Kane is still there, Dillon is still breathing, but struggling, and I can see the guy that tried to attack me is lying on the floor by the door. I whip my head around, looking for the other man. He’s not in here, but that doesn’t mean he’s not in the house. Damn it!
I need a knife or scissors, something to cut Tristan free with, and the only place I’ll find that is upstairs in the kitchen. Tristan is going to run out of air soon. I need to do this now!
I swim to the shallow end and run up the few steps, my bare feet slipping as I try to get grip. When I’m out of the water, I yank my skirt right up to my thighs and just go for it. I run out of the room, take the stairs two at a time, belt it down the hallway, and come skidding to a stop in the kitchen.
I grab one of my Global knives and a pair of scissors – just in case I need them – and turn to run back out – Fuck!
The guy I slammed my hand into is just stood there, blood oozing out of his nose, and down his lips. Really bad timing!
“Move!,” I threaten. He pulls his lips back over his teeth, I can see what he’s going to do, he’s going to lunge at me. Ok fine!
He wants to do this, bring it on! My only priority is Tristan, and if I don't get back to him, right now, he might die. I can't fuck about with this, I need to take this guy down – Immediately!
I take a step back against the kitchen cabinets and beckon him forward. He lunges toward me, as I thought he would, I sink down into a crouch and shove the knife up into his belly. The feeling of his soft flesh against the razor sharp knife turns my stomach, and I gag.
Blood starts pouring out of him. He staggers back, his hands on the knife, a look of shock on his face. No time!
I jump back up, grab another knife, dash around the other side of the breakfast bar and run like my life depends on it. I almost fall down the stairs, twice. I’m running so fast to get to Tristan. I sprint down the hall, skid into the room, run to the edge of the pool and just dive into the water – Tristan isn’t moving, or looking up at me – No!
I swim down to him, kicking my arms and legs as hard as I can so I can reach him. I grab hold of the chair, pull myself round and slice the tape open with the knife – Thank god, it worked!
I pull myself around and slice the tape on both his legs, I push the weights off him and they float down to the bottom of the pool. Then I slice the tape binding his feet – He’s free!
I yank Tristan into my arms, and with my feet firmly planted on the floor, I bend down into a squat and with as much force as I can, I launch myself up so I can get him to the surface. The moment my face breaks the water, I get him on his back, hold his chin up and swim to the steps.
As I reach them I stand up, grab hold of him under his arms and try to pull him up, but he’s so heavy, a dead weight in my weak arms.
“Come on!” I scream as I pull and pull, and pull. His body is still half in, half out the water. No! I need him lying flat. “Come on!” I scream again, and with one last screaming effort, I manage to pull him up onto the floor, stumbling onto my backside as I do.
I lunge forward and check his pulse – No heartbeat!
“No! Tristan!” I immediately start CPR, pumping his heart hard. One, two, three, four, five. “Come on, breathe...breathe...” Mouth to mouth!
I take a deep breath, push his head up, pinch his nose and blow as much air as I can into his lungs, then I go back to his heart, pumping again.
“One, two...come on, come on!” I scream, still pumping. I blow into his lungs again, then back to his heart, pushing and pumping as hard as I can.
“You’re not dead...you’re not dead...” I croak, fear gripping my very being – He has to survive!
I blow into his lungs again, then pump his heart, I start to feel weak, no energy.
“Don't you leave me!” I screech, tears pooling down my cheeks.
I blow more air into his lungs, then back to his heart. “Come on Tristan...breathe, breathe...” I do the same again. “Come on!” I scream in panic. “You’re not dead...you’re not dead....You can't leave me!” Tristan gasps a loud rasping sound, then turns on his side and starts vomiting water.
“Tristan!” I screech. I reach down and slam his back. “Breathe...breathe...” He starts coughing and spluttering; choking up more water – Oh god, thank you...thank you...
“It’s ok Tristan...breathe, you’re ok...I’m right here.” He’s still struggling, his breathe coming in sharp gusts, still coughing up water. “It’s ok...just breathe...just breathe...” I say, squeezing his arm, smacking his back to help get the water out.
