“Do you want me to call the number the news is giving out to the public? I’ll do whatever you want me to. You have every right to go home, Heather. You aren’t trapped here. You aren’t a prisoner. You are in control of what happens from this moment on.”
I don’t want them to see me like this, broken and afraid of my own shadow. Obviously, I’ve changed, but I want to come to terms with what has happened to me before I see my mom and dad. It will ruin them when they find out the details.
“You don’t have to decide right now. I wanted to let you know that your family has been searching for you all this time and they are there for you when you are ready to see them.”
Asher lets out a long exhale and I feel the warm puff drift over my neck. His hands fall from my shoulders and I immediately miss knowing he’s at my back, protecting me. I glance up at him and when he tilts his chin down to meet my eyes, there is a sadness in them that I can’t understand. “You should go home, eventually. Your parents are good people and I know they are worried sick.”
I nod in agreement, wondering if he is trying to get me to leave. “Yeah, probably, but I’m not ready yet,” I give my attention to Jaxon next. “I need time on my own first. My parents will bombard me, and I’ll feel suffocated. I don’t need that right now. Maybe in a few days? If I’m feeling up to it?”
Jaxon gives me a pleasant smile, something that seems almost wrong on him because of how menacing he looks. “Anything you want, Heather. I just wanted to update you, okay? I’ll leave you alone. Rest up.” He stands and puts his hands in his pockets to stroll out the door but when he hears the babies cry, he kicks it up a notch and runs.
“He seems like a nice guy and a good dad,” I say, trying to make small talk. I don’t know what to say to Asher. We don’t know each other anymore. I guess we never really did.
Heaven walks around the bed and stops at the dresser, snagging a plain pair of grey joggers and an oversized black t-shirt. Next, he opens the drawer beneath and grabs a simple pair of black panties.
I blush when I realize he is getting those items for me.
“He is the best guy. All of the men here are. They are my family.” He keeps his back turned to me and I know with what happened with my sister, his mom and dad disowned him. His dad was always rotten to the core and his mom was a snooty bitch, so I think he is better off without them, but that doesn’t mean he can’t wish they were still a family. “They were here for me when no one else was. I owe them everything.” He folds each piece of clothing and neatly lays them on the bed. Panties on top. “I’ll wait outside to give you some privacy. Holler if you need me. Or don’t. You know, if you want time alone, that’s understandable. I’ll uh…” He scratches the back of his head and huffs a short chuckle. “Okay, I’ll go.” He clears his throat and gives me an awkward parting glance as he opens, then closes the door behind him.
I’m left in silence, minus the slight hum of the heat coming through the vent. I’m still covered in a blanket and a wet towel. My head is feeling better, not as foggy, but I am getting a headache. When I slide my feet out of bed and stand, I sway and grab the edge of the nightstand with my hand and knock over a yellow pill bottle. I fall back to the bed and snag the bottle before it rolls off the nightstand.
It’s ibuprofen.
Owen thought of everything.
I set them down and the plastic clinks against the smooth modern nightstand. I sigh, glancing out the window to see a beautiful view in front of me. I almost don’t want to go home because looking at the cliffs, the ocean, and seeing the seagulls fly is therapeutic. I wouldn’t get this at my parents. They would hire a counselor, which I think I do need, but I’ll never see anything but the inside of the house. My mom won’t let me breathe, but dad will hover, and right now, I have space to heal.
That’s what I need more than my family right now. The truth is a hard pill to swallow, but I’m ready to guzzle it down. My family can wait. I know they are in pain, but I am too, and before I see them, I need to do some healing of my own and seeing the forest, the ocean, where else could I feel a sliver of peace like this?
Reaching to the left, I grab the clothes Asher sat out for me and grab the panties first.
Ah, crap.
There isn’t a bra. That’s okay, the black shirt will hide me enough that I don’t have to worry about it. It isn’t like I’m big chested anyway, so why am I worried about it again? I slip on the shirt and I’m taken aback when I smell cologne. It’s barely there, like Asher brushed up against it and put his scent on it by accident. I bring the collar to my nose and inhale. The tightness in my stomach eases when the comfort of his scent soaks itself into my lungs.
