by Alexa Riley
“This going to be a problem?” I ask the woman. She looks at Rebecca and then looks at me, and shakes her head. She turns the corner and slowly starts walking down the hallway as if she never saw us. I feel Hank behind me and I know we are cutting it close. “Four minutes,” he says, and we start to move again.
Exactly four minutes later the secret entrance door closes behind us and we are running down the alley. I’m still holding my fairy when we reach the side street and pile into the getaway car. Hank starts up the car and pulls away from the curb as I’m shutting the door. Once we’re enclosed in the back seat, I allow my fear to fall away. I’ve got her back and that’s the only thing that matters. Whatever else happens I can deal with, as long as she’s with me.
I feel her tears start again and she cries into my chest. I don’t know how to help, so I just rub her back, arms, legs. Anything I can run my hands over, I touch. I kiss her hair and make soothing noises while she cries her stress out against me. We have plenty of time to talk about everything that happened and why she left, but in this moment, I feel her relief to be back in my arms. I can feel it, because I’m relieved too. It felt like our souls were ripped apart and are now finally being put back together.
When we arrive in the underground garage of my building, Hank pulls up to the private penthouse elevator and opens the door for us. I get out of the back seat, still holding my fairy, and carry her to the elevator and up to our home.
When we enter the house I walk straight to the bedroom and to the master bath. I set her up on the counter of the sink and lean back to finally look her in the eyes. Her face is red and blotchy from crying, and she tries to wipe away her tears. I touch her cheeks to stop her movements, and hold her face, just looking at her. “God, how I’ve missed you.”
“I missed you too,” she says, and reaches up to touch my face. “I’m sorry, Bray, I—”
“No. I’m sorry, Tink. This was all my fault. I should’ve never left you unprotected. You’re so small and the world is so big. I hate myself for not being in more control of your safety. I should’ve never left you. I should’ve stayed home when you asked me to. I should’ve stayed home every single day since the moment I met you. I’ll never make that mistake again. I’ll always choose you. I was only trying to protect you.”
I lean down to kiss her lips, but she pulls back and jumps off the counter. I watch her as she goes over to the toilet and start to throw up.
Panic starts to take over, because all I can think is I tried to kiss her and she started throwing up. I don’t know what Nico did to her, but my imagination runs wild. I shake myself out of my fog, and grab a washcloth. I run some cold water over it, go to Tink, and lay it on the back of her neck. I pull her hair away from her face, but it looks like she’s only dry heaving. I pull out my cell phone and send a quick text, while trying to do everything I can to help.
“I’ve got a doctor on the way, Tink. Just hold tight for a few more minutes and she’ll be here. Did Nico give you any drugs? How long has it been since you’ve eaten anything?”
She takes a deep breath and pulls herself away from the toilet and leans back against the bathroom wall. She pulls the washcloth from her neck and uses it to wipe her face off. “I don’t think he gave me any drugs, but he hit my head pretty hard when he took me.”
I feel so much hate at her words that I know I’ll make Nico pay for that. I clench my fists and kneel in front of her to see if I can spot any signs of concussion. “Be sure and tell the doctor that when she gets here so she can make sure you’re okay.”
“Honestly, Bray, I think it may just be more morning sickness.”
All of a sudden it feels like I’m in a tunnel and I can’t hear what she’s saying. I look down and see her hand over her round belly, and then what she just said hits me. “You’re pregnant?” I ask and it sounds like my voice is far away.
“Yes,” she whispers, and rubs her belly more. “I wanted to tell you before, but I didn’t know how.”
I blink, and then I’m in motion. I pick her up and carry her to the bed and lay her down so gently. “You stay right here and don’t move a muscle. The doctor will be here soon and I will take care of everything.”
I look down and seeing her laid out like this shows just how pregnant she is. I kneel beside the bed to get a closer look. I reach over and pull her shirt up a little to expose her baby bump, then I feel myself leaning in and I can’t help but place my lips on her tummy where our baby is. I feel the smile spread across my face from ear to ear and I look up to lock eyes with her.
