Behind the Secrets (Behind the Lives #4) (17 page)

Jade refocused on Beth. “Call the
police.”

Kara continued to rock Dante. “The
police aren’t needed, only an ambulance.”

“While you need to go to jail for attacking
him,” Jade snapped, his face now furious.

Kara placed Dante gently down on the
floor and pushed to her feet. “It was an accident.”

Jade turned to Beth. “Is this true or
did she assault him? And think long and hard about your answer, because that
woman could hurt Dante again.”

“What are you saying?!” Kara spat.

“You assaulted Dante,” Jade replied.

“I did not!”

Jade stepped closer to Kara, his posture
threatening. “Beth said you knocked him back—
that’s
assault. He’s
unconscious because of
you
; he could’ve died because of
you
. He
told me you used to push him around. You shouldn’t abuse him; you should love
him—like I do.”

“Pushing him isn’t abusing him!”

“It is when you hurt him! And you’re going
to pay for it.” His eyes went to Beth again. “Did she attack Dante? And tell me
the right answer!”

Beth nodded, knowing it was only a half-truth.

“You liar!” Kara screamed, going for
Beth.

Jade shot in front of her, pushing her back.
Kara threw a punch at him. Jade blocked it and slammed her face first into the
wall. He yanked her arms behind her back, causing Kara to cry out.

He glanced over his shoulder at Beth. “Call
the police.”

“I didn’t mean to hurt him,” Kara yelled,
trying to break free. “You know that, Beth. You can’t lie to the police; Dante
will tell them the truth when he wakes up.”

“Stop fighting me!” Jade snapped.

Kara continued to struggle. “You know I
wouldn’t hurt Dante on purpose. I would die for him.”

“You also said you would kill for him. I
heard that and the police will too.”

“Even if you did get rid of me, Dante still
won’t want you. He doesn’t even want Beth.” She stopped struggling. “He only
cares about the baby.” She leaned her forehead against the wall and started
sobbing.

Beth
placed a hand on her stomach, knowing Kara was right.

***

The
ambulance arrived several minutes later, the police accompanying them. The officers’
attention shot to Jade as they stepped through the front door. The men were
dressed in police blues, both of them tall, one in his forties, the other much
younger.

“Sir, please step away from the lady,”
the older policeman said, the man reminding Beth of Jason Statham, just with
more hair.

Jade shook his head vigorously. “You
don’t understand; I had to restrain her. She attacked Dante.”

“I still want you to step away from her.
I assure you, we won’t harm you—unless you attack us.”

Looking worried, Jade let go of Kara and
stepped back. “Ask Beth.” He pointed at her. “She saw Kara attack Dante.”

“I didn’t attack him!” Kara spun around
and headed for Dante, who was being placed on a stretcher by the medics.

The older policeman moved fast, stepping
in front of her. He indicated to the front door. “Please go to my car of your
own accord.”

Her eyes widened. “Are you arresting
me?”

“No, I just need you to cooperate.”

“But I didn’t attack Dante, Jade’s
lying.”

“I’m not lying,” Jade cut in. “I woke up
to screaming and yelling. I came out, finding Dante lying unconscious at the
bottom of the staircase, with Kara hovering over him.” He indicated to Beth.
“Dante’s partner can confirm everything. She told me what happened.”

The policeman turned to her. “Is this
true? Did this woman assault your partner?”

“Yes.”

“Can you please remove your sunglasses
and tell me exactly what happened.”

Beth took them off, placing them in her
bag, along with her phone. “She kept shoving him, as well as verbally abusing
him. She then turned on me when I told her to get away from him. Dante tried to
protect me, but she attacked him, resulting in him bein’ knocked out.”

The policeman looked down at Kara, the
man considerably taller than her. “Is this what happened?”

“It sounds worse than it was,” Kara
said, now looking worried.

“Did you attack him or not?”

“It was just a push; I didn’t mean to
hurt him.”

“It wuzn’t just a push,” Beth snapped.
“She shoved him numerous times. She also stomped on his foot and knocked him to
the floor. She wuz out of control, yelling and screaming at him—that’s what
Jade heard.”

The policeman took hold of Kara’s arm
and started reading Kara her rights.

