Now That I Found You: A Tortured Heroine Standalone Romance (Heart's Compass Novella)

by Brooke O'Brien

  “Wh-why?” Ellie stammers. “Where are you going to take me?”

  “I told you to stop asking fucking questions. If you keep this shit up…” he says, pointing the tip of the knife toward Ellie. Her face trembles, and that’s it for me.

  “Put your fucking knife down!” I yell, taking him off guard. I have him right where I want him. His back is to me, but he’s facing Ellie.

  The only thing working in my favor is knowing the counter is separating him from her. One rash movement and I’ll take him down without a single hesitation.

  “Who the fuck is this?” he questions, his head snapping back to me over his shoulder before looking back at Ellie.

  “Quit asking questions,” I retort, throwing his earlier threats back to him. “It’s my turn to ask questions, but first, put the knife down. If you hurt my wife, so help me God I will live out the rest of my days making yours miserable. Do you fucking hear me?”

  His head darts back to Ellie, before bouncing back to mine. It must be the mention of her being my wife that throws him off.

  “You really are the crazy bastard she says you are.” He laughs. “She said you’d show up here like this. I’m glad she finally told you about me.”

  “I’m sorry?” I question.

  “It’s terrible you had to learn about us this way.”

  Ellie’s eyes are wide with horror at his insinuation, flashing over to mine. Her arms waiver, silently telling me it’s not true. He’s gotta be out of his motherfucking mind if he thinks I’d ever think she’d choose this piece of shit over me.

  “So, you’re the Royal she’s been telling me about, huh?” I bait him.

  “Oh, so she has mentioned me then?” He laughs again, this time sounding more like a cackle. It’s sinister and disturbing, and it’s then I realize I don’t want to drag this out anymore. This fucker likely doesn’t know the history and who Royal truly is, but I’ll make him pay for it just the same.

  When he turns his head back to look at Ellie, her eyes flash to me. When they do, I nod my head to her telling her to move out of the way.

  Her throat bobs as she takes a forceful swallow. The fear and panic are evident on her face at the thought of what could happen next. The cops are going to be here any minute, and I’m afraid once he realizes his plan has failed, he’ll get angry.

  “She’s mentioned you alright. Did she give you my message by chance?” I ask, as he turns back to look at me. In that same movement, Ellie rushes out of the way and I dive toward him, as we both stumble against the counter.

  Despite being unsteady on his feet, his grip on the knife doesn’t waiver. Wrapping my arm around his, I attempt to control his lower arm to the floor. Ellie’s cries from behind us begs us to stop, but I drown them out focusing on his face.

  “I guess she didn’t tell you how I said if I ever saw your face as a free man, I’d be sure to send you straight back to hell where you belong.”

  I can almost picture I’m staring at Royal. My anger intensifies nearly throwing me off, letting up on the grip I have on his arm. An evil smile spreads wide on his face, realizing my mistake, as he takes the knife in his hand, driving it up into the side of my stomach.

  “No!” Ellie screams.

  My body hunches over trying to protect myself, as the knife twists before he pushes me backward, sending me crashing to the floor.

  The taste of blood fills my mouth. The last thing I remember before the darkness pulls me under is the sound of the loud commands in the background from police and Ellie’s sad face, full of pain and heartbreak as she mutters the words, “Please, Callum, don’t leave me. Oh, God, please don’t take him, too.”

  Chapter Eight

  Ellie

  The sound of police shouting out orders and sirens blaring replay over and over in my head. Clutching my arms around my stomach, I press my back against the wall of the hospital, sliding down to curl into a ball.

  I hate everything about being in this hospital. The last time we were here resurfaces so many terrible memories and, once again, I’m faced with the cruelty of the world and the uncertainty of whether I’ll ever get to see Callum’s face again.

  Why does it feel like every time things are starting to look up for me, life wants to come crashing in and remind me it’s not as good as it seems?

