“I was fucking tied up in the basement of the apartment building,” Bain snapped. “Where the fuck were you and why weren’t you guarding Arianna? Who the hell let her leave the apartment?”
There was silence except for muffled screaming coming from Jerome. She guessed someone had gagged him. She wasn’t moving from her perch in Bain’s arms to check.
“Well? She should never have been out here. She should never have been in reach of this fuckwit. He was going to drug her and fucking kidnap her so does someone want to explain whose stupid idea it was to let her come out here to meet up with this fucked-up asshole?”
“T-that would be mine,” she sobbed out, trying to lean away from him. He held her tight. “D-don’t be angry with Dominic and the others. It was all me.”
Bain just growled.
She rubbed his back then leaned up to whisper in his ear. “And I’d do it all over again to save you. I love you.”
“I love you too. But you’re going to pay for this stunt. Remember my warning about what would happen if you ever placed yourself in danger? You aren’t going to sit properly for a week.”
She tightened her hold on him. She would take whatever he’d dish out, if it meant that he was here and hers.
Bain didn’t want to let her go. Not even when the cops arrived. Someone must have seen or heard something and called them. The princes had quietly left with Aleki when they heard sirens. It was best if they weren’t involved in this, being visitors to the states and royalty. He still didn’t know what Dominic, Caleb and the others had been thinking, letting Arianna do this.
That asshole could have hurt her.
Arianna had put a call into her lawyer when the cops threatened to take them all downtown for questioning. Finally, the detective they’d dealt with over the letters was called. They were all escorted back to her apartment while the cops took Jerome to the police station. Bain had remembered to send someone down to the basement to get Rob. Surprisingly, he’d still been alive.
Now it was hours later, and he just wanted them all gone so he could take care of his girl. She was pale and shaky and completely exhausted.
Any scolding or punishment would have to wait.
Nobody had mentioned the princes or Aleki being there. If there were any cameras around that might be a bit trickier to explain away. Although only Tavi had gotten close to Jerome.
Finally, with warnings not to go anywhere in case they had more questions, the cops left. As soon as they were escorted out by Dominic, Bain pulled Arianna onto his lap on the sofa. He ran his hand up and down her back.
“Can’t believe it was that asshole, Jerry, stalking you,” Caleb said in shock, running his hand over his shaved head. Only he and Wolfe were left. “And he set Mr. Longley’s house on fire. Wonder if his mother had any idea?”
She shook her head. “I can’t believe I never told anyone. That I totally suppressed that memory.”
“Baby, you were four. You were terrified. He threatened you. Of course you didn’t say anything,” Bain told her soothingly. He wasn’t having her blame herself. “You weren’t to blame, angel.”
She snuggled in closer and he held her tight. He knew she was feeling guilty and he hated it. Dominic returned to the room, giving him a nod. Cops were gone at least.
“That bastard wasn’t right in the head. Everything he did was his fault, not yours. He and Rob were in on it together. They sent you those letters to scare you. They had some stupid plan where Jerome would swoop in to rescue you from your stalker. Rob was just in it for the money.”
“They. . .they were going to kill you.”
“Don’t think they would have gone through with it. Rob was too nervous. I wasn’t worried about me. Was worried about you.”
“Must have been Jerome delivering the letters, which is why there was no prints from Rob on the letters,” Dominic said. “I checked and he has the same tattoo on his hand that the person on the camera had. But Rob must have given him access. Don’t know how he got into your dressing room at the concert without being caught on camera.”
“He was likely getting on and off via the basement, not the main entrance so no one saw him, and Rob likely wiped the cameras,” Caleb added.
“He heard Ari’s sister telling the doorman that she was moving to Montana,” Bain said. “Then he kidnapped me when the opportunity presented itself. But he didn’t have much of a plan.”
“You should get your head looked at,” Arianna told him worriedly.
“I took some painkillers. I’m fine, angel.”
“Pretty sure his head is made of rocks,” Dominic joked.
Bain narrowed his gaze at the other man. He hadn’t forgotten that he’d let his girl walk into a dangerous situation. It was going to take a long time for him to get off Bain’s shit list.
“Thought you would have enough fucking sense to keep Arianna in the apartment where she would have been safe.”
“I have a feeling I’m going to be hearing about this for a long time to come,” Dominic said dryly.
“Too fucking right.”
“Dominic’s getting a scolding,” she said.
He nearly smiled at the note of teasing in her voice. He was still worried about her but if she could tease right now, she’d be okay.
“I’m so glad you’re all right,” Arianna told him. “I was worried that you thought I had lied to you and that’s why you left.”
“Why? Why would you think that?” He pulled her back, gaping down at her in amazement. “Didn’t Dominic tell you that I was going after your parents to chat with them?”
Dominic held up his hands as Bain scowled at him. “I did, man. I promise. But when you didn’t return, Arianna got really worried. And then when we received those messages, there was no stopping her. She was frantic.”
“She’s five foot nothing and weighs a hundred pounds soaking wet, you’re telling me that you couldn’t keep one tiny little girl from throwing herself into a dangerous situation,” he growled.
