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“Is Miss Lawson okay, sir?”
I recognise that voice and realise it’s Mr Hudson. I look up and see him smiling at me fondly as he holds open the car door.
“She will be. Home please, Malcolm,” Daniel orders sliding into the car, still clutching me to his chest.
“Of course, sir,” Malcolm says before closing the door. I hear another door shut, followed by the engine starting as the car moves.
“Speak to me, princess,” Daniel whispers by my ear as I pull away from him slightly. As soon as I look into his sad silver eyes, I burst into tears as I realise I’m safely away from Leo. Daniel holds me against his chest and runs his hand up and down my back as I cry uncontrollably, soaking his shirt with my tears as we travel through the dark night away from the hotel.
Chapter Seven
Gabby
Daniel doesn’t try to speak to me again; instead, he tightens his arms and lets me cry into his chest. Occasionally, he will kiss my head, letting me know he is there and I am safe.
I’ve been so angry and hurt after seeing him and finding out he’s been avoiding me. But now, I’ve never been more thankful for him being in my life.
Before long, we stop, and I hear the driver exit before the door next to us opens. Daniel gets out of the car, keeping me in his arms.
“I will need the car again tonight, Malcolm,” Daniel says as I hide in his chest, too scared and embarrassed to see anyone.
“Of course, Sir. I’ll wait for your call. I’ve asked the house staff to run a bath for Miss Lawson in your suite and to clear the area,” I hear Mr Hudson whisper.
“Thank you, Malcolm,” Daniel replies before carrying me away from the car and out of the cold.
I don’t look as Daniel walks through what I guess is his home. I keep my head against his chest until he enters a bedroom and sits with me on his lap.
“Princess, I need you to bathe so I can examine your injuries properly. Are you okay for me to assist you? Or would you rather have one of the female housekeepers instead?”
I shake my head and cling to his shirt. I don’t want him to leave; I’m terrified Leo will find me again if he does. Daniel seems to realise what I want as he tightens his arms for reassurance.
“Okay, Princess, I’m not going anywhere. You are safe with me; I won’t hurt you,” he whispers into my hair. I nod as he kisses me on the head again and carries me a little further. I can feel the steam in the air and know we must be in the bathroom.
Daniel places me on a stool, steps away, and kneels in front of me. He doesn’t take his eyes off mine as he lifts my foot and undoes my shoe strap before pulling it off. He then reaches around and does the same with the other one, not once taking his eyes off mine. He gently takes my hand and pulls me to my feet. As soon as I stand, I cry out as pain shoots up my leg, which nearly goes from underneath me. Daniel manages to catch me before I crumble to the floor.
“What hurts, princess?”
“My ankle,” I whisper.
“Take the robe off, and I’ll lift you into the bath,” Daniel directs softly. Looking down, I realise he will see me naked if I do as he instructed. He places a finger under my chin and applies pressure until I lift my head to look at him. Once again, our eyes meet, and I can’t see anything else.
“Gabriella, If you’d rather I got one of the female housekeepers, just say. But I would prefer to look after you myself. I would never hurt you. You know that.”
“I don’t want you to leave,” I whisper back. Daniel cups my cheek lovingly.
“I’m not leaving your side, not again.”
I nod as Daniel unfastens the robe and lets it fall to the floor. His eyes don’t leave mine as he scoops me back into his arms. His shirt sleeves become wet as he lowers me into the oversized bath. He continues to maintain eye contact as if trying to prove that I am safe with him. As soon as I’m in the water, Daniel pulls his arms out from around me and sits on the side of the bath.
I sit with my knees tucked up to my chest. It’s as if my mind has shut down. I can’t think, speak or feel. I know it’s my mind’s way of protecting me after what Leo tried to do, but right now, I wish I could feel something. I should be angry, I have every right to be, but I feel numb.
“Can I take the pins out of your hair, princess?” Daniel asks quietly beside me. I nod as the tears flow again and hug my knees closer to my chest. I can feel him gently removing the pins from my hair; he does it so gently that I can’t help wondering if he has done it for someone else. That woman who interrupted us before comes to mind. She called him ‘darling’. Are they dating? Was she there with him tonight?
“How did you know?” I ask quietly. Daniel’s hands don’t falter as he continues to remove the pins one by one.
“Neil knew something was wrong. When you signalled for him to stand down, he got me, and we went looking for you,” Daniel explains. “I asked reception to give me the room number you or that prick was staying in, but they wouldn’t give me anything. I managed to find which floor you got off the elevator. I’d just found your bag when someone said they had heard screaming coming from a room.” It was then that his hands faltered, and he stopped pulling the pins from my hair.
“How did you get in?” I ask as I sense Daniel tensing behind me. I hear him taking a deep breath before he continues.
