Chasing Paradise (Chasing Series #3)

by Pamela Ann

  Now in the car, Edward updated me with the events. Shock didn’t cover what I felt right now. “Ivanna?” I spat. “It was her all along?”

  “She’s in jail and being held without bail until the judge reviews the case.” Edward shook his head in disgust.

  How the hell did that nice woman turn into a murderer? I was wracked with guilt. This was all my fault. I wanted to go see her, confront her, bring down all the bloody punishments to the damn woman who wanted Sienna dead, just because I ended the small fling we had last year, but Edward advised that I visit Sienna first, snapping me back to the main priority.

  It was rather surreal, coming into the same hospital that I went to when Chad was admitted last year. I should’ve been running to get to her room, but my steps were slowed as I tried to breathe. Everything seemed acute. Sienna was here, unconscious. The words kept repeating in my head.

  Chad was in New York with Luke. Toby was in Marbella and Lucy was in school. I was never one who needed friends to feel better, but right now, I’d give anything to have one of them talking to me, help me get some sense of the situation.

  No matter what Edward said, I felt like this was my fault. Ivanna was the result of my raging rebellion against Sienna, trying implicitly to exorcise her from my mind and my heart, but I failed miserably. The second I touched Sienna; I went back to the besotted fool that I was and dropped everyone else. I might have been crass when it came to me ending ties with my past lovers, but they were done with good intentions, explaining the to and fro.

  This was unexpected.

  “We’re here, sir. I’ll just wait out here.” Edward gestured towards the door next to him. The acrid smell of the hospital inflamed my senses, reminding me that Sienna was hurting behind this door.

  I stifled a sob when I saw her, pale and ashen, with a cut on her forehead. For some reason, I stayed at the foot of the bed, afraid to move any closer or dare to even touch her because I was afraid that something wrong would happen.

  A quick knock on the door made me look up. Edward appeared and slowly walked inside the room. “I was just informed that Gareth just got out of surgery. He’s in recovery. I will let you know if there are any more updates.” Edward gave me a curt nod before walking back out into the hallway.

  When we were on our way here, I vaguely recalled him mentioning Gareth needing surgery, but I was too out of it to even pay attention.

  Dragging my legs to function, I pulled a chair and placed it right next to Sienna. The room was eerily quiet, except for the monitors beeping, reminding me that I failed twice.

  The nurses and doctors came and went, explaining procedures and the healing process with good news, but I was pretty much zoning in and out as they spoke to me. Guilt was eating me alive while I watched Sienna recover, fighting to get better.

  When it went past midnight, I reached out and stroked her hand, hoping she’d wake up. “Hey, it’s me.”

  Maybe hearing my voice, even though she was asleep, would subconsciously let her know that I was there, waiting for her.

  “I love you. Come back to me soon, cara.” I kissed her hand, needing to see her smiles. “You said you’d wait for me. Don’t keep me hanging for long.” I paused, needing to gather myself and not breakdown. “I’m sorry for not protecting you as I had promised before. I’m terrible at it, aren’t I? I wouldn’t really blame you if you don’t want to wake up and see me because I’ve let you down again.”

  I brushed against her fingers, bombarded with memories of her. Sienna throwing popcorn at my face, or how she’d make faces, sitting on the countertop while I shaved. The way she put her heart into singing, but was so terrible at it; however, it hadn’t mattered because she was having the time of her life.

  One of my favorite memories of her was when she and I fought, she was in the wrong and she knew it, too, but she didn’t want to apologize. I left for work aggravated and then was surprised to find her in my office, carrying a pizza box with her and wearing the sexiest dress.

  “Hi, I brought you lunch.” She was nervous, eyeing me cautiously because I was still rooted to the spot, right next to my door.

  I nodded, moving slowly towards her before I took the outstretched box in her hands and placed it on the coffee table. “Thanks. How thoughtful of you to come by and bring me lunch.” Inside, I was overjoyed, but I had to mask that because I wanted her to apologize. A simple ‘I’m sorry’ would’ve done the trick, but she was too stubborn.

  Sienna came closer, looking like she wanted to sit, but opted to stand instead. “You must be hungry, you should take a bite. I got you your favorite.”

  This should be interesting. “What might that be?” Referring to my favorite since I was almost sure we never ate pizza together. I sat back on the sofa, lounging as I watched her squirm.

  “Cheese?”

  She was too adorable, but still, I was adamant to hear her apology. I loved and worshipped the ground she walked on, but when she was in the wrong, I needed her to know that she was mistaken so we didn’t have to keep having the same problem time and time again. “Margherita is one. Anchovies, second.”

  She reddened. “Oh,” she murmured, clutching her purse. “Are you breaking up with me? I know we fight a lot and most of the time it’s my fault. I’m childish; I tend to overreact on things, but I do love you, Blake.”

  I suppose this could be an apology. “I’m not breaking up with you, even if you drive me mental most days.” I glanced at her. “Are you just going to stand there or are you going to join me and eat this pizza?” I asked, opening the box.

  She did get me a cheese pizza, but it had black olives, spelling “I’m sorry.”

