Chasing Vivi
Page 17
Vivi sits at the counter and I ask her if she’s comfortable there.
“Yeah, it’s fine.”
“Are you right-handed?”
“No, left,” she says.
“Shall I feed you, then?” It’s her left arm that’s broken.
“No, I may need you to wipe my face, though, if I make a mess of myself.”
“I can do that.”
Vivi says to Lynn, “Thank you for cooking this. It looks and smells so delicious. I can’t remember the last full meal I’ve had.”
Lynn cooked pancakes, eggs, bacon, and hash browns. Damn, I had no idea I had potatoes here.
We eat in silence. My plate shines after I’m done. “I was starved. That was excellent, Lynn. Thank you.” When I get up to clean, Lynn starts to protest, but I shut her down. “You cooked, I clean. My house, my rules.”
It doesn’t take long because Lynn is a neat cook and cleaned up as she went. Vivi droops in her chair. “Vivi. How about a nap?”
“Can I sleep here? I’m too tired to move. All that food, you know.”
“I have a better idea.” Before she can object, I pick her up and carry her into the bedroom. “Let me get a blanket.” There’s a throw on the couch, so I grab it and cover her. “Now sleep.” Her eyes are already closed.
Lynn and I work while she naps. She wants to know all about Vivi and I tell her a little bit, filling her in about the attack.
“That shit needs to go to prison forever.”
“I wish. But if I have anything to do with it, he’ll serve time now. I have Neil’s firm on it.”
“Neil? Isn’t he corporate law?”
“Neil is, but there’s a criminal division in his firm that will handle it.”
“What about her family? Where are they? Has she called them?”
“She doesn’t have anyone. Her parents are deceased and she’s alone.”
Lynn throws her hands up in the air. “That’s it. I’m adopting her. The poor child.”
“I know.”
“Why, Prescott Beckham, you’ve more than a soft spot for this girl, don’t you?”
“Not up for discussion.”
“Remember when I asked you to ease up on the drinking?”
“Yeah?”
Her hand wraps around my forearm. “I never mentioned another word to you about that, but I know you did. You never came into work again stinking like a distillery. If I were a betting woman, I’d say Vivi had something to do with it.”
“Your point?”
“My point is this. That is an extremely fragile woman in there. I love you like a son. But you are as stubborn as a mule and you grew up the hard way, Prescott. I was at Whitworth when it was all unfolding. I witnessed the arguments between your grandfather and your father. You have a backbone forged of steel. I’m not sure if she does. She may. All I’m saying is be gentle with her. She’s not your run of the mill girl you’re used to dating.”
“You don’t have to tell me that.”
“She’s just so … broken at the moment.”
“So, what you’re saying is I’m not the guy to put her back together?”
“I’m not sure anyone can right now.”
Chapter 19
Prescott
Lynn and I are standing near the kitchen counter when a piercing scream jars us both out of the conversation.
Fuck, Vivi!
When I get to the bedroom, Vivi is thrashing on the bed, trapped in the coverlet. She’s fighting it as though her life depends on it.
“Vivi, it’s me, Prescott. Wake up.” Touching her face, her puffy eyes twitch open and focus. Then those same eyes dart about the room, until they settle back on me. “Everything’s fine. You’re safe.”
“I was dreaming. I was back in that room and I couldn’t move.”
“It was a nightmare. But I’m here now. He can’t hurt you and I’m going to do everything in my power to make it impossible for him to ever touch you again.”
She leans into my chest and I feel her trembling. “I don’t want to sleep, because I relive it all over again. I can smell him, taste his blood when I bit him, feel his breath against my skin, hear the hatred in his voice.” She shudders violently.
What the fuck do I say to that? I want to find the fucker and shove his dick so far up his ass he’ll spit the damn thing out his mouth.
“I’m sorry. But I’m here for as long as you need me and I swear I’ll do everything I know to protect you. I don’t know much about what to say to make you feel better. Quite honestly, I’m at a loss. But whatever you want from me, just ask. I’ll fucking give it to you, I promise.”