“No!” Kara yelled, yanking free. “I need
to go with Dante.”

She went to follow the medics out of the
house; the two men carrying Dante on a stretcher. The policeman grabbed her arm
again. Kara yelled out, trying to pull free, but he was too quick, clicking on
a cuff within seconds.

Kara struggled against him, but to no
avail. “You can’t do this! I have to go with my husband!”

The policeman secured the other cuff. “Your
husband?”

“
Da
, Dante’s
my
husband,
not that pretender’s.”

“I’m not a pretender!” Beth bit back.
“Her marriage isn’t legal.”

“It is!”

Jade stepped forward. “Don’t listen to
her, Beth is Dante’s partner. She’s pregnant with his baby,” he pointed at
Kara, “while this woman has been harassing me and my flatmate. She’s been
stalking the both of us—”

“I have not!” Kara shouted.

“She has. I had to put a restraining
order on her, but you can clearly see she doesn’t care about the law. She needs
to be locked up before she kills someone.”

Kara screamed at Jade that he was a liar.
While they argued, Beth slipped out of the house and ran across the front yard,
heading for the ambulance that was parked behind Jade’s Ferrari. One of the
medics was inside it, strapping Dante to a gurney, while the other was
instructing the driver.

Beth climbed in. “Can I please ride with
him? I’m his partner.”

“Sure,” the man said, securing the last
strap.

Beth sat down, realising a moment later she’d
forgotten her handbag. “I forgot my bag, can you wait while I get it?”

“As long as you’re quick, we’re about to
leave.”

She pushed off the seat, stopping as
Jade appeared in the doorway.

“I’m coming too,” he said, climbing in.
He sat down next to the medic and took hold of Dante’s hand. “Is he going to be
all right?”

The medic nodded as he continued to
check Dante. Beth’s eyes moved to the doorway again, spotting the policemen
walking a handcuffed Kara to their car.

Kara looked over at her. “Take care of
my
dragi
,” she called out, her expression shattered.

The other medic appeared, closing the
back doors, as well as cutting off Beth’s chance of getting her bag. She sat
back down as Jade started ranting about Kara:

“That horrid woman deserves to go to
jail for hurting Dante. After we make sure he’s okay, you need to go down to
the police station and give them your full statement about what Kara did.”

Beth placed a hand on the gurney as the
ambulance backed out of the driveway. “I already told them what happened.”

“It needs to be formal. She could’ve
killed Dante. She’s too obsessed with him.”

And you’re not?

“She’s a complete psychopath.”

“Certifiable.”

“Which is why I’m going to buy another
house, one with security so she can’t get to him again.”

“Where?”

“Out west. I saw a beautiful property
near Piha with fantastic security. I think it’ll fit the bill nicely. Not only
that, he’ll need extra security for when he becomes famous.”

“It’s not a given he’ll become famous.”

“Oh, it is. I’ve discovered a number of
successful stars, and he’s got more potential than all of them times a hundred.
He’s drop-dead gorgeous, sends women into a frenzy, has a fantastic voice, and
can even write songs. Without a doubt, he’s going to be huge.”

“And my husband, so I don’t want you
pushing him too hard.”

Jade glared at her. “I’m not the one
who’s been pushing him. You and Kara have been. You two wouldn’t let up on him,
constantly badgering him to choose between the two of you, and when he finally
chose Kara, you go and tell him you’re pregnant. On top of that, he was abused
and used by those disgusting people at Craven’s party. Why can’t you two just
back off and let him heal?”

Beth scowled at him. “So you can have
him? I heard what you paid him to do. It’s disgusting; you should be ashamed of
yourself for using him. You’re just like those people at that party.”

“I am not! I love him.”

“So do I! But unlike you, I’m having his
baby, so
you
back off.” Her eyes moved to the medic as he cleared his throat,
the man appearing uncomfortable. “I’m sorry,” she said.

He nodded, looking like he wished he
hadn’t let them come along.

Dante moaned, snapping her attention to
him. He opened his eyes, appearing dazed.

Beth shuffled closer to him. “How are ya
feeling, Dante?”

Not answering her, he looked down at his
body, jolting in response. “What the fuck?!”