  Sienna sure knew how to make me feel good again. I just wanted to kiss her senseless, but I wasn’t going to make it that easy for her. “Getting creative with your apologies, Sienna? A simple ‘I’m sorry’ would’ve done it.” I patted the space next to me. “Come sit. We need to talk.

  “You do understand that we need to work on talking to each other properly, right? As friends, things were fairly easy for us. I know the transition from friends to lovers is a tad difficult, but I’m still the same man. The only difference is that I’m open about how much I love you and how much I want to marry your stubborn arse.”

  “I was only teasing about being curious about one-night stands. You take everything I say literally. You need to let loose a bit and have fun. You’re too possessive and jealous most of the time. I get that because, I’m the same with you, but you have to know that when it comes to sex and anything related to him—even with my limited experience—I know when I hit the jackpot with you when it comes to that department.” She curled her hair behind her ear.

  I didn’t even let her breathe another word. I pushed her down on the sofa and bit into her lips, yanked her thong aside and stuck a middle finger inside her. “Jackpot.”

  We spent half of the afternoon on that couch. Let’s just say that she panted out her “I’m sorry” until she could no longer comprehend to utter another damn word.

  Sienna and I communicated through our lovemaking. We both were passionate people. So when we came together, that passion ignited into something larger than life. It’s the perfervid, subliminal, exhilarating ride of your life. When that strong emotion turned into hatred, it was the most crippling, toxic kind of emotion that never lets you off, until you find your way home. Back in her arms, I could only seek refuge, love, calmness and serenity. In her arms, I could only feel the hate, loathing and wrath. Both are the opposites of each other, just like Sienna and I. She was the only person that could make me feel the extremes of emotions, like I do for her.

  You become intertwined with this person. You live for this person. You become whole with this person. Once our souls bonded, we were mated for life.

  Staring at her peaceful face, I kissed her hand again. “Come back to me, Sienna. It’s lonely without you.” My head pounded as I clutched her hand with mine before I fell asleep on it, smelling her skin.r />
  Twenty-nine

  Sienna

  The first thing I registered was the throbbing pain from something being pulled out of my skin. The second, was the smell surrounding me, it was familiar. The third was the odd feeling of being moved. I could feel the sheets moving away from my body, leaving a soft brush against my legs before I felt the cold floor on my feet. I think I even heard myself groan from the sudden contact, but I wasn’t so sure because my mind was still muddled and the heavy feeling of my lids made it difficult for me to open them.

  Then I felt something cold and sturdy, what I’m only guessing was a wheelchair because my feet were being placed on those odd foot pedals.

  “Sienna?” I could hear Blake. He sounded like he just woke up. Were we at home? Why couldn’t I wake up?

  “Don’t move or I’ll blow her brains out,” a woman’s voice threatened Blake.

  British. Posh. Familiar. My mind was whirring with all the words until it finally came into place. It was the woman who pushed me down the stairs. Then the accident this afternoon came back into my mind, reminding me that I was more likely in the hospital, heavily medicated. Fuck!

  “Camilla, put that down!” Blake sounded alarmed.

  When I felt the cool metal on the side on my head, I understood perfectly. She came here to finish what she couldn’t accomplish earlier.

  “The only thing going down is this woman, six feet under,” Camilla spat out, pushing the metal against my skin, hard, making me bob my head to the side.

  “Don’t do this, Camilla. Let Sienna go. I’ll give you anything you want.” Blake was in his serious, business mode.

  I was sure he was calculating in his head already. If Camilla had a gun, there was no way I was getting out of here alive.

  “Marry me like how it was supposed to be to begin with.” Camilla’s voice shook.

  “I’m engaged! I know your father wants to acquire more wealth. I can offer you that, as long as you follow my instructions and not hurt anyone.” Blake was calm, voice in control.

  I tried to will my eyes to open, but it was too heavy. Surprisingly, I could move my fingers, but not my hands. What the hell! I wanted to scream, but instead I heard myself make a muffled groan.

  “I could care less about any of that. I want marriage. That’s what’s open for negotiation.” The metal brushed my cheek before she stuck it underneath my chin. “Or she dies.” She made a weird laugh like groan. “In case you’re doubting my ability to pull the trigger, I already killed one doctor. He’s stuck out in the morgue, so it will take awhile for them to know that he’s missing, since you know, his face got blown off.”

  “All right, I’ll marry you, if you let her go, now.”

  No!!!! I screamed, but nothing came out. Blake was playing into her trap and I was helpless against it.

  “Good. Now I need for you to prove this promise, Blake. Because from what I can recall, your promises aren’t all that solid.” Camilla sounded pleased.

  “How?”

  “Impregnate me.”

  Aw, hell no! This woman was outright batshit crazy! I wanted to fight and kick her to a pulp. I was so enraged. I wanted to kill someone. Blake wasn’t going to do it. I knew he wouldn’t. He’d laugh at her dumb ultimatums.

  Blake made a sharp gasp then remained silent. “You mean now? Right here?” he was aghast and he didn’t mask it.

