by Sara Hess
“You don’t have to do that, Evan. I can do it when I get out of here. When am I getting out of here anyway?” I grouched.
I’d been in a hospital twice before in my teens for a sprained ankle and wrist from skateboarding, but those had been quick in and out visits. And while I’d just woken up I wanted to leave and be in my own space.
Evan paced over and took my hand with a half grin. “You still have another day, Impatient, and I will be getting you that phone.”
I groaned at both details. “I don’t need you to buy me a phone, Evan. I have money of my own. Maybe there’s a hidden kidnapping clause in my contract and I can get a free replacement.”
His lips pursed stubbornly. “I’ll check into that when I go in to get it for you.”
He should realize I could be just as obstinate, and if last night wasn’t a dream he did say he liked it. “When I get out of here there’s nothing to stop me from returning it.”
He leaned down and whispered against my lips. “Maybe I’ll keep you too busy so you can’t return it, and eventually you’ll forget all about it.”
“Do I come off as that forgetful?” I murmured back, breathing in his minty fresh breath. Crap! I pushed him away. “Oh my, god. Get away from me. I must have the breath of a caveman.” I slapped my hand over my mouth and the three of them burst out laughing. “It’s not funny.” I mumbled. “I think I feel some nasty fungus growing in there.”
They continued to laugh as Evan nuzzled the hand covering my mouth. “I’ll get you a toothbrush, okay. Then will you kiss me?”
“Sounds like a deal.” I mumbled.
Evan got a new brush, paste and water for me and I went at my teeth like…well, someone who hadn’t brushed their teeth in days. I was in the process of that when three people I didn’t know appeared in the doorway; and older man and woman, and a younger guy in his twenties. They were all extremely dressed up; the men in expensive suits and the woman in a white streamline business dress and heels.
Elizabeth jumped up. “Mom! Dad!”
Her mother frowned, not coming in any further into the room. “Elizabeth, you have to stop sneaking away. For all we knew you could have been kidnapped again. We’ve all been beside ourselves; Trey was as well.” She waved her hand at the young male next to her and of course we all looked at him. He was attractive but the smile on his face almost had me cringing at how creepily similar it was to our kidnappers.
Poor Elizabeth. Was this her boyfriend? She never mentioned that she had one.
“You wouldn’t let me come if I didn’t, and I left you a note telling you where I was.” Elizabeth said with a strained expression.
Her mother motioned Elizabeth forward with a curt hand wave. “Let’s go. I’m sure you’ve had enough time to say what you’ve needed.” She gazed around the room with an impassive expression before resting on me. “We’re sorry for what happened to you, young lady, but I’m sure you can appreciate that we would like our daughter home with us for awhile. We are having a small celebration for her safe return today; family, friends, and her boyfriend, Trey. We need to get her back so she can get ready for it.”
“Mother…”
“Elizabeth, please. We need you home right now, not gallivanting everywhere causing us more gray hairs.” Her father broke in impatiently.
I hated to think it because they had to have been scared out of their minds at everything their daughter went through, but Libby’s parent’s seemed kind of…pompous. To me, it seemed like they were more concerned at the ordeal they’d been through rather than what their daughter had been through.
Libby sighed sadly and looked down at me. “You’ll call me?” She asked quietly.
Smiling, I nodded. “As soon as I can.” And I meant it. It might have been the hostage circumstances, but the connection I felt with Libby was as strong as what I had with Carrie and David…but not what I had with Evan. He was on an entirely different plane.
As though he read my mind Evan squeezed my hand in encouragement.
She returned the smile a little more weakly and headed for the door. Glumly, I watched her wishing she didn’t have to leave with such sour faced individuals, but before walking out she turned and addressed Blake and Evan. “I know I said it a hundred times already, but thank you for saving me.” I noted that her gaze lingered on Blake as she said this, but then she was pulled out of the room by her mother.