The medic placed a hand on Dante’s
shoulder. “Don’t panic, we had to strap you down for your own safety.”

Dante started fumbling with the clasps,
trying to get free.

The medic moved his hand to Dante’s. “You
should keep still, you have a head injury.”

Dante knocked the medic’s hand away and continued
fumbling with the clasp, his fingers appearing not to be working properly, his
features growing more panicked by the second.

Beth stood up, steadying herself as the
ambulance went round a corner. Reaching out, she took hold of Dante’s right hand.
“The ambo’s right, you needa keep still.”

His eyes snapped to her. “Why? What’s
wrong with me?”

“You were knocked unconscious.”

“How?”

“Don’t you remember?”

“No.”

“Kara attacked you,” Jade cut in. “She
knocked you out.”

Dante’s eyes widened. “She wouldn’t do
that.”

“Well, she did. I found her hovering
over your unconscious body.”

“How do you know she attacked me if you
didn’t see it?”

“Beth told me.”

Dante looked at her. “Is it true?”

“Yes,” Beth replied.

Dante’s face dropped, making Beth wonder
whether she should explain how it had happened. She went to open her mouth, but
instead shut it, her nauseous stomach reminding her she was pregnant ... with his
brother’s baby. And if he knew that, he’d leave her for Kara.

Beth squeezed his hand, intent on using
this to get rid of Kara permanently. “She went off her head at you, both
physically and verbally.”

Dante blinked, looking lost for words.

“I’m sorry, I know it must hurt, but you
needed to be told.”

“Where is she?”

“With the police, they arrested her.”

Dante closed his eyes, again his upset
expression making her feel guilty.

She gave his hand another squeeze. “It’s
better she’s gone, plus you have me. I would never hurt you like she did, and
I’ll always be here for you, no matter what.”

Dante opened his eyes, his gaze moving
to her belly. “And I’ll always be here for you, too.”

Beth placed her hand on her stomach, not
sure if he was talking to her or the baby.

13

Dante

Jade
was talking non-stop by Dante’s hospital bed, which was one of two in the room,
the other bed empty. He was ranting about what Kara had done, waving his hands
about. Dante didn’t stop him; still in shock that Kara had attacked him. He
knew she’d be upset that he was choosing to be with Beth, but he didn’t think
she would attack him over it. His mind went to what the psychiatrist had said
about Kara: that she’d attacked him in the past, something he hadn’t believed.
Yeah, she shoved him at times when she was upset, but he couldn’t recall her
actually purposely harming him ...
he couldn’t remember at all
. But the
psychiatrist had said he’d spoken about it during his hypnotherapy session. He
breathed out, wishing he remembered what he’d said. He knew he blocked out shit,
he did it all the time, but, with the exceptions of his blackouts, deep down he
knew what had happened, and there was absolutely nothing he could remember
about Kara hurting him like today. It made him want to see the psychiatrist
again—so he could find out
exactly
what he’d said to her while under
hypnosis.

His attention moved to the door as Beth
returned with food and drink. She held out a bottle of water for Jade. Jade
took it, not missing a beat as he continued to jabber on about Kara:

“If she gets out, you need to place a protection
order on her,” Jade said. “Maybe this time she’ll stay away. I’m hoping her
arrest will knock some sense into her. So, as soon as you’re up to it, I’ll
take you down to the family court so you can get one filed.”

Dante nodded, although he didn’t mean
it. Protection orders meant nothing to Kara. She’d broken more than one, the
first time after a break-up. She wouldn’t leave him alone, constantly following
him around. He’d snapped and placed the order. The next night she was back in
their bed, blowing his mind
and
his cock, the woman impossible to leave.
He smiled, remembering that night well.

“Are you feeling better?” Beth asked.

He turned his head towards her. She was sitting
on the opposite side of the bed from Jade, looking tired and a touch yellow,
probably due to her morning-sickness. But in spite of all that, she still
looked lovely, her sweet features showing concern for him. Yet all he could
think about was Kara and how she was doing. He needed to push Kara out of his
mind, although he knew it would be impossible, even more so now. He hoped she
was all right, what Jade had said concerning him. No matter what she’d done, he
didn’t want her in jail, and especially not because of him.

“Dante? Are you feeling better?” Beth
repeated.