“Does Eric know I’m here? And Lucas? I don’t want them to worry.”
“Yes, Eric and Lucas are aware.”
“I don’t want you to leave. I’m afraid, Prescott. And I feel like such a big dork for saying that.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. We’re going to find someone for you to talk to about this. You’re suffering from PTSD and you can’t fix this by yourself, you know?”
“I can’t afford to seek help.”
“Shut up. And if you argue about this I’ll … well, I’ll find some way to persuade you to my side.”
She’s quiet and then says, “You’re right. I’m freaked out and every little noise makes me jump out of my skin.”
“We’ll sort it out. Do you think you can sleep some more?”
“Oh, God, no.”
She decides to get up and Lynn goes back to the office. There are a few things she needs to handle for me. I’m going to spend the day with Vivi.
As Lynn is leaving, she hands Vivi a scrap of paper. “This is my cell if you need anything. And I mean it. Call me. I’ll gladly help.”
“Thank you for being so kind.”
After she’s gone, I say, “I believe you’ve made a friend.”
“Lynn’s great.”
“I’d be so lost without her. She’s my right hand. And I mean that.”
We watch movies and TV as I wait on her the rest of the day. It’s been ages since I’ve spent a day doing nothing and it’s weird. Vivi dozes a lot, which is what she needs. I make sure she takes her pain pills every four to six hours. Though they make her pretty dopey, they at least help her rest.
When it’s time to go to bed, she asks me to sleep with her. “I know you probably don’t want to. You probably regret asking me to stay here. But I’m frightened and I’m usually not that kind of person.”
“You lived in the scariest place ever and didn’t bat an eye. So you don’t have to convince me. I don’t mind sleeping with you, Vivi.” Then I laugh. “Hell, I’ve been trying to get you into my bed for how long now?”
She tries to muster up a laugh, but it quickly fades. “And look what you ended up with. Something from a freak show.”
“Oh, come on. You’re not something from a freak show. And this is temporary. It’ll fade away. One day, you won’t even remember how you looked.”
“You’re wrong. From now on, this will always be the face I’ll see in the mirror. That man has shattered every image I had of myself. He stole my happiness and replaced it with fear.”
I hate the agony I hear in her voice.
“We’ll get it back, Vivi. I promise.”
“Don’t make promises you can’t keep, Prescott.”
Chapter 20
Vivi
Everything terrifies me. Prescott is the only thing that stabilizes me. He wraps me in his arms and makes everything better again.
But isn’t that messed up? I can’t go through life running to him every time I get frightened. I lie in bed thinking about this as his larger than life body cocoons me.
In the morning, I tell him I need to get help. “I thought about it during the night. I have to gain my independence again.”
He smiles. “Vivi, I’m glad to hear that. But this happened on Wednesday. It’s Saturday. You’re still recovering. It’s not like you’ve waited three or four months.”
He gestures with his hands as if he’s pushing down the air. “Okay, I get it. The attorneys I’ve hired to handle this case are supposed to send over a list of recommended therapists. As soon as they do, we’ll make the calls until we find someone you gel with. Sound good to you?”
“Attorneys you hired?”
“Yeah, we are going to get this guy. And if you try to argue with me, I can assure you it will fall on deaf ears.”
“Well, then. I guess I won’t argue then. But I was going to thank you and also add that I don’t know how I can repay you.”
“There will be no repayment.”
When I go to speak, his hand flies up. “Stop. We’ll be using a firm the company keeps on retainer. They have an entire department that handles criminal cases and will do the prosecuting.”
“Won’t the state do that? Since I was a victim?”
“Yes, but we’re going to do everything we can to make sure he goes to prison. The district attorney will have some assistance from us, you might say.”
“Oh, I didn’t know you could do that.”
