“Are you okay?” Rachel asks concerned.
“Yes, he was a big buggar, wasn’t he?” he says, feeling very proud of himself. Glancing at the people gathered around he searches the crowd, looking concerned. “Where’s Olivia?”
Dumbfounded by his question, Rachel looks to her right. “She was standing right here just a few minutes ago.”
“Fuck,” Ethan says looking around the parking lot. “Where’s my car?” He steps down off the curb and stares at the empty parking space. “The Hellcat is gone,” he announces.
Rachel tries to keep everyone from becoming alarmed. “I’m sure she’s gone home, Ethan. It’s been an upsetting night.”
He nods his head in agreement. “Can I borrow your car? I’ll go and make sure she’s okay.” He takes his phone out of his pocket and dials her number. It rings several times but there’s no answer.
“Are you okay to drive?” Scott asks.
“Yes, I’m fine.”
“You don’t look fine. You look like you just got your ass kicked.”
“Just give me your car keys, asshole.”
“Fine, but you’re going to drop me and my gangster wife at home first.” Scott puts his arm around Rachel and pulls her in for a hug. “That was kind of hot when you went all street,” he teases. “Maybe when we get home I’ll let you rough me up for awhile.”
After dropping them at home, Ethan drives to Olivia’s house in record time. Horror claws at him from the inside, as he turns into the back laneway and pulls into the empty driveway.
Where the hell can she be? Pulling back out on to the road he drives for a bit, then dials Rachel’s number. “She’s not there.”
“Maybe being at her house was too frightening for her after seeing him again.”
“I considered that so I came to my place. She’s not here either.”
“Where the hell is she?”
“I don’t know. She’s not answering her phone. I’m going to go back to her house and wait there for awhile.”
“Okay. Let me know as soon as you hear from her. Ethan, I’m worried.”
“Me, too. Have Scott call McCabe and let him know what’s going on. Last time she called him.”
“Okay, I’ll do that.”
Ethan grunts getting out of the car. His body is starting to feel stiff and sore now. He walks, in the dark, to the porch and sits on the steps. He’s going out of his mind not knowing where she is. Thirty minutes turn to forty-five, starting to feel the chill in the air, he moves to one of the deck chairs. He begins to doze off while he contemplates going into the warmth of the house.
Standing at the rail of a large steamship, he waves goodbye. He puts on a brave front, but inside he’s dying. The look on her face tells him that she feels the same. Tears stream down her cheeks. It’s tearing him apart that he can’t go to her. He can’t take her in his arms and hold her, making everything okay like he promised he would… forever. He has to go. It’s the only way. He just needs some time. Time to mourn. Time to put the pieces back together. Time to come to terms with the fact that it was all his fault. Leaving her on the dock, as he pulls out of port alone, is the hardest thing he’s ever done.
A fierce driving rain echoes as it pounds against the metal of the ship. The ocean swells become unimaginable obstacles, tossing the ship around like a toy. The captain can do little to keep control; the wind is a formidable opponent. As the ship slips onto her side, Owen closes his eyes, trying to recall her smile, the softness of her skin, and the smell of her hair. Dark cold water fills the room. This is the end.
Ethan awakens, startled. Immediately he looks at his phone: no messages, no missed calls. He has a sick feeling in his stomach. She’s been gone for almost two hours. He leans his elbows on his knees and holds his head in hands. His mind is frantic now. Where is she?
The flash of headlights makes him squint, distracting him from his thoughts. Angst makes his heart pound hard. She walks through the back gate, making her way toward the door in the dark. She doesn’t see him sitting on the porch and is startled by his voice. “Are you okay?”
She says nothing.
Getting to his feet, he moves toward her. “Where have you been?”
Olivia carefully and slowly takes one step at a time up the porch steps. When Ethan reaches out to take her hand for support, she moves her body to the side, away from him.
“Liv?” He’s desperate now for some kind of confirmation.
“Go home, Ethan.” Her voice is strained from crying. She holds the door key in her trembling hand and struggles to get it into the lock.
