by Mary Abshire
From the bathtub, he dried off his hair and body with a towel. The stubble on his face wasn’t too bad, but he decided to shave anyway. After he finished shaving, he donned a clean pair of boxers and then headed to the laundry room.
The washer had stopped and the load waited for attention. He transferred the damp clothes into the dryer. After he turned it on, he headed for the living room. He reached the hallway and found Emily walking toward him. Her face was read and sweaty.
“Good run?” he asked as she passed him.
“Yeah.” She took a drink of water from the bottle in her hand. She set it on the dining table. “I got talking to Susan for a little bit. She was actually nice to me this time. It was strange.” She took the phone and band off her arm. After she put them on the table, she drank more water and moved to the patio.
“Oh really?” Now this was news. “What did she have to say?” He came to stand next to her in front of the window.
She wiped her arm over her forehead. “She thanked us for watching the kids and talked a little about them. She went on to say she was stressed at work, especially after the recent death of one of the infants.”
“I’ll bet.” He wagered the demon was pleased about the baby’s death.
“She had nice things to say about you.” She took another gulp of water and then put the bottle on the table.
Andrew watched Brian play in a sandbox in his backyard. He looked content. Susan was kneeling near the side of the house, planting flowers. Emily returned to his side and put her hand on his back. Strong heat from her hand penetrated his skin. He guessed the temp had risen outside.
“Did you stop by to talk to her or did she stop you?” he asked.
“She stopped me. She said she wanted to thank me personally. She even gave me some water.”
He glanced back at the bottle. She’d drunk almost half already. He moved his gaze back to Emily. The tinted color on her face hadn’t changed.
“You look hot,” he said.
She blinked several times. “Yeah, I am. I should shower and cool off some.” She walked away but stopped at the table.
“If you want some help, I can scrub you down well,” he said playfully.
She shook her head and then took slow steps around the table. He found it strange she wouldn’t be interested in getting cleaned up by him. Even odder, she was moving at a snail’s pace. He wondered if she’d been out in the heat too long.
“Do you feel okay?” he asked as he approached her.
She stopped and shook her lowered head. He came around to face her and saw eyes and lips pinched. She held one arm over her stomach and started leaning forward. Fear skyrocketed through him. He grabbed her arms and held her upright.
“What’s wrong, Emily? Talk to me. Tell me how you feel.” The words shot from his mouth.
She opened her eyes and he noticed they’d dilated some. He placed his fingers to her neck. Her pulse was slowing. Something was definitely wrong with her.
“I hurt,” she said too breathy.
“Where? Tell me where. What hurts?”
Her knees buckled and she fell toward him. Panic seized him as he caught her. How could she be fine one minute and not the next? He carefully lowered her onto the floor.
“Stay with me, baby. Talk to me. Tell me what hurts,” he said as he brushed his fingers over her forehead.
Her skin was so hot and her pupils had swelled more. She needed help fast. He didn’t have a fucking clue what was wrong with her, but he knew he could lose her soon.
His heart thudded fiercely as he stood and looked around. The water bottle and her phone were on the table. He grabbed the cell and dialed 911. She coughed and struggled to breathe. He dropped to his knees while a dial tone rang in his ear.
“911, state your emergency,” the lady answered.
“My wife is dying. She just fell into my arms. Her pulse is irregular and she can’t breathe. I think her lungs might be collapsing or she’s going into cardiac arrest. You have to get here now!”
“Are you located at 2216 Mulberry Lane?”
“Yes, yes. Send someone now. Hurry!”
He dropped the phone and lifted her gently into his arms. The dark centers now hid the color of her eyes. If the EMT didn’t arrive soon, she might not have a chance of surviving whatever the hell was wrong with her.
“Don’t you die on me.” He patted her face. “You hear me. Stay with me. Someone is coming. If you love me, you have to fight.”
His voice was cracking. His hands were shaking. His heart was aching. The love of his life couldn’t die. Not now. Not after everything they’d been through.
He held her tight and cradled her. “Please don’t go. Please stay with me, Em. I need you.”
Her glassy eyes stared up. He checked her pulse and it had weakened more. If she were fighting, she needed help to win the battle.
“I love you, Em. I won’t let you go. I promise. I won’t.”
A tear ran from one of his eyes. How could the woman destined to be with him be stripped away so fast? It didn’t make sense. He wanted answers. He wanted revenge. Above all, he wanted Emily and he would do everything in his power to get her.
