Colour Me Red

Chapter 33: Ellie Clarke

Chapter 33: Ellie Clarke

My heart was racing and aching with each beat. I was confused and angry and relieved and amazed at the healing capacity my body possessed. My thoughts were all over the place and the past 24 hours were a jumble in my mind. All I could remember vividly was the sound of my own neck breaking.

I pulled away from Dune and wiped a tear from my cheek.

"How could you?" I choked out. "Did you know that I'd recover?"

The look in his eyes gave me the answer I didn't want to hear.

Another sob was ripped from my throat.

"How could you take that risk Dune? What kind of person does that?" I couldn't hold back my shock and anger. Maybe Dune wasn't the person I thought he was? Of course, he wasn't. He was a murderer – I'd known that he wasn't like other people from the very beginning. But that's what drew me to him.

"Ellie, I know you hate me right now, but you have to know that I did this with your best intentions in mind." Dune spoke smoothly and quietly, as if not to startle me.

I looked at him with silent eyes, pleading him to explain himself.

"I had to think on my feet. I didn't have a weapon, and if Beathaven killed me and got his hands on you...I dread to think what he would've done. He wanted to use you as a weapon, Ellie. He would've forced you to do unspeakable things," Dune's expression was solemn as he spoke, and I could hear the regret in his voice.

"From reading your father's work I was about 98% sure that you would survive. I'm sorry if those odds weren't good enough for you, I know that it should never have been my decision."

I nodded slowly, processing Dune's every word. The betrayal stung – I felt as if my life had been taken out of my own hands and served up as a starter for someone to devour. I was a pawn in a game of chess that I could never win.

Dune paced around the hotel room before sitting on the bed, hanging his head in his hands. When he spoke again, I could hear his voice breaking.

"All of this was my fault; I should never have put you in danger. When your father asked me to kill you, I should've sent you to another country with a new identity. But instead I was selfish. There's a reason I've never allowed myself to be in a relationship."

"Dune, I understand why you did what you did. But I don't think I'm ready to forgive you just yet. I think I need some time to think things over." I watched as Dune's face pinched. For someone who was an expert at hiding his emotions, this was his way of telling me that he was hurting.

He nodded reluctantly and stood up from the bed.

"I understand...can I take you home?"

I nodded in agreement and took a moment to myself in the bathroom while Dune phoned for a taxi.

The car ride home was silent. When we arrived at the cottage Dune asked me politely, as if we were strangers, if he could pack a bag of his things before leaving. I felt I was being cruel, kicking him out of a home he had bought to keep me safe. But at least this way he knew I wasn't putting myself in danger by going back to my father.

"Ellie?" Dune's voice pulled me from my own thoughts as he joined me in the kitchen, duffle bag in hand.

I was staring blankly at the kitchen floor, but his dark eyes, swimming with emotion for a change, drew my attention.

"I won't be far away. I feel like I owe it to you to protect you with my life. And not just because I feel guilty for my actions. I love you Ellie."

I smiled but it didn't quite reach my eyes.

"I'll call you when I'm ready to talk."

Dune visibly flinched at my answer and my heartached as he nodded and turned to leave. As soon as I heard the lock click, I collapsedonto the kitchen floor with a shuddering sob, and there I stayed till the earlyhours of the morning. My whole world had collapsed, and I felt as if a part ofme had died that would never come back to life.