Page 51 of Hunt You Down

“No, you’re gonna stand here and talk to me. What are you talking about?”

My body felt like it was on fire. Flames licked across my stomach and rippled up my back. “Regan was the one who drugged me that night. He followed me into the bathroom and held a knife to me. He’s been following me since I got here. I’ve never been safe, but he won’t touch me as long as you’re around.”

André’s eyes filled with tears. His hands began to shake. “Why didn’t you tell me? I would have taken extra steps to keep you safe! I could have worked from home; I could have had someone come sit with you. I⁠—”

“I didn’t want any of that! I—ow…” I couldn’t take it anymore. Tears escaped the corners of my eyes, and my body gave out. I collapsed to my knees, hands around my stomach.

“Baby, what’s wrong?” André took a step toward me.

“Don’t touch me!”

“I-I’m so sorry.” André said, keeping his post at the bedroom door. “I scared you. I’m so sorry; I shouldn’t have yelled.”

“It’s not you,” I choked. God, my back hurt. “Can you please just go to your office for a few minutes?”

“No.” André took another step, cautiously approaching me. “Please let me help.”

Trying to focus on my breathing, I realized that it was time to admit defeat. I couldn’t handle it alone anymore. “I think I need to go to the hospital,” I said quietly.

André took in the sight in front of him: me, on my knees. The patch on the front of my jeans and a small puddle beneath my legs. “What can I do?”

Who would know what to do in that situation? I started to cry even harder. I was at a new low, and even I didn’t know how to get myself out of this one. I would never expect for one minute for André to do everything he’s done for me, but I was putting him through more than anyone deserved to deal with.

Closing my eyes and taking a deep breath, I centered myself. “I’ll clean the floor. I’m sorry.”

“Forget the floor,” André said. “I’ll do that. Give me your hand.”

I pulled myself out of the ball I’d gotten myself into and let him help me to my feet. My body protested, but settled once André took me into his arms.

“It’s okay,” he whispered against my forehead. “You’re safe with me, I promise. I’ve got you.”

André held me as I cried, patiently waiting until I was finished. Only then did he lead me to the ensuite bathroom and run hot water into the tub, carefully undressing me.

“You don’t have to do this,” I said as he tossed my soiled clothes aside.

“I do. Because I love you.” He leaned down to give me a kiss before helping me step into the bath. “You relax. I’ll be right back.”

I didn’t exactly know what he meant by relax. I hadn’t done that since the day I walked out on Regan. Now, he could strike at any given second.

To top it all off, André knew. I never wanted to get him mixed up in all of this in the first place and yet again, Regan took that option away from me. He’d never shown the tendency to back down easily before, I didn’t know why I thought that it would be any different.

I sat in the hot water with my knees drawn to my chest. It was the only position that eased the burning in my stomach. I stayed like that for about fifteen minutes before there was a soft knock at the door.

“Can I come in, baby?” André asked softly.

I mumbled a soft, “yes.” The door crept open and André stepped into the room. He walked slowly and carefully, like he didn’t want to startle me. He nervously shoved his hands in his pockets.

“Do you need anything?”

I know I scared him. If he wasn’t scared of me, he was scared for me. As much as he liked to say he was all in, he didn’t sign up for any of this. He got swept into it, and I hated myself for letting it happen.

I blinked away another threat of tears. “My back really hurts,” I whispered. “Can you sit behind me?”

André grinned and began to undress. “I know that night is a little bit fuzzy, but do you remember Travis?”

“Vaguely.” I sighed with relief when André settled behind me, pulling me onto his chest.

“I called him and got you an appointment for tomorrow.”