“They seem warm and cuddly.” Evan grunted acerbically. Blake didn’t say anything, just scowled at the door they’d all disappeared through. “Hey, Blake, what are you doing here anyway?” Evan asked.
When he turned to face us his expression cleared, or so he probably thought. There was still a small indent in between his dark gray eyes. “Actually, everyone’s on their way. I just got here quicker.”
And like he’d called them out of thin air people suddenly began filling the room. David was there, hugging me breathless and filling me in on the necklace details. Carrie and Sam were shedding tears at everything I’d been through and how happy they were that I was safe. The other girls expressed their relief had happiness with tears in their eyes as well, but they were able to suck it up. Landon almost had a meltdown learning that Maya had been on the psycho’s radar before deciding on me.
I found out the role Greg played in my rescue and thanked him. He accepted it with a stoical nod telling me he didn’t want to hear any more about it…I was fine with that since I hated being indebted to anyone, plus how on earth would I ever repay it…and even with all the chaos in the room I couldn’t help noticing that his mood was still as austere as it had been during the gamer party and I found myself unusually curious as to why.
The Cruz brothers interrupted their racing schedule to stop in. Evan stood rigidly by my bed, sporting an irritated expression, not releasing my hand, as Juan and Trey gave me hugs and expressed their concern and relief that I was okay. Havi, the more reserved of the three, just gave my hand a squeeze and a small smile.
Dan was there conveying his deepest apologies for everything I’d been through. His manner was similar to Evan’s in that he believed he was somehow partly responsible for what I’d been through. I disputed that notion vehemently as he gave me a kiss to my forehead. I almost cried at the fatherly actions of it. And then I did cry when I found out he and Nic had offered up more money so the psycho would have more motivation to free me.
Finding out all these individuals had come together and worried about me, tried to discover ways to find me, rescue me…It was hard for me to comprehend, but it seemed numerous people actually gave a shit what happened to me; first with the Ford fiasco and now this.
I had friends; friends I realized I could trust and lower my defenses around. Maybe I didn’t have to be such a guarded bitch any longer.
The only thing marring this surreal moment was Evan’s mother. While she smiled and expressed her delight that I was safe I couldn’t help feeling that she seemed a little reserved.
I was certain she thought I was one gigantic horrible omen for Evan.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
EVAN
“Come into my liar, sweet maiden.” I growled.
“Your acting like this is the first time I’ve been to your house.” Shaw said with a grin and a shake of her head as I carried her through the front door. “And like I broke my legs. You know I can walk just fine, or at least close if you ignore the hunchback shuffle.”
I pecked her soft lips hard. “Why don’t you shut your mouth and act like you love my efforts at being the prince to your damsel in distress, because I know it hurts more than you’re letting on.” I gave her a knowing look.
Every time she moved around I could see it pained her. She tried to cover it with a passive expression, but the old woman hobble and the strain around her eyes and mouth gave it away. It was only three days after her surgery and she had another two weeks of healing to get through. Because her appendix burst she’d had a bit more done down there than a customary appendectomy
.
“I still think I could have stuck it out at my apartment instead of having to come stay here at your house.” Shaw declared ignoring my comment on her pain. “There can’t be that many reporters wanting my story. Elizabeth has to have it so much harder than me because of who her parent’s are and how long he had her. I’m just a nobody he had for only one day.”
Striding into the living room I set her gently on the couch. “You’re not a nobody.” I growled, hating it when she referred to herself in any negative way. She was incredible. “And those reporters have done a lot of digging and found plenty of things about you they find interesting.”
She frowned. “What do you mean?”
Grabbing a couple of throw pillows I situated them around her, as well as a blanket to keep her warm. I wasn’t looking forward to what I had to tell her, but she was bound to find out and I wanted her prepared.