“Olivia,” he whispers as he moves behind her. When he raises his hand to touch her, her body stiffens. She turns the key but the lock doesn’t budge. Frantic, she tries the next key but is still unsuccessful. He puts his hand on her arm in an attempt to calm her. “Let me help you.” He reaches for the keys.
“Don’t’ touch me,” she says, becoming agitated.
“Olivia,” he whispers again, reaching for her hand.
“Don’t touch me!” she screams it at him.
He drops his hands to his sides and takes a step back. “Okay. Okay,” he says, trying to settle her. “Please talk to me,” he begs. “Where have you been? I’ve been worried sick.”
She ignores him, trying yet another key that denies her entrance. Her hands begin to shake as she twists and jiggles the knob. “I need to get in,” she sobs.
Standing a foot away, he watches helplessly as her emotions become unhinged. Banging on the door with her fists, she throws her shoulder against it. She completely loses all control, and tries to break it down, arms flailing and legs kicking. Ethan becomes frightened for the safety of the baby. He quickly moves behind her, wrapping his arms around her, trying to hold them safely at her sides. She kicks her legs in protest and tries to break free.
“Olivia, please.” He tries to keep his voice calm but she keeps struggling. “Liv, stop it.” She breaks down into a hard sob. He tries to soothe her, holding her tightly and swaying her gently. “Shhh,” he whispers.
He tightens his grip around her. “It’s okay, Baby.”
Finally, she stops struggling; completely exhausted, she leans back against his chest for support.
Breathing a sigh of relief, he loosens his hold. Her breathing starts to slow now. “I just want to get inside my house,” she sniffles.
“Okay. Let’s go inside,” he offers, trying to put her at ease.
“There’s so much blood.”
Now that’s startling news. “Where’s the blood, Baby?” He rubs his hands up and down her arms and continues to sway her gently.
“It’s on me,” she says, “There’s so much blood.” She looks down at the bloodstain on the front of her shirt and begins to cry.
Ethan struggles to keep his voice calm. “Olivia, are you hurt?”
“I just want to get into my house,” she repeats in a defeated tone.
“Please answer me. Are you hurt? Is the baby okay?” he asks again. Reaching down, he tries to take the keys out of her hands. When her body tenses, he braces himself, in case she starts fighting him again. “Its okay, Olivia. I’m just going to take the keys and open the door, so we can go inside.”
She shakes her head from side to side. “NO. I want you to go home.” She tightens her grip on the keys. The metal starts to cut into her fingers but she doesn’t feel a thing.
“Hey, listen to me,” he says, trying to calm her anxiety. “I’m NOT him. I’m not going to hurt you.” He pries the keys out of her hand. “I’m going to open the door so we can go inside. I’m not leaving.” Receiving no further protest, he unlocks the door and pushes it open. Numb from exhaustion, Olivia’s body goes limp, and her legs start to buckle slowly beneath her. He lifts her into his arms, carefully maneuvering her through the door. She reaches behind him and gives the door a shove.
“That’s a good girl,” he says as it closes behind them. “Now let’s have a good look at you, and make sure you�
��re okay.”
He carries her to the kitchen and sits her on the counter. She blinks several times, trying to adjust to the light. Ethan tries to hide his concern. She wasn’t exaggerating. She’s covered in blood, hers or someone else’s. He fills the sink with warm water and moistens a small towel. When he turns his attention back to her, she’s overwrought, pulling at her t-shirt, trying to keep the bloodied material off of her skin. The sight of it brings back way too many painful memories. Her bottom lip starts to tremble.
“Here,” he offers, putting down the towel. “Let’s get rid of this.” He grasps the bottom of her shirt and gently lifts it up and over her head. It’s then that he notices her dark brown hair, saturated with blood. Rolling the t-shirt into a ball, he tosses it on the floor and out of her sight. Olivia stares down at the dry blood on her skin. As Ethan very gently washes it away, the cool air hits her damp skin, making her shiver.
