Three Thousand Miles - Forever, (book #3 of Three Thousand Miles, Series)

by Deila Longford

  “How dare you tell me what to do,” Michael says in a dark voice. His hands are trembling as he fills the gap between us. He lunges forward and he takes my arms firmly in his hands. He begins to squeeze my skin until it feels like fire. He is scowling at me with pure hatred in his eyes.

  “I was only trying to help,” I say as I try to pull my arms away from him.

  “Why do you want to help, is it because you feel… guilty,” I stare at him as my throat dries up. I can’t breathe –he is blaming me for what happened.

  “You and Chad brought me here, this isn’t my fault.” “Yes it is!” Michael screams at me. I jump from his loudness and tears begin to pour from my eyes. He is squeezing me so hard that my arms are numb from the pain. Adrian hears his loud screams and he comes rushing to my defence.

  “Let go of her,” Adrian says as he pulls me free from Michael’s grip. Adrian pushes me away from them and then he marches towards Michael and pulls him in towards him –by the collar of his shirt. Adrian’s eyes are burning and his lips are white as he gives Michael an ultimatum.

  “This is how it’s going to be, you are going to leave right now and never come back. I would love to see you rot in prison for what you have done to Alanna, but I feel that you will suffer more if you have tolive the rest of your life …alone. Now leave before the police get here.” Adrian tightens his hands around Michael’s neck as he alerts him to leave.

  “I can’t just let you …win.” Michael says through his choked voice. “This isn’t about winning or losing this is a matter of life and death for you. If you don’t leave right now, then I will not hold back my greatest desire –to kill you for what you have done.” Adrian’s words are firm and alerting, but they have seemed to work as Michael nods in agreement.

  “Fine,” He snarls. Adrian pushes him back as he lets go of him. Michael takes another look at Chad and then he briefly looks at Emma –smirking more like.

  “At least I hurt one person who you love.” Adrian lunges towards Michael at his rude comment, but I pull him back. “He is not worth it,” Adrian smiles at me and then he pulls me close to him. Michael rolls his eyes as he walks over to the door. He pushes open the door and then he looks back at me –smiling.

  “You will never forget about me,” I narrow my eyes at him and then I clutch Adrian for support. Michael shakes his head and then he walks out of the door and into the dark, cold night.

  Twenty-Two

  We arrive at the emergency room and Emma is rushed into surgery to remove the bullet. Adrian is nervous as he paces the waiting room of the quiet hospital and if I am honest he looks terrified. His eyes are heavy and his hair is flopped down onto his forehead. He looks sad and I don’t know how to comfort him. I am feeling super guilty as I fear that Emma has been hurt –because of me. Michael had strong, obsessive feelings for me and he wanted to punish Adrian, Chad was jealous and he wanted Adrian suffer, but instead of hurting me they hurt Emma. I am scared that Adrian will blame me for what has happened and I don’t even want to think what Maggie will say when she arrives from New York. Adrian called her as soon as Emma went into surgery and he immediately booked her flight. I can’t begin to understand how distraught Maggie must be. She lives for her daughter and I can’t bear the thought of her losing Emma. I remember how upset my mom was when I was in the hospital and I feel guilty that I am causing a mother this type of stress –again.

  Adrian has insisted that I get checked out –just in case anything is wrong with the baby. As the small dark haired nurse leads me to an exam room I can’t help but feel selfish. Here I am going to get checked out when Emma is being operated on. I try to shake of my guilt as I begin to think about my baby. I remember earlier when I felt strong pains in my stomach and how I was scared for the baby. I try to compose myself as I pray that everything is alright, if not then I will never live with myself for taking Adrian’s baby away from him. The nurse asks me to lie down onto the bed and then she begins to examine me whilst she asks me questions about my health.

  “Okay Mrs Black, I have a few questions that I need you to answer.” “Okay,” I say in a shallow voice. The nurse senses the fear in my voice and she quickly tries to reassure me that everything will be fine.

  “Don’t worry. Now may I ask how far along you are?”

  “Six weeks,” the nurse checks my pulse and then my blood pressure.

  “And how old are you?”