Sitting down on the maple coffee table across from her I took her hands. “They dug into your entire life, Shaw. They know you were dropped off at a McDonald’s as a baby, and about Ford’s harassment of you.” My stomach twisted at the small flinch and grimace she gave. “They also resurrected Carrie’s story since you two are friends and roommates.” More twisting to my stomach ensued at the bleakness clouding her eyes.
“Oh god, no.” She moaned covering her face.
Moving to sit beside her I wrapped her in my arms. “Don’t you dare take on any blame for what’s happening. None of this is your fault. This is what reporters do; they dig and dig without any care to who gets hurt in their attempts at getting the best story they can. Carrie doesn’t blame you…”
Uncovering her face she cut me off. “Where is she? How do you know?”
I rubbed her shoulder. “She went to class…”
“Oh shit. She has to deal with assholes all over again.” She scrubbed her hands over her face.
I continued. “And Nic is with her since he has nothing better to do.” That wasn’t exactly true, but he would have been there for her no matter what. “Carrie argued with him, telling him she’d be fine, but you know how he is. If he wasn’t trying to get her naked all the time I’d think he was trying to fill the position of her father. And I know she doesn’t blame you because she told me. They were already reporting her story when she came to visit with you yesterday. Did it look or sound like she blamed you?”
Leaning into my side she inhaled and exhaled heavily. “I can’t believe she has to deal with that all over again. You still think its fate and not bad luck?”
I tilted her face up to mine, taking note and loathing the despondency swimming in her glassy eyes. It also didn’t escape my notice that she was more concerned for Carrie than herself. She’d shown an elevated level of concern for Elizabeth too. With what they’d shared it wasn’t surprising they’d connected. Elizabeth had told me the strength of will Shaw had shown in the face of possibly dying of appendicitis and how she’d given Elizabeth renewed hope of escape.
My gut had rolled at their escape plan to jump the guy and try to steal his gun. There were so many ways I could have lost her. I could completely relate to Nic’s over-protectiveness of Carrie now because I wanted to wrap Shaw up in bubble wrap…except for those times I wanted her totally naked.
I kissed her forehead tenderly and let her head rest back on my chest. “Carrie said almost the same thing you said to Elizabeth; that she was fine with her story coming out because Ford’s harassment of you came out as well. I swear a near cackle came out of her mouth when they showed reporter’s chasing after him throwing out words like; predator, stalker, and liar. That asshole is getting almost the same amount of bad press as your cocksucking kidnapper.”
“This is a nightmare.” She muttered. “You’d think with changing my name it would be harder to find out shit about me.”
I wished for her sake it was. “You might be cheered to know that the press slammed the person who gave you the dumbass name of Patricia McDonald. They said it was a no wonder you changed it.”
“Auhhh, the silver lining. I wondered when I’d see it.” She snorted.
“You’re my silver lining, Red.” I mumbled into her hair.
She stiffened and seemed to stop breathing next to me. That caused my breathing to stutter because I didn’t understand her reaction.
“Was I dreaming the other night?” She asked softly after a short silence.
I frowned. “What do you mean?”
She rubbed her face into my chest. “Did you climb into bed with me, and…say we were…fated?”
She thought the other night was a dream? I tapped her chin so she would look at me. Her eyes met mine hesitantly. “You weren’t dreaming.”
“So…you meant it when you said…” She halted and stared at me with fear and hope and I know she needed to hear me say it again.
That she was having such a hard time believing it…me, twisted my guts. Hell, with how long I’d been closing my eyes to it I thought I’d be more reticent with the emotion, but embracing it was effortless.
Cupping the side of her face I vowed. “I love you, Shaw; with everything I am and everything I will become. There will never be anyone that could ever compare to you, and who could fit me so perfectly. We are destined.” I repeated.
The gold and blues in her eyes sparked like fireworks before they were hidden by her lowered lids. Her forehead dropped onto my chin. “I really thought I was dreaming because it was so unbelievable that you could feel that for me, but I was sure I smelled you on my pillow. You didn’t mention anything the next day so I was starting to think I did dream the whole thing, but it was hectic with everyone there and then I fell asleep right afterwards sooo...Are you sure, Evan? It’s not because I was kidnapped and you feel sorry for me and stupidly responsible?”