I do feel safe, which is odd, considering what Asher went to prison for.
No thanks to me.
I need to apologize to him, but how do I apologize for ruining someone’s life? He will never be able to get a regular job because of the word felon stamped on his background check. Maybe when I’m better I can help him with that, unless he already has a job, which he probably does now that I think about it. Who the hell can afford a house like this? It’s in a cliff. An actual cliff. Who has the money to gut the inside of a rock and decide to build a home?
I have a lot of questions for Asher, but they can wait.
I tug on the joggers and the material is soft and feels expensive. I wonder why they are doing this, taking care of me like this. What do they get out of it?
Tossing the wet towel on the floor, I scoot over in bed, away from the wet spot, and lay down. This mattress is huge. Even with the damp sheets to my right, there is plenty of room for three people. My eyes hood, telling me to sleep, but Owen’s warning echoes in my head. If I have a concussion, I can’t sleep for twelve hours.
But I want to.
“Asher?” I call out his name, wondering if he really stayed on the other side of the door. I bring the blanket up to my chin as he cracks the door and peeks his head in.
He gives me a lopsided grin and steps inside. “Hey, did you get everything taken care of?”
I nod. “Thank you for the clothes. Can…Can you stay with me, so I don’t fall asleep?”
His blue eyes shine, with what, I don’t know, but he comes to the side of the bed, takes of his shoes, and sits down next to me. The bed dips from his weight, and he tucks himself under the covers too. “Like you even have to ask,” he says, reaching for the remote to turn on the tv. “What are you in the mood for? I’ll be honest, I have a weird obsession with romantic comedies.”
“Really?” a tease of a smile graces my lips when I think of him watching a chick flick. It’s the first real smile I’ve had in so long. I can’t remember the last time I wasn’t thinking about something other than what happened to me.
It’s a relief.
“Oh, yeah. Have you ever watched Music and Lyrics with Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore?”
“No, I can’t say I have.”
“Oh my god, you’re missing out. Hey, you hungry? I can get Julia to make us some muffins and whatever else you want. We can binge and watch tv all day.”
“So you like muffins too?”
“They are a newfound obsession. Don’t judge me,” he chuckles. “The guys do that enough.” He points the remote at the tv and presses a button that takes him to the streaming services and searches for the movie.
“Muffins sound good,” I mumble, thinking back to the last time I ate. My stomach grumbles in a riot, pissed that I haven’t eaten in a few days. “I could eat.”
“Yeah?” he asks, pleasantly surprised that I said I was ready to eat. “I’ll go to the kitchen and see what is there. What do you want to drink? Water? Coco? I’ll bring a few options. Don’t go anywhere,” he says in fear, blue eyes wide at the thought of me leaving. “I’ll be right back. And don’t start the movie without me.”
“Okay, Asher.” I keep my tongue soft and he looks away, biting his plump bottom lip. He shoves his hands in his pockets and rocks on his heels.
/> “Cool, I’ll be back.” He tries to hide it, but I can see his smile as he stares at the floor and walks out the door.
When did Asher become sweet?
And why do I care?
Five
Heaven
Holy shit.
I’m getting Heather muffins.
I know it doesn’t seem like a big deal. It actually sounds very childish, but this is huge. She hasn’t eaten in days and has only had sips of water. We were getting worried about her sinking too far into a depression we couldn’t get her out of.
When I enter the kitchen, I see Julia pulling out a fresh batch of muffins now. For an older woman, she’s beautiful and she knew the deal when we got together. A younger guy like me and an older woman like her don’t last.
It’s why we ended the sexual relationship.
“Hey, Heaven,” she says with a happy chirp in her voice.
“Hey, Julia,” I give her a quick peck on the cheek and twirl around her to get closer to the muffins. “They smell so good.”
She laughs, tossing her dyed red hair over her shoulder. “Duh, I made them.”