“I love you.”
BECS
“Bray, please I need to take a shower,” I plead, trying to get up from the bed. When he said he loved me I just froze up. The only other person to have said those words to me before is my brother, and it’s only when he is trying to get something from me. I’m also terrified because I’m not sure if Bray is saying it to the baby or me. I can see the hurt on his face when I don’t acknowledge what he said. I want to say it, because I feel it, I’m just terrified of letting the words out of my mouth.
“Just stay in bed until the doctor can have a look at you,” Bray says, placing a hand on my shoulder and trying to push me back down onto the bed. Using his kneeling position to my advantage, I shove up harder causing him to fall on his ass. His suit jacket slips open and I see the gun he has tucked in his pants, reminding me that I really know nothing about this man.
When he burst into the room tonight it took me a minute to realize who it was. The surge of adrenaline rushed out of my body only to be filled with utter relief when I saw him. The look he had on his face is one I’ve never seen before. Deadly. Nothing like the man I’d gotten to know during the months I was staying with him. When I first saw him I thought his rage was directed at me.
I thought Nico had already called and told him about the baby. That he is pissed that I let myself fall into this position and endanger his child. I can’t blame him. I am dumb for not staying away after Sam didn’t come home that first night. I should’ve gotten myself a hotel room or something until I knew it was safe. I probably should’ve reached out to Bray, but I was scared.
Either way, I know Bray will never hurt me, and that was confirmed moments later when he lifted me into his arms. With him so close for the first time in months, the dam just broke. I couldn’t stop the sobs. In that moment it didn’t matter why he was there, to save me or the baby, I didn’t care. I just wanted to burrow into him and stay in his protective arms forever.
Before today I would’ve never thought to see him carry a gun. But what do I really know about him? Except that I’m in love with a man that I know nothing about.
When he sees my eyes on the gun he makes a motion to conceal it with his jacket. I roll my eyes at him before making my way to the bathroom. Like covering it up will take away the fact that I saw it. But this moment is a reminder. Something I need to draw me back to reality. It’s so easy to slip into the protective bubble Bray likes to put around this penthouse. He keeps me here like his little pet, only showing me a part of him. I don’t want pieces of Bray’s life, I want it all and I want him to want to give it all to me. To include me in it.
“Damn it, Tink, just wait. You can take a shower after the doctor checks you over, she should be here any minute, she actually lives in the building.”
My heart warms at his calling me Tink, but that’s quickly washed away at the mention of some other woman he knows living in the building. I have no right to be jealous, because he isn’t mine, but it wreaks havoc inside, wrapping a fist around my heart.
I slam the bathroom door, clicking the lock into place, like a child throwing a temper tantrum. I should be thankful he came for me after I left without so much as a word, but being back here is fucking with my head.
“Rebecca, unlock the door right now! I won’t have something keeping you from me ever again,” he snaps while banging on the door. My level of immaturity drops another degree when I quietly mimic his wor
ds back to myself.
The banging stops and for a moment I think he has given up. “Tink, please, just unlock the door. What if you fall when you take your shower? It would slow me down getting to you. Think about your safety, the baby’s safety. You have a head injury, you could get dizzy or lose your balance.” I melt at his soft plea, and I rub my hand protectively over my belly.
I unlock the door and Bray opens it, but he makes no move to come into the bathroom. His eyes sweep over me and I can’t decipher the look on his face. It’s then I realize how disheveled he looks.
Bray is always so put together, but right now, while he still looks utterly handsome, he looks worn down. It doesn’t look like he’s slept in days, with the dark circles under his eyes, or shaved for that matter. He looks like he’s lost a little bit of weight, and his clothes look like he slept in them a few times. He looks defeated.
Seeing him like this, he’s still the most perfect man I’ve ever laid eyes on, and as terrible as it is to think, I can’t help but hope that maybe I’ve done this to him. That he has missed me so much that life has been unbearable. That I wasn’t suffering alone in the loss of us.