My lip was in seizures at her rambling, but my chest swelled with both love and a spasm of pain because she really had no clue at how incredible she was.
“I loved you before all this shit happened, Shaw. I just wasn’t looking for it, and didn’t know I was capable of feeling it even though it was slamming me in the chest over and over again. I pushed the feeling to the side because I didn’t want anything interfering in the incredible time I was having with you.” Caressing her cheek I tipped her head up, locking eyes with her starry green orbs. “This is no dream, Shaw. This is me loving you.”
Her brows pinched. “I’m such a mess though. You say you’ve enjoyed the struggle, but you have only experienced half of it.” She closed her eyes and swallowed and I could see whatever she wanted to say she was forcing herself to. “I’m an insecure heap of my past disappointments; I don’t open up easily, I have trust issues which are going to make me question your feelings constantly, and when other girls show interest in you I’m either going to be a jealous bitch or cold bitch because…well...refer back to my prior issues.”
I wanted to pick Shaw up, set her in my lap and squeeze her tight, but I couldn’t because of her recent surgery. She was fragile…in more ways than one.
I had to settle for a gentle cuddle, but I did capture her mouth so I could kiss her slowly…deeply. I’d only been getting small pecks here and there since she’d woken up, but I immersed myself in her sweetness this time because I had been dying for her for days.
My dick went full mast in seconds when she responded enthusiastically and I groaned at my growing ache. It was going to be a long two weeks until I could slake myself fully inside her. I forced myself to pull back because I was only torturing myself, and I still needed to address the issues she’d brought up.
Both of us were breathing heavily as I stared down into her guarded eyes...always so guarded. I wanted to see that barricade gone from her eyes.
“I don’t see a mess when I look at you, Shaw. I see a beautiful, intelligent, indomitable woman who conquered every shit-storm the world threw at her. Even when you were locked in a cage and thought you were going to die you didn’t give up; you gave hope to another person and made plans to esca
pe.” Shaw’s brows rose in surprise. “Elizabeth told me.” I informed her with a small nibble to her mouth. “You’re in my heart and soul, Shaw. I’ll wait patiently for you to share with me, but I’ll also push you when I think you need it. You won’t question my feelings because I will show you everyday how much you mean to me, and you can be as jealous as you want to any girl who mistakenly thinks she has a chance with me, because I’m going to be a dick to any guy who thinks he has a chance with you.”
I cupped her face. “But don’t think you’ll ever be cold with me because I won’t stand for that. I will hunt you down and melt that ice until you burn for me.”
Lids lowering she leaned into my palm, and after a lengthy pause she whispered. “You’re sounding too good to be true.”
“I’ve always thought I was.” I boasted with grin to lighten the moment.
Her lids flew open in an eye roll, but her mouth trembled with emotional amusement. Silence settled between us and my nerves and muscles twitched in expectation. “Shaw…you’re killing me here.” I growled.
She chewed at her lip apprehensively and a blush heated her face and neck. “God, this is really hard to say…”
I could see that and it squeezed my chest painfully that she didn’t feel secure disclosing her emotions. Brushing my thumb lovingly over her cheekbone I vowed. “You’re safe with me, Shaw. Please trust me.”
I understood why it was difficult for her to say the words out loud; she was putting her heart in my hands and trusting me to not rip it apart like everyone else in her life had.
Swallowing, she blew out a shaky breath. “I love you too, Evan. I’ve been trying to deny it, lie to myself, lock it away since our first time together at the wedding, but loving you has been killing me slowly.”
A startling sigh of relief burst from me. I had felt pretty certain she felt the same way about me when we were talking the other night but she never said the actual words and I realized hearing them made a big difference.
