He's Captured My Heart (Captured Series Book 1) (28 page)

Oh. My. God. By three thirty we have served a four-course meal to three hundred people, and we’ve served eighty covers in the restaurant. It’s time for everyone in the kitchen to have a break. I go first to my father’s table. Seated there are Mum, Dad, Ethan, Alex, Michael, Kirsty, Jeff, Simon and his wife, and an empty seat where I should be.

“Hi. I hope everything was all right with your meals?” I ask.

“Sweetheart, everything was perfect! How have you coped in there today?” Mum’s voice is caring and concerned, but I know she has faith in me.

“Mum, it’s been great. Such fun! The guys have all pulled their weight today, and I have really enjoyed working alongside Karl.” I think I see a flicker of suspicion on Alex’s face. Surely he’s not jealous? “So is everything going well out here?”

“Yes, everything is running smoothly. I wish you could be out here with us,” Mum says.

“I can’t believe you’ve spent the whole day working…in the kitchen especially!” Kirsty squeals. “You’ll need
two
showers before we head out tonight.”

“What do you mean ‘out’?” I ask, staring at Kirsty.

“We’re going clubbing,” she announces.

Clubbing. What a thought. I was thinking of a long, hot soak in the tub with Alex. That sounds so much more appealing, as I have a very good idea how that would pan out.

“I said maybe, but I can tell you right now that my feet are killing me,” I say.

“Only if you feel up to it,” Alex says, studying my face.

“Oh, come on, Libby. We’ve not done that in ages!” says Kirsty. “You know it’ll be fun. And we have to take the guys out at least once.” Her voice sounds quite whiny.

“Okay. I guess I’ll be alright,” I say, watching Alex. He smiles, shaking his head.

Out of the corner of my eye, I catch Jeff gulping down his wine and quickly refilling his glass. God, I hope he at least manages to keep his opinions to himself today. And I hope he doesn’t get any ideas about following us to the clubs. Alex follows my gaze and frowns before mouthing,
its fine; don’t worry about him
. But after yesterday how can I not worry?

I continue talking to everyone except Jeff. I can’t bring myself to even look at him. I’ve only been at the table for a few minutes, and in that short time, Jeff has finished off two large glasses of red wine and is working on a third. Not a good sign. His body language is sending off some really strong vibes, and they’re certainly not good ones. If looks could kill, I wouldn’t be standing any longer.

When I make my way back through the function suite into the kitchen, I can feel at least two sets of eyes following me. Alex’s isn’t the set that worries me; I’ve gotten used to his gaze the last few days. No, the one giving me cause for concern is Jeff’s.

“Libby, come on. Join the rest of us on break, won’t you?” Karl shouts from across the kitchen.

“In a few, Karl. First I want to get all these dry ingredients back in store. I won’t be long. Could someone make me a cup of tea, please?”

“Okay. You have five minutes to be in the canteen before I come looking for you,” he says with a grin.

“I’ll be there. Don’t worry about that.”

I make a start on getting all the dry ingredients back in the store. It will take a few trips. I gather up some of the jars of spices and carry them across the kitchen. I can’t believe I gave into Kirsty so easily about a night out clubbing, although I am looking forward to dancing with Alex. I bet he can move. Just the thought of it sends shock waves all the way through my core.

I open the storeroom door using my elbow since my arms are full. I make sure to put everything away in its correct place, as I know how fussy Karl is. That’s not true. He’s not fussy. He’s professional, exceptionally well organised, and extremely efficient at his job. That’s a much better description of him.

I open the door to leave and gasp. Without thinking, I take a step back to steady myself. I wasn’t expecting Jeff, of all people, to be standing in front of me.

“Well, Elizabeth,” he says, his voice harsh. “You were rather rude at the table, don’t you think? Manners are everything. Didn’t Daddy Dearest teach you anything?” Jeff takes a step inside the storeroom.

“Well, after the way you spoke to me and treated me yesterday, did you really expect anything else from me?”

“Oh, I expected
lots
from you, Elizabeth, but you always leave me feeling let down, disappointed,” he snarls.

“I let
you
down?” My voice is raised with anger.
How bloody dare he?
He feels let down. How does he think I feel with him? “I can’t believe you think I’ve let you down. Didn’t you ever give a thought to how I might be feeling?”