“Technically, you usually don’t. My firm has connections. The DA is close to one of the partners, so information will be shared.”
“Is that legal?”
“Yes, because it’s evidence. We’re not doing anything illegal. Not to change the subject, but would you feel comfortable staying here alone? I was going to run out and pick up something for breakfast.”
“Yeah, I’m fine. Just make sure you lock the door.”
“I will. Don’t forget, there’s security in the lobby too.”
After he leaves, the mirror beckons me. Ever since I woke up in the hospital and peeked at myself, I’ve avoided looking again. But an urge strikes and I have to see what the damage is. I want to do it while Prescott’s not here.
His bathroom is massive and the mirrors over the sinks are too. They were hard to avoid when I was in here bathing, but I kept my head averted. Now, I lift it and stare. The image is every bit as ugly as it was in the hospital. I thought maybe the swelling had gotten better, but I’ve turned a hideous shade of purple, and my cheeks are still distorted even though some of the swelling has gone down. Reminding myself it could’ve been worse, like my skull could’ve been smashed in or I might have died, I steel myself and leave. I’m not sure when I want to see this face again.
This is only part of my worries. What the hell am I going to do about work? I can’t possibly wait tables with a broken arm. Or tend bar, for that matter. Fuck my life. But I learned long ago that self-pity only makes it worse. Focusing on the bright side is what I need to do.
Positive thought number one: I survived the attack.
Grabbing the remote, I search for something to watch on TV. Prescott has been more than generous to me and I must find a way to thank him, only I’m afraid it will have to wait a while. I’m basically helpless at the moment.
I’m dozing off when the noise of the door opening wakes me.
“It’s only me,” Prescott’s calls out. He walks in with his arms full, followed by one of the bellmen from the lobby. “Vivi, this is Kaz. He’s usually on duty during the weekends. I told him if you needed anything he should help.”
“Oh, thank you and nice to meet you, Kaz.” Kaz is an older gentleman, perhaps in his late fifties, with wiry gray hair. His kind smile puts me at ease.
“A pleasure, miss.” He gives a slight bow of his head and then says, “Will there be anything else, Mr. Beckham?”
“No, let’s unload the cart and you can take it back down with you.”
“Yes, sir.”
Cart? Sitting up, I crane my neck and see they brought a cart up with a bunch of bags on it, but before I can see exactly what it holds, Prescott blocks my view. Then he reaches in his pocket and pulls out his wallet to tip Kaz.
After Kaz leaves, Prescott hands me something he’s holding behind his back. “I brought you a surprise.”
“Please don’t. You’ve done so much already.”
“Not really.” He moves one arm so I can see what he has and I laugh. He holds a stuffed wolf with a makeshift sling on its front leg. He has it rigged so it looks like the wolf is sitting with his front leg folded over.
“He’s so cute.”
“It’s a she. Her name is Vivacious. After you. When you get your arm out of that cast, you can take Vivacious’s off.”
“Vivacious. Clever.”
“I’m going to call her Viv. Oh, here.” He hands me one long-stemmed red rose. “There is perfection in a rose. The petals are velvet and delicate, yet made to weather any storm—and the scent can’t be imitated. Even though the best perfumeries have tried, none can quite get it right. You are a rose, Vivi.”
Tapping a loose fist against my heart, I try to hold it together. I will not cry. I will not cry.
“Hey, it’s all cool, Vivi.”
That does it. Tears tumble freely. This big lug, this asshole, just turned me into mush. Again.
Strong arms support me as I sag against him. And he smells so fucking good. How can I even notice this through snot, tears, and a swollen face?
“Thank you. A million times over,” I mumble into his neck. “You’re so kind.”
He rumbles with a laugh. “Not many people would agree. And I can remember a time …” his voice trails off.
“Yahhhh, I was wrong, okay?” I pull away and spear him with my gaze. “You … I don’t know what I’d do without your help. Prescott, thank you.” I reach for his cheek, but he moves away and takes my hand instead.