“Coral...” He chokes, and that’s my cue. I cry out in relief, a choking sob bursting out of me.
“Tristan...” I squeeze my eyes shut, fall against him and just cry tears of relief.
“Coral...” He croaks, his voice raw, his breath still coming in sharp gusts.
“It’s ok, were ok...” I manage to choke out.
I hear the halo of an ambulance, police sirens above us. Then footsteps, running down the stairs. Two policeman quickly followed by two paramedics come running into the room. I have never felt so relieved in my entire life. The Paramedics run to me, and kneel down next to Tristan, they immediately start working on him.
“He drowned,” I choke out, still fighting tears, then I look across at Dillon – He saved us!
“Help him!” I scream, one of the Paramedics looks over his shoulder, shouts for back-up on his radio and dashes over to Dillon. Then I remember – Edith!
I launch to my feet and run over to the policeman. “My housekeeper, Edith she’s still missing! Please...find her!” I shout in desperation.
“Is she in the house?” He asks.
“I don't know?” I manage to squeak. He nods once and speaks into his radio – Dear God, please let her be ok! I want to find her, but I don't want to leave Tristan, I dash back over to him.
“Found her.” The policeman shouts. “She’s ok.” He tells me.
I sag with relief, and then everything just becomes blurry and muffled. Too many people, police, paramedics, too much noise. I blank them all out as I watch them lift Tristan onto a stretcher, I keep his hand in mine as we go through the garage and up to the waiting ambulance on the driveway.
“Coral!” I hear Edith shout out.
I turn and see the front door wide open, Edith running towards me.
“Edith!” We crash into one another and hug fiercely. “You ok?” I ask, tears streaming down my cheeks, she’s crying too, unable to say anything she just nods. “Come on.” I grab her by the hand and we step into the ambulance, as I look down at Tristan, I see his eyes aren’t open.
“What’s happened?”I shout in panic.
“He’s fine, just passed out. Probably the morphine, all his vital signs are good.” He tells me.
I sag with relief once more. I keep Edith’s hand tightly held in mine as we ride over to the hospital...
AS I SIT WATCHING TRISTAN, I keep my eyes focused on the rise and fall of his chest as he breathes.The door flies open, I drag my eyes away from Tristan and look up.Dr Green walks over and checks his IV drip, then his readouts.
“Why hasn’t he woken up yet?” I ask, my voice cold and bleak.
“He will, when he’s ready.” She says, placing her hand on my shoulder – but it brings me no comfort. Tristan is still unconscious, has been for two days and nights now.I grip his hand in mine and close my eyes, saying a small prayer for all to be well when he does wake.
“All tests show there’s no brain damage Coral,” she tells me again. “He’s had a traumatic experience. This is his way of processing it all, just like you did. He’s going to be fine, he just needs time, all he needs is time.” She softly tells me.
I silently nod and stare down at Tristan. He’s growing a beard again. I choke back the tears. Fucking tears! This is the fifth time today.
“I’ll be back later to check on him. Try not to worry.” Dr Green says.
I don't look up at her, even tho
ugh she’s tried to convince me all will be well, there’s a part of me that’s afraid. Like, if I look up at her, I’ll see she’s lying and that will be it for me.
Dr Green squeezes my shoulder once more. When I know she’s gone and the nurse on duty has disappeared back to her desk – and she won’t be back for at least four hours – I pull back the sheet on the large hospital bed, and climb in next to Tristan.
He’s flat on his back, his mouth slightly open, the cannula in his nose feeding him oxygen.
“Tristan,” I whisper against his ear. “I love you and I miss you baby, so much…Please come back to me.” I choke back the tears again, sniff loudly, close my eyes and rest my head on his shoulder. I place my arm across his chest and squeeze his shoulder, trying my best not to cry.
I need to sleep. I’m so exhausted, but every time I do I’m back in the pool room, trying to resuscitate Tristan, only I can't bring him back, he won’t wake up…and Kane is stood over us, laughing, he has the gun in his hand, and he’s pointing it at my head....
I STARTLE AWAKE AND LOOK UP AT TRISTAN, and to my greatest delight his eyes are open wide and watching me.“Tristan!” I gasp, and sit up so I can see him properly.
