Chapter Forty-five Evan Sterling’s POV (Ten Years Before)

Her voice was faint but I heard it. And with how Brian suddenly went still and looked in the direction Estera went, I knew he heard it too. The two of us exchanged a look and ran towards the exit. Pushing people out of our way. By the time we got to the main exit door, I was in the lead. I rushed down the flight of stairs with Brian on my tail.
“Estera!” I called loudly and heard a muffled sound coming from the left side of the building. I ran in that direction like a crazy person. And that was when I saw them. Tyler with his pants down, struggling to subdue Estera. He had torn her clothes, leaving her undies exposed under the dull shine of the garden light. I stalked to his back, pulled him back from her, and punched him repeatedly in the face.
“You piece of shit! You dared to touch her!” I raved in a low enraged tone. He tried to speak but didn’t get a chance. I was merciless.
I didn’t stop hitting him until my knuckle was bloodied and his face was unrecognizable.
Brian rushed to Estera wanting to touch her and I growled at him to get the fuck back from her. He startled backward, throwing an alarmed gaze at me. I pushed Tyler, making him fall atop a flower bed, and removed my suit.
“I'm trying to help her, Evan, Damn it!”
“You caused this! You brought her here. You son-of-a-bitch! I told you to leave her the fuck alone!”
“But she was bored, and I figured…”
“One more word out of you, Brian Andrews, and you will end up like him!” I delivered in a low menacing tone, pointing at Tyler's unconscious body on the ground. Brain paled, stepping back.
I crouched beside her, brushing her hair away from her face with shaky hands. My eyes ran all over her, wanting to be certain the bastard hadn’t raped her.
“Evan,” she called my name weakly and I felt tears well at the back of my eyes. I have never felt this strong urge to protect anything in my entire life.
“Evan…” Brian called. “I’m sorry, man. I didn’t want her to get hurt. And I didn’t know you have feelings for her. I’m sorry, brother.”
“Why is she like this. Did she drink, Brian? Gaddamnit, she is seventeen!”
“She didn’t drink, I think he hit her,” Brain said with a hard edge to his voice. I was convinced that if Brian was the first to get to Tyler he would have done far worse to the bastard.
I made her sit up and wore my jacket for her, then lifted her from the ground holding her tight against my chest.
“Did you come with a driver?” Brian asked.
“Yes, but I already sent her driver and mine home,” I said.
“Wait here, let me get your car,” Brian offered and rushed off.
“Evan…” Estera called as she fidgeted in some trance.
“It’s okay, darling, you're safe now, I’m here,” I muttered close to her lips and gently brushed my lips against hers. The jolt of sensational emotions that rushed through me made me sigh in resignation. And Estera let out a soft moan, burrowing deeper into my arms. Who was I kidding? I have fallen for her. Why else would I put my journey to Paris on hold just so I could catch a glimpse of her? It’s been too long. And I missed her. I remembered what I felt when I saw Deborah with Tyler, comparing it with what I was feeling now, it wasn’t rocket science Estera Roberts had gotten deep under my skin and wrapped her fingers around my heart. Being away from her got unbearable I had to come back just to see her. Like she was a fuel that I needed to function away from her. And now that I have her in my arms, I feel complete.
When I called Henry earlier to inquire about her, the last thing I had expected to hear was that she was at Brian’s party. I didn’t even bother going home. I came straight from the airport to get her, and that was after I called the restaurant she worked to let them know she would not be coming back. And even though at the back of my mind I knew that was out of line, I was too angry to care. And seeing her dancing so close to Brian with the two laughing as if they were a couple almost drove me insane.
I hadn’t cared that it was a party and we were not the only ones around. If Brian hadn’t promptly obeyed me when I asked him to back off from her. I swore I would have hit him. I couldn’t bear to see her in another man’s arms even if the man was my close childhood friend. I just couldn’t see past the surge of jealousy raging inside me. She was mine! I felt completely like some caveman, wanting to claim her and warning off every other male that might be interested. It was insane. I was insane.
Brian parked my black Jeep just by the side of the garden and got out of the car. He rushed to open the back door for me to put Estera but I told him I would rather have her beside me on the passenger seat. He shut the back door and went to open the front one for me. I placed Estera gently on the leather seat and strapped her in. Brian shut the door gently.
“Will you take her to the hospital?” Brian asked obviously worried and that pissed me off the more. I hated that he cared about her even though my feelings were a tad irrational. I didn’t really care.
“I will take care of her. Thank you,” I snapped. He sighed.
“I am sorry, Evan,” he repeated.
“You would be if anything happens to her,” I retorted and got inside the car.
Brian was still standing there when I drove off. I put a call through to my family doctor and told him to send one of the younger female doctors to my condo in town. I didn’t want to take her home just yet. I didn’t want to be forced to separate from her and leave her for her aunt to care for her. I wanted to do that myself. After I was done with my calls to the hospital, I called Estera’s aunt to let her know she was with me in Brian’s party. I debated whether to let her know about the incident but didn’t know if it was worth worrying her about. Then I thought perhaps I should let Estera decide when she wakes up.
“Aww… that’s so sweet of you. I have been tormenting myself about how to speak with her about celebrating her eighteenth birthday today, being the first she would be having without her parents. She didn’t mention it at all and that got me really worried. But I am certain you being around will distract her. Don’t tell her I told you, but I think she missed you. Your presence will surely be enough distraction. Thank you so much—”
The information both shocked and pleased me, but I didn’t let it show in my voice. ‘Estera is officially an adult now… and she missed me,’ I thought to myself with a smile. My eyes settled on her beautiful face. She was sleeping now and her soft breathing filled the car interior. I couldn’t resist raising my hand to brush her eyebrows. Noting she wore makeup and it enhanced her beauty in a way that made her look older than her real age. She was stunning without makeup and even more with it. I don’t blame Brian for wanting her. I wouldn’t blame any man for wanting her. She was exquisite. I directed my eyes to the digital clock on my dashboard, silently noting it was officially her birthday like her aunt mentioned and felt the need to celebrate it for her or like her aunt suggested distract her.
“I hope you wouldn’t mind Ms. Sophia. I will like to take off with her for a few hours to celebrate her birthday. She is sleeping now, so am going to have to wait for her to wake up,” I said, the older woman laughed on the other end.
“Poor thing must be exhausted. She isn’t used to partying and such,” she said. I smiled.
“I can tell. I will try and make sure she has a good time and bring her home safely. One more thing, ma’am, nobody at the house except my driver and Henry knows that I am around so if you would please—”
“It’s okay, I understand. Please take care of her. She is all I have got.”
“It’s okay, Ms. Sophia. I promise you, she is safe with me,” I said.
“I know,” she said, and my heart constricted at the level of trust she has for me, knowing that somewhat sealed my fate. I can’t have sex with Estera, even now. I can’t do it. I ended the call and let out a sigh.