“Bain, please,” Arianna begged. “Everything’s okay now. Can we just forget about it?”
Forget about it? Hell, no. But he could stop talking about it for now. Especially when there were more pressing issues.
He cupped her face between his hands. Then he lightly kissed her. “Angel, not for one second did I think you were lying to me. I stayed mostly silent because I wanted to hear what they had to say, wanted to wait for them to hang themselves. But I never believed a word that came out of their mouths. They could have come up with all the fucking bullshit evidence in the world and I still would have believed you. I trust you, angel. Totally and fully.”
Tears dripped down her cheeks.
“Hey, now. No more crying.”
She nodded. Caleb handed him a tissue and he dried her face, wiping her nose.
“There’s something fishy about the doctor who gave you that medication, though.” He looked over at Dominic. “Think we need to look into him.”
She glanced up at him. “What did you talk to my parents about?”
He grimaced. “May have threatened them a bit. Followed them down to foyer to do it away from you. Didn’t want you to get upset.”
She wrapped her arms around him. “How can I be upset when you were taking care of me? Like always.”
“And I always will.”
“I’m sorry my stalker knocked you out and kidnapped you.”
He shook his head. “Life always going to be this exciting with you?”
“God, I hope not. All I want is some peace and quiet and you.”
He kissed her gently. “Then that’s what you’ll have.”
After they’d said goodbye to Caleb and Wolfe, Bain carried her into her bathroom, stripped her off and washed her in the shower. He didn’t linger, setting her down on the small built-in seat as he quickly cleaned himself.
She swayed where she sat. If she’d been alone, she’d probably have fallen into bed, fully dressed. But she was glad he insisted on
a shower. She felt decidedly gross and dirty.
She could picture Jerome’s face as he stared at her. That insane glint in his eyes. She shuddered.
“Angel, don’t go to sleep yet,” Bain told her.
She opened her eyes. She hadn’t even realized she’d closed them. He turned off the shower and climbed out, grabbing a towel and wrapping it around his waist before picking up another one. He held out a hand to her and she took it, letting him help her up. She climbed out of the shower and amazingly, managed to stand all on her own as he dried her off.
Go her.
He picked her up, setting her on the counter. Obviously, he didn’t have as much faith in her ability to stand without falling over as she did. He dried himself off and she watched the towel move over his gorgeous body.
“Yum.”
He snorted. “Yum? Are you eating me with your eyes?”
“Are you objecting?” she asked.
He threw the towel away then picked her up in his arms, holding her against his chest. She didn’t even have the energy to wrap her legs around his waist. She just let him take all her weight. He didn’t seem to mind, though.
“You can eye-fuck me any time you like.” His voice was a low rumble that sent a wave of pleasure through her. “But tonight, you’re not up to anything more than a cuddle and sleep.”
“I don’t wanna sleep.”
“Angel, you’re dead on your feet.” He carried her into the bedroom and set her down on the armchair. Then he pulled back the covers on the bed. “I’m worried you’ll keel over.”
“It’s a legitimate worry.” She watched as he set out her sleep sack. A happy sigh erupted from her. Maybe with her sack and Bain holding her tight, she might be able to keep the nightmares at bay.
“Still don’t wanna sleep.”
He turned back, his hands on her hips. “Why not?”
“I’m gonna dream about it.”
“About nearly being taken by Jerome or about your parents?”
“About you being kidnapped,” she whispered. “I nearly lost you.”
He knelt on the floor in front of her, pressing her legs apart and moving in close to her, his hands resting on her hips. “Angel, trust me. I was fine. Those two idiots had no idea what they were doing or who they were up against. I have no intention of ever leaving you.”
Tears dripped down her cheeks. God, you’d have thought she was out of them by now. “I can’t lose you, Daddy. I can’t.”
“You won’t. I promise.”
She leaned forward and wrapped her arms around his neck. He ran his hands up and down her back. “But you got to know, I’m gonna have nightmares too. And all of mine are gonna be about you risking your life like you did.”
He drew back, cupping her face between his hands. “It is totally unacceptable to me that you put yourself in danger.”
“I didn’t want them to hurt you.”
“I can take care of myself. And no matter what, no matter the situation, you always come first. Dominic should have fucking realized this and made you stay safe. You. Come. First. I’m tough. Can handle myself. But you, my angel, are infinitely precious.”
She knew she couldn’t promise not to risk herself for him again. She loved him. That’s what you did for the people you loved, right? You put them first. And he came first with her.
Still, she wanted to be allowed to leave her bedroom before she was old and gray, so maybe she shouldn’t tell him that she’d do it all over again.
“When all this is done with and you’re feeling more like yourself, you’re going over my lap every night for a week. Got to pay for the gray hairs you’ve given me.”
“What about the gray hairs you gave me? Do I get to spank you every night for a week?”
He huffed out a laugh. “Not the way things work, angel. Besides, I was knocked out and kidnapped. You went willingly into a dangerous situation to meet with your stalker.”
Ugh. Her stalker.
“I can’t believe it was Jerome. He never crossed my mind. I feel like I barely knew him. I can scarcely recall anything about him.”