  “Twenty-three,” she nods again and then she begins to gently feel my stomach.

  “Have you been feeling any pain, discomfort?” I nod at her and now my heart rate is increasing. “I need you to answer me, Miss.” I clear my throat. “Earlier on I felt sharp pains in my stomach. That’s a bad sign isn’t it?” The nurse smiles at me and then she leans down and takes my hand. “Pain can be caused by many things and it doesn’t necessarily mean that something is wrong with your baby. Let me go and get the doctor and he will give you a quick scan just to make sure.” The nursesmiles at me and I briefly return her gesture.

  “Can you please tell my husband that I need him?” I shout after the nurse as she glides over to the door. She looks back at me and she says. “Of course I will.” The nurse rushes out of the room and I am left alone with my terrifying thoughts. I don’t know what I will doif something is wrong with the baby; I couldn’t stand talking this away from Adrian. I know how much he cherishes being a father and I would hate to deny him the chance to have another child. I feel that I have caused him so much stress since I came into his life and I am scared that he will realise that I am not worth the bother. I have torn his family apart and now one of his step brothers is dead and his sister is fighting for her life. I hate myself for what I have put him through and I will never forgive myself if anything happens to his sister and his unborn baby.

  Adrian bursts into the room and he rushes over to my bedside. He looks down at me and as I stare into his glowing green eyes, my heart is breaking. He reaches down and grabs onto my hand and then he asks me if I am alright.

  “Baby what’s wrong? Are you okay?” I force myself to smile at him as I squeeze his hand. “I am fine, but I am not sure about the baby. The doctor needs to do a scan to make sure that …everything is okay.” Adrian’s eyes lock on mine and I can see the despair in them. “Adrian I am sorry,” I gush. Adrian stares at me as he shakes his head.

  “What are you sorry for?” He urges. I try to sit up in the bed, but Adrian pushes me back down. He is staring at me as he awaits my answer. “For everything,” Adrian rolls his eyes at me and now I am getting a little flustered. “Everything is my fault; Emma is in surgery because of me. Chad is dead because of me and Michael has now left our lives for good, how can I forgive myself for everything that I have done?”

  “None of this is your fault and I don’t want to ever hear you talking like this again.” I exhale as I hate that Adrian is being so nice to me when it’s clearly my fault.

  “I have caused so much pain and stress, how can youlove me?” Adrian scowls at me as he leans down to my level. He gently places his hand onto my cheek and he tilts my face up towards him.

  “I love you and none of this is your fault. Michael was obsessed with you and Chad was a lunatic. I never want you to feel that you cause pain and stress, you are my world and I if I lost you I would die.” Adrian clutches my face in his hands and then he places a soft kiss onto my lips. I start to cry and then I wrap my arms around his neck as I need to feel safe in his arms. He gently wraps his arms around my back and he gently breathes onto my neck as he holds me. My tears stop and Adrian pulls back from me when the doctor strides into the room. He is an older man and he is a little overweight, he has grey hair and bright red cheeks. He looks friendly as he introduces himself.

  “I am Dr Coats,” he says as he shakes Adrian’s hand. I smile at the doctor and then my heart begins to race as he makes his way over to me. “Now let’s get you scanned my dear.” He gently pulls up my shirt and then he places a jelly onto my stomach. He lifts the
scanning tool and then he switches on the monitor. He begins to run the pointer over my belly and I my heart is in my mouth as Adrian and await his verdict.

  “What’s that noise?” Adrian asks the doctor with aconcerned look on his face. Dr Coats smiles and then he fills us in.

  “That’s your baby’s heartbeat,” I smile, but I am little worried –should it be that loud?

  “Is that normal, for it to be so loud?” Adrian asks in shallow voice. The doctor chuckles and then he informs us that everything is fine. “Yes it’s normal and everything seems fine. You have a healthy baby growing inside of you.” I smile and then Adrian places a soft kiss onto my forehead. The doctor has switched off the monitor and then he begins to jot down his notes. Adrian is stroking my hair and he is beaming from the news –thank god that the baby is okay.