“I need a few. My friend Heather says she’ll finally eat.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful. I’ll make a platter for you—”
“Actually, I was hoping I could do it? I want to feel like I’m doing something for her. We have a long history and I think doing this will…I don’t’ know…win me points?”
“Sometimes I forget how young you are. It’s wonderful to see you wanting to please someone other yourself,” she gives me a playful wink. “I need to go make a few phone calls anyway, just don’t wreck my kitchen.” Julia lifts a perfectly groomed brow and slaps a towel on the counter.
I give her a salute. “Yes ma’am. Your kitchen is safe with me.” How hard can preparing a tray of food be? “Hey, Julia?”
She stops mid-step and turns around, folding her hands together. “Yes?”
“Where are the food trays?” I ask, opening the oven door, but I’m an idiot because why would they be there?
“Oh my lord, you’re going to burn the cliff down.” She rolls her eyes and starts to walk back toward the kitchen, but I hold up my hand to stop her.
“No, just tell me. I want to learn.”
“Above the sink.” She seems nervous as I walk toward the sink and open the cabinets.
A stack of metal trays lay on the bottom and they all have silver handles on each side. I take one down and set it on the counter, giving her a beaming smile. “I did it.”
“You’re going to be the death of me, Heaven. I’m too young to die,” she lays her palm across her forehead and pretends to faint.
“Funny.” I narrow my eyes to her, and she blows me a kiss before vanishing down the hallway toward her own room.
I’m left alone in the kitchen, which is typically not a good thing. If Owen saw me right now, lifting and getting food, he’d lose his shit. My chest is killing me, but I’d proudly die if it meant getting Heather to eat.
Plucking a muffin from the pan, I throw it across the room when it burns my damn fingers. “Fucking hell!” I groan, holding my wrist as the pads of my fingers throb and turn an ugly shade of red. “Damn it. You’re an idiot, Heaven. A damn idiot.” I don’t know where the holder thingies are that I see Julia use when the pans are too hot.
I growl, not liking that I’m inept in the kitchen. I get an idea when I see the paper towels in the corner. Whistling in confidence because I’m so damn clever, I rip a few towels off and cover my hand as I dip into the pan to gather a few muffins.
“That’s better,” I sigh when I don’t get burned.
Stupid hot and fresh muffins.
“What’s all the fuss?” Grayson asks, tugging on his shirt as he exits the hallway.
“Nothing,” I grumble, not wanting to get into it.
“If it’s nothing, why is there muffin on the tv?”
I pucker my lips in thought, trying to come up with a good reason that doesn’t make me look like a complete idiot. “It…attacked…me?” I say, but it isn’t convincing, especially when his eyes land on my red hand. I make my way to the fridge and grab some fruit, like strawberries and blackberries. I hear women love strawberries.
I grab some whipped cream— only for the edible and innocent meal I’m fixing, nothing else. Next, I take a banana and lay it on the tray, then head to where the coffee cups are. That’s the one place I know where something is.
Next, I get some milk, coco powder, and make two hot chocolates.
I can feel Grayson’s eyes burning a hole in the back of my head as he watches me prepare the tray.
“You burnt your hand on the pan, didn’t you?” he asks.
“No, what would make you say that?” I set the mugs on the tray next and when I look at my buffet I’ve made, I feel pretty proud of myself. Is it sexy to look at? No, but it will feed us? Absolutely.
“You are mean mugging that pan, Heaven.”
“Am not.”
“Are too.”
“Am not,” I say back, and Grayson rolls his eyes from the childish back and forth. “I win.” I stick out my tongue to really show him who has the upper hand.
“You’re ridiculous.”
“I know you are but what am I?” I snicker at my own joke, wishing he had the ability to have steam come out of his ears. Grayson gets annoyed easily, and I love to press his buttons.
“Both of you are a pain in the ass.” Owen strolls in the living room and plops down on the couch. Jolie is right next to him, her pregnant belly sticking out as she waddles. “Come here, baby,” Owen croons at her, holding out his arm to make room right next to his side. She flops down and groans, laying her head on his shoulder. Owen doesn’t miss a beat. He kisses her gently, right on the top of her head and then his hands find her stomach. He keeps his palm there, stroking the swell with his thumb.