“You were young. Plus, something traumatic happened to you that made you retreat inside yourself.”
“I can’t remember the details. . .”
“Which might be for the best.” He grimaced. “I’m no head doc though.”
“I don’t. . .I don’t think I want to remember it all.”
“Whatever happened between the two of you created some bond in his head. He thought you were destined to be together. And those lyrics in your latest song convinced him that you were asking for his help.”
“Stupid thing is those weren’t even my lyrics. I didn’t write those.”
“He wasn’t right in the head, angel. Nothing you did made him this way. It was all him. He’s behind bars now. He can’t hurt you. Nobody will hurt you again. Not while I’m here.”
“Don’t ever leave me.”
“I won’t. I promise.”
Bain pulled her back into his arms and she rested her head against his neck. Her head was thumping, her stomach still churning. Too much stress and not enough food or water.
“Maybe we should have called a doctor,” he muttered. “Gotten you something to help you sleep.”
“No. No, I don’t want to take anything. I’ll be okay. Unless you want to get a doctor for your head. Do you think I should wake you up every hour and check on you?”
“No, baby. I’m fine. You are definitely not staying awake to watch over me,” he said firmly. He studied her for a moment. “You got a headache?”
“A small one,” she replied.
“When’s the last time you ate?”
“I can’t eat. I’ll throw it up.”
“All right. You okay with letting me take over? Giving me control? Might be what you need to clear your mind.”
She shuddered. “Yes. Please.”
“Okay, little bit. Daddy is going to get you settled in bed then I’ll go heat up a bottle for you.”
She made a murmur of protest. A bottle? She wasn’t sure about that. But he placed a finger on her lips. “Daddy is in charge. You’re exhausted, probably dehydrated. You need something in your belly. You need to go potty?”
“No,” she whispered.
He frowned. “Let’s get you into bed.” He stood and held out his hand to her. Then he helped her slide into her sleep sack. It settled around her, hugging her tight. Although nothing felt as good as his arms around her.
“Good, angel?”
“Yes, Daddy.”
“I’ll go get some painkillers and a bottle.”
“No! Don’t leave!” She couldn’t have him leaving her. Couldn’t be alone. Her breath started to come fast despite the comfort of being swaddled.
He sat next to her, running his fingers through her long hair soothingly. “Shh. It’s all right. I won’t go anywhere. Just let me find my phone. Think it’s in the bathroom. Won’t go any further than that. Shh.”
He returned quickly with his phone and a bottle of pills which he set on the table by the bed. He tapped out something on his phone then sat facing her on the bed, running his fingers through her hair soothingly rubbing at her scalp.
“Does your cabin have a porch, Daddy?” she asked, needing him to talk to her. And she was curious about his home.
“Does our cabin have a porch? And yes, it does. It has a small one out the front and a wider one out the back.”
“Has it got a porch swing or rocking chairs?”
“It doesn’t. But I think we need to remedy that. Wouldn’t mind a rocking chair for inside, either. I think I’d quite like rocking on a chair with my baby in my lap.”
Yeah, that sounded pretty perfect to her as well.
There was a quiet knock on the door, and he stood, walking over. A light shone in from the passage and she heard Dominic speak quietly.
The door shut and Bain walked back. Only her night light was on, sending stars across the ceiling.
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“I can’t wait to sleep under real stars.”
Bain set a bottle of water and what another bottle with white liquid in it on the bedside table.
“Isn’t that a baby’s bottle?”
“It’s a special one. From the same shop I bought the other things from.”
“Before we leave, I might have to visit that shop.”
“That can be arranged. As can the sleeping under the stars. Here, baby.” He grabbed the bottle of painkillers and tapped out a couple, placing them in her mouth before picking up the water and holding it to her mouth. She drank several sips. He took a couple of painkillers himself before settling in against the headboard.
He pulled her onto his lap and then grabbed the other bottle. The rubber teat was placed against her mouth and she opened her lips, taking it into her mouth and sucking on it experimentally.
“I had Dominic put some warm almond milk in it,” he told her as the sweet, warm liquid hit her tongue. “Thought it would be easier on your tummy than normal milk.”
That was really thoughtful. Maybe tomorrow, she’d be embarrassed about Dominic preparing her a bottle. But right now, she didn’t have the energy to care.
She closed her eyes and suckled. Reveling in the feeling of Bain holding her tight and secure in his arms. He sang her some lullabies in a surprisingly good voice. She’d have to ask him to sing with her some time.
She drifted off to sleep, barely aware of him tucking Patches in against her and the rubber teat of the bottle being replaced by her pacifier.
And held in his arms, safe and secure, she didn’t dream at all.
26
She managed one breath. Then another.
In. Out. Slow. Steady. Just breathe.
Bain’s face appeared through her tears. She clasped hold of his hands, feeling his steady presence soothe her. When the shaking subsided and she could breathe more easily, she managed to give him a small smile.
His frown deepened. Yeah, he wasn’t buying her act for a second.
“Hey, it’s better than yesterday right? This is only my first one today.”
Daddy's Angel (Montana Daddies Book 7) Page 25