Page 153 of Their Naughty Student (Office Intrigue Duet 6)
“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 breaths 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?”
“Because he said it when he was dragging me. Kept saying, ‘I’ve got you now, sweet Heaven. You’re not my first choice, but you’ll do.’”
I peered up at Isaac. The look on his face was fierce, as though he was ready to kill someone with his bare hands.
“Do you want me to call the police?” I asked as I stood.
“No.” Her eyes were pleading when she pinned them on me. “Please don’t. It’ll only make it worse.”
I frowned, but before I could say anything more, Isaac’s hand settled on my shoulder. It was big, firm, but strangely gentle.
“May I have a few minutes with her?”
I looked at him, back to Everly. She nodded, reading the silent question in my eyes.
“Okay. There’s a bathroom in the hall. I’ll be downstairs if you need me.”
“Thank you.”
I gave one last lingering look to Isaac, but he merely nodded.
When I stepped out of the room, closing the door behind me, Edge and Cav were waiting, matching concerned expressions on their faces.
“She’s gonna be fine,” I explained. “From what I can tell, Heaven showed up, thwarted whatever disgusting plans he had. Aside from the bruise on her face and some on her wrists, it doesn’t appear he did any other damage.”
“Isaac with her?” Cav asked.
Yeah. Only then did I remember the scene at the club. The one with Ian, Isaac, and Everly. She knew him, and since they’d had interactions at the club, it was likely she trusted him.
“Come on,” Edge said. “Let’s go back downstairs.”
We returned to the party to find everyone milling about in the living room. Zeke was the first to come over, asking for a status. I explained to him the same thing I’d told Cav and Edge. He appeared relieved.
“I’ve got a surprise for you,” Zeke said, taking my hand and leading me toward the others.
“A surprise?”
Cav and Edge remained directly behind me as Zeke drew everyone’s attention toward him.
“You’re all aware of why I invited you here tonight.”
I glanced at the faces. I recognized all of the trainers from the submissive training class, a few submissives that had been there as well as quite a few people I didn’t know.
Zeke turned toward me. “These people have all decided to give you direct access to their psyche.”
I laughed at the way he said that. “Is that right?”
“Yes.” He grinned. “It was Cav’s idea, actually. But Edge and I ran with it and these people have agreed to let you interview them, observe, whatever you need for your report. For as long as you need them.”
“Under one condition,” Edge said, placing his hands over my shoulders.
I looked back at him, lifting my eyebrows in question.
“No names are to be used.”
“Of course not,” I agreed, turning to face them, unable to hide my grin. “Thank you. Seriously.”
“Looking forward to it,” someone said.
“Me, too. I’ve never been interviewed before.”
I laughed, feeling lighter despite the events of the past few minutes.
“She’s all right,” someone said.
I jerked my attention toward the voice, my attention landing on Ian. “We’ll take care of her.”
Something in his gaze said he wasn’t making empty promises, either.
I nodded.
“Can we have cake now?” Ransom called out from the back of the room. “That’s the only reason I’m here.”
“Yes,” Edge said. “Let’s have cake.”
CAV
“SHE’S ALL RIGHT,” I TOLD EDGE WHEN I came to the bedroom to find Jamie snuggled up, sound asleep beside him. “I just got off the phone with Isaac.”
“They’ve got a thing for her,” he noted, his voice low.
“I’d say so. Ian and Isaac are with Everly and Heaven, plus whoever their other roommate is. Dante something or other. They’re safe, so that’s a good thing.”
