Ever since he found out about Dorothy's mother's death, he hadn't dug any deeper, believing that Dorothy and Kenneth were the golden couple, living their picture-perfect life. He felt like an outsider, an intruder, and he was sure that butting in would only make Dorothy despise him! At the time, he truly wanted to move on, to start afresh, and to say a final goodbye to what was.
With that in mind, Everett didn't order any further investigation.
But boy, had he been wrong, spectacularly wrong! He had taken 99 steps towards Dorothy, only to halt at the very last one! Meanwhile, Dorothy, oblivious to all this, was busy compiling her reports, her mind set on meeting with Kenneth after work to track down the elusive cyber wizard known as Byte 7.
After all, snagging a meeting with this shadowy hacker was a chance she wouldn't miss.
Even if Everett docked her a month's pay, it wouldn't matter; she had to go today.
Four long years! She had scrimped and saved, begged and pleaded to get in touch with Byte 7, and now, four years later, she was on the brink of unraveling the truth behind her mother's death. She knew she had just one shot at this and there was no room for error. She couldn't afford to give Heather or Everett's parents a moment's respite.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtIf they caught a whiff of her plan, destroying the evidence or silencing her for good would be all too easy.
She had gone through hell and high water to retrieve that formatted surveillance hard drive! It was the only lead that might reveal the identity of the killer.
On this matter, she couldn't even trust Everett.
The minutes ticked by until it was finally time to clock out.
Fearing Everett might try to stop her, Dorothy didn't waste a second. She grabbed her purse and left the office.
Kenneth was already waiting downstairs. He rolled down his window and waved frantically at her as she approached.
Clutching the purse that held the hard drive, she quickened her pace.
But suddenly, a strong force gripped her shoulder from behind, rooting her to the spot! Kenneth, who had been in the car, saw who it was and his face went pale.
It was Everett.
That familiar presence — Dorothy didn't even need to turn around to know who stood behind her.
Panic surged through her, with the fear of losing the hard drive.
"You're working overtime today. You can't leave." Everett's voice boomed from above.
Dorothy tilted her head back to meet his deep eyes.
"| already told you, | can't work late tonight." "Then you're not leaving with him either." Everett's tone was unusually commanding, brooking no dissent.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmDorothy struggled, but she couldn't break free from his grip.
"I have the right to choose who | spend my time with after hours!" Across the street, Kenneth had gotten out of the car and started heading their way.
Just as Dorothy was about to lash out, Everett's hands suddenly cradled her face, and his lips crashed down on hers! The kiss was intense from the start, devoid of any tenderness, his hot tongue wildly claiming her, as if trying to steal away all her breath.
It was less of a kiss and more of a punishment.
It was unclear whether it was meant to punish her or himself.
Dorothy was stunned for only a second before she began to push him away with all her might, but to no avail. Everett's towering and muscular frame was unmoved by her feeble efforts.
"Mmm... Mmm! Everett, stop...!I" When her attempts to fight proved futile, she bit down hard on his lip in desperation.
Soon, the taste of blood filled her mouth.