  “Now I understand that you have been through quite an ordeal tonight?” The doctor says in a firm voice. I look at him as I nodin agreement with his claims. “When you are pregnant your body becomes a lot moresensitive and that means that you aren’t able to the things that you normally would. I can tell that your stress levels are quite high and that isnot good for the baby. I must urge you to take a few days to rest before you get back to your normal day.” Adrian stares at the doctor and then he reassures him that I will not be doing anything to cause me and my baby stress.

  “I will lock her up for the next few days,” the doctor laughs at Adrian’s joke and then he smiles at me as he leaves the room. Adrian helps me up from the bed and he escorts me back into the waiting room of the hospital. He sits me down onto a soft chair and then he urges me to relax –like that’s possible when his sister is in surgery.

  A few hours pass by and Adrian jumps from the chair when he sees the surgeon heading towards us. I open my sleepy eyes and I readjust myself in the chair as I anxiously await the news on Emma. The surgeon reaches us and then he begins to explain to Adrian how the surgery went.

  “I have good news; the surgery was a success and your sister is going to be fine.” Adrian lunges forward and he firmly shakes the surgeon’s hand. “Are you sure, she hasn’t lost too much blood or the impact from the bullet wasn’t too damaging?” The surgeon gently smiles at Adrian and then he reassures him that his sister is fine.

  “She did lose a lot of blood and we had to give her a transfusion, but she is now in recovery and she will need to take it easy for a while, but I can assure you that she is going to be fine.” Adrian nods and then he thanks the surgeon for everything that he has done.

  “Thank you for saving my sister.” Adrian walks me along the hallway of the hospital until we reach Emma’s room. Adrian pushes open the door and he reaches out for my hand as he tries to push me into the room. I pull my hand back from his as I try to avoid looking into his green stare. Adrian reaches for my hand again and this time he grabs hold of me before I have the chance to protest. He has one hand fixed onto my chin as he tilts my face up towards his and another gripped onto my waist. He is forcing me to look into his intense eyes and I know from his stare that he is slightly angry with me. His hand is gently squeezing my back and then he begins with his inquisition.

  “What’s wrong?” I blush at his words and then I look away from his burning stare. He begins to snarl under his breath and his grip is becoming firmer. “I said what’s wrong?” He snaps. I exhale and then I focus my eyes on his. My heart is beating so fast that I can hardly see straight. I am so exhausted and all I want to do is flop onto my bed and try to forget everything that has happened today. I am still in shock from the events and I am still feeling super guilty. I know that Adrian has insisted on me believing that this isn’t my fault, but I can’t shake the feeling I have of guilt. I am dreading seeing Emma as I fear that she will lash out at me for bringing her into my problems with Michael and I don’t want to think about how Maggie will react. Then there’s Charles and Tabatha who I haven’t stopped to think about. I am not even sure if they know that their son is dead and I can’t think of how devastated their going to be. Adrian owes so much to Mr Jenkins and I can’t stop worrying that his relationship with him is going to be compromised over what has happened. Charles loves Adrian as if he was his own son and I would hate to think that I have ruined his father-son relationship. Tabatha already hates me and she did warn me about Michael, but I didn’t listen. I carried on my fantasy of having Michael in my life as my best friend. I was far too selfish in loving Adrian, but wanting Michael at the same time and now I have paid the ultimate price. Michael has left and Adrian has lost his brother –again. I feel as if I am to blame and I don’t know how I can look Adrian in the eye –ever again. I have caused him so much pain and torment and I don’t deserve to have him in my life. I am poison and the sooner Adrian realises that the better. My head is buzzing in a million directions and I need to get out of here. I need to leave this hospital –right now.

  “I am sorry but, I need to go.” I say as I loosen Adrian’s hand from my waist. He is looking at me with confusion in his eyes and I see that his heart is pounding through his shirt. I need to go I can’t watch him suffer –any longer.

  “Go where? What is the matter with you?” Adrian has lunged forward and grabbed onto my arm as he tries to protest. I rudely pull my arm away from him and then I march along the hallway –with tears in my eyes. “Wait, come back, where are you going?” Adrian says as he strides along the hallway after me. I maintain my rapid pace as I explain.

