Alone with Sandor, Livia finally broke down and sobbed, a mix of relief and terror. Sandor held her tightly and let her cry herself out before she finally fell asleep in his arms.
Waking an hour later, Livia felt her eyes were swollen and heavy with salt and tried to smile at Sandor. “I know I look like the Swamp Thing, but I need to see Nox.”
“Doc said we could go through to his room when you awoke.”
Livia stood, then felt a blood rush and wobbled. Sandor caught her and she leaned against his solid body. “Liv, have you eaten anything?”
“Not since last night.”
“We need to get some food inside you.”
“I want to see him first.”
Sandor didn’t look happy, but he also looked resigned. “Come on then, hold onto me.”
When Livia saw Nox, the tears came again. His head was bandaged and Livia could see dried blood and the beginnings of a huge bruise, red, purple, black, and blue, angry and vicious, on the right side of his head. “God.”
“Remember what the doc said. It looks worse than it is.”
Livia bent over her lover and kissed his lips, glad to feel that they were warm. “I love you so much,” she whispered and then smiled as Nox opened his eyes and focused on her.
“Hey, beautiful.” He gazed up at her for a few moments, a smile on his face, then his eyes closed and he fell asleep again.
Livia gave a sigh of relief and leaned her forehead gently against his. “Thank God, Nox.”
Sandor rubbed her back. “Come sit down before you fall down, Liv. I’ll grab you some hot food.”
It was nighttime and Nox was still asleep. Livia stroked his curls back from his pale face and sighed. She had sent Sandor and Amber away, but she was exhausted. She got up, bending over Nox to kiss his cold lips. “Gonna go find some coffee, baby. I’ll be right back.”
She went to find a vending machine but the one on Nox’s floor was out of service. She walked down the stairs, hoping the exercise would wake her up. Now that she knew Nox was out of danger, her adrenaline had disappeared and her body felt heavy and listless. Who the hell would shoot her beloved Nox? Who had been watching them? Her flesh crawled at the thought of it. How had the evening gone from one of sensuality and love, to horror?
She tried the door to the floor below and went into the corridor. It was silent, and Livia could see that some sort of remodeling was being carried out. No one was around. To her relief, the vending machines were working and she quickly purchased a strong black coffee and a Power Bar. She snagged some fresh cold water from the cooler and drained the plastic cup.
A breeze blew cool against her back and she heard a door slam. Turning, the breath caught in her throat as she saw a figure in shadow standing at the end of the corridor, watching her. Livia took a shaky breath in. “Sorry if I’m not supposed to be down here, but the coffee machine on …”
She trailed off as the figure started to walk towards her without speaking, and that’s when she saw it. The knife in his hand.
Jesus, no …
She dropped the hot coffee and turned and ran. The intruder was between her and the staircase, so she darted deeper into the corridors, looking for any other way out. She heard him behind her, could hear his breathing as he ran after her. She weaved and slammed through any open door she found until, as she opened a final door, she realized she had run out of luck.
In a second, she felt him grab her shoulders and pull her back towards him. Livia screamed, kicked, and struggled with her attacker, determined to fight until either she escaped or he killed her.
He was strong, too strong, and when he slammed his fist into her temple, Livia crumpled to the ground, dazed, terrified, and knowing she could do no more.
She lay on her back and felt her attacker pushing her top up, exposing her abdomen. She saw the flash of the blade once before she passed out.
Chapter Eighteen
“Livia? Livvy, sweetheart, wake up.”
She could hear Sandor’s voice but was confused. Why was he telling her to wake up? Wasn’t she dead? Her murder had been surprisingly painless, she had to admit, but now her head screeched with agony. She opened her eyes. White light. Blinding.
“Ouch,” she said, and heard Sandor’s relieved chuckle.
“Hello again, beauty. You had us scared.”
“Livia? I’m Dr. Ford. We found you unconscious on the floor below. What happened, my dear?”
Livia blinked and immediately reached down and ran her hand over her stomach. There were no stab wounds. She reached up and touched her temple. Her hand came away bloody. “He chased me and hit me. I think he wanted to kill me … why didn’t he?”
