The CEO’s Unspoken Love (Eleanor and Derek) novel Chapter 98

Chapter 98

Derek POV

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Eleanor’s scream echoed in my ears as I kicked open the door. The heavy mahogany splintered at the lock, swinging violently

against the wall with a crash that reverberated through the room.

Time crystallized into a single, horrific tableau. Dimmed crystal sconces cast amber shadows across the opulent space, illuminating Eleanor bound and struggling on a leather sofa. Her blouse was torn at the shoulder, hair disheveled, face streaked with tears. A man I’d never seen before loomed over her, silk tie in hand, fresh welts visible on her exposed arms where he’d struck her.

Everything inside me went deathly cold, then erupted into blinding heat.

“Get the hell away from her! My voice barely sounded human, torn from somewhere primal and savage.

The attacker turned, surprise flashing across his face before my fist connected with his jaw. The impact reverberated up my arm-a familiar sensation from years of boxing at Harvard. I’d always maintained control in the ring. Not now. Now, I wanted blood.

I yanked him off her with such force that he stumbled backward into an antique side table.

‘Derek- Eleanor’s voice broke, thin and tremulous.

The sound of my name on her lips, so different from the countless times I’d heard her say it before-in anger, in passion, in resignation-sliced through my rage. I spared a glance at her, and the terror in her eyes caused something in my chest to crack

open.

I knelt beside her, deliberately gentling my movements. “I’m here. My thumb carefully brushed tears from her cheek, the pad catching on salt-roughened skin. “It’s okay now.”

Behind me, the attacker groaned, struggling to his feet. I didn’t turn, focusing instead on retrieving the small carbon fiber knife I kept in my wallet. Carefully, I slid the blade between the plastic and her skin, cutting away the restraints. The plastic fell away, revealing angry red welts circling her wrists like brutal bracelets. Small beads of blood had formed where the edges had cut into her

flesh.

‘You’re safe,” I whispered, working on the ties at her ankles next, noting similar marks there. Each injury I uncovered stoked the rage simmering just beneath my controlled exterior.

Recognition dawned in Eleanor’s eyes, followed by something I couldn’t quite name-relief, perhaps, or disbelief. Then, like a dam breaking, she collapsed against me, her entire body shaking with silent sobs.

“Derek… Derek… Her fingers clutched my shirt with surprising strength, as if I might vanish if she let go.

I quickly shrugged out of my jacket and wrapped it around her shoulders. The dark material swallowed her slender frame.

“Close your eyes, I murmured, one hand cradling the back of her head, fingers threading through her hair. “Don’t look. Trust me.”

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Chapter 98

A soft noise escaped her throat as she pressed her face against my chest. I could feel her heart racing through the thin fabric of her

torn blouse, a frantic rhythm against my own thundering pulse.

Certain she was secured in my arms, I turned my attention back to the attacker, who was now struggling to his feet, blood trickling

from a split lip.

“Who sent you?” I kept my voice low, controlled.

The man spat blood onto the imported Persian rug. “Wouldn’t you like to know, Wells?” Boston accent, mid-thirties, unremarkable

except for a jagged scar along his jawline. Not someone from our social circle. Hired muscle.

“I won’t ask again.” I didn’t raise my voice. I didn’t need to.

The man smirked, eyes flicking to Eleanor’s trembling form. “Your little wife cried out for you. Begged, even.”

My jaw clenched so hard I could hear my teeth grinding. “Who. Sent. You.”

“You’ve made enemies, Wells. Powerful ones. People who know hurting her is the best way to hurt you.” He straightened, confidence

returning. Funny though, isn’t it? A man rushing to save the wife he just divorced. Or is it ex-wife now?”

Eleanor stiffened against me, her breath catching. She’d gone utterly still, listening.

This is just the beginning. The threat slithered through the opulent room.

I pushed Eleanor behind me with one arm, using my body as a shield as I pivoted to face him.

I dodged the first strike, but the second caught my shoulder, slicing through my shirt and into flesh. Hot pain flared, but adrenaline

dulled it to a distant throb.

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The CEO’s Unspoken Love