  “I need to go home. I can’t face Emma, I feel too… guilty.” Adrian laughs sarcastically as he grabs my arm and spins me around to face him. He locks his eyes on mine and his smile quickly fades when he sees that I am crying.

  “I told you not to think like that. None of this is our fault, why are you being so stupid? ” I clench my teeth as I hate that I am hurting him –again. I need him to realise that I am bad news, I love him, but I don’t feel as if I am right for him anymore. He deserves so much more than me and I can’t keep coming in between him and his family. I need to think –I need to get away.

  “No matter how much you want me believe that –I am never going to. Everything is my fault; I lead Michael into thinking that we could be more than friends and that resulted in him becoming obsessed with me. Now Chad is dead and Mr Jenkins has lost his son, how can I ever look him in the eye …ever again?” Adrian rubs his temples in frustration and then he grabs onto me, pulling me towards him.

  “Charles and Tabatha won’t blame you for this; I will make sure of it. You need to understand that Michael’s obsession with you started before he even spoke to you. Alanna, you have a kind heart and you wanted to be his friend, you don’t deserve to be punished for that. Now come here, let’s forget about this and go and see Emma.” Adrian slides his hand onto my waist as he tries to control me into doing as he says. I frown at him and then I jump out of his grip.

  “You need to listen to what I am saying, I can’t go and see Emma because I feel that I am reason that she is in here in the first place. I need to go home and you need to let me go.” Adrian clenches his teeth and then he scowls at me, his forehead is wrinkling from my intense words and I can see the anger building in his eyes.

  “Okay if you want to leave –then leave.” Adrian snaps. I watch him as he glides along the hallway of the hospital and my heart is breaking. I try to wipe away my tears as I run out of the hospital. I rush into the cold and I begin to shiver as I shout for taxi. A black cab pulls alongside me and the driver urges me to get in. I jump into the taxi and the driver says.

  “Where to love?” “Belgravia and please can you hurry?” The driver senses my urgency so he immediately hits his foot down onto the gas pedal. I fall back in my seat from the acceleration and then tears begin to pour from my eyes –again. I quietly sob until the driver pulls in front of my house. Heturns to ask me for the money, but he pauses as he takes in my appearance.My cheeks feel as if they are on fire and my eyes are stinging, I wipe away the water from my face as I begin to search for my handbag.
>
  “Crap,” I say in a tired voice –I don’t have my bag. I remember that I have left my bag in my car –I was too worried about Michael to care about taking my bag into his house with me. I begin to blush as I feel a sense of déjà vu taking over me. The first time that I was in London I took a taxi so that I could visit Buckingham Palace, but I left my money in my hotelroom. I was so embarrassed and I was sure that the driver was going to call the cops on me, but he surprised me when he said that all I needed to do was flash him a smile

  –I doubt that this guy will be as understanding as he was. I clear my throat as I pick up the courage to tell the guy that I have nomoney.

  “I am really sorry, but I have lost my handbag and I have no money.” The guy rolls his eyes at me and then he issues me with a suggestion. “Don’t you keep money in your house?” I feel even more embarrassed by his obvious suggestion –why didn’t I think of that? Then I realise that my mind is like mush right now and I can’t think straight. I smile at the guy and then I alert him that I will be right back.

  “I won’t be a second,” I jump out of the cab and I march up the front steps to our house. I place my hand onto the door handle and then it hits me –I don’t have a key. My face is flushing hot and I am riddled with embarrassment, I look back at the driver who is staring at me through the window of his car. My heart is racing and my only hope is to try the door –perhaps Adrian left it unlocked. I push down on the handle, but the door is locked. I frown and then I try to think of what to do next. As I rack my brain for a solution I begin to think of William, Adrian never told me who was looking after him and I was too selfish to ask. With my heart racing I decide to ring the doorbell –perhaps Zara came over to look after William. I wait for a few seconds and then I notice a light shining from inside the house so I ring the bell again. I can hear shuffling and then the door opens. I am stunned when I see Edward Black standing in the doorway.