He frowns back at me, then closes his eyes for a moment, he swallows hard.
“Hey baby,” I softly say.
He groggily opens his eyes again.“Thirsty,” he whispers.I jump up off the bed, the pain making me wince and press the button for the Nurse.
“Nurse is coming baby, she’s coming.” I try not to cry as I gently stroke his hair, he still seems so out of it. His eye, his cheekbones, his lips, they are still so swollen, I don't know where to kiss him.
The nurse enters the room. “Hey Tristan, good to see you awake.”
“He’s thirsty,” I tell her.
“Ok. I’ll let Dr Green know he’s awake and I’ll get you some crushed ice. Just a little at a time mind you,” she says.
I nod once, keeping my eyes fixed on Tristan. He reaches his hand up, but he’s got an IV in his right hand, so I reach over and pick up his left. I clasp it hard in between my hands, then bring his hand up to my lips and kiss him.
“Coral, are you ok?” He croakily asks, reaching up to touch my swollen cheek.
“Don't worry about me,” I tell him firmly.
His eyes close again. “You know I can't help doing that,” he croaks.
“Tristan, please just relax, everything’s ok.” I sit back up on the edge of the bed and hover over him. I reach up and run my hands through his hair. “You look terrible,” I tease.
“Thanks,” he croaks. “What happened Coral?”
I frown back at him. “You don't remember?”
“Some of it...I know you wouldn’t leave when I told you to.” He tries to narrow his eyes at me, but with his face so bruised it kind of doesn’t work.
“Hey, let’s fight about it when you’re better, ok?” I’m so happy he’s awake. He tries to smile at me, but it makes him wince in pain.
I lean down and very carefully touch my lips to his. “I love you Tristan Freeman.”
“Coral...” He breathes, then reaches up and wraps his arms tightly around me. “Oh baby...I thought...you’re alive...oh I love you, so much.” He grips me tighter. “You saved us baby.”
“No, Dillon did,” I croak out. “Oh Tristan...” I reach up and stroke his hair, his cheek.
“What happened, tell me everything – Shit! Edith!” Tristan gasps.
“Shhh, she’s ok, everyone’s ok. Relax baby, relax. I’ll tell you everything, but you need to get checked out first ok?”
“Oh Coral!” He crushes me to him again, constantly kissing the top of my head.
The door is opened. I look up and see Dr Green and the nurse walk in together.
“Good afternoon Mr Freeman,” Dr Green says, smiling at Tristan. “Let’s get you checked out,” she adds. I give Tristan one more gentle kiss on the lips and hop down from the bed.
I squeeze his hand tight. “I’ll be back in a couple of minutes ok. I want to let everyone know you’re awake.”
“Ok,” he croaks, trying to smile. I nod to Dr Green, and feeling utterly exhausted, but very elated, I head over to the waiting room.
All my family and friends have been taking shifts here, to support me and wait for news on Tristan, right now it’s Gladys and Malcolm that are here. When I round the corner I see it’s just Malcolm in the room.
The moment he sees me he stands up. “Oh Coral...is?’ – “He’s awake,” I manage to choke out, and burst into tears of relief.
Malcolm dashes over to me and wraps his arms around me, squeezing me tight, comforting me. “Oh...I’m so glad,” he says, rocking me gently.
“Where’s Mom?” I manage to choke out.
“Ladies.” He softly tells me.
“Will you tell her for me?” I choke. “I want to get back to him.”
“Of course, of course I will.” He says, kissing the top of my head.
I reach up and kiss his cheek. “Thanks Dad,” I croak. Malcolm smiles warmly at me, squeezes my hand, then lets me go.
In a daze, I head back to Tristan’s room. Dr Green is just finishing with him, and the Nurse is feeding him crushed ice.
“May I?” I say, holding my hands out to her so I can do it.
“Just a little more.” The nurse tells me, handing me the cup and spoon.
“Tristan, you’re looking good. Going to be in here a while longer though,” Dr Green says. Tristan nods in recognition, I turn and smile at Dr Green. “See you both in a while,” she adds, then she leaves the room with the nurse.