“No, why should I? You chose Ethan over me.”

“Of course I did. And I can’t believe you asked me to choose. Ethan needed his family and his friends’ support. I thought you were one of his friends, but you turned your back on him—and on me. How could you do that to him? You never think about anyone but yourself.”

“I never turned my back on you. I needed you.”

“Lucy and Ethan needed me more. I’m sorry that’s how you feel.”

“I still need you, and I will have you. You are mine.” He moves farther into the storeroom, letting the door close behind him. He’s scaring me.

“What do you want, Jeff? I have work to do. So if you don’t mind, I need to get on…” I take a step towards him, but he throws up his hands and grips my arms, stopping me.

“What do I want? Oh, Libby, Libby, Libby…I thought that was obvious.” His voice is soft, almost tender. He brings his hand to my face and lets his fingers slide across it. There was a time when Jeff’s touch had the same effect on me as Alex’s does now. Now it makes my skin crawl. It makes me feel dirty. “I want you. Like I said, you’re
mine
.”

“Jeff, I am not yours.”

“Do you think you’re his? That bloody Yank?” He hisses through gritted teeth. “You’re just his latest plaything. Do you really think he wants you? Look at you. You’re a kitchen girl! You’re a glorified hostess! He can have anyone he wants. Why would he
possibly
choose you?”

That strikes a nerve because I’ve been thinking the exact same things. My expression must give it away, because Jeff looks at me differently.

“Elizabeth, I want
you
. That hasn’t changed in the last few months. I love you, and I know you still love me,” he says, quietly pulling me closer.

“No, Jeff. I don’t love you. And if you really loved me, you would have stuck by me when I needed you most. Instead you forced me to choose. Well, I made the right decision four months ago. And I’m sticking to it.”

“And you think he loves you?” Jeff shouts. “Do you love him? You’re a fool. He’s
using
you, just like your dad is. You’re just there to make headlines for your dad’s clients. When are you going to get that into that thick skull of yours? Have a look about you.”

That’s done it. Now I’m mad. Maybe that was his plan all along. Why did I waste so much of my time with him? He is still playing mind games, and we’re not even together. I bring my hand up swiftly, ready to slap him. He really deserves this.

But I’ve not been quick enough. He grabs me by the wrist, roughly, stopping my hand from making contact with his face. His grip is tight. I pull against it, but he’s strong and more than a little drunk, so he has no compunctions about hurting me. I can’t believe I am stuck here with him. Karl will surely come looking for me shortly, won’t he? He said he’d give me five minutes. He has to, because at this moment that seems like the only way I am getting out of here.

“You stupid bitch!” Jeff shouts as his other hand makes contact with the side of my face. Ouch. It bloody stings. He pushes me, and my back hits off the metal shelving behind me. “You didn’t answer my fucking question! Do you think he could ever love you the way I do?”

“No. I
hope
not. That’s not love, that’s…sickness,” I answer, holding back the tears that are bound to flow sooner rather than later.

I stand my ground. I don’t pull against him. What’s the point? It’s only aggravating him more. I hold eye contact with him, and all I see is darkness in his eyes. I don’t know the man before me. He’s a complete stranger. Deep within, there was once someone I cared a great deal for, but he looks long gone. I am frozen to the spot. I need to try and stay focused.

“So how long have you and him been at it?” he growls.

“Jeff, let go of me. You’re hurting me. Please.”

“I can tell by how cosy you two look that you’ve already fucked him.”

“That’s none of your bloody business!” I shout angrily. “Now let me go!”

“No, Libby. Where would be the fun in that? I think we should have a little fun together for old times’ sake. Stop fighting.”

I try to look defeated while I consider what to do. All the fighting in the world is not going to help me, but I refuse to give up. He releases his hold on me and runs his fingers down my cheek, brushing them along my lips. Then suddenly his lips are on mine, crushing me. I taste the bile rising from the back of my throat. Dear god, I think I am going to be sick. The smell of alcohol is turning my stomach. His fingers trail down my face and neck, and then they pause at my breast.

Now his intentions are very clear. I can’t let him do this. I push and pull against him. I feel his teeth bite down on my bottom lip; I can taste my own blood. He takes a step back and draws back his hand, then slaps my face again.

“You
know
you and I belong together. We could be so happy if you let us,” he says.