  Tears fall from my eyes in waves. I don’t know how long I sit here, cold and crying, when the sound of Brea’s soft voice pulls me from my turmoil.

  “Oh, God, Ellie. It’s going to be okay,” she whispers, wrapping her warm arms around me. She hugs me, holding me as we both cry together on the hallway floor before Mason’s soothing voice pulls us both up to stand. He drapes his jacket over me. Only then do I realize the blood staining my shirt and my hands.

  “No, no, no,” I cry, shaking as I hold my hands out in front of me. Mason covers me in his coat, ushering me down the hall.

  “It’s okay, Ellie. He’s going to fight through this. I promise you, he’s gonna fight for you. Let’s get you cleaned up.”

  With Brea’s arms around me and the jacket draped over my shoulders, I pull the coat tighter, hoping to block off the blood I can’t get out of my mind.

  Mason tells us to stand right here, as he jogs over to the nurses’ station a few feet away. He mutters something to the nurse, her wide eyes darting to me before nodding. He runs his hand over his jaw and, in that moment, when he thinks I’m not looking, I see the pain and fear on his face. The thought of losing his older brother starts to set in, and the knot in my stomach tightens at the possibility of losing Callum.

  My hands wrap around my stomach, picturing the life growing inside me, raising this little boy or little girl without their father. I know what it’s like to lose your parent. The finality of death taking everything away. My heart aches thinking how Callum may never know he is going to be a dad, sending another wave of emotion crashing through me.

  “Oh, Ells,” Brea murmurs, hugging me again.

  “I never got the chance to tell him,” I mumble against her shoulder. I can barely get the words out and my chest hurts hearing those very words spoken aloud. “I went to the doctor today and confirmed everything. I never got to, he doesn’t know.”

  I pull back, staring Brea in the eyes, seeing the dread and sadness she’s trying to keep hidden, trying to stay strong for me. But we don’t know what’s going on, if he’s going to be okay. I can’t expect her to have the answers for me, but right now I wish she’d just lie to me and pretend like she does.

  “Come here, let’s get you cleaned up,” Mason says, ushering us to follow behind the nurse who leads us into a private room.

  I’m in a daze as Mason helps me to the sink, turning on the water and squirting soap into my hands. Brea uses a towel and water to wipe blood I didn’t even know was on my chest and cheek from when I held Callum when he laid there lifeless on the floor.

  I hear the nurses’ muffled words behind us, how she has brought me a change of clothes until I am able to get something else to wear. She sets them on the chair next to us.

  “Do you want me to stay in here with you while you change?” Brea asks, handing me a towel to dry my hands off. It takes me a second to comprehend her words as I slowly shake my head.

  “I can do it. You don’t have to help me but thank you.”

  “I know I don’t have to, Ellie. I’m here if you need me though.”

  I nod, as her and Mason move to the door. Brea looks back at me once, giving me another chance before she follows him out into the hallway.

  Standing in front of the mirror on the wall, I stare at the blood staining my shirt as tears form in my eyes. I bite down on my lip, trying to stop it from quivering, as I reach for the hem of my shirt and pull it over my head.

  My hand trembles as I run my palm over my stomach. The thought of raising this baby without Callum sends another wave of emotions tidaling through me. It’s like the waters are coming at me from all directions, pulling me under, and I can’t breathe.
/>
  The only things keeping me holding on by a thread are this baby and the hope that Callum will make it through surgery. He was so strong for me when it was me in this position. Knowing now the fear he had felt waiting for the police to give him news, for me to wake up, I understand how hard this was on him.

  He didn’t give up though. He prayed and prayed for me to fight. I’ve been through far too much to give up and let someone threaten to take away everything I’ve ever wanted.

  When you’re standing with all you’ve ever wanted before you and the threat of someone taking that away, are you just going to throw in the towel and walk away? No. You fight because anything worth having is worth fighting over.

  Promise me you will no longer be held back by your fears and you’ll follow your dreams.

