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“No, sweetheart, come on, let’s get some rest. Neither of us slept very good last night.”
We get out of the shower, and I wrap a towel around my body, keeping my back from him and the mirrors. I haven't told him about my scars and now isn't the time. I use a second towel to dry my hair.
“Angel, are you okay?” He raises an eyebrow as he takes me in. I want to tell him but I can't yet. I’m afraid he will see me as damaged. Maybe talking to Dr. Mason is a good idea.
“I'm fine, just tired.” He reaches out to pick me up again. “I can walk.”
“I got you, Angel.” He picks me up and strides from the bathroom. I'm glad my scars are not that visible from the front.
We snuggle into bed naked, and I fall asleep.
Chapter Eighteen
Joshua
What this woman does to me… I almost told her I love her again. That moment after we made love when we looked into each other's eyes, I saw it in hers, and I know she saw it in mine. I pull her tighter into me and fall asleep.
“No, stop, please. I'll be a good girl,” the voice whimpers.
I'm startled from sleep and try to focus in the dark. Ana’s moving around next to me. She throws out her arm, her other covers her face.
“Please. Ow! That hurts. Please stop, I won't see them again. Please. No you can't take my baby. No, stop! That burns. No. Please!” she’s crying and screaming.
“Angel, wake up. Ana, you are safe, wake up.” I try to pull her back into my arms. The anguish in her words has me wanting to kill that sod off wanker.
“No, I swear I didn't see him. He doesn't know who I am.”
Her words stop me.
He hurt her because of me?
“Ana, wake up,” I say louder, firmer, hoping to startle her awake.
“What? Oh God, no. I'm sorry, Joshua. I'll go sleep in the spare room.” She rolls away from me trying to get to the edge of the bed.
“No, you won't. Come here, Angel. Lie with me and relax.” I grab for her hand and pull her back to me. I need to feel her next to me. I wish I could take away the hurt she's gone through, the pain that man inflicted on her tears at my soul.
“I'm sorry. I hope I didn't wake you.” She buries her face in my chest, trying to hide from me.
“Angel, calm down. I want you to wake me when you have nightmares. I’m here to comfort you. We'll get through this. Please relax, Angel.” I rub her back and soothe her. I again feel the scars along her back and hold the questions back, waiting for her to share them with me. I don't want to push her, but know that talking about it is the best. “Want to tell me?”
“Not right now. I forgot to turn on a light. I usually don't sleep in the dark.”
“I'm here to chase away the bad guys. Remember?”
“Okay.” I want her to tell me what was happening but I know she won't. She needs to sleep, needs to relax. I pull her in closer and kiss the top of her head as I hear her start to snore quietly. She's out again. I fall back to sleep with her in my arms, worried about what she still hasn't told me. Worried about what I fear is on her back, my fingers tracing the thin lines. I'll take great joy in killing him.
The next morning, I leave her sleeping while I go downstairs to start hashing out the day’s meetings and strategy planning. She was snuggled in, sleeping so well, I knew she'd sleep for a while, she needs it. We're gathered in the sitting room, most of us pacing after arguing for a half hour over what yesterday's findings could all mean. Helen brings in tea and coffee. Changing the subject, we start to debate how to get Mum here.
“What if Derek and I set up a hide and Joshua flushes him out? I can take a non-lethal shot, and we get them out that way,” Maya suggests, but my mind wanders to the beautiful woman upstairs naked in bed.
“No, Maya, you're not getting anywhere near London after yesterday. Jonathan's already made one too many attempts on your life,” Duncan says angrily.
“I agree, you're not leaving this area at all if I have any say in it,” Greg pipes in and Duncan nods at him.
“Look, everyone, these have all been good ideas, but as long as Nathan, and now Bradley, are out there, I won't risk Ana, Maya, or Isabella's safety to bring my mum here.” I join back into the conversation.
“What did the solicitor say about the gossip rag leak?” Duncan asks.