She saw the doctor and Sandor exchange a skeptical glance and felt idiotic. She pushed herself up into a seated position. “Who’s with Nox? If someone tried to kill me, then he’s not safe either.”
“Amber’s with him, sweetheart. Now, the doc’s going to fix your head right up and the police want to talk to you, okay?”
“Sure.” Livia felt as if they were humoring her. “Maybe they’ll believe me.” She couldn’t help the snippiness that flooded her tone. The doctor said nothing but Sandor smiled at her.
“It’s not that we don’t believe you. It’s that when I found you downstairs, it clearly looked like you’d fallen and hit your head, is all. There were no signs of a struggle. Are you sure you didn’t just panic? You’re very tired, honey. It’s been a long night.”
When he put it like that … could she have imagined it? Livia closed her eyes and felt her head spinning. The doctor was cleaning up her head wound. “You won’t even need stitches.”
Livia thanked him. When she and Sandor were alone, she felt tears in her eyes. “I don’t know what to think, San. I was so sure … he had a knife. I saw it.”
Sandor sat on the edge of the gurney and put his arm around her. “Why were you down there?”
“Coffee. The vending machine on this floor isn’t working. Hey, I remember dropping the cup of coffee when I was being chased.” She looked at him hopefully but he shook his head.
“We didn’t find any spilled liquid, honey.”
Fuck. Was she going crazy? “I want to go see Nox.”
“Of course.”
Livia walked a little unsteadily back to Nox’s room. When she pushed open the door, a shot of jealousy flooded through her when she saw Amber stroking Nox’s forehead. He was awake, and when he saw her, he smiled such a sweet smile that her heart lifted.
“Hey, you. They told me you had a fall.”
Livia smiled at him cautiously, shooting a glance at Amber, who gave up her bedside seat for Livia. “We’ll give you two some space,” she said and took Sandor out of the room, closing the door behind them. Livia leaned over and kissed Nox’s mouth.
“You gave me such a scare, baby.”
“I’m sorry, honey. You didn’t answer my question—you had a fall?”
Livia hesitated, not knowing what to tell him, but then nodded. They had more important things to talk about right now. “I’m fine … but, Nox, do you remember what happened before you were shot?”
She couldn’t help touching the bandage on his head. He caught her hand and pressed it to his face. “I can. We were making love; some creep was watching us. When I was outside, I heard something and went towards it. I saw … something—a figure—and went after them.” He sighed, closing his eyes as she stroked his face. “When you called out, I saw the figure turn towards the sound of your voice and I was so scared he’d come after you. I almost caught up with him, then he—or she—shot me. I remember not knowing if I was a dead man walking—I just wanted to see you one last time, so I came back for you.”
He opened his eyes and met her gaze. “Sweetheart, I was dazed and concussed, but in the moment before I passed out … I saw someone behind you. God …” His expression was guilt-ridden and Livia felt her throat close.
“He followed us here,” she said softly, “and he attacked m
e. I didn’t fall. San and the doctor don’t believe me. Who the hell is coming after us, Nox?”
Nox shook his head grimly, and he reached for her. She crawled into the bed with him and he wrapped his arms around her. “I don’t know, sweetheart, but I can tell you this. He won’t get near us again.” He kissed her forehead. “I know you hate the idea, but first thing in the morning I’m arranging an entire security detail. Agreed?”
And Livia could not argue with him. “Fine. Whatever you think, honey.”
Nox kissed her forehead. “Does it hurt?”
She shook her head and smiled. “Not as much as yours, I’ll bet.”
“They’ve got me hopped up on morphine.”
Livia chuckled. “Things are about to get wild.”
Nox laughed. “Actually, I’m beat. I could do with some more sleep and by the looks of it, so could you.”
Livia slept in the bed with Nox, despite the disapproving glance of the nurses who came in to check his vitals. When they awoke, it was evening again. Livia kissed his mouth tenderly.
“Thank God you’re okay, Nox. I don’t know what I would have done.”
