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Tears rimmed her eyes and she let go, taking a deep solid, breath. I nodded for Miss April to tend to her. Grateful she was there with us. I made my way over to the guards, who were still trying to piece it themselves.
They were waiting for the video footage Charlie was obtaining.
After we debriefed, Miss April stated, “I gave her a sedative. She fell asleep on the couch.”
“You can take the room back there. Thank you for your help.” Grabbing her shoulder, I asked, “Are you all right?”
“I am.”
I squeezed her arm in a reassuring gesture.
I didn’t want to leave Paige, however, I needed to shower. Once I was finished, I carried Paige back to the bedroom.
This was the first time in ten years she slept in my arms.
I hated it.
But I would have absolutely loved it if…
It wasn’t under these conditions.
Twenty-Four
Paige
Istood in the hot shower for as long as I could, trying to contemplate the last twelve hours of my life. My world had been turned upside down and I didn’t know where it started or ended anymore. It was all a clusterfuck and I was simply trying to keep up with the hell that’d become my life.
I couldn’t figure out who this man was. I barely dated. I didn’t go out much. I lived a rather boring life on the spectrum of living on the edge. I didn’t make enemies. I was nice to everyone.
There had to be something I was missing, something none of us were even considering. I stayed under the water until it ran cold, and I had no choice but to get out. I was freezing as I got dressed in a pair of black leggings and one of Adrian’s hoodies his team brought us from his penthouse. The one that smelled the most like him.
After all these years, I was seeking comfort in the man who was determined to make me remember what we once shared. Waking up in his arms was like coming home this morning. I stayed there for as long as I could, pretending to be asleep just listening to his heartbeat. It always had the power to lull and calm me. Even back then.
I fought like hell not to freak out more than I already was. I wanted to stay strong and not let this son of a bitch break me down, but it was becoming harder to not let him win.
The minutes were ticking by. Every second felt like another bomb blowing up in my head. I wanted to remain strong, it was the only power I still held in this situation.
Shaking off the fear, I walked back into the living room where Adrian was sitting on the couch. He was staring out the window that overlooked downtown.
“Hey,” I announced, shifting his worried regard to meet mine. “I know this is a stupid question, but I’m going to ask it anyway. Are you okay?”
He nodded.
“Like for real or are you just saying that for my benefit? Because I’ll tell you right now, you don’t need to stay strong for me. I’m okay. I’m freaked the fuck out, but I’m hanging in there. I just want to find this man and put an end to all this.”
“That’s what I’m trying to do.”
I inhaled a deep breath. I hated seeing him like this.
“What are you not telling me? Do you know any new information?”
He leaned forward, setting his elbows on his knees.
I’d never forget the expression on his face as he replied, “What happens next is going to make you hate me. Probably more than you already do.”
I jerked back, startled. “I don’t know what terrifies me more, Adrian. The fact you’re acknowledging I still hate you or that you’re about to tell me something I don’t want to hear.”
He didn’t say a word.
Not one.
“What’s going on?”
When he held his hands in prayer gesture, I knew whatever he was about to say was going to set my life on fire.
I just never expected him to be holding the match again.
“Tell me, please.”
“You were always such a good girl when you wanted something from me.”
“No. Don’t do that. Not right now. No flirting. What are you scared of?”
He cocked his head to the side, arching an eyebrow. “You think I’m afraid?”
“You’re panicked and that’s far worse.”
He softly smiled. “You know me well.”
“I used to think I knew you best.”
“And now?”
“I don’t know.”
“How about you try?”
I hesitated for a minute, trying to gather my thoughts. “Sometimes it feels like I was the only one who really knew you. Others it feels as though I never did.”
“I see.”
“Do you?”
“You’re standing right in front of me, Cherry girl, and you still feel miles away.”
My eyes rimmed with fresh tears.
“Don’t cry.”
“I can’t help it. You’re freaking me out.”
“I wish there was another way.”
“For what?”
“To help you.”