“Vivi.” The emotion in his voice is punctuated by his raw gaze. “I, uh, I’m not very good at this, so bear with me. I’m here for you as long as you need me. And I meant every word. You have strength in you that I don’t think you understand. Your backbone is filled with titanium. After everything you’ve been through, most women—hell, most men—would’ve curled up and crawled into a hole, but not you. You’re still here, fighting. And no, you’re not at your best right now, but you will be. One day, you’ll look back on this day and remember what I said.”
“Now can I touch your cheek?”
“Oh, is there something special about my cheek?”
“Not just your cheek.”
“My ass, then? I’ve been told—”
“Shut up, Prescott, you’re ruining it for me.”
The mirth disappears from him and strips me of my defenses. My heart flutters wildly, because he can’t possibly do what I think he might.
But he does. His head inches closer and so do his lips, the ones I’ve always dreamed of for years, the ones I’ve fantasized about until I climaxed. When they touch mine, they are as light as butterflies dancing across my flesh. I imagine it’s because he doesn’t want to hurt my already misshapen lips. I open my mouth to sigh and his tongue pushes through. I fist his shirt with my hand and pull him to me, but he holds firm, keeps it gentle. It’s all I can do not to crush myself against him.
When he breaks the kiss, my body aches for more and I moan.
“Vivi, I don’t want to hurt you. Your face and arm need to heal.” Is this the same man who, at one time, could only talk about fucking me?
“Who are you and what have you done to Prescott Beckham?”
“I think maybe Vivienne Renard is turning him into a better man.”
Prescott isn’t a very easy man to read, unless he’s angry, but this time I look into golden eyes that are open, honest, and caring.
Chapter 21
Prescott
Talk about baring one’s soul. The greatest thing of all, though, is the vulnerability didn’t come as I thought it would. Why is that? Maybe it was the kiss that accompanied it—and the fact that she wanted it to go on and I had to stop makes me feel like
a fucking king sitting on top of the world.
If she wasn’t in such bad shape, I would’ve let it continue—but her face wasn’t exactly in ready-for-kissing condition. One thing stopping did, though, was gain her respect. Or I think it did. She gazed at me warmly as I tucked her into bed last night anyway.
We spend a quiet, lazy Sunday morning together, before discussing hiring someone to stay with her while I’m at work. Eric comes to visit in the afternoon and at one point makes such a fuss, I have to steer him aside and tell him to pull his shit together.
“She’s been through it, man. Don’t let her see you react like this. She needs your strength, not some pussy shit. Got it? If you can’t handle it, you gotta leave.”
He runs his hands through his hair over and over. “Lucas said it was bad, really bad. But I, shit, yeah, okay. You’re right. All I want to do is hug her.”
“Hug her, but do it like a man. And don’t squeeze her. She’s broken, Eric. She needs you. She needs us all.”
“Okay, got it.”
I have to hand it to him. He squares his shoulders and heads straight for Vivi with no hesitation in his steps.
“Vivi, tell me what you need from me. I can do whatever. Sit with you, help you when I don’t have to work, just say the word. I’ve got your back.”
“Thanks, Eric. Do you know anyone who does hair? I need this mop washed.”
I perk up at that. I want to be the one who washes that mane of hers. “Uh, Vivi, I can help you with that.”
“You wouldn’t mind?”
My sour look conveys my answer and I instantly regret it as she shrivels. I soften my tone, saying, “Of course not. I’d love to help.”
That’s the honest truth. The idea of sinking my hands into her lustrous hair, of feeling my fingers running through the thick, wet strands makes my dick perk up. I’d better stop thinking about this.
“See, Prescott will help you.” Eric smiles warmly and pats her good arm. “Oh, I almost forgot. I’m such a loser.” He reaches for the bag he carried inside and pulls out several items, one being a paperback, some gossip magazines, a book of crossword puzzles, and a box of chocolates.