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“I want a female officer as well,” Eddie says automatically, and my eyes nearly bug out of my head.You can request who interviews you?
“Fine. See you then,” Eddie says before ending the call and tossing his cell onto the coffee table.
“They will come here tomorrow. They will interview us both, and Ben will be here as our lawyer. Ben and his team are currently building a case against Steve. They will work throughout the night so he can put that forward to the police tomorrow to ensure Steve remains behind bars for the immediate future as the case continues to build,” Eddie says, giving me the rundown.
“Okay. I can do that,” I say, nodding, because that will be much easier. If I ever see the inside of a police station again, it will be too soon. I have spent many a night at a station, waiting for whatever available carer to come to take me somewhere to spend the night. While the officers were generally friendly, the inside of a police station only conjures bad memories. Eddie looks at me with concern on his face, the type of look I want gone.
“I think there is a lot to take in, and we have had a big day. Let me run you a bath, and I will organize some dinner for us.” I let him pull me up off the sofa. I can’t really grasp what I am feeling. Fear a little, relief even more. A strange new feeling of giving up control of the situation and passing it over to Eddie. I’m exhausted, like the flight response I have lived with for the past years has finally eased, and I am almost happy to let Eddie help me. Even though I don't want this to tarnish him at all, because I am wary.
“Eddie…” I say, but pause, trying to find the right words.
“It will be alright, Pinkie. I got you.” I know that he does. He gives me his smirk, my smile mirroring his as he puts his lips on mine, and I sink into him.
“Come on.” He holds my hand as he walks me down his hallway, and I take the opportunity to look around and discover something new. There is a lot to look at. Large, high ceilings, luxurious decor, artwork, mirrors, soft furnishing. The lights are low and moody, and his place is almost silent. I can’t hear any car horns or people’s voices. We pass bedrooms, an office, bathrooms, until we reach the end, and he pushes open the door to what I assume is his bedroom.
“Wow,” I say too loudly as I stop short, causing Eddie to stop and look back at me.
“You okay?” Eddie asks, his brow crumpling.
“This is your room?” It is big—bigger than any bedroom I’ve ever been in. The carpet is lush, and his bed looks extremely inviting. I see a large walk-in wardrobe off to one side, but the star of the room is the fireplace. It’s a large fireplace, the flames flicking, bringing immediate warmth into the space. He walks into the bathroom, and I hear him run the bath as I remain where I am, looking around the room.
He has floor-to-ceiling windows in here as well, with a small terrace just outside. As my feet automatically move and follow his steps, I realize the fireplace is double-sided. The flames and heat emanate into both the bedroom and the bathroom. I have never seen a fireplace in a bathroom before.
The bathroom is full marble, oversized and lavish. The water rushes into the large tub, and soft, thick gray towels are hanging nearby. My feet are warm from the underfloor heating, and I almost moan from the feeling.
“Let’s get you naked,” he says again, smirking, and I huff a laugh. My body is exhausted from everything, so I let him undress me. He pulls my scrubs over my head, and I help him with the bottoms. As I unclip my bra, he turns, and I see him grab a small bottle of bath oil and put a few drips into the steaming water. I smell it immediately, the floral aroma hitting my nose. It smells almost like the cheap perfume I wear, yet I can tell that the oil is the real deal. Probably pressed from the flowers directly, not synthetic like mine.
“That smells nice,” I say to him as he takes my hand and helps me into the tub. The warmth hits my skin, and I basically melt. I can’t remember the last time I had a bath. But it wasn’t anything like this. I lower and sink into the water, my head resting back and my eyes closing immediately. This feels like the most decadent thing I have ever done, and my body is aching for it.
“I bought it because it reminds me of you,” Eddie says, and I open my eyes and look at him. He sits on the edge of the tub, looking at me like I am his most prized possession. Unspoken words pass between us. Words I am not ready to say out loud and haven’t yet processed. His hand reaches out, and he touches my cheek, his fingers gently trailing my cheekbones.
“How are you feeling?” he asks me, and this is the Eddie I know. Always checking in with me, ensuring I am alright. At least today warrants it.
“I’m… I don't know.” I sigh, trying to gather my thoughts. “I’m worried. I’m relieved. I’m hopeful but scared to be too hopeful. I am tired, so tired…” I say, shaking my head, trying to ensure the tears don’t fall. My adrenaline is well and truly wearing off. “I am just sick of running. Always running. Looking over my shoulder. I just want to stop. Plant roots, you know?” I ask Eddie, and as I look back at him, his eyes gaze into mine with so much concern and compassion.
“You won’t ever have to see him again. You stop running as of now. The only place you will run to is to me. Into my arms, because I meant what I said. I will always catch you,” Eddie says, his tone washing over me like a balm, and my heart thumps. I nod to him silently, scared that my voice will crack if I respond and really not wanting any more tears.
“Sit forward,” he says, and he gets up, still fully clothed outside of the bath, then kneels on the floor as he grabs a washcloth.
“Are you not getting in?” I ask, because this bath is huge. You can probably fit four people in this.
“No. I want to take care of you. Let me wash your hair.” He cradles my neck in his hands, and I lay my head back into his hold. As he runs the water down my scalp, the sensation relaxes me, my eyes fluttering closed. I take in another deep breath as he shampoos my hair and then gives me the best head massage ever.
I am not sure I can get used to a billionaire treating me as though I am his everything.
“Mmmmm. You are too good at that,” I murmur, as he rinses the conditioner, my body fully submerged. When I open my eyes, I’m feeling tired and a little bit drunk on the feeling in the air.
“You relax here,” he says as he lowers the lights, leaving a warm glow to the room, enhanced by the fire that is still illuminating us. “I’m just going to call my brothers and will organize us some food.” All I can do is nod. Because I do need time. I need time to sit with my thoughts and figure out what is happening. It is like Eddie can read me like a book. He knows exactly what I need and when.
He kisses my forehead and steps away, and I release a big breath and sink lower into the water. Tonight will be a night I remember for the rest of my life. But for the first time, it won’t all be because of trauma or negativity, even though I have that in spades. It will be because it was the night I fell in love with a billionaire.
CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE - EDDIE
Ipull the bathroom door closed and let her have some time. I can barely keep it together. My hands clench, my teeth grind, and my shoulders haven’t left my ears since we got home. When she told me what those boys did to her, I saw red. I strut out of my bedroom and retrieve my cell from my living room before texting my brothers. We need to talk, because after what happened today, I know tomorrow is going to be a shitstorm.
Within ten minutes, my brothers are sitting in my living room, on the white sofa Katie was too fucking scared to sit on earlier. Yet another thing I need to get to the bottom of.
“What the fuck happened?” Harrison asks as he runs his hands through his hair.
