Yours Completely (Billionaires and Brides 1)

She'd beaten at the walls for hours, yet all she had to show for it was dirty hands.

The numbers on her watch changed to the hour and Ella knew he was gone. He couldn't have waited for her this long. Her heart stopped and her knees gave out. She didn't remember sinking to the floor, didn't remember starting to cry, or hanging her head as sobs racked her body.

Jace was gone.

What would Jace think? He had to think that she didn't meet him for a reason. If Delores had her way, she would tell him that Ella wasn't interested and to never come back. If her daughter couldn't have him, then no one could. Especially not Ella.

Regret spilled out of her like water from a faucet. She should have told him how she felt, how he lit up her gray world and made her feel special. When he smiled at her, she felt like things would work out. How she wished she could just see that smile again.

But he was gone. Gone, and probably angry with her for having stood him up. Her eyes welled up with fresh tears and her lungs ached for more oxygen. No one c

ould hear her cry down here anyway.

She was alone and there was nothing she could do.

***

Ella wasn't sure how much time had passed. There were no windows in the cellar, and she'd given up checking her watch. It didn't matter anyway. An hour or a week, Jace was still gone.

The door handle squeaked as someone attempted to open it. Ella scrubbed her face, finding it crunchy with dried tears. She was fairly sure that no matter what she did short of a shower, it was going to be obvious she'd been crying. Ella just hoped it wasn't Delores opening the door. She could handle just about anyone else right now, just not Delores.

“There you are!” Allison's voice was full of relief. “I've been looking everywhere.”

“Allison?” Ella was expecting one of the kitchen staff, not her step-sister. “What are you doing down here?”

“Rescuing you,” Allison replied. She pushed the door open as far as it would go and kicked the door stop firmly under it.

“Thank you,” Ella said, but it sounded full of despair even to her own ears. The tears were threatening to come back now that she was free. She could escape the cellar now, but Jace was long gone.

“Wow, don't sound so grateful.” Allison leaned against the open door. “I might get the wrong idea and think you liked it down here.”

“Sorry, I really am glad you came,” Ella said. Her shoulders slumped. “It's just... he's gone. And I didn't get to say goodbye.”

“I figured as much.” Allison crossed her arms. “I've actually been looking for you for the past two hours. No one knew where you went.”

“You were looking for me?” Ella looked up from the floor in surprise. Why in the world would Allison look for her?

“I saw Mom with your phone. I also saw Jace leave in an angry huff. Since you weren't there, and you aren't the type to let a guest leave in a huff, especially one you like...” Allison shrugged. “I figured it was bad. And since you two looked awful cozy and happy yesterday, I figured that it wasn't a planned thing.”

“He must hate me. I can only imagine what Delores said to him.” Ella wished she could just go back to bed. Maybe she'd wake up in a little bit and find this was all just a bad dream.

“Mom was beside herself when she saw the two of you at the wedding. I've never seen her so angry.” Allison shook her head. “I'm sorry, Ella. You don't deserve this. You deserve him and the way he looks at you. Not this.”

“It's not your fault,” Ella told her. She wrapped her arms around her, holding herself together. “I heard he helped you out.”

“Yeah, he did.” Allison smiled and shrugged. “Unfortunately, Mom figured it out. Now she's pissed at all three of us.”

“And I'm her favorite whipping post. Awesome.” Ella ran her fingers through her hair. In addition to losing Jace, Delores was going to make sure her life was miserable. A shaky sigh escaped her chest. “What am I going to do?”

“Go get him,” Allison replied. She pulled a roll of bills from her back pocket and placed them in Ella's hand. “Get out of here and go find him.”

Ella looked at the money. She wasn't sure she could accept it, and worse than that, she couldn't leave the property without jeopardizing her inheritance. “But the inn...”

“The inn will survive without you. And if it doesn't, then maybe Mom will finally get her head out of her ass.” Allison closed Ella's fingers around the money. “You have to have some days off saved up.”

“I don't get days off,” Ella reminded her. “You know that.”

“That's not terribly legal,” Allison mused. “I doubt anyone would dispute that after five years of nonstop work you don't deserve a week or two off.”