He stroked her face. “Now you know how I feel. Whatever is going down, we’ll beat it, Liv. I want my happily ever after with you.”
They heard raised voices outside in the hallway. Nox and Livia looked at each other as Roan and Odelle, both looking angry and scared, came in. Odelle gave a huge sigh of relief. “Thank God.”
Roan, who looked worse for wear, clutched his friend’s hand. “Jesus, Nox, when they said on the news you’d been shot …”
“It’s on the news?”
Odelle nodded. “That’s how we found out.”
Livia got up. “I’m sorry, that’s my fault. I should have called you.” She wobbled and Odelle stepped forward to steady her.
“No, Amber and Sandor should have called us. You had this to deal with … what happened to your head? They didn’t mention you being hurt, too.”
“This happened in the hospital. I’ll tell you about it later.” Livia glanced at Roan, who looked distraught. “Is he okay?” She lowered her voice and Odelle shook her head.
“No, he isn’t. Look, we have to talk you, and I … let me just have a moment with Nox and we’ll go for some coffee and some hot food. You look like you could do with some.”
Livia nodded, and turned to kiss Nox. “I’m going to give you a moment with your friends, darling. I’ll be right back.”
She looked back and saw Nox open his arms and hug Odelle. Livia was astonished to hear the other woman crying. Odelle was so emotionless most of the time that it came as a shock to hear her upset. Livia realized how much Nox meant to Odelle then, and it warmed her even more to the other woman.
And Roan … there was something going on with him, something that made him look like a man who was barely hanging on. It was beyond being upset about his friend being shot.
Livia went to the restroom to freshen up, using one of the disposable toothbrushes to brush her teeth. She felt dirty and itchy; the scrubs she had been given were spotted with dried blood. A bruise was forming over her temple and she could now see the outline of knuckles in the wound. She gritted her teeth. She hadn’t been hallucinating or imagining the intruder coming after her.
So why hadn’t he killed her? She pulled her top up and examined her abdomen. Nothing, not even a scratch. She was about to drop the top when something caught her eye. A small cut on the inside of her navel. A speck of dried blood. What the hell? Was it a warning, or had the man intended to carve her up slowly but got interrupted? Maybe by Sandor looking for her? It made her flesh crawl and her breath quicken to realize that if Sandor hadn’t looked for her, she could be dead right now. Lying disemboweled, her blood pooled around her, forgotten on the floor below until Nox asked where she was. The assailant had shot Nox in the head then come for her—so why didn’t he finish the job? She had been utterly vulnerable.
Everyone you love … The warning from Pia’s murder scene hit her again. Who was he talking to? Nox? But why? What on Earth had triggered this vendetta twenty years after his family and his lover had all died?
Livia stared into the mirror. What the hell was going on? And why did she feel so sure—overwhelmingly sure—that Amber had something to do with it all? Amber and Roan … both of them, she felt sure, knew more than they were saying. Was Amber looking for revenge for Ariel’s death now that Nox had finally moved on and fallen in love with another woman? Or was it just that she wanted Nox for herself?
What about Roan? He looked like a man destroyed. She couldn’t quite believe it had been Roan stalking and attacking her … but then again, Roan was a passionate man. Would he have hesitated to kill her quickly and brutally, no matter who was coming? She didn’t think so.
Livia shook herself. “And it could be just some random psycho who killed Pia, and no more than an intruder staking out Nox’s mansion to rob it.” She spoke the words aloud to try and reassure herself, but faltered. No, it was something more insidious. She knew it in her bones.
She jumped as the restroom door slammed behind her and turned. No one. Which meant someone had been watching her. She darted to the door and looked out. Whoever it was, they were long gone. Livia gritted her teeth, but as she looked down, she saw it. A long red hair on the linoleum floor. Amber.
Livia went back to Nox’s room, hearing him speaking in a loving, tender tone. “It’s okay, Odelle, I’m fine. I’ll be out of here in a couple of days.”
“I can’t bear the thought of anything happening to you or Livia. You’re my family.”
