“I don’t doubt it for a second,” he says, lifting my chin, making my heart stop. His eyes are piercing. “I don’t doubt it. You own me. You completely own me. I’ll always come back, Darcy…always.”
I clutch his face, nodding. He presses his lips to mine, raising a hand to my hair. I feel pain when he tangles his fingers into my waves, but honestly, I couldn’t care less.
“Lay down with me.”
“No.”
“Please,” he murmurs against my lips, nodding.
“You’ll hurt yourself. Your stitches…”
“I’m fine.” He winces slightly, scooting over, and I glare at him beneath my wet lashes. He lifts his arm, and I settle down beside him, careful to not move him too much. Both of our bodies relax against each other, a small normalcy after days of chaos.
***
After a quick scan of the assortment of breakfast foods lined up in the cafeteria, I choose a container of fresh fruit and a yogurt, only eating because I’m drained, and I feel it, which must mean I’m below par on my iron.
“Hello, Darcy.”
My entire body stiffens with discomfort. Please, no. Not today. I refuse to even look to my left. “Hello, Alexander.”
Lifting my tray, I leave my place by the counter and find a seat, sighing loudly when Benjamin’s adopted brother follows me and takes the seat opposite from me.
“You look exhausted.”
I open the yogurt carton in silence. He watches me the whole time. “Are you going to watch me eat this or do you have something to say?”
“I don’t understand why you’re angry at me. Did I do something to upset you?”
“I’m just not in the mood for chit-chat today. I’m sorry.”
“I understand. I wanted to see how you were.”
“I’m fine.”
“The baby is well too? My mother told me a couple weeks ago you were pregnant. I couldn’t believe it.”
The blows keep coming. I stare at him.
His face actually twists with something resembling regret. “Damn.”
“Why are you here?”
“My mother came to see Benjamin.”
I’m immediately worried. God, she can’t rile him up. He needs rest; he needs to remain calm. I shake my head, furious. “Why is she here?”
“Because she’s his mother.”
“No. No, a mother doesn’t treat her son like an abomination for years. A mom doesn’t do that.”
“Look, I honestly could give two fucks what goes on between them. I’m just standing in the backlines.”
“And that makes you just as bad as her.”
His features contort angrily, and I actually feel my pulse quicken, surprised his naturally beautiful face can turn so ugly. “That fucker attacked me because of you. Did you know that?”
“Yes. I do,” I snap. “Why would you even act like you care about me? You don’t! You’re just trying to drive away the only decent family you actually have!”
“Decent? Decent? You know what your fucking husband used to be like? He was just like me. He didn’t want attachments; he wanted to fuck. You were the first woman I actually pursued, and he felt the need to take that from me too! It’s always been a goddamn competition with him, and I’m tired of coming out second!”
“I was his the second he laid eyes on me, Alex.” I move closer so he can hear me better. “You didn’t have a chance. We started seeing each other almost immediately after I started working there.”
“You felt something between us. I know you did.”
“I don’t know you!” I scoff, gesturing wildly with my arms. “I don’t understand why you’re doing this. I married him. There’s no chance anymore.”
“There’s always a chance you’ll see the light and realize.”
“I’m not some fucking prize to be won. All you’ll be able to offer someone is lifeless orgasms and momentary excitement until you grow the hell up. Benjamin and I are in love. There is a history there that is irreversible.”
“You don’t know what I can offer. You don’t know a thing about me.”
“Exactly!” I stand up, walking to dump out the food. I’m not hungry anymore.
“I don’t deserve your hate,” he growls, his fists clasped together tightly on top of the table.
“I don’t hate you, Alex. I’m disappointed. If you’d just get over this fucking competition and keep the job Benjamin has provided you, you’d see you actually have an amazing brother who has been burdened with the same parents as you, who has a lot more in common than you have ever realized.”
“He has never been my brother.”
I bite back insults and try to think rationally. “I’m really sorry they were so cold to you after Daniel died. Benjamin told me. Your family is so fucked up. The loss of Daniel is still hanging over every single one of you. I wish you all could see that and try, just try to regain some of what’s been lost. You do have a brother, Alex, if you want one.”
I stand up and leave him there, glad he doesn’t follow me. My blood is pumping from the altercation in the cafeteria. I hurry back to Benjamin’s room, afraid of what I’ll find. I slow, seeing the door halfway opened, already able to hear low whispering.
“You should go. I don’t want you upsetting Darcy.”
“I’m your mother. I have a right to be here.”
“Do you? When did you suddenly start caring about what happens to me?”
“You know I love you, Benjamin.”
He chuckles.
“Why are you laughing?”
“What do you want?”
“What do you mean? I’m here to take care of you.”
“I have Darcy for that. Why are you here? What do you want?”
“Oh come on, you really think I wouldn’t come—”
“How much? How much do you need?”
“Benjamin!”
“How much?”
There’s a long pause, and I sink into the seat outside the room, anticipating the worst.
“A million.”
I almost miss the chair. Dollars?
“This is for the business you and Alexander are starting?”
“Yes.”
I wonder if Alexander even knows that Benjamin is once again going to be fueling his career. Jesus, these people…
“What would I be investing in?”