“You’re cold.” In one swift movement, he peels his t-shirt off and pulls it over her head. She winces as he does, and he tries to think of a way to get a look at her wound without pushing her over the edge. She’s in a very delicate emotional state right now. Likely in shock, since she can’t seem to remember what’s happened in the past few hours. Pulling at the bottom of his shirt, he makes sure that it comes all the way down and completely covers her exposed skin.
“Better?” he asks.
She nods her head, her eyes looking heavy and tired.
When his phone rings, it makes them both jump.
Ethan quickly steps into the other room to answer it.
“Please tell me that she’s home. My wife isn’t going to let me have any peace until she is.”
“Yes. I’m sorry, Scott. She just arrived a few minutes ago. I don’t have any idea what’s gone on yet. Call the constable, and let him know I’ll bring her in to the station in the morning to give a statement. She’s not up to it tonight. I have to go, I don’t want to leave her alone too long.”
Olivia is holding her head, looking a little more lucid, when he walks back into the kitchen.
“Sweetheart, I need to take a look at that gash on your head.” She leans her head forward and spreads her knees, allowing him between her legs. Gently he parts her hair to look at the wound.
“Did someone hurt you?”
“No,” she answers adamantly.
“Take your time,” he encourages as he dabs the damp towel delicately on her blood soaked hair. “Try to remember what happened.”
“I was driving so fast and then…” She swallows hard. “Then there was a dirt road. And I was out of the car.”
“What? Why?” he asks.
“ I don’t know!” she says distraught. “Then I was home… and you were here.”
“Yes, I’m here and I’m staying.” He takes a breath in frustration.
“Do I need stitches?” she asks fearfully.
“No, it’s stopped bleeding. I think it’ll heal on it’s own. But you’ve got a nasty lump here.” Opening the freezer, he grabs an ice pack. “Hold it there for as long as you can stand it,” he instructs, pinching her chin affectionately. “Let me help you down.” Grabbing her waist, he gently lifts her hips off the counter and carefully lowers her feet to the floor. He holds onto her firmly, until he’s sure she can stand.
Olivia feels safe leaning against his broad chest and surrounded in his love. She’s never known a man who could be so tender and nurturing. She stays there for quite a long time, not wanting to break away, but her legs are weary, and she needs to get some rest.
“Let’s get you home to bed, Baby Girl.”
“No. I want to stay here.”
“Olivia. I don’t think that’s a good idea tonight,” he says getting agitated.
“I have to.”
“Why? Elaborate.”
“Because, if I give him the power over my fears, then he wins.”
Ethan nods, reluctantly. Leading her to her room, he lifts the corner of the blanket so she can crawl in. It’s then that he notices several large bruises starting to form on her thigh. “Jesus, woman! What happened to you tonight?”
She closes her eyes as he tucks the blankets around her. He sits on the side of the bed and brushes her hair back behind her ear, waiting for an answer.
“Ethan,” she whispers.
“Yes?”
“Can you get my phone? I think I left it in your car.”
Ethan smiles and leans forward to place a kiss on her forehead. “Well, at least you’re consistent. I’ll be right back.”
Olivia rests her eyes for a few moments, not quite settled enough for sleep. That will come once he’s taken his place beside her. Guarding her.
“Liv.”
She takes a calming breath at the sound of her name.
“OLIVIA.”
Her eyes flutter open at the sound of his grave tone.
“Do you remember anything that happened tonight after you left Ireland’s?”
“No.”
“Nothing at all?” he prods anxiously.
Olivia sits up, alarmed at his grim expression. Ethan paces, struggling with something. “Ethan?”
“Get dressed. I need to show you something.”
Olivia tugs on a pair of pants, wincing at her stiff and sore body. Whatever it is that’s got him this riled up; can’t be good. She searches every corner of her memory, trying to fill in the blanks.
“Bring your purse,” he says, pushing open the back door.
She looks at him confused. “Where are we going?”
“I need you to see something, outside.”
