Page 101 of Wrecked By You

A smile danced on her lips. “Take me to bed and make me yours.”

“You were mine a long time ago, Ella.” I angled my head. “Or would you prefer ‘Eloise’?”

She shook her head. “I’ll always be your Ella.”

Yeah. You will.

Chapter33

Ella

There are surprises—and

then there are SURPRISES.

Two Weeks Later…

The house felt so quiet without Johannes, but I guessed he couldn’t stay away from work forever. He’d told me—no, ordered me—to take at least another week off, but I was antsy and more than ready to get back to the job I loved. I’d broach the subject again tonight. Rattling around in this house with nothing to do reminded me of my life with Mateo when I’d been little more than a trophy wife. Even the thought of it made me shudder.

The DEA agent, Brax, had called yesterday to let me know that they’d filed multiple charges against Mateo and a fair number of his associates. Mateo’s ego and arrogance had ultimately been his downfall, and I wasn’t the least bit sorry. I hoped he rotted in jail. The sooner I could divorce him, the better. He’d fight me. It was in his nature to win, but however long it took, I’d keep going until I was truly free of him.

Chloe had returned to school yesterday—with a covert security team in attendance. She was unaware of her every move being watched, which was the only reason I’d agreed to such a heavy security presence. Johannes had insisted that the school allow one of the guards to be located inside the building, and once he’d explained everything to the principal, she’d reluctantly agreed. It wouldn’t be forever. But it would be for a while.

I peered through the living room window at the black sedan across the street that housed my own personal security. I’d refused to have them in the house, despite Johannes’s disapproval. He’d given in… under duress. He did it because he loved me. Who’d argue against that?

As much as I coveted independence after losing it to Mateo, I secretly loved the way Johannes had stepped in to take care of me and Chloe. It gave me the shivers, in a good way. As advanced as women had become, there must still be some part of us that adored a cloak of protection around our shoulders. And I wasn’t ashamed to admit that.

I wandered into the kitchen and began to prep for tonight’s dinner. Johannes had floated the idea of moving us to one of those gated communities, or a penthouse in a high-rise building crammed with security, but I’d declined. I’d had a gut full of that with Mateo. It would feel like a prison, and I refused to live in one of my own making because of Mateo. Once the trial was out of the way, I hoped that we could live a more normal life without a security detail tracking us everywhere we went. And besides, Johannes had his own reasons for living where he did. I hated the idea that he’d be forced to change that just for me.

I put the chopped vegetables and spiced minced beef in the fridge and traipsed back into the living room. I flicked the TV on. Channel-surfed. Turned it off.God, I’m so bored.I grabbed my phone and sent Johannes a message.

Me: I’m going out before I lose my mind. Window shopping is better than being stuck here with nothing to do. Hint hint.

Three dots appeared.

Johannes: Well, you can, but then you’d miss the surprise I have for you

Me: Surprise?

Johannes: Yeah, I’m on my way home.

I checked the time, frowning. Two thirty in the afternoon. Johannes always made time to come home for dinner, then he’d return to the club to oversee the opening, though the days of him spending sixteen hours at Level Nine or one of his other clubs were in the past. He’d promoted Stan to assistant manager reporting directly to Johannes, and handed over a lot of the day-to-day responsibilities, which left more time for us.

I wasn’t complaining.

But two thirty was early, even by his standards.

Me: What are you up to?

Johannes: You’ll see.

Excitement unfurled in my belly, and I paced as I waited for the sound of his car coming up the road. Twenty minutes later, I heard it, and I dashed to the front door to greet him. He exited the driver’s side, all long limbs and lithe, athletic body. Lust wound its way through my veins. I didn’t have to pick Chloe up from school for another hour. Maybe we could—

My thoughts broke off when the passenger and rear doors opened and two other people got out.

I sucked in a breath, sputtering and struggling to find the right words. My feet rooted to the spot, even as I yearned to run toward them. It didn’t matter. They ran to me. Arms surrounded me, lips kissed me, hands stroked my hair. Words were spoken, soft yet urgent, comforting, forgiving, happy words that unlocked a torrent of tears. I cried and cried as my parents squeezed me tighter, holding on as if they were afraid I’d disappear at any moment.

“Oh, Eloise, my baby,” Mom sobbed in my hair. “We’ve missed you so much. So much.”