  Reaching up, I clasp my hand around my compass necklace, the gift from my grams. I draw strength from the woman who gave me so much when it felt like everything was drained out of me. When I felt like all my strength was gone and the will to fight had been ripped away, she reminded me of the happiness both her and my father would’ve wanted for me.

  Leaning forward, I grab the scrub top left for me on the chair and pull it over my head. I run my fingers under my eyes, wiping away the streaks of mascara left on my face and let out a heavy sigh.

  “It’s gonna be okay. He’s going to be okay. Just breathe, Ellie. Remember to just breathe.”

  I nod my head, mentally reminding myself of my mantra to just breathe, as I head back out to the hallway to be with my friends until we hear more.

  Opening the door, the first person I see is Kinsley as she rushes toward me wrapping her arms around me.

  “Oh my God,” she cries.

  I hug her back, but the tears from earlier don’t fall. I almost feel numb.

  “You promised me you wouldn’t scare me like this again.” She leans back, reaching up to swipe the tear under her eye away before stepping away. Her hand finds mine, squeezing as she flashes me a forced smile.

  “I’m sorry,” I reply, remembering the comment she made the day in the hospital moments after I woke up.

  “I’m looking for the family of Callum Reid,” the commanding voice cuts in through the waiting room just as I glance over and see Callum’s mom, Connie, push through the doors toward me.

  Her eyes are red with anguish, as Randy follows along behind her.

  I raise my hand up to the doctor. “That’s us,” as Connie rushes over. I recognize him as the same doctor who helped treat me when I was in the hospital, and it’s like a twisted form of déjà vu.

  “Hello,” he says, his eyes narrowing as if he’s trying to recall where he may know me from. He doesn’t press it, and I’m thankful because I’d rather focus on what he’s about to tell us and not relive the past anymore than I already do.

  “I’m Doctor Kline. Callum sustained a stab wound to his abdomen. While he lost a lot of blood, we were able to give him a transfusion. The good news is it just barely missed his liver. Had the wound been any higher, he would’ve lost a lot more blood and it’s hard telling where he would be.”

  Oh, God.

  “So, what does that mean? Will he be okay?”

  No offense but get to the damn point.

  He nods his head. “We had to do some repairs to his intestines, so he’ll be sore for some time, but he should be okay.”

  Hearing him say those words, “he should be okay,” gives me a renewed hope.

  He’s going to be okay. Reaching up to rub my hand over my stomach, I tell myself for the second time we’re going to be okay.

  Chapter Nine

  Callum

  The sound of the door clicking as it shuts startles me awake. Turning my head, I find Ellie curled up asleep in the chair next to my hospital bed. She hasn’t left my side since I got out of surgery, and I’m relieved to see she’s finally able to rest.

  “You scared the crap out of her, ya know? Out of all of us. She was terrified by the amount of blood you had lost that you were never going to make it out of surgery,” Brea says, as she leans back against the wall next to my brother, Mason.

  Halle and Graham are with them, taking a seat on the couch on the other side of the room. They’ve been through their share of shit recently, so I know they understand the reality of how badly this could’ve turned out.

  I nod. “I’m okay though,” I say, just as my brother glances up to look at me. He looks tired, but he’s being strong.

  Ellie stirs, blinking her eyes awake as she sits up, reaching over to grab my hand. I smile when I see her sleepy face, as a small smile curves her mouth.

  “How you feeling?”

  “Better now,” I sigh, as a sharp pain stings my side taking my breath away.

  “Are you sure? What’s wrong?” Ellie says, standing to check me over.

  “Nothing, it’s just sore, baby. I promise, you don’t have to worry.”

  I rub my thumb over the back of her hand, and I feel her relax some. There’s a comfort having all of our friends here with us. Ellie, Brea, and Halle talk about the news of Brea’s friend, Lissa, who recently moved to Arbor Creek. We all know there’s something going on between her and Brannon, especially after our trip to Chicago for our joint bachelor and bachelorette party, even though they are both too stubborn to admit it to anyone else.

