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“They got me out. The police got me out, but then he tried to escape.”
“Did they hurt you? Are you okay?” I asked, skimming my fingers over her cheek.
“I’m okay. I think, although my body is a bit worse for wear.”
Gray cupped her other cheek, looking almost too scared to touch her, in case she disappeared.
“We should get to the hospital, princess,” I murmured as I took her in, noticing how fragile she looked.
“Can we not?” she murmured, slumping exhaustedly against Gray. “Please,” she begged. “Can you take me home?”
Out of nowhere, Thomas appeared. “Take her home, boys. This is the number for Dr. Stark, an out of hours doctor I really trust. If Ivy needs anything, you can call her. The police can take Ivy’s statement tomorrow.” He handed me a card, and I slid it into my pocket.
“Did you do this?” Ivy asked Thomas quietly, her words slurring from exhaustion.
“No, your husbands did this. They found you. I’m so glad you’re safe, Ivy. Now I should get back home. You people do know I retired from all this drama, don’t you?” Thomas offered with a wink.
Gray shook his hand while I scooped up Ivy gently, pulling her tight to my body, swearing to never let her out of my sight again.
“I’m so sorry, princess. About what I did. Not talking to you. I thought you’d left me. Fuck, I’ve missed you so much…” I looked down, so I could show her how sorry I was, but she was already asleep in my arms.
Chapter 35
Grayson
Ivysleptthewholeway home, while Ethan and I wrapped ourselves around her in the back seat of the car, as Thomas’ driver drove us. Carrying her into the house, I took a moment to let the enormity of the situation settle in. I honestly didn’t think she’d ever be home again. But here she was, battered, exhausted, smelly as hell, but here. Safe. In one piece. Home, where she belonged.
Still in my arms, Ethan danced his fingers over her cheek and her eyes snapped open, looking around frantically. I hugged her harder while he whispered reassuring words, reminding her she was safe. She pressed herself tighter to me, as she broke down in tears.
“Why don’t we get you in the shower, princess? Help you wash away the last week?”
“Let us take care of you, firefly. Let us remind you how safe and loved you are.”
She nodded between sobs and together, we took her to the bathroom and helped her strip out of her clothes. Neither of us mentioned how soiled they were or how hard it was to peel the crusted fabric from her skin. Ethan pulled Ivy to him, holding her tightly, not wanting to leave her alone for a second, while I turned on the shower, letting the water heat and fill the room with steam.
Pulling off my shirt, I left my pants on. Ethan followed my lead and we all stepped into the walk-in shower. He held Ivy against his chest before handing me the bottle of shampoo. Pouring it into my hands, I washed her hair, massaging her head, watching her curls bounce back to life as I rinsed off the evidence of her time away from us. It took three lots of shampoo before the water ran clear and I was sure I’d removed the evidence of her ordeal.
Next, I washed her body, gently, tenderly, listening to her reaction to make sure I wasn’t hurting her. Placing my hand on her hip to turn her, she cried out in pain. It was then I took her in, really looking at the damage that had been inflicted on her body. Her hip was covered with a huge dark black bruise that stretched down her leg, her ribs on one side were purple and her forearms were pebbled with finger size bruises where someone had obviously grabbed her tightly. Her hourglass hips lacked their familiar curve and her belly looked swollen. Washing her, I tried not to let the anger bubbling up in me spill over and upset her, but I couldn’t help the growl that erupted when I noticed her wedding ring was gone and her nail was missing from her right hand.
My fist clenched at my side, but Ethan reached out and tilted my head, staring at me, silently begging me not to do this now, so I placed a chaste kiss on Ivy’s cheek before I stepped out to grab us all towels and something for Ivy to wear.
Ivy moved on autopilot, letting us lead her, dry her off and help her into some fresh PJs, adding her favorite fluffy socks, Ethan left to get her a drink and make her some food, while I sat her on the bed and towel dried her hair.
I didn’t know how long we stayed like that, but she sighed and let her body relax back into mine while I curled my arms around her, breathing her in. There was so much I wanted to say to her. Things I was desperate to know about what had happened to her since she went missing. But I didn’t know where to start, so instead I held on to her for dear life and hoped she could feel my love pouring into her.
Our silent embrace was interrupted by Ethan with a tray of food. “I’ve spoken to Thomas’ doctor friend. She suggested that you stick to light soup and sips of water while your body gets used to eating again.”
Ethan placed the tray on the bed and Ivy lifted the drink to her mouth, her hand trembling so much she could barely make it meet her lips. I steadied the glass while she drank, ignoring Ethan’s suggestion and draining the entire thing, licking her lips trying to get every last drop.
Taking the spoon from the bowl, Ethan lifted it to Ivy’s mouth, feeding her the soup he’d heated for her.
“Thank you, Eth,” she whispered the first words she’d spoken since she got home. He offered her a small smile, before refocusing back on feeding her the soup. After four or five mouthfuls she shook her head, not wanting any more.
“It was nice, but I’m tired.”
“What do you need, firefly?”
“Sleep. Stay with me? Please.”