I sit on the edge of Tristan’s bed and fill the spoon with more ice. “Open wide,” I tease. Tristan does so, and slowly chews the ice.
“Coral...I’m so sorry.” He says, tears polling in his good eye.
“I know you are,” I say. “But none of that matters now. You’re alive, you’re safe – “I didn’t break my promise to you,” he interrupts.
“You didn’t?” I say, filling up the spoon.
“No baby. You remember...” Tristan stops, wincing in pain.
“Tristan, you don't need to do this now’ – “Yes, I do.” He snaps – He hasn’t changed, still my broody man!
“Fine!” I bite.
“Fine!” He bites back.
We both grin at one another. “Come on then, out with it!” I say.
“After you told me about Simon and I went for a walk, I called Detective Marsh. We spoke for a while, I wasn’t really sure why I was calling her. I think...I just needed to hear what could be done if...” Tristan trails off and takes a deep breath. “The next day, when you said you wanted nothing done about it, I called her back and told her of your decision. I never intended to have anything more to do with it, as I promised you. Then a couple of weeks later, Detective Marsh calls me and tells me she’s done some digging around and it turns out Simon was already under investigation. She asked me if I wanted to be kept updated, I said yes. That’s what all the phone calls were about, I didn’t think for one second it would come back to us. I’m am so sorry baby...so sorry’ – “Hey.” I place my lips against his.
“It’s ok Tristan, it’s ok. I’ve already spoken to Detective Marsh, she told me that Simon was aware he was under investigation so he had all the investigators lines tapped. He knew she’d been calling you, and that...” I take a deep breath. “The witnesses didn’t make it.” I swallow hard.
“She told me that he’s involved in one of the biggest crime syndicates she has ever known, they’re only just scraping the surface, and Tristan...” I take a deep breath and swallow hard.
“They found Stuarts body.” Tristan glares back at me and clenches his jaw. “They were never going to let him go, I guess.” I swallow hard again. “But like I said, none of that matters. You’re alive-you’re a mess, but you’re alive,” I say, trying to tease. “Had enough ice?” I ask, giving him another spoonful.
He chews once, swallows, then n
ods his head. “Am I forgiven?” He asks.
“Tristan, there’s nothing to forgive,” I say, staring down at his good eye. Tears pool in my eyes again – God damn it!
“Come here baby,” he croaks. I lean forward and gently peck his lips. “Lie down with me,” he adds.
“Ok.” I pull my legs up so I’m lying adjacent to him and rest my head on his chest. Tristan wraps his arms around me and squeezes me tight.
I sigh inwardly – All is well in the world again. Tristan is alive, we both survived – again!
“I love you Tristan,” I mumble, sleep pulling me under.
“And I love you Coral Freeman, more than life itself – Forever,” he whispers croakily.
“Forever,” I breathe and slip into unconsciousness...
EPILOGUE
Two Years Later
TRISTAN SQUEEZES MY HAND AS WE WALK INTO THE HOUSE. It’s Christmas Eve, and we’ve just has a very wet and windy walk on the beach. But I love that feeling of being frozen outside and coming home to a warm house – we head straight upstairs and change into dry clothes.
“Would you like a glass of wine darling?” Tristan asks as I stand drying my hair with a towel.
“Um...later I think. I really want a hot chocolate,” I say.
Tristan’s brow becomes quizzical. “Are you feeling unwell Mrs Freeman? You always say yes to wine.”
I gasp. “Mr Freeman, what are you implying?” I say in a teasing way.
“No implications, just fact Mrs Freeman.” He teases back with wide playful eyes.
“Hot chocolate!” I say, narrowing my eyes at him.
“As you wish.” He grins widely, leans forward and kisses me. His kiss still has the same effect, my whole body lights up, and I shiver from head to toe.
“See you downstairs,” he adds, the cutest grin spreading across his face – I shake my head, laughing as I do.
With my hair dried, I head over to my handbag and find the chocolate coins for the Christmas tree. When Tristan told me a few weeks ago that he’d never had these as a child, I made sure I bought three bags of them. I head back down the stairs and into the living room.
Darkest Fears Trilogy: Fallen For Him / Freed By Him / Forever With Him Page 144