I don’t answer him as let’s face it, I don’t need to clarify something he already knows.
“Let me get this straight,” Shay says. “You were home when I got the call that your sister was in an accident, and I left without you?”
“Sounds about right,” Slade grumbles.
“Shit, Blake,” she sighs. “I’m sorry. I just assumed you were out drinking yourself under the table again. I could have saved us all this unnecessary worry.”
“Worry?” Blake questions. “Why? I’m not the one you need to be worrying about.”
“Ain’t that the truth,” Slade says with a smirk, making my heart beat just a little faster. Seeing my reaction, he winks and for the slightest moment, I forget it all, hell I even forget my damn name.
I look back to Blake, wanting to put his ass in place before Slade has me forgetting that I’m supposed to be mad at him. “Nobody could get a hold of you,” I explain with a slight cringe. “I thought that maybe…”
“Shit,” Blake sighs in regret, stepping into my side and taking my hand. “You thought he took me back there?” I nod and he lets out a devastated groan while briefly closing his eyes. “I’m sorry, sis. I swear, I’ll do better.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” I tell him. “Just keep your phone on and tell me if you’re bailing from parties early. I can’t be worrying about you like that all the time. This is the second time Lucien has been back here. Four if you count him getting to Slade before we arrived and when he got to Roman. Though, who knows if he actually made the trip for that one.”
“I thought you’d be happy that I wasn’t out partying all night.”
I roll my eyes, despite the way it makes my head pound. “You’re such a turd.”
“Yeah, I may be a turd, but you got shot and drowned all at once,” he teases, grinning and knowing exactly how to lighten the mood. “Look at all this commotion you’ve caused. There are better ways to get attention, you know?”
“I swear to God, Blake,” I say, choking on a laugh. “If I could get up to kick your ass right now, there’d be a Blake-sized hole in the drywall.”
Blake laughs but when Slade stands, the laughter quickly fades away. “Don’t worry, Virago. I got you.”
Chapter 3
My mind takes me places it shouldn’t as I sit here alone, desperately wishing I wasn’t. It’s just past six in the evening and the idea of being left with my mind is terrifying me. Shay pulled Blake out of here by his ear, wanting me to get some rest after the nurse came in for the tenth time and subtly suggested that sleep is the best way for my body to recover.
They stayed until the police had left with their statement and then they were out the door. Shay gave some bullshit reason about forgetting to lock up the house but I know she was just trying to give me some time to come to terms with everything that’s gone down over the past twenty-four hours.
Slade was quick to follow after Shay called Daniella and explained what had happened to the two of us. She came in here with the girls and then took off with Slade, determined to put his ass in place in private. Truth be told, I think she just wanted him home so she knew her son was safe under her roof.
Lucien’s visit has managed to freak us all out all over again. The last few were terrifying, especially when he tried to drag me into the back of his SUV and take me back to hell, but this time was different. Very, very different.
This time he hurt us.
Lucien has never taken it this far before. Yes, he raped me, but an attempt on both our lives? That’s just taking this bullshit to the next fucking level. Not to mention, Slade is his biological son and he was happy to watch him drown. I’m the girl he raised for the last thirteen years and not even that holds enough value for me to be spared.
How are we ever going to move past this?
The door of my room creaks open and my eyes shoot toward it. I’ve been way too jumpy since the second I was left alone. I hate the feeling of being stuck in this bed, unable to move where anyone could walk in and do despicable things. I mean, I’m Lucien’s dream right here – a woman who can’t fight back. Not to mention, the fact that he’s been in my town again. How do I know he actually left? What if he’s still here?
I’m too vulnerable like this and I hate it. I can’t even have my knife here.
A head pokes through the door and a familiar face looks back at me but I have trouble placing him. “Oh good. You’re awake,” the guy says with a friendly smile, stepping deeper into the room.