Her apartment was at the end of a short cul de sac. Visitor parking was out the front of the building and he wedged his dusty farm vehicle between two shiny sports cars before squeezing out of the driver’s door, doing his best not to mark either car.
Blake adjusted his hat and walked to the door. It was open and he stepped in, looking for the letterbox that showed her apartment number. Choosing to take the stairs, Blake tried to work out what he was going to say as he jogged up to Del’s floor. He stood outside her door, gazing at the flash décor in the hallway and wondered if he was doing the right thing. There was no way his humble home could ever come up to the standard she was used to. He was used to the old house with its old-fashioned fittings. It was serviceable and everything worked. This place was new-looking and ultra-modern, a far cry from the home he had grown up in. For a couple of minutes, he debated about turning around and leaving, saving his pride more than anything else. He should have known she was used to more than he had. That much was obvious when he’d picked her up all those weeks ago at the store when she got off the bus looking like she had just walked out of a photo shoot.
Before he could chicken out, Blake lifted his hand and knocked on the door. The sound of an angry voice reached his ears and he leaned forward listening. Delilah made a choking sound and there was a thump. Blake grabbed the door handle and turned it, pushing the door open.
“Del, Del, where are you?” He hurried into the apartment, desperate to find her.
“No, you don’t understand…” Her voice came from further inside the apartment and Blake ran towards it. What he saw made his blood boil and he rushed forward, pushing Brad Hollows away from Del as she slumped against the wall, her hands held to an angry red mark on her throat.
“Get away from her.”
“Who do you think you are? Mind your own damned business and get out of here. Nosy bloody neighbors. This has nothing to do with you.” Brad Hollows lifted his chin and pushed his hand against Blake’s chest only to be met by an immovable object.
“Leave the lady alone.” Blake turned to Del, reaching to hold her arm, pulling her close. She grabbed at his shirt with a shaking hand, and he turned back to the movie star. “You might want to let go, buddy, before I do something about it.”
“Do you know who you’re talking to?”
“Yeah, I do. A worn out actor who thinks he’s better than he really is. Now back off or I won’t be responsible for my actions.” Blake heard Del whimper behind him and he stepped closer to Brad, giving his best threatening glare.
“That bitch wants to ruin my life. Don’t think you can do this and get away with it, Del. I’m going to sue the ass off you for discrimination and ruining my career if you do this. Believe me, I will take you down.”
Blake lifted his fist and swung, knocking the guy in the jaw. Brad’s eyes rolled up and he slowly dropped to the floor unconscious.
He turned back to Delilah. “What did he do to you, babe? Are you alright?” Blake leaned down and lifted her up, sliding his arms around her before carrying her to the couch. He dropped down with her still in his arms. One side of her face was bright red and fingerprints were visible on the top of her cheek. He winced as tears filled her eyes.
“He…he was angry at m…me. Paul told him this was the last season and he hit the roof.” The tears overflowed and trickled down her cheeks.
Blake glared at the man lying on the floor. Freaking coward, hitting a woman. He cupped a hand around the back of her head and cuddled her into his neck. “It will be okay. Shh, don’t worry about him anymore. I don’t think he’ll do anything to you again.”
“He will. It’s all my fault and he’ll make me pay for it.” She lifted her chin and showed him the marks around her throat. The deep red marks made his blood boil and he wanted to pummel the man until he bled. “He was trying to kill me, I know he was.”
Blake held her close. His heart was pounding and he couldn’t believe it had taken him so long to come and see her. If Bluey hadn’t pushed and hassled him, she could have been taken from him for good.
“I’m sorry, Del. This wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t been such a stubborn idiot. I should never have let you go that way.” He cupped her chin and looked at the tear-filled green eyes. “It would have been so much easier if I had understood instead of letting you go thinking I didn’t care.”
“But what about…” she looked at the man on the floor, “him?”
Chapter 18
“He’ll have to go over me to try it and I’m not giving him the chance.” Blake stroked the back of her head. “I’ll be the one protecting you from now on.”
Del closed her eyes. If Blake had come to try and talk her into going back, he was in for a shock. She raised her gaze to meet his. “I can’t go back yet, Blake. The whole reason I