“Well, you see, Alexander doesn’t know you’re helping. He’s quite set on doing this himself, but he just doesn’t understand how much it takes to form a company.”
“So you’re saying I’d be gifting this money?”
“Yes, that’s what I’m hoping. Benjamin, I know I should have been there for you more growing up, but you’ve never denied me anything. You’ve been so good to me through the years. Please, I know this is going to take off. The market for seafood is extremely high right now.”
“Alexander is never going to learn anything unless you stop feeding him the notion that things in life come easy.”
“I know. I’m just trying to get closer to him, Benjamin. I’m trying to get closer to both of you.”
Bull-fucking-shit.
“While I appreciate the notion, whether it’s real or not, it’s unnecessary. I’ll have Tiffany wire you the money.”
Running my hands over my face, I have to inhale deeply to keep myself from going in there and forcing her out. The man was on his deathbed a couple of days ago, and she’s here asking him for money.
“Darling, thank you. I knew you’d be there for us. You always are.”
It’s amazing how caring she sounds when she wants something. Anger simmers beneath my skin at the thought that he’s done this for her before.
I stand up, suddenly very ready to meet her. Pushing open the door, I flash my full set of teeth, wider than necessary. Benjamin smiles softly, looking down. He knows I was listening.
“I’m Darcy,” I announce, stepping in.
His mother is not what I expected. I expected her to be a blonde beauty, entirely made of
plastic. Instead, she’s resembles a conservative housewife with a dull shade of white hair. She’s in a blue suit, a white designer bag on her arm. Her hands are French-manicured and dangling daintily mid-air, and I doubt they’ve ever seen a real day of work. She’s clearly old money. Her intense eyes rake me from head to toe, taking in my disheveled appearance.
“Ah, hello,” she purrs, turning her attention on Benjamin momentarily before she can bestow it upon me. “Finally, we meet.”
Finally?
As far as I know, she’s dreaded the day of meeting the “prison girl” for some time.
Alexander walks into the room behind me. It doesn’t slip past me that Benjamin stiffens noticeably at his entrance, and by the way Alexander instigates him, touching me so he can get around my body blocking the doorway, he looks seconds away from leaping from the bed.
“Benjamin.”
“Alexander.”
Alex plants himself beside his mother. I avoid Alexander’s steady gaze. He’s a jerk for doing this, making it so noticeable something’s happened.
“Glad you’re all right,” Alexander says to his brother, lacking enthusiasm.
“Thank you.”
“We have an appointment in thirty minutes, so we should probably get going,” his mother says, stepping toward Benjamin. I nearly stop her. I’m angry enough to. She leans in, touching his cheek, and presses a kiss to the same spot. He tilts his face away from her forced affection, glaring at the wall.
My hands are balled into fists at my sides.
“We’ll get together sometime.” She looks at me. “All of us.”
Alexander opens the door so they can exit, and before I know it, my legs are pushing me forward after them.
“Darcy.”
Ignoring Benjamin’s warning, I shut the door firmly behind me. Alex and his mother spin at the definitive sound.
“Do you even know what he went through in that accident? Did you even ask him?”
His mother hardens instantly at my tone. “He is all right now. That’s what matters.”
“Your son died on a gurney two days ago!” I seethe, horrified by her detachment to a child she birthed. “He has fifty-two stitches on his stomach! Do you not even care?”
“Died?” Alexander asks, looking between us. “What do you mean?”
“He flatlined, and by some miracle they were able to bring him back. You almost lost him, and yet you don’t even know him. Either of you. All you care about is what he can do for you.”
“You have no idea what you’re talking about. You don’t know Alexander or me, and frankly, you probably don’t even know your own husband.”
Benjamin’s nurse walks by, her head low to the floor. I’m sure she’s listening. “I know everything about him, and what’s more, I love him for him. Not for his money, not for his status. For him.”
“Look, you’re having my grandson. I don’t want to say something to you I’ll regret,” she says through thin, frail lips.
“Mother.”
She glances up at Alexander’s mortified expression and scrunches her face in confusion. “What?”
He whispers in her ear to divulge my unfortunate news, and her eyes flicker to me when the reality sets in. I lift my chin, refusing to be affected by her hollow words.
“Ah, well, I am sorry about that.”
“No, you’re not.”
“Just mind your own business, Darcy. You may be my son’s wife, but that doesn’t automatically make you a part of this family.”
She turns, making her way to the elevator without another word. I don’t even have the energy to call out to her. Alexander drags a hand through his blond, tousled mess of hair, appearing ashamed.
Needing to cool off, I pass Benjamin’s room and drop into a chair with a huff. My blood is racing, my hands trembling in my lap. Facing his mother was no easy feat, but I’d never have forgiven myself if I didn’t stand up for him.
When my flushness has dissipated and my pulse has diminished to a healthy rhythm, I trace my steps back to Benjamin. He opens his eyes when I enter and stares at me. There’s no glower, no anger anywhere on him, so I approach his bedside and take his hand.
“How are you feeling?” I ask, noticing the dark circles surrounding his eyes.
