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Her hand comes up to brush some loose hairs out of my face. It reminds me of something my mom used to do when I was a little kid and sick. This definitely isn’t something she signed up for when she joined Rockport Security, that’s for sure. We’re coworkers, but instead of her protecting me, she’s been, more or less, taking care of me. It makes me feel even worse. I’m an adult for fucks sake. I shouldn’t need someone to look out for me the way she has been.
“Like shit,” I try to reply through a chuckle, but it comes out as a groan. “What the hell happened?”
“You had a panic attack. It looks like it was even worse than the one on our first night here,” she explains softly. Her tone gives away how bothered she is about what happened and that she's worried about me. Opening my eyes to look at her, I see a sad and worried expression that matches her tone. I honestly wasn’t trying to worry her. I didn’t think the news would set me off that badly.
“I’m so sorry, Valentina. You didn’t sign up for any of this shit with me,” I mumble, burying my face back into my pillow and pulling the comforter up further.
“No, but Knox gave me some warning when he asked me to come with you. He knew this was going to be a rough trip for you.” Valentina pulls my covers down softly so I can’t hide my face. “Sky, I don’t judge you for the things you’ve gone through in your past. You went through something that most people only read about or see on television, but you lived it, and you’ve survived. Now, you’re back here facing your past to save the three men that I know you still love, even if you don’t want to admit it.”
A small whimper leaves me at her words. I know I told her some of what happened before, but clearly Knox spilled a lot about me before entrusting her to be one of my guards. It’s making me wonder how much Rome knows as well. It should be my choice to tell others, and he took that from me. Rationally, I understand why he went behind my back, but it still hurts.
“I’m not telling you these things to hurt you. I’m saying it because I am so fucking proud of how strong you are,” she continues explaining this time with a smile. “I sure wouldn’t be as strong as you are doing this. I’d run to the cops immediately, or anyone who would listen. So your having some panic attacks is nothing in the bigger picture. Take the morning, relax, and recover. I’ll hang here with you, we can order room service. Later you can go meet the band at the studio.”
“Thank you, Valentina,” I murmur. It means a lot to me how understanding she’s being, even if I do feel guilty she’s stuck dealing with me. When I become more awake and alive later, I’ll confront her further about it, and we can talk about what to do when this happens again since we both know it will.
Closing my eyes, I let sleep claim me once again. My body is still exhausted and needs time to recover now that I know I’m somewhere safe.
~~~~~
“Hey, Sleeping Beauty,” Gunner whispers. His breath tingles my ear causing goosebumps to erupt across my skin. “We can’t stay in bed all day no matter how good it feels to have you wrapped in my arms.”
“Mmm,” I mumble, my eyes still closed. I push myself backward, grinding my ass against his dick. He’s hard and ready for me, despite the fact we just went three rounds last night before falling asleep. It was his way of distracting me after I had a small panic attack. I tried to tell him he didn’t need to spend the night, but I think he was scared to leave me alone.
“Skylar,” he groans. “What if I promise to get you chocolate chip pancakes? Will that get you moving?” His arm tightens around my waist trying to hold me still.
I know I’m torturing him, but I can’t help it. A small smile stretches across my sleepy face. Whether it’s the mention of pancakes or because I’m already getting turned on again, I’m not sure. Maybe it’s both.
“Demon Queen, you are killing me here. Please stop moving your hips,” he grumbles, his voice sounding slightly desperate. “I’m trying to behave here and take care of you. You’re making my job more difficult.”
“Oops,” I let out a small laugh.
“Liar,” he gives me a soft kiss just below the ear before releasing me. “Get dressed, and I’ll get food started.”
The cold hits me like a freight train when his body leaves me. I didn’t realize how much I was relying on his warmth. I lay there for a couple of extra minutes until I hear some pots and pans banging around in the other room. The noise is sure to wake up Creed and Sebastian who will be fumbling into the kitchen in no time looking for food and coffee. I know if I don’t get there first, I’ll be fighting with them to even secure a mug.
Rolling over in bed, I push myself up into a sitting position, stretching to start waking myself up. Pushing the covers back, I spin to get up off the bed but end up frozen in terror before I even stand up. A scream drenched with terror leaves my lips when I see the bloody rose and card sitting on the nightstand leaned up against my lamp.
Bolting awake, I feel my heartbeat racing as I look around me in terror trying to figure out what happened and where I am. It takes a few minutes for me to calm myself and realize it was just a nightmare. I’m safe in my room, and the stalker isn’t here.
Still the fear the nightmare brought on leaves me reeling. Getting out of bed, I inspect every surface of our hotel room, including opening and closing every single door and drawer. I wasn’t leaving a single surface untouched, terrified that the stalker somehow found me and snuck in while I was sleeping to leave their calling card. When I’m confident the room is clear, I sit on the edge of my bed and realize there’s a note taped to the front of the television. Leaning forward, I pluck it off the screen. The front has my name on it.
Sky,
I didn’t want to wake you because I know you need your sleep. I ran downstairs to grab some food and I’ll be back in a few minutes in case you wake up while I’m gone. Don’t worry you’re not alone. Rome is sitting in the hall guarding your door. I figured it would make you panic if you saw him in the room after everything.
Grab a shower, relax, and once you eat we will head to the studio.
-Val
Well, it was nice of her to leave me a note so I didn’t panic because she was right in thinking I would have. Lifting my shirt to smell it, I realize she’s right about the shower. I smell disgusting. Probably from sweating in my sleep from the nightmare. Shaking my head not wanting to think about it anymore I get up and head to the shower. That is exactly what I need to have a fresh start to the day. Hopefully, the shower will also help cleanse my mind of everything and I can put all those memories back in a locked box in my mind and not have to deal with them again.
I know it’s not a healthy coping mechanism but it’s the only way I’ve gotten by for all these years. I don’t plan on ruining that for myself now. Even if I’m having to face them all again now.
My shower could have been longer. Hell, I could have stood under the spray for an hour just to relax my muscles but I knew we didn’t have that kind of time. I already feel guilty enough for missing this morning's practice. I don’t want to be late for the afternoon one as well. I was in and out in under fifteen minutes.
By the time I stepped out of the bathroom feeling refreshed Valentina was back with food, and had let Rome into the room as well. Both of them were sitting at the small table in the corner of the room that was piled high with food.
“You look so much better!” Valentina calls out when she turns to look at me with a big smile. “Sit,” she gets out of her seat, giving it to me. “Eat and we will leave. I’m sure you’re ravenous.”
