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The second man approaches the other side of Darian, speaking in a hushed tone, “We need to move him to the car quickly. We have only a few minutes before the police arrive.”
I blink in surprise.
Has that much time truly passed?
Nodding in acknowledgment, I rise to my feet and Val stays glued to my side.
“Please be careful with the sutures on his chest, if you can. I’d prefer not to have to redo them when he wakes up,” I say quietly.
With careful coordination, they lift Darian’s limp body into their arms, following Val’s lead as we make our way out of the compound. As we reach the awaiting car, the cool night air hits me and I feel a weight lifting off my shoulders.
We did it.
I don’t know if this would have been at all possible if Caspian hadn’t helped.
The drive is accompanied by a peaceful silence, interrupted only by the sound of Darian’s labored breathing in the backseat. The rush of adrenaline finally dissipates, leaving behind an overwhelming exhaustion.
As we arrive at the parking garage, my shoulders sag with relief. The men carefully carry Darian into the apartment, gently placing him in his bed, and before I know it, they’re gone.
I suppose the threat of being shot is enough to send them running.
As the hours pass, Darian’s breathing becomes steady, and a hint of color returns to his face.
I change into comfortable pajamas and slip in bed alongside him, taking care not to jostle his injuries which is harder than it seems.
But I’m desperate, and even if it takes me 30 minutes to ease into his presence, I’ll do it.
My overwhelming need to be close to him overrides any other thoughts or concerns as I sigh deeply with content.
I stir from sleep as a gentle hand brushes against my cheek.
My eyes flutter open, instantly meeting Darian’s gaze, and I release a breath of profound relief.
“You came for me,” he whispers softly, his eyes searching mine.
My throat tightens with emotion.
“I didn’t do it alone,” I whisper back.
“But you were still there. I remember hearing your voice,” he says, his brows furrowing as if struggling to recall.
Looking into his eyes, I prepare myself for him to think differently of me with my confession.
“I called Caspian when you didn’t return, assuming he was responsible. Caspian came to the apartment... and... well, I sort of stabbed him. He agreed to help locate you and Dolly, but he wanted to take her alive. Most of the planning to get in was his, and I almost ruined everything when I nearly killed her myself.”
Darian searches my face, and my voice is no more than a whisper as I continue, “You once told me you’d always find me. You said you’d kill anyone who tries to harm me,” I hold his gaze and myconfession pours out of me, “I admit I am not as resourceful as one may need to be to make these kinds of proclamations, but I will always find you too, Darian. I will always find you and anyone who brings you pain will live to regret it or die slowly. That is my own promise to you.”
Darian’s eyes widen as he stares at me for a moment, processing the information. “You... you stabbed Caspian?” he asks, his voice filled with surprise and concern. “And you’re still here, alive?”
His face bears no judgment, regret, or shame at my loss of control. Instead, he examines me with what I can only describe as awe.
I see the gratitude in his exhausted eyes, but more than that, I see the pain and trauma.
I recognize it well from all the days I looked in the mirror at school. Hidden beneath the mask I’d concealed over my features, my eyes were the lone indicator of the toll the abuse was taking.
Darian shifts next to me and winces, his tranquilizer clearly having worn off some time ago. Carefully, I slide off the bed and retrieve painkillers from the medical kit then a glass of water.
Returning to his side, I offer it with a gentle smile, “Here, take these,” I say softly.