I can’t stand the distance between us and before I know it I’m right in front of him, reaching up and cupping his face, rubbing my thumb across his lightly scruffy beard. He leans into my touch, closing his eyes, like the contact is utterly soothing to him.
“Bray,” I whisper while still rubbing him with my thumb. “I love you. I’m sorry I left, and I’m not trying to push you away.”
He opens his eyes and softens at my confession. It feels like this is a big moment for the both of us since this is the first time we’ve both admitted our feelings. It’s scary to have the words out there, just sitting between us, but at the same time, it’s the most honest we’ve been.
Bray is always weighing the outcome of every situation and I can tell he’s still reluctant to put space between us, even if it’s only for a moment.
“Just let me take a shower. I haven’t bathed in days and I know it will make me feel better. I want to be clean for the doctor so she can get a good look at me.” When he still looks hesitant I say, “I’ll keep the door open,” and that seems to be enough.
When he nods his head, I start to drop my hand, but he grabs it, brings it to his mouth, and places a soft kiss on my palm. The simple touch of his mouth awakens my body in ways that I haven’t known since that last time I was with him.
“Okay, Tink,” he says, releasing my hand and stepping back.
I remove the shirt, thankful to finally be rid of it. Next go my panties, and I have the strong urge to burn both the items. When I glance over, Bray is still standing in the door, his eyes on my belly. A smile spreads across his face, giving him an almost boyish look.
At that moment, the doorbell chimes indicating that the doctor is here, but Bray makes no move to go and see who’s at the door.
“Bray?” I question, wondering if he’s going to get it. He looks towards the bedroom door then back at me as if he’s torn between not wanting to leave me, and knowing he has to let the doctor in. “I’m fine, I promise,” I say, trying to get him to go but he still just stands there. The doorbell chimes again. “Sweetheart, I’ll be right out, okay? I’m here and I’m not going anywhere.”
I see some of the tension in his body leave at my term of endearment, and for him it’s confirmation that I’m not leaving.
“It’s not like I could slip out without you seeing me, Bray. I’m not really a fairy, I can’t just fly away off the balcony,” I joke, but the look he shoots me is not one of amusement. His face has turned hard, making me miss the boyish grin he had moments ago. I kick myself for the stupid joke and for trying to lighten the mood.
“No, you won’t be flying anywhere, Rebecca. Consider your wings clipped,” he grits out before stomping from the room. His words have a dark promise to them. I like the idea of being stuck here with him, but not caged. The more I’m around Bray, the more I feel the walls pushing in.
It’s hard for me to tell who Bray is at times. Still a virgin at thirty-two, holds a gun like he knows what he’s doing with it, and runs a company worth God only knows how much. Knowing all that, I still want him. Maybe being caged wouldn’t be so bad, but the thought makes me anxious.
Shaking away the thoughts, I turn the shower on, scrubbing my body almost raw. I want every trace of Nico’s place off me.
I need to take one thing at a time. I’m getting ten feet ahead of myself, when I just need to think about finishing this day. Reaching for the shampoo, I notice it’s still mine he has in here. Glancing around the bathroom through the glass shower, I notice that a lot of the things Bray bought for me when I was staying with him are still where I left them. Untouched. Then I notice fresh bottles of hair dye sitting out on the sink, and I smile at how the bright colors contrast with his white bathroom. I’d taken the color out for the charity event thinking that was what Bray wanted. I was so bitter about it all, that shortly after I left him I put the color back in. If he bought me more dye, it must mean he likes it. Maybe I’ve been misreading him. The bottles are there, like they are waiting for me to come back, or maybe they’re for someone else.
My jealousy rises once again. I’ve been gone for three months, and I wonder if maybe he’s moved on. Did he realize that sex was his thing and now he wants to make up for lost time? I still don’t know why he was a virgin. One thing's for sure, if he wants me to stay here with him I’m going to get some answers about who Bray is.
