The Deal

Chapter 23: My Demons.

The Deal

I finally made it home just in time, right before the rain came pouring down again. I quickly changed out of my clothes, slipping into a pair of shorts and one of West's old shirts, still carrying the faint scent of him.

Making myself a cup of coffee, I curled up on the couch with a blanket, flicking through the TV channels absentmindedly.

That's when my phone started buzzing on the coffee table. I glanced down to see a message from an unknown number.

Curious, I picked up my phone and opened the message. My stomach dropped when I saw the photo—a picture of me, sitting on the couch just moments ago.

I froze. My breath caught in my throat. I immediately sat up straight and glanced toward the window, but there was no one there.

Then, the doorbell rang.

A wave of panic washed over me. My heart pounded in my chest. I was alone. No one was supposed to be here. The last thing I needed was to be stabbed again.

Without thinking, I grabbed my phone and dialled West's number, praying he would answer. The phone rang a few times before he picked up.

"Hope, are you okay? I'm in a meeting right now." I could hear his voice low, laced with concern.

"No, I'm not okay," I replied quickly, my heart racing. "Someone is outside my house. They just sent me a damn picture of myself while I was sitting on the couch." My voice shook as I spoke, barely containing my panic.

The doorbell rang again, this time louder, more urgent.

"I'm coming, okay? Just stay on the phone with me, baby," West said, his tone sharp and frantic. I could hear him moving around, swearing under his breath.

Whoever was outside didn't stop. The knocking grew louder and more forceful, the sound vibrating through the walls, making the door tremble from the impact.

Fed up with the relentless noise, I stood up from the couch, my feet moving toward the door almost on their own. I couldn't ignore it anymore.

"Hope, do not answer that door," West's voice came through the phone, low and commanding.

My jaw dropped in shock. How on earth did he know that's exactly what I was about to do?

"I need to, West," I said urgently, my voice trembling with fear. "They're going to break my bloody door down if I don't do something soon." My hand hovered over the door handle, shaking, as I took several shaky breaths, trying to calm my rapidly escalating panic. My other hand pressed the phone harder against my ear, desperate to hear West's reassuring voice.

"Please, Hope," West's voice cracked through the line, raw with emotion. "I don't think I can bear it if something happens to you, and I'm not there to protect you." His words struck a chord deep within me, the weight of his concern almost suffocating. I knew he was terrified, but surely no one would be stupid enough to do something reckless in broad daylight, right?

Trying to push West's pleas aside, I turned the handle with a trembling hand, my heart pounding painfully. The moment I opened the door, the rush of cold air and the sharp sound of a body crashing into mine caught me off guard. Before I could react, I was shoved violently against the wall, the breath knocked from my lungs. A strong, cold hand wrapped around my throat, cutting off my air, while another arm pinned me down, leaving me helpless and immobile.

My entire body froze in shock, panic swelling in my chest as the world around me narrowed into a blur of dark figures and overwhelming pressure.

My phone slipped from my hand, crashing to the floor as the struggle escalated, and I could only pray that West would make it in time. My heart was racing, the blood rushing in my ears as I fought for control over my breathing.