Olivia follows him through the dark backyard. The sensor light comes on as they reach the gate to the lane, lighting the parking spot. Ethan moves to the side so she can see it.
“Oh my God!” she gasps, horrified as she stands in front of the Hellcat. Slowly, she wanders around it, looking at the damage. The front quarter panel and passenger door are crushed in. The rim is twisted and bent causing the tire to go flat. Headlight: completely smashed. She runs her hand along the hood, feeling the dimpled metal from something very large and very heavy. She puts her hand over her mouth and looks over at Ethan’s concerned look.
“Were you in an accident?”
“I don’t know,” she says, becoming upset.
“Was anybody hurt?”
“I DON’T KNOW,” she repeats, her hands trembling.
The nerve in Ethan’s jaw begins to twitch. A grey car pulls up along the end of the driveway. “I’m taking you to the hospital.”
“Ethan, I’m fine,” she protests, as John gets out of the car and walks around the Hellcat. He flashes Ethan a concerned look.
“You’re anything but fine, Liv. The fact that you came home bleeding, covered in bruises, and don’t remember how this happened, is proof that you’re not.”
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry about your car,” she cries.
“Whoa.” Ethan moves toward her. “Are you kidding me right now? You think I care about the car?” He takes her arm and guides her toward John’s sedan.
“You’re not mad?” she asks confused.
“No, I’m not mad. I’m worried. And we’re going to get you to the hospital right now and make sure you and baby are both okay.
Chapter Ten
John sits reading the paper, while Ethan fiddles with his phone. The longer Olivia has to wait, the higher her anxiety level grows. She and hospitals are not good friends. She jiggles her legs and twists her hands in her lap.
“I need you to take me home now,” she announces, getting to her feet.
“Are you dealing with this? Or am I?” John asks.
Ethan looks up from his phone, unimpressed. “Sit down, you’re not going anywhere.”
“I can’t.”
“You will. Sit.”
She’s about to launch a full out hissy fit when they call her name.
“I’m leaving,” she informs the nurse.
Ethan puts his phone in his pocket and g
ets to his feet. “No, she’s not.”
“Yes, I am. And there’s nothing you can do about it!” she argues.
“Oh?” he says as he picks her up, effortlessly, and follows the nurse.
“John!” she pleads, looking for his help as she folds over Ethan’s shoulder.
“Don’t look at me for help. If he didn’t do it, I would.”
“Jerk!” She makes a face at him as she’s lugged away like a child.
Surrendering, Olivia changes and lies uncomfortably on a bed in the ultrasound room. Ethan sits beside her, doing his best to keep her calm. The technician asks a lot of questions regarding the accident, none that she can clearly answer. Lifting the paper gown, he squeezes a blob of cold gel on her belly, making her shudder. She glances over at Ethan, with an embarrassed look, when she realizes that a perfect stranger has now seen the large heart shaped hickie that Ethan marked her with this afternoon.
He politely ignores it and goes straight to work. “That sound you hear, that’s the heartbeat.”
Olivia smiles, watching the thumping little blob on the screen. “That’s amazing.”
“It sounds good and strong.” Ethan looks at the technician for his acknowledgement.
“Yes, good and strong. That’s a good sign,” he confirms, wiggling the ultrasound head, manipulating the angle and adjusting the dials on the machine. Olivia gasps as they get a very clear picture of the baby.
Ethan becomes overwhelmed, and reaches for her hand, squeezing it tightly. He lifts it to his mouth and kisses the back of it. “Look, Momma,” he says, emotionally. “That’s our baby.”
Completely overcome with emotion, Olivia begins to cry.
“Everything looks good with the placenta, no tears or trauma that we would be concerned about after a car accident,” the technician shares, trying to put them at ease.
“Oh, Ethan,” she sniffles, staring at the wiggling little blob. “Last week. I almost…”
“Don’t.” Ethan stops her. “Don’t ever talk about it. You didn’t do it. We’re going to have this baby.”
Indivisible Souls: Book 3 of the Bound4Ireland Series Page 9