“I’m fine, Darcy. I’m not dying. You know that, right?”
“I’m just worried. The nurse said the wound was looking brutal this morning.”
“It’s fine. It’s supposed to look ugly. It’s going to scar…so are the scars from the defibrillators. They’re permanent.”
I press my lips to his cheek as tenderly as I can. “I don’t care.”
He regards me fondly when I pull back. “I know you don’t.”
I sit down on the edge of the bed, rubbing his leg.
“You shouldn’t let my mother get to you.”
“I just hate seeing someone use you like that.”
“I’m used to it.” He smirks, taking my hand. “When I was shot, years ago, she didn’t show, so I figured this time she wanted something. She’s easy to read.”
“But a million dollars…why didn’t you say no?”
“Because a million dollars is nothing to me, and if it gets her off my back and yours, it will be worth it.”
“And you tell me you’re not generous.”
“You know, you’re pretty sexy when you’re fighting over me.”
“Yeah?” I’m sure I’m glowing. “I thought you’d want to kill me.”
“No. I’m lucky you care so much about my feelings, even though you shouldn’t, at least when it comes to them.”
“They are your family. You’d think it would be common sense to ask, you know, if just maybe you got hurt in that accident. I mean, you’ve been here for days…obviously something happened. How could they not even—”
“You’re rambling.”
I smirk, attempting to compose myself.
“I’m guessing Alex saw you before he came in.”
“Yeah, in the cafeteria.”
He waits, and when I don’t expound, he licks his lips, smiling secretively. “You’re not going to tell me.”
“There isn’t much to tell.”
“Well, did he bring up what we spoke about the other day on the boat?”
“Yes.”
He waits patiently. I roll my eyes and continue.
“He brought it up, and I told him what I told you…that I don’t know him and he doesn’t know me and that I’m married to you and there is nothing he can do that would change that.”
“He actually asked if there was still a chance?”
I shrug, knowing I should have omitted that part.
“I see.”
“I think he got the point.”
“Well, by the way he was staring at you in here, he didn’t.”
“Well, there isn’t a chance, so I don’t want you overthinking this. Leave it alone.”
He kisses my hand softly. “All right.”
***
I stand up, stroking Benjamin’s hair, staring at his relaxed, unmoving features. The medications they give him really put him under within seconds. I decide to use this time to leave for a shower and to change my clothes, maybe finally eat something today.
Upon seeing me, the attendant smiles, pushing the button to summon the penthouse elevator. “Darcy, I hope you and Mr. Scott are doing well. I was worried when I saw the news.”
“We’re okay. Thanks for asking, Victor.”
“Of course. If you need anything, let me know.”
I ride the elevator, relishing the silence. I’ve tired of hospital rooms. I can hardly keep eyes open, my body worn out from constant movement. I will my legs to work when the silver doors part open. As I move through our apartment, I unscrew the cap to the pill bottle, taking out two tablets. I don’t know if they are working, but I don’t want to take my chances.
I get a water bottle from the fridge and head toward the bedroom, setting my bag down with a sigh. I u
ndress fast, wanting to be back before Benjamin wakes.
The room is unbearably cold when I shut off the water and step out of the shower, unnaturally cold. I wrap the towel tighter around me, concerned by how fiercely I am shivering. I take a long-sleeved shirt and jeans from a drawer and lay them out on the bed.
Within seconds, the room is spinning. I fall to my knees, and everything blurs.
CHAPTER EIGHT
“Darcy.”
I feel a hand on my face, pushing my hair from my eyes.
“Darcy, can you hear me?”
Dimitri is looking down at me with wide eyes. I quickly realize I’m wrapped in only a towel. “Wha—”
“You fainted.”
I sit up, steadying myself on the mattress, careful to cover myself with the towel.
He helps me sit. “You’re extremely pale, Darcy.”
“I don’t feel very good right now,” I whisper, noticing how badly I’m shaking.
“I’m calling a doctor. Where is the number? Do you know it?”
I point to my bag. He takes out my prescription bottle and notes the number, tapping the digits onto his cell phone.
“Hello? Doctor Trigiani? I’m the security for Mrs. Darcy Scott.” He nods. “Yes, I just found her unconscious. She’s awake now, but she doesn’t look well. She’s shaking extremely bad too…Yes. Yes. Okay. Thank you.”
He hangs up, tucking his phone back into his pocket. “She’s coming.”
He opens my drawer, taking a nightgown from my delicates drawer. My arms have numbed, and I can barely move them. He notices my rising panic at the loss of function.
He turns around, holding up the black garment. “I can help you, Darcy. It’s all right.”
He lifts the material over my head, pulling my damp hair through the neckline. I’m grateful as he holds up my arms and guides them under the straps. He positions his hands under my arms, lifting me up enough to move me back against the headboard.
“Do you know why you fainted? What are you feeling?”
“It may be the iron deficiency. I don’t know. I’ve felt fine.”
He nods, covering my body with the throw at the end of the bed.
“How did you know I was here?”
“You’ve been gone for a while. I’ve been calling for hours. Benjamin’s worried sick.”
Possessed By You (The Consumed Series Book 3) Page 12
