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They all flinch. “Why wouldn’t we be here?” Dal retorts.
“I told you I didn’t want to see you again.”
“You were shot,” Astro says sadly.
“That doesn’t change—” I don’t know why I’m arguing. I feel safer with them here, but my own damn pride won’t let me admit it.
“We could have lost you,” Raffiel snaps, and my mouth closes. “We needed to see that you were okay, Miss Harrow. We had to. Please don’t make us leave just yet. I know you’re mad—”
“Don’t. I’m too tired to deal with this right now.” I tug my hand from Astro’s, worried I’m too comfortable. It’s almost impossible to remember why I’m hurt, the drugs making me sleepy. “Just, please leave for now, okay? I just want to sleep.”
“Reign,” Cillian begins.
“Please,” I demand, meeting each of their eyes. “I need some space. I’m tired.” I close my eyes, sliding deeper into the bed. Looking at them hurts, but what scares me the most is how right it feels to have them here despite everything.
There’s silence, and then Raff speaks. “Okay, Miss Harrow, we’ll leave for now. We’ll be close if you need us, just tell them to call.” When I don’t react, I feel him move closer before lips press to my head, making me jerk. “Sleep well, Reign, and trust us.”
My eyes open as I watch them file out and the door shut.
What did he mean by that?
Turning my head away, I focus on the window where it’s dark outside, running his words through my head. My first thought upon seeing them was joy. I felt safe. For a moment in that garage, I didn’t think I would ever see them again. No matter what happened, I still love them, and the idea of never saying goodbye hurt.
I know they left, and I let time pass as I stare out of the window, running over everything, from the feeling of the gunshot to watching those guards die to my heartbreak.
Can I truly not let them in? Even after everything?
I hear a creak and sigh. “Please, Raff, I just want to be left alone.” There’s nothing but silence until something tugs on my arm. My head jerks to the side and I freeze.
A man in a doctor’s coat stands next to me, his smiling brown eyes hidden behind thick-rimmed glasses. He looks smart and kind with a soft smile, but something makes me uneasy. “Who are you? Where is Dr. Ramos?” I demand. “Hey, what are you doing?” I try to move away as he pulls out a needle and sticks it in my arm.
“Don’t worry, Reign, everything will be okay now. I told you I’d be here, didn’t I?”
“What?” I slur as the room starts to spin. “What did you give me?”
“Just a sedative to keep you calm so you don’t injure yourself further while I get you into the car. It’s okay. I’ve got you now. I’ll save you from them, then it will just be you and me.”
“Wait, stop.” I reach for the buzzer, but he pulls it away, tugging the bedding back and sliding me to the edge. My body is limp. I can’t even seem to muster up the energy to scream as he tugs my gown down. Tears slip from my eyes but luckily, he carefully pulls on a sweater dress and tugs it down before kneeling and putting some shoes on me. I slump forward, and he catches me.
“Shh, I’ve got you. I know you were calling for help, calling for me, and I’ve got you now. You’re safe. They’ll never have you again. It will be us forever.”
“You’re crazy,” I mumble.
“Don’t be rude, Reign, not after everything I went through to get you here and for my plan to work. The idiots are out chasing my dummy leads right now, so it’s just you and me. I’ll keep you safe forever now. No more cameras or being forced to sing, no more Tucker or your backstabbing friends, no more bodyguards taking advantage of you.”
“Why are you doing this?” I ask. I don’t know how he understands my words, but he does.
“Because I love you.” He frowns at me. “Just like I know you love me too. Don’t you remember when we first met?”
I slump farther, and he catches me. “I’ll remind you later, but for now, let’s go.” Lifting me into his arms, he carries me to the door and into the hallway, my head lolling as I call for help, but it’s empty at this hour and the floor is private. Whimpering, I feel tears streaming down my face as he carefully positions me in a wheelchair.
“Don’t cry, Reign. Everything will be okay now.” Wiping away my tears, he starts to whistle as he wheels me down the corridor to the elevator. He strokes my hair as my head slumps to the side, the sedative taking full effect even as I try to fight it.
This is it.
I’ll disappear forever.
I’ll never see Beck again. I’ll never get to watch movies with Astro, cuddle with Cillian, fight with Raff, or sing with Dal. I’ll be trapped with this crazy bastard until he kills me.
