The Carrero Effect - Falling for the Boss (Billionaire CEO)

Would he follow me? Is he going to hurt me?

“What could my mother have to say to you after all this time?” I spit, edging toward the door slowly, but keeping my gaze firmly on him as I near him. Untrusting. He smirks and, in that look, a light switch goes on in my head.

Surely not? She wouldn’t do this to me, even the way she is, she wouldn’t take back Ray after what he did to me and have a relationship with him again, would she?

The confusion, anger, and panic whizzes through my head at a hundred miles an hour; obvious he sees the realization dawn on my face and grins in that lop-sided sneer he has. He’s the one she’s been with, the one who beat her to a pulp. It flashes like a spark in my head pushing all rational and logical behavior completely out of sight.

“You bastard!” I scream and lunge without thought, fueled by hatred. My nails and keys slicing at his face as I attempt to kick at him. He’s surprised by my fierce, impulsive attack, caught off guard and tries to shield his face as I rain my fists on his head. It’s a stupid insane move. His rage ignites, grabbing my wrists and thrusts me hard against the wall, knocking the breath out of me. He spins me and shoves me roughly into the cold concrete wall with enough force to almost break ribs and I gasp for air, adrenaline spiking with ferocity. Memories of his attack so many years ago flash through my mind and I fight back with all my might. Pure instinct of survival. Pushing myself back hard, using hands and knees so I collide with him. I elbow and stamp as he tries to encircle me, teen Emma in full rage and fight mode.

I started this and I know I have no one to save me this time; he’s twice the size of me, multiple times my strength. I’m no match. He lifts me off my feet, squeezing around my pinned body with his huge arms so that I can’t breathe, and I begin to gasp. I can’t move. Nausea rises with the blackness coming in around me, terrified I’ll pass out. I know what he’ll do to me if I do. I struggle to pull air into my lungs and focus on staying conscious, my voice lost in an effort to breathe.

Then without warning, with a violent thud, he drops me on the ground in a heap and cackles as I crumble into lifeless submission. He kicks me with the tip of his boot, so I fall forward into a slump and walks off laughing, amused at his conquest. Leaving me broken, devastated and huddled like a child.

I break down and cry, crumpled on the ground. He’s achieved the humiliation he desired, satisfied with his little power trip and exertion over me. Showing me who is still boss while he goes on his way, giving himself a high five and I want to die. I want the ground to open up and swallow me whole.

I crawl to my feet, falling against the front door weakly, sobs racking my body painfully as I pull myself up to rest against it and drag air into my bruised lungs. My forehead falling against the chipped surface as I try wildly to ground myself and bring some sense of calm back to my despair. Shame descends over me at my own defeat, my own stupidity. My fingers and hands splay across the door, trying to keep my body from self-imploding while shaking violently. I stand in the shadows gulping down air frantically.

“Emma?” Jake’s voice is suddenly behind me then he’s around me, hauling me into the warm protective circle of his arms. A crazy surreal instance. His heady scent and warm body enveloping me into safety. It’s like being lifted into a bubble of protection, a home coming and all I can do is submit.

here? Is this real? Where did he come from?

God. Jake …

pulled into the warmth of my life, to be comforted and protected. I love that he’s around me, I need

not. I need

voice in my hair by my ear, his warm breath on my cheek bringing back the calm and sense to my inner world. My sobbing calming at the feel of him. He’ll always be my life

his waist and hold onto him tightly, clinging to the familiarity of his body and

telling him not to come … “Give Me A Reason”. It was about why he

even be angry with him, because he’s everything I want and need to pull me back

and swallow down my emotion. The genuine concern in his eyes, looking at me in a way I’ve never had anyone look at me. He has no idea how he makes me feel, no idea how much he has changed

me that I’ll never be able to match him.” I blurt out painfully, unsure why I’m even telling him this. I just need to. Because he’s really here. I think it’s shock

expected to see on him, his jaw tightening. Pure undiluted fury. He looks terrifying with instant aggression as my

say anymore, sure I must look exactly like Sophie

him?” his voice gritted between his

speeds into the stairwell, pursuing my attacker without a second

my God … No.

***