“I’m fine,” he replied, forcing himself
to keep his focus on Beth. He did love her, just not as intensely as Kara. He
didn’t know whether it was because he’d known Kara for longer—or whether it was
because Kara suited him more, her craziness a match for his. In comparison,
Beth wasn’t crazy. She was stable, normal, loving—everything he should want, and
still did, but...

He breathed out, wondering whether the
problem was him. Maybe he wasn’t cut out for monogamy. His mates had joked that
he was born to have a harem, one of them even commenting that he should only
have open relationships so he didn’t cheat. But he wanted a proper relationship—just
with both Beth and Kara. But that was selfish and something he knew was
impossible, especially since the two women hated each other with a passion.

“Will you do sumpthin’ for me?” he asked
Beth, feeling guilty for what he was about to say, but needing to make sure that
Kara was all right.

“Sure, what?”

“I want you to tell the police what Kara
did wuz an accident.”

“No!” Jade shouted. “She attacked you.”

Dante turned to Jade. “I don’t want her
goin’ to jail. She’s had a hard enough life as it is.”

“She could attack you again.”

“I’ll be better prepared if she does,
and as you said, I can place a protection order on her.”

“Beth’s still not going to lie for that
crazy woman.”

“It won’t be for Kara, it’ll be for me.”
Dante looked back at Beth. “You
will
tell the police it wuz an
accident.”

She frowned. “And if I don’t?”

“I’ll tell them I remember what happened
and that it wuz an accident.”

She scowled at him. “If you do that, you’ll
make me out as a liar.”

“Only if you counter what I say.”

“Why are you protecting her?” she asked,
looking upset.

“Like I just said, she’s had a hard life,
you don’t needa add to it.”

“She isn’t the only one who’s had it
hard. You’ve had it really rough and most of it has been her fault.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. I had problems way
before I met her.”

“Maybe, but she added to them. What
about those hidden cameras she installed in your room, so that disgusting man
could film you havin’ sex?”

“She wuz forced to do it, otherwise her
family would’ve been killed.”

“She still betrayed you. I would never
do that.”

He frowned. “So, you’d risk your own
family’s lives for me?”

“No, I’d have found another way.”

He shook his head. “You may say that
now, but before Craven died, he could make anyone do what he wanted. Fuck, he
made me perform porn in front of a crowd by threatening your life.”

She grimaced. “I’m sorry—”

“Don’t apologise, it wuzn’t your fault,
I just didn’t want you blaming Kara without knowing what it feels like to be in
her situation—”

“I do know what it’s like.”

“What do ya mean?”

She dropped her gaze.

Concerned, Dante sat up straighter. “Did
Craven do sumpthin’ to you?”

“It wuzn’t Craven.”

“Then who?!”

She looked up, her expression scared. “Saul
almost raped me.”

“What?!”

She looked down again, appearing
ashamed. “He put his hand over my mouth and stuck his fingers inside of my you-know-what.
He would’ve fucked me too if I didn’t scream. Earlier, he came to my house,
lookin’ for me. I found him fucking Josie. I wuz so scared, I thought he wuz
raping her, but Josie said it wuz consensual. I told her what he did to me. She
didn’t believe me at first.” She covered her face and started crying.

Beyond furious, Dante shoved the blanket
aside and jumped out of bed, the hospital gown leaving his arse exposed. “Where
are my clothes?” he snapped at Jade.

“You have to stay in bed,” Jade said, looking
worried, “you’re not well enough to leave.”

“Where are my fuckin’ clothes?!” Dante hollered,
not giving a shit it was hurting his head. Saul was going to end up in the fucking
ground for what he’d done.

“No, Dante,” Jade said, moving in front
of him. “I know what you’re thinking and you can’t go after Saul, you’ll get
yourself hurt.”

Dante shoved him aside, the dude too
small to stop him.

Beth shot in front of him, her face
terrified. “Jade’s right, you needa stay in bed. You’ve had a concussion. One
more hit could be deadly.”

“I don’t fuckin’ care. That lying
sonofabitch pretended he wuz helping us, when all along he wuz helping himself
to you. He needs to pay.”

“Who needs to pay?” a voice said from
the door.