He is a happy man, and I’m happy for him.
“You need to be resting,” Owen tells me. “If you get an infection—”
“I’m not going to. Stop momming me. I’m fine. I’m sore, but I’ll live. Heather is here. Heather. She isn’t like every other woman, Owen. She’s the woman. If it means I pop a damn stitch, then I pop it.”
Owen doesn’t like what I have to say, which is fine, I don’t give fuck. He can go fly a damn kite for all I care. His jaw flexes, but he concedes, and finally relaxes on the sofa. His eyes land on the tv and his brows pinch. “Why the fuck is there muffin on the tv?”
I grab the tray and start walking back to the room as fast as I can. “An alien came in and got pissed off at the pan, burnt himself, it was crazy to witness. Then, his little buddies beamed him back up into space.”
Jolie covers her mouth and giggles, knowing that I’m the alien.
“You’re ridiculous,” Owen shouts after me.
“So I’ve heard!” I toss over my shoulder in return. I stroll down the hall, the chandeliers gleaming against the newly polished floor. When I get to the door, I notice it is cracked open and send a silent prayer above because it would have sucked opening the door when I have a full tray in hands. When I kick the door open, I announce my arrival. “Okay, we are good to go. I brought you some food. So kick back, relax, and enjoy the—” I set the tray next to the bed and stop speaking when I notice her eyes shut.
Shit! I had one damn job. “Heather? Heather! No, you can’t sleep.” I jump on the bed and shake her shoulders, then think better of it. What if he did that to her? I stroke my fingers down her cheek instead. “Hey baby, come on, wake up. You’re freaking me out. Owen said no sleeping for twelve hours.” I continue rubbing my thumb against the apples of her cheeks, watching her lashes flutter like butterfly wings. They are long and thick, a rich brown that makes her green eyes a neon green. “There you are. I’m going to go get Owen to make sure you’re okay. Please, don’t fall asleep, okay?”
She nods, then yawns and a cute little squeak leaves her.
Ugh! Damn it, I
want to kiss her right now so bad, but I know I can’t. I kiss her forehead then run toward the door. “Owen! She fell asleep!” I yell and two seconds later pounding steps hurry down the hallway.
He wastes no time busting through the room in a panic. Heather is sitting up in bed, staring at us as if we have lost our damn minds. Maybe I have, but after everything that’s happened to her, to me, I’m going to make damn sure she is safe.
We deserve our chance, and I won’t let life fuck it up for us anymore.
“I told you not to fall asleep,” Owen scolds, sitting on the edge of the bed.
“It was comfy and warm. I couldn’t help it. I’m sorry,” she says, staring at her hands. Heather twists her hands together.
“It’s okay, don’t do it again. It’s important you stay awake. It’s good you’re talking. There isn’t damage as I can see since your pupils are reactive and you aren’t stuttering. Do not fall asleep, Heather. Your life depends on it, okay?”
“Okay,” she nods, and her hair falls on the side of her face, hiding herself behind the silk curtain. I want to run my fingers through her hair and tuck the locks behind her ear, then trace her delicate jaw with my index finger until I get to her lips.
Then—
“Don’t let her fall asleep, Heaven. That’s your job.” Owen slaps my shoulder as he leaves the room, ruining my damn daydream of what her lips would feel like against mine.
“You got it,” I say, snapping my thumbs together right before my palms slap.
Owen closes the door behind him, and I crawl on the bed until I’m sitting next to her again. “You scared me; you know? You can’t do that. You can’t scare me. Not when I finally know you’re okay,” I say, staring directly into her eyes so she knows I’m not fucking around. “You aren’t allowed.”
“I’m not allowed?” she asks, lifting a brow and crossing her arms. I smirk at her attitude. She’s usually full of it, but understandably she hasn’t been herself. Her sass is there though, underneath the fear and turmoil, and it’s wanting to come out and play, but she’s suppressing it.
Cruel Captivation: A Dark Romance (Underground Kings Book 5) Page 6