  “Yes, Blake. Right now. Right here, where your lovely Sienna may hear you fuck another woman. She deserves it, really, because she fucked with mine. I don’t get why she wants to marry you. She seemed to have no qualms letting another man kiss her and grope her right for everyone to see. I think Kyle will be happy when he finds out that she will be available again. You do know that she’s going to run back to him, right? She always did. She loves him, but she’s in lust with you. Can’t blame her, can I? You were amazing.”

  “No,” he gritted out, pissed off. “Go fuck yourself, Camilla.”

  She laughed, moving away. I could hear the door open and close. It was then I felt another person join us because I felt his roughened hands on my shoulder. Blake remained silent, which I took was a bad sign.

  “Clock is ticking, Blake. Make up your mind because we don’t have that much time before we take her away and have Gareth have his wicked way with her.” Camilla sounded triumphant. “Oh, didn’t you know? The bodyguard you hired was in love with her all along. Gareth wasn’t in surgery. I had to pay a large sum to get one of the doctors to lie. Everyone has a price. And I’m guessing you have yours, too.”

  Gareth’s hands were now stroking my neck before it went lower and cupped my breasts.

  “Stop! Don’t you fucking dare touch her! ENOUGH!” he thundered out, but Camilla kept laughing at him while Gareth continued his ministrations. “Okay. Okay. I’ll do it.”

  Camilla laughed. “Finally! Just to let you know, Gareth will shoot you if you try to kill me. It’s a little romantic, don’t you think? If you and I die together then Sienna and Gareth can live happily ever after.”

  “Understood,” Blake hissed out.

  I could feel the heat and anger from him. The thought of him with Camilla, hearing them together was killing me inside. Anger rose and took over me when I heard Camilla hand over her gun to Gareth before walking towards Blake. “I want to be on my back so I could watch you do me. It’s been too long, my love.”

  “No,” a tiny voice came out of my lips, enough for him to hear me. I wasn’t sure if it was the anger that was helping me function or the meds wearing off, but it was slowly ebbing away, too slow.

  “Cara?”

  “Blake!” I yelped when Gareth pulled me up from behind, moving us against the wall.

  “Open those beautiful eyes, Sienna,” Gareth commanded. “Open them.”

  I heard a cry from Camilla.

  “God! I forgot how rough you could be,” she purred before I heard a Blake growl.

  I felt tears forming in my eyes, afraid of what was going on.

  “Open them, Sienna, or I’ll make you.” The tip of gun was now circling my breasts, teasing. “Fuck her now, Knightly. I want to see your fiancée see you for what you are.” His thick hands were sliding down my thighs before he slid his hand inside the gown, seeking.

  “STOP. ENOUGH. OPEN YOUR EYES, SIENNA!” Blake bellowed just before I felt a finger delve into my folds. “NOW!”

  I squirmed as my eyes flickered open, clashing directly with Blake’s, who was scooting to the side, away from Gareth. He had Camilla pressed against the bed, both hands behind her back with no underwear on. When I saw that he still had his pants on, I sighed a little relief that he didn’t do it.

  Blake’s eyes pinned into mine before flickering at the gun that was on the table next to Gareth, who was now screaming for Blake to get a move on.

  “Are you ready to be fucked?” he grated at Camilla, pulling her hair as he did so and then plunging his finger inside her.

  She looked like she was in heaven, a stuttering mess and absolutely under his spell. I wanted to cry so badly, but I knew Blake wanted me to get the gun, so I inched closer, towards Gareth.

  “Are you trying to hide, love? Come here, let me make you feel better.” He pulled me close, ripping half of my hospital gown, exposing my breast to him.

  I nervously flickered my eyes towards Blake; he looked like he was ready to kill Gareth, but I had to get to the gun first. The twisted man was so engrossed at my breasts that he kept staring at them like he was mesmerized before pushing my back against the table and bit into my nipple. I cried out from the pain, forcing myself to focus on the gun.

  “You were always such a sexy thing. I used to wank myself off thinking of these gorgeous melons.” Gareth still had a gun in his right hand as he used his free one to touch me.

  I stretched my hand out, until I felt the cool heavy metal in my hands and aimed it at Gareth’s head. “Get off me, you sick pervert!”

  Gareth stilled before letting go of my breasts, sliding it out of hi
s mouth with a pop. He then backed away to the side, clapping his hand with the gun. “Can’t save your man, love. I will shoot him first before I’d let him be with you.”

  “You won’t,” I bluffed, backing towards the door, pulling it a crack open before Gareth pointed the gun towards me then to Blake.

  Camilla yelped when Blake yanked her hair harder, getting her on her feet, securing one hand on her forehead, the other, cupping her chin, ready to twist her head.

  “Let her go, Knightly, or I’ll shoot!”

  His eyes connected with mine. “I love you,” he said before he twisted Camilla’s head, killing her immediately. “Run!” he screamed at me before I dragged my limp body out of there, screaming help.

  The halls were empty. The nurses’ station was deserted. Where was everyone? “Help!” my voice echoed in the halls.