Happy
. I once thought I could be happy with him. I once thought I would spend the rest of my life with him.
Why did I never see this side of him? He’s a lunatic! Where the hell is Karl?

“Jeff, please,” I sob.

“Elizabeth? Please what? Make you happy? I can always do that. Make you come? I was good at that too,” he snarls, gripping both my wrists tightly.

“You could
never
make me happy. Only miserable. I would rather be alone forever than to be with you.” I draw in a deep breath. “And as for making me come, you were never any good at that. Me, on the other hand—I’m very good at faking it. But I guess in all our time together, you never noticed. You were too wrapped up in yourself. You are one selfish bastard. Alex is different. He cares about
me
, and he certainly knows how to make me come.” My voice breaks with my sobs. My face is soaked with tears.

He draws his hand back again, but this time he clenches his fist. The punch lands right in my stomach, winding me. The power of the punch knocks me flying into something long and sharp. Something’s punctured my back. It feels deep. There’s warmth, wetness, and searing pain. I see the floor coming up fast, and then I’m laid out on my side, my cheek pressed to the cold floor.

Eyes blurry with tears and pain, I see Jeff loosening the belt on his trousers.
Maybe I should just stop fighting it
. I close my eyes. He pulls at my jacket. I just want this over with.

“Please, Jeff, it doesn’t have to be like this,” I plead.

“Elizabeth, there were two ways of doing this—the easy way and the hard way. You chose the hard
way. Let’s face it: you’re not known for making smart decisions, are you?”

Karl, please, where a are you?
I can’t move. I can’t fight back now. I feel his weight on top of me.

I hear voices in the distance. I draw in a deep breath and scream.

“Help!”

“Shut up, you stupid bitch,” Jeff shouts as he punches me in the face again. I close my eyes. I don’t want them to open ever again.

The voices are getting closer, but I have nothing left in me to call out. I can only hope its Karl looking for me.

Suddenly there’s a crashing noise.

“Get the fuck off her!” It sounds like Alex. “Go get Ethan!”

It
is
Alex. I open my eyes as I feel the weight moving off me. As my vision slowly comes back into focus, I see Alex dragging Jeff across the storeroom.

“What the fuck?” Alex lands a punch on Jeff’s face. “YOU. THINK. IT’S. OKAY. JUST. TO. TAKE. WHAT. YOU. WANT?” He punctuates every word with another punch. Jeff cries out in pain.

“Alex! It’s okay—stop now before you kill him. He’s not going anywhere now.” Michael’s voice cuts through the chaos. “Ethan, take care of your sister.”

“Libby? Libby, are you okay?” Ethan’s voice is comforting as he holds me in his arms. I can hear his sobs, and I can feel his tears. It’s not fair. Ethan
doesn’t deserve any more pain in his life. I need to stay strong. He needs my strength.

I can hear more voices. Please, I don’t want anyone else to see me like this.

“No!” someone screams. My mum.

“Has anyone called 999 yet? And can I get a cover? She’s shaking. She’s cold,” Ethan calls out. “Libby? Come on, squeeze my hand. Can you hear me?” He pulls off his suit jacket and tucks it around me.

I squeeze his hand as hard as I can. I love him so much. My eyes flicker open. I see the pain and anguish in his face. I focus on his eyes and smile weakly at him.

“Alex, I said stop now! He’s not worth it!” I turn my head towards the shouting. Michael is pulling Alex off Jeff, who is on the floor, not moving. Michael turns Alex to face him. “Alex, pull it together. Libby needs you, man.
This. Is. Not. The. Same
. Go to her.”

Alex nods slowly and takes several deep breaths. He’s struggling.

“Ethan, can I…?” Alex’s voice is lower.

“Only if you’re calm. She’s bleeding, she’s probably in shock, and she really doesn’t need more of a flap right now.” I glance at Ethan’s hands, which are covered in blood. My blood.

“I understand. Please, Ethan. Let me closer. You go to your mom; she’s upset.”

Alex swaps places with Ethan, who was sitting with me on the floor. My eyes are heavy, but I’m
scared if I close them again that I won’t be able to open them. Ethan hesitates, looking at his hands.

“Ethan, wash your hands before you talk to your mom,” Alex whispers. “Libby, baby, everything’s going to be okay. It’s all right.” He gently strokes his fingers along my forehead.