I laugh at that thought. Who am I kidding? I might not have any choice but to stay here. The clipped wings comments is still floating around in my head, and I’ll stay anywhere if it keeps me and my baby as far away from Nico as humanly possible.
Rinsing the shampoo out of my hair, I turn off the shower, grab a towel and dry my hair. The pink and purple bleed onto his big, fluffy, white towel and it makes me smile. I see my robe still hanging next to Bray’s, but the idea that someone else might have used it has me reaching for his instead. Sliding it on, I quickly brush my teeth and comb my hair before heading back to the bedroom.
Bray is pacing beside the bed like a tiger, and a woman is standing in the entrance of the bedroom, looking out of place.
When no one says anything, I give an awkward, “Hi.” The tension in the room is high and I’m not sure what to think of it.
“Let’s move this to the living room,” Bray says in a clipped tone, and I’m sure it’s because this new person is standing where she is. I’ve learned a lot about his weird behaviors, and this is one of them. I want us all to be comfortable, so easing the tension right now is what I need to do.
“Sure. Lead the way,” I say to Bray, and I can see him visibly relax a little. He takes my hand and we show this new person to the living room.
“Rebecca, I’m guessing,” says the petite woman, reaching out her hand and giving me a soft handshake. She doesn’t look old enough to be a doctor, her wavy strawberry blonde hair barely hits her shoulders, and her green eyes look large and innocent. Maybe she’s just intimidated by Bray, or maybe they have a history. She looks over at Bray and when her eyebrows rise, I look over at him too. He’s started pacing again, but looks less tense.
“Yes, I’m Rebecca, but please call me Becs,” I say, dropping her hand.
“I’m Dr. Grange, but you can call me Samantha. I’m in pediatrics, so most of my patients call me that anyway. I’ve met Bray a few times, but didn’t realize you lived here as well. Sorry to meet under these circumstances, but let’s see what I can do to help you.” She gives me a soft smile and I feel a little more at ease. I give a small nod in agreement, and she continues.
“Okay, Becs, why don’t you have a seat on the couch and tell me what happened,” she says while sitting on the coffee table in front of me.
I give her a watered-down version of the story about getting my head knocked into a car door and not really eating much the past few days. As I recount some of the detai
ls, I see Bray stop pacing and come over to where we are seated. He sits beside me, but then it’s as if that’s not close enough, and he moves behind me on the couch, engulfing me in his body. I melt at the wonderful sensation, and let my body mold into his.
The doctor looks over my head, and smiles a little. After she looks me over, she pulls out her medical bag and draws some blood.
“How does your head feel right now? Tender at all? Headaches or dizziness?”
“No, not since yesterday. I keep getting nauseous but I’m not sure if that’s from my head or the baby,” I respond, absently rubbing my belly. Something I find myself doing a lot of now.
“And the baby?” she asks, reaching out to touch my stomach, but I feel Bray tense up behind me. She must have caught his response too because she pulls her hand back, and makes an apologetic face.
“Sorry, that was forward of me. Being a pediatrician and all, I can’t get enough of babies.”
“No, Samantha, it’s fine. I’m just a little on edge tonight, I apologize.”
Nodding her head, making her strawberry blonde waves bounce, she starts to pack up her bag.
“You seem fine, but I’m going to go ahead and send your blood work in to make sure everything is fine. Just let me know which OBGYN you’re using and I’ll send the info there. I want you to go to that doctor tomorrow and I’ll make sure your labs are there before you arrive.”
“I don’t have one,” I say, trailing off and feeling embarrassed that I’m this far along in my pregnancy and I’ve yet to go see a doctor about it. I picked up vitamins at the local pharmacy, but beyond that I haven’t done much.
I feel a soft kiss at my neck. “Dr. Lily Long,” Brays says against my neck.
A small laugh sounds from the doctor as she stands, “I thought you might say that. Always the best for you, Bray.”
“I’m glad to hear you approve,” Bray says before getting out from behind me and off the couch.