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Simon shook his head.
Pepper huffed out an indignant breath. “Simon, what are you doing? You can’t just kidnap me.”
“I’m not. I’m being your friend. You had a huge shock tonight and I’m worried about you. Until I’m sure you’re okay and have a safe place to go, I’m going to keep an eye on you.”
If he expected her to be grateful, she wasn’t. She was... She was full of pent-up anger. It was like the world was out to get her. Every time she found happiness, the rug somehow got ripped out from under her.
And she was taking all her frustration out on Simon. He watched her with concern in his eyes. And rightfully so. She was acting strangely. And she was pretty certain they were nearing the hospital.
Get it together, Pepper.
“I have to go back. I have to look after the bakery,” her voice wavered, “My home.”
“I’ll take care of it.” He withdrew his phone from his pocket and made a brief phone call. “Your building will be secured.”
She wondered what it was like to make problems disappear with a mere phone call. If only that’s all it took to right all that had gone wrong in her life.
She took a moment to steady her rising emotions. “Where are we going?”
“To my place.”
She shook her head. “I can’t go back there with all of your guests. I couldn’t possibly face them.”
“Don’t worry. We’re not going back to Connecticut. We’re going to stay right here in the city. Home, James.”
The car slowed at the next intersection and turned away from the hospital that was now only a block away. Thank goodness. If it came down to facing a bunch of doctors or facing her ex, if she could call him that, she would pick Simon. She wasn’t sure it was the smartest choice, but it seemed like the simplest at that moment.
* * *
The fight had gone out of her, to the point where he feared she might very well collapse. On the ride up in the elevator, he kept a steady arm around her waist, pulling her weight against him.
Once inside his penthouse, he thought of getting her a drink. Something strong to take the edge off. But he didn’t know what sort of alcohol she drank or even if she drank at all. And then a thought came to him. It was something his mother used to do for him when he was very young and too worked up to sleep after a run-in with his father.
He led Pepper toward the kitchen. She didn’t question where they were going. She simply let him lead the way. If this kept up much longer, he was following through with his initial instinct to take her to the ER.
“Here.” He guided her to one of the stools at the center island. “Sit down.”
She did it without a fuss.
He hesitated to move from her side, afraid without him next to her that she would collapse. But she held her own and sat there, staring blindly ahead.
“I’m just going to get you something warm to drink.” For all intents and purposes, he was talking to himself.
There were just a couple of things he did well in the kitchen. And this happened to be one of them. He set to work.
A couple minutes later, with a warm mug in hand, he turned to Pepper. She looked dazed and lost. Deciding she’d be much more comfortable in one of his guest rooms, he moved to her side.
“How about we make you comfortable?” When she finally looked at him, he asked, “Can you stand?”
She did so without a word.
Together, they made their way to the guest room with the king-size bed. He guided her to it. She sat down on the edge.
He held out the mug. “Here. Have a drink.”
She shook her head. Still no words.
He knelt down in front of her and gazed up at her. Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. That had to be a good sign. Right? Something was going on inside of her. Now if he could just get her to talk.