  Mason, Graham, and I talk about the Iowa football game. Graham and Mason are both animated as they recount the end of the game where Iowa came back, scoring at the last minute to beat Wisconsin.

  When the nurse stops in later to check in and give me more pain medicine, they excuse themselves to head home for the night, reassuring us they’ll be by to check in with us over the next couple of days. Ellie hugs both Brea and Halle goodbye, whispering quietly to them, as they rub her arm reassuringly before they disappear out the door.

  Ellie climbs back into her chair next to me, reaching out once again to hold my hand.

  “You sleep okay earlier, sweetheart?”

  “Not as good as I would if I had you next to me,” she replies, lacing her fingers in mine before running her fingers over my palm. She is lost in thought, and I suspect the fear of her losing me is back on her mind.

  “You can climb up here, baby,” I mutter, trying to scoot over enough to make room for her next to me.

  Ellie hesitates for a second, but her need to be next to me wins out. She stands and carefully climbs on the bed. Her head rests on my shoulder as she wraps her arm over my lower stomach, deliberately avoiding the bandages covering my side.

  She smells like flowers, and that, combined with her warmth pressed against me, washes over me, cleansing me from the hallow and sterile walls surrounding us.

  I sigh, leaning into her touch. “I can’t wait until we’re home.”

  “Me either.” I sense there’s more she wants to say.

  “How are you doing with everything?”

  The silence surrounds us as she thinks about how to respond. It feels like several minutes pass before she finally replies, but it was probably no more than just a few seconds. The time weighs heavily on me, realizing how hard this has been on her.

  “I’m better now that I know you’re going to be alright.”

  “It’s going to take a lot more than some lunatic to take me away from you, Ellie.”

  “I know you’d fight for me, for us. I just couldn’t bear the thought of losing you. I’ve lost so many people in my life, Callum. So many people.”

  There’s a break in her voice, the emotions getting caught in her throat. I hate thinking about what she could be feeling right now.

  “I’ve been thinking lately about how much I wish you could’ve met my dad and Grams. They would’ve loved you. It was hard to think about how they weren’t there for our wedding, but it’s times like this I wish they were still here to help me through. I couldn’t imagine if I lost you, what I would do.”

  “You don’t need to fear losing me, baby. As long as I’m still breathing, I’m figh
ting every day for you. For us.”

  “Just having you by my side gives me strength. I can do anything, as long as I have you. I think someday I’ll actually be able to move on from the past, especially when I think about all we have to look forward to in the future.”

  “There’s nothing we can’t get through together,” I say, with every ounce of conviction in me. Ellie leans her head back and I tilt mine toward her, pressing a soft kiss against her lips. She reaches her hand up, running her fingers through my hair at the base of my neck, deepening our connection.

  I wish we were back at home, in our own bed, fully healed. I want to kiss her the way she deserves to be kissed. Full of every ounce of passion and love I have for her.

  She pulls back, breaking our kiss as she inhales deeply. Her chest rises and falls with every breath she tries to take, and I smile to myself, loving how her body responds to me. Even lying together in a hospital bed, her body knows my touch.

  She rests her head back on my shoulder. After a few minutes, I hear her breath even out as the exhaustion pulls her under. Lacing her fingers with mine, I let the sound of her soft snores and the warmth of her body envelop me, soothing me into a deep sleep.

  Chapter Ten

  Ellie ~ Four Days Later

  It was a rough few days, but Callum was finally released from the hospital and able to come home. When we first got home, I was focused on making sure he was resting and recovering. Waking up yesterday, I felt a tremendous amount of guilt I hadn’t yet told him about the baby. It felt like I was carrying a secret around, when in all honesty, I just didn’t know how to tell him.

  Callum has given me so much. He’s always been so thoughtful in the way he’s surprised me. I wanted it to be something romantic, untainted by the painful memories of the hurt we’ve both lived through at the hands of monsters. I hoped it would be something we could look back on and think of the life we’re building and the love we have between us.