Chapter Thirty
Emily heard men talking. She couldn’t hear their voices clearly enough, couldn’t understand what they were saying. She had to be dreaming. She must have left the television on. She wanted to turn it off, so she tried to open her eyes. Her lids wouldn’t move. She tried to move an arm, then a hand, and lastly a finger. Nothing would respond. She was too tired. Too weak. Too hot and nauseous. Who cares if the TV stays on anyway? She decided to drift off to sleep again.
A warm hand was touching her. Someone had threaded their fingers through hers while they rubbed the back of her hand. The touch was gentle and soothing. She liked it and tried to move her digits. For some reason it took a lot of effort.
“Rest, baby, just rest,” a familiar masculine voice said. The person brushed their fingers over her forehead and then gave her a kiss. “I’m here. I won’t leave you.”
She couldn’t quite place the voice, but she knew it. She knew the man touching her was important. Someone who cared about her. Someone who loved her. He would stay with her. Always. Comforted by his words and his touch, she fell back asleep.
The next time she woke up, she felt excruciatingly groggy. Her eyelids were heavy, but she managed to lift them. Everything was a bright blur. She tried to focus, attempted to blink. Both took a lot of effort. Lethargy wanted to take her again, but she didn’t want to go back yet. Her mind felt cloudy and weighted down. When her vision finally began to clear, she realized she was staring at a dry-erase board with black writing. The words were too blurry. A flat screen TV hung in the corner above the board. The curtains were partially drawn over the window behind Andrew, sitting beside her with his hand clasping hers. She was lying on a small bed and a blanket covered most of her body. She twitched her fingers and felt something covering one of them on her left hand. She slowly ascertained she was in a hospital room.
“Take it easy,” Andrew said.
She swallowed and noticed she had a dry throat. “Water.” She barely got the word out and it didn’t sound like her normal voice.
Andrew laid her hand on the bed. He walked around to her other side. A pitcher and cup sat on a nearby table. He lifted the pitcher near the cup. She couldn’t see what he was pouring. There was something thin and long on the table too, but it was difficult for her to see it well enough. He tore off the covering from the object before he put it in the cup. He brought the drink close to her mouth.
“Take it slow,” he said as he placed the straw between her lips.
She closed her mouth over the thin plastic tube and sucked on it. Cool water fell onto her tongue and slid down her throat. She swallowed and then gathered a little more. She repeated the process several times, but ever so slowly. When she’d had all she could handle, she kicked the straw out with her tongue.
Andrew se
t the cup on the table. He walked around the bed and resumed his place at her side, holding her hand. “You’re still weak, but you’re doing great. Just rest. I’ll take care of you.”
“How long?” The words didn’t sound right coming from her scratchy voice. She swallowed and cleared her throat as best she could. “How long here?”
“Two days so far. Don’t worry, my employee benefits cover hospital stays.” He grinned.
The humor on his face and in his words brightened her mood. The mere sight of him lifted her spirit.
“What happened?” she asked.
“You collapsed. You were drugged with a barbiturate. It’s a drug used to induce comas. If I had to guess, that bitch of a demon put it in the water she gave you. If you’d finished the bottle, you wouldn’t be here right now.”
Emily recalled Susan had been nice and chatty when she’d given her the bottled water. She had noticed a slight salty taste, but had disregarded it. She remembered feeling as if she were on fire and her muscles weighed a ton. Her organs had ached terribly. Then all the pain numbed and she couldn’t feel anything. She felt as if she were drifting into a deep sleep.
“I’m pretty sure you would’ve died had I not called 911,” he said.
“Sorry.”
He tightened his hold of her hand. “It’s not your fault. I just…” He swallowed so hard his Adam’s apple bobbled, and then he looked away from her.
She sensed his deep concern, his worry. She recalled hearing him tell her to stay with him and to fight before she blacked out. The man truly loved her and would do anything for her.
“I’m here. I’m not leaving,” she said.
He faced her with watery eyes. “Promise me. Promise me you will stay with ne no matter what happens.”
“I promise,” she said without hesitating. Without thinking. Because he loved her and made her happy, and she didn’t want to be without him. It didn’t matter where they would end up in this life or after. The only thing she cared about was being with him.
He rose fast and let go of her hand. He kissed her lips, her cheek, and then buried his face near her neck. His movements were too fast for her to respond the way she wanted to. She needed more strength.
“I don’t know what I would’ve done if I’d lost you. I don’t think I could go on. But I know I would’ve walked over to her house and shot that bitch in the head.” He slowly sat down.
She placed her hand on his cheek. His stubble tickled her palm. He held her hand in place as if he needed it, needed her touch.
“I’m not ready to leave yet.” She took in a long breath. “We have too much work to do.”
He moved her palm lower and kissed it. “I need you. I am nothing but a cold shell of a man without you.”
“You have me, for better or for worse.” Throat feeling dry again, she swallowed. “So be prepared.”
His lips twitched. “I love you so much, Em.”
She believed him wholeheartedly. “I love you.”
He rose again and pressed his lips to her forehead. “Rest, baby. I’m staying with you.”
She nodded and closed her eyes. Drowsiness weighed heavily upon her. His love and closeness encouraged her to sleep. She knew she was safe with him and he wouldn’t leave her side, ever.
As she coasted into the peaceful darkness, she had one thought. The demon had to be destroyed soon before one of them showed up with a gun to kill her.
Chapter Thirty-One
Two days later
Andrew parked the Jeep in the garage. Emily sat in the passenger seat wearing jeans and a teal shirt he’d pulled from her closet. She acted pretty normal, which amazed him considering she’d almost died four days ago. He had noticed she’d walked slower than her average speed when they’d left the hospital. Otherwise, she seemed fine. The doctor had said she didn’t have any internal damage. All organs were functioning as they should. The recommendation was rest and plenty of it so she could regain her strength.
After he withdrew the key from the ignition, he hurried out of the car. He knew Emily would push herself and try to do as much as she could. The doctor suggested she should take things easy for a while. The self-assured stubborn woman he’d come to love would do what she wanted to do regardless of what Andrew or any doctor told her. But he still had to try to get her to rest. He caught up to her as she headed for the door.
Lightning flashed while tears from heaven poured form the sky. The wind blew the heavy drops into the garage.
“I love the smell of fresh rain,” Emily said as she gazed outside.
Andrew hit the button near the entrance to the house. The garage door began to lower within seconds.
“I didn’t know it was going to storm,” he said.
He’d spent the last four days at the hospital with her. The only time he’d left her was when he’d stopped at the house earlier to get her something to wear. He hadn’t even taken the time to bathe, shave, or change his own clothes. He didn’t stink, but he welcomed a chance to ditch what he had on and clean up. The hair on his face had grown enough that he had the urge to itch it constantly. As for food, Kurt had stopped by to visit him a few times and had brought him something to eat. If his coworker hadn’t dropped by, Andrew would’ve gone without eating. He refused to leave her bedside until he knew for certain she was ready to leave with him.
“I didn’t look at the yard, but I’m guessing it will need to be mowed soon,” she said after he opened the door.
“You just got out of the hospital and you’re worried about the lawn? I think it can wait.” He secured the locks on the door after he followed her inside.
Emily rounded the corner and headed down the hall. Her slower pace worried him. He walked close behind her into the bedroom. Although he doubted she’d fall or collapse, he wanted to catch her if she did. Maybe he was being overprotective, but he didn’t care. This was his woman and he loved her. He’d care for her always. She paused at the dresser and leaned a hand on it while she stepped out of her shoes.
“Do you want me to fix you something to eat?” He set the keys on the dresser. “I’ll fix you anything you want.”
“I’m still full from lunch. I think I’ll just lie down and watch TV for a bit.”
“Mind if I join you?”
“I was hoping you would.”
Smiling, she headed for the closet. He decided a shower would have to wait a little while longer. He wouldn’t miss the chance to lay with her and hold her. And if she wanted him to fix a four-course meal later, he would. If she wanted to have wild monkey sex, he would give it to her. If she wanted to dance and sing in the rain, he’d join her. Whatever she cared to do or needed, he’d make sure she would get it. Her happiness and love meant everything to him.
Emily stripped down her pants and left them on the floor in the closet. After she removed her top and bra, she took a t-shirt from one of the hangers. While she slid the shirt over her head and down her body, Andrew removed his shoes and jeans. The shirt she wore was two sizes too big for her, but she still looked sexy in it. She walked from the closet and headed for the bed.
“Do you want something to drink or snack on?” he asked before he removed his shirt.
She pulled the covers up before she crawled onto the mattress. “I’m fