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She felt her muscles going weightless as if she were floating. Her mind fuzzy, yet aware. She feared whatever he’d dosed her with would make it impossible to move but feel everything. That’s how horrifying her brother could be.
“Thank you, Darrian,” she mumbled, nearly losing the ability to speak.
He cocked his head, frowning. “For what?”
“For telling me everything. So it’s all clear.” She inhaled sharply, hoping she had one more moment to speak. “Tell Grif…I love him…Iv…a..n.”
“Oh, Evelyn. I’m sure your little cop friend doesn’t even think about you.”
She felt herself being lifted, yet couldn’t move. Her arms dangled, her head lolling as Darrian carried her to the bathroom. She saw the bracelet sitting by the sink. No doubt, it heard nothing from the bedroom. Her only hope now was Ivan had answered and heard enough to have Darrian arrested.
Revulsion filled her as he set her in the tub, removing her clothes with little care to how rough he was. She felt every jab and jolt as he jostled her around. All she could do was stare at him, screaming inside her head.
Darrian had been right. She never fought back. This time she hadn’t either. Not even one little punch. She’d complied with every word, and she’d die for it.
He turned on the hot water, scalding her skin. The cold tap remained off. Sick bastard! When he removed the knife, the fear intensified. She was going to die. She could do nothing but lay limp as he picked up her right wrist.
“No, I should do the left first. Then the right, where it lobs over the side and the knife falls to the ground.” A horrid giggle filled the air like he was comedian of the year.
He reached over the tub, grabbing her other wrist. The knife touched her skin. Then the calm, booming voice that entered the room made her sing with joy.
“Step away from her or I will shoot you in the back.”
Darrian jumped to his feet, swiveling toward Ivan, who stood behind him, his gun raised and level. He looked like he was bored and had nothing else to do. The only telltale sign that he was focused and ready for anything was the muscle bunching in his neck as if all his restraint was waiting to be unloaded.
“I found her like this. I had to pull the knife out of her hand. My sister…” Darrian’s voice cracked as if distraught. “She’s trying to kill herself.”
Ivan nodded. “Yep, except for the part where I heard everything. She called me. Plus, you know, listening devices and stuff. It helps to have evidence when putting murderous assholes like you behind bars. Again, step away from her or I’ll shoot you in the chest now.”
Eve couldn’t even warn Ivan that Darrian had a gun, though she had no idea where it was. She couldn’t recall if he set it down or put it back in his waistband. Only the knife dangled from his hand.
To her surprise, he complied, stepping away, tossing the knife to the floor.
“You have it all wrong. She—”
“I’ll have to stop you there. I don’t care to hear you speak anymore.” Then Ivan moved closer and cold-clocked Darrian in the head. Ivan looked at her as Darrian slumped to the floor. “Bastard had it coming.”
Ivan pulled a set of handcuffs out and locked up Darrian before coming to the tub to shut off the water, gasping when he stuck his hand in to unplug the tub. “That shit is hot. You’re not moving or speaking so I can only assume he dosed you with something. Don’t worry. I’ll get you to the hospital.”
Ivan grabbed a towel, averting his eyes as the water drained. When it was all gone, he covered her, then picked her up, carrying her to the room.
“An ambulance is on the way, along with the police. I promise you, you’re safe now. I said I wouldn’t let anything happen to you and I didn’t.”
Maybe her eyes spoke of how close it had gotten. Too close. Because Ivan chuckled. “Nothing like a little suspense to keep the heart pumping.” Then he winked.
If she could’ve laughed, she would’ve. Because despite the seriousness of it all, his words made her feel lighter and on top of the world. As if she could defeat anything, at any time.
Because she just did.
20
She curledinto the blanket as if that would hide her from everyone. Not that there were many people in the room. One nurse and Ivan, who stood near her bed waiting for the nurse to finish doing whatever she was doing with the monitors hooked up to her.
They had inserted an IV, which she felt every painful moment. The nurse hadn’t been gentle. Stuck her twice before getting it in correctly. There was a device positioned on her finger and the blood pressure cuff wrapped around her bicep. She’d take it all though because it meant she was alive and safe.
Whatever Darrian had dosed her with had started to wear off. She could move, but slowly. Her entire body still felt weighed down, like she was stuck at the bottom of the ocean and couldn’t move no matter how hard she tried.
After what seemed like forever, the nurse finally exited the room. Her gaze sought Ivan’s, who wore a gentle smile as he took a seat in the chair next to her bed.