Livia was unbelievably touched. Who would have thought she meant so much to the ice queen? She knocked gently at the door and poked her head in, smiling at them both. Roan had disappeared. “I hope I’m not intruding.”
“Not at all, baby.”
Odelle came to her and hugged her, and Livia returned the embrace. “We’re okay, Odelle, really.”
Odelle sniffed and Livia realized she was crying again. The other woman drew away finally, wiping her eyes. “Sorry.”
“Don’t worry about it.” Livia smiled at her then went to Nox, taking his hand.
Odelle gathered herself. “Look, I can get on the phone right now and have protection set up here, at the home, at the restaurant, and your office, Nox.”
Nox nodded. “That would be a weight off. Thanks, Odie.”
Odelle got straight on her cell phone, stepping out into the hallway. Livia nudged Nox. “Odie?”
He grinned. “I’m the only one she lets call her that. And even then, only on special occasions.”
“Like being shot in the head?”
“Like that.” They both laughed, the tension lifted by the joke. Nox kissed her. “By the way, I’m liking the hot scrubs look.”
Livia rolled her eyes. “I’m filthy.”
“Look, baby, I’ll get Sandor to take you home. Eat proper food, grab a shower, and some sleep. I’m not going anywhere.”
It did sound tempting and after a while, Livia agreed. “As long as someone is with you.”
“I don’t think Odelle is going anywhere.”
“Where did Roan go?”
Nox shook his head. “He got choke up, mumbled something about being sorry, and left. Odelle is annoyed with him about something.”
They sat in silence for a while, holding hands. Livia cleared her throat. “Nox … I have this feeling. A feeling that whoever is behind all this … is close to us. To you.”
“I agree.”
She studied him. “Do you think … Roan?”
Nox sighed. “I hate saying this, but I can’t imagine anyone else. He’s been drinking, he’s broke …”
“Isn’t he marrying Odelle?”
Nox’s mouth set in a straight line. “He is. And he should think himself lucky. But it still doesn’t guarantee him any money. Odelle’s father won’t permit it.”
Livia looked at him askance. “Odelle’s father realizes this is
the twenty-first century, right?”
“I don’t mean he won’t consent to the marriage, but Odelle is an heiress. She doesn’t have money of her own—it’s all tied up in her trust fund, which her father can withdraw at any time.”
“So, why is Odelle marrying him anyway?”
Nox gave her a strange, half-sad smile. “Because she loves him.”
“Nox, would Roan shoot you?”
“I can only tell you that Roan is a superb marksman. If it was him, then he didn’t intend to kill me.” Nox looked sick at having to say the words. “When I get out of here, beautiful … we need to talk about a lot of things. Your safety is paramount. Our future, too. Odelle tells me they have your name in the press. They’ll be hounding you at the college and at the restaurant too.”
“I can cope with that.”
Nox studied her. “You have no idea what they’re like. Vultures. They’ll dig up anything on you.”
Livia shrugged. “I have no skeletons.”
“Then I have to warn you,” Nox said, his handsome face serious, “they’ll make some up, just for you. Things really are about to get crazy.”
Odelle thanked the doorman as she made her way into her apartment building. He called her back. “Mr. Saintmarc is waiting upstairs for you.”
Odelle nodded, her face impassive. “Thank you, Glen.”
She took the elevator up to her penthouse and stepped out into the atrium. Roan was slumped against the wall. He looked up at her, desperation in his eyes, and Odelle’s plan to send him away evaporated. She had never seen him look so desolate. She crouched next him. “What is it, Roan? What’s the matter?”
Roan began to sob as he blurted out the words. “They’re going to say it was me, Odelle … they’re going to say it was me … that girl, Pia … I was with her the night she was killed … and they’re going to say it was me …”
Chapter Nineteen
The police investigation brought up nothing, and as it drew nearer to Christmas and the weather finally turned cold, Livia and Nox holed up in his mansion. Livia only left for work or school, and Nox for any business meetings he couldn’t do from home. Neither of them said it, but the self-imposed nearness seemed to have opened up a new element to their relationship, a new intimacy—a closeness they had not known was missing.
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