the entryway, I start looking for my car keys in my purse, but they aren't there.
Crap! Did I toss them in my luggage? I open a bag and start digging through it. The driver comes into the house and gives me a strange look. I can’t blame him. I’m on my knees in the entryway of the house pulling everything out of my bags. It looks like a closet exploded in here.
“I can’t find my keys. Have you seen them?” I ask when I see Jillian and Rae coming down the stairs wearing matching Christmas pajamas. It’s so adorable I have to stop myself from bursting into tears. My emotions are all over the place.
“No,” the driver answers.
“Me either.” Jillian adds.
Okay, screw the keys, I’ll worry about them later. I have a spare at home and I’ll come back later for it.
“Can you give me a ride home?” I ask the driver, but Rae steps forward and gives me a sad look.
“I thought you were staying the night? I decorated a cookie for you to have in the morning. On Christmas we get cookies for breakfast.”
“That’s so sweet of you, Rae.” I force a smile onto my face.
“I can’t take you home,” the driver answers.
“Okay, is there a car I can use? Never mind, I'll call for a ride. It’s Christmas Eve, you all should be watching Christmas movies or something. I’ll get myself handled.”
“I’m sorry, Eve, but I’ve been told to close the front gate. No cars in or out until Mr. Sleigh returns.” The driver gives me an apologetic look. I don’t fight him on the issue because I know he’s only following orders, and Dasher is his boss.
“I tried to warn you, Eve.” Jillian shrugs one of her shoulders.
She didn't warn me that her brother was dating someone else. I think that would have been better information to pass along. Before I can try and think of another way out of here, the front door swings open, revealing a pissed-off Dasher.
Yeah, I’m totally fired.
Twelve
DASHER
“Thank you, I’ve got it from here,” I say to the driver. There’s a moment of pause as I keep my eyes on Eve, and I hear him leave out the front door.
“Come on, Rae, let’s go get the movie room ready for The Grinch,” I hear my sister say to my niece.
“Okay, but I’ll be really disappointed if Eve isn’t here in the morning,” Rae complains while they walk away.
“Oh, I have a feeling she’ll be here,” Jillian answers as they disappear down the hallway.
“Dasher,” Eve begins, but I hold up my hand.
“You’re coming with me.” I take her by the hand, and for a second she tries to tug it away from me. “You’re going to come with me and let me explain.” I stare into her eyes, trying to control myself. “This is not a request.”
She swallows hard as I leave all her things strewn on the floor and lead her up the stairs to my wing.
“Dash—”
“No.” I shake my head, cutting her off. “I want a chance to explain.”
She presses her lips tightly together until we’re in my bedroom. Once I release her hand, I close the double doors and bolt them.
“Am I not free to leave?”
“Absolutely not,” I answer, turning around to face her. “Eve, you have no idea how close to the edge I am right now, and if I even have a hint that you might try to escape, I’ll lose it.”
“Okay, that’s not scary at all.”
“I’m not trying to scare you. I’m trying to protect you.” I take off my jacket and loosen my tie until it’s undone. I toss it on the floor with my jacket and then unbutton my sleeves. “You ran from me.”
“I ran from the party.” She takes a step back as I take one closer to her. “I ran from a fight, and why do you even care if you were with that woman?” she snaps, color rising on her cheeks.
“You think I was with her because you saw her try to get close to me.” It’s not a question but a statement, yet she nods anyway. “I could never touch another woman after meeting you.”
Eve rolls her eyes and crosses her arms over her chest defensively. I stalk closer.
“I wasn’t with her. It was the only way I could get into that party. Rich Mills is a dick with some kind of vendetta against me that I don’t even know about. It’s been simmering for years, and tonight when he put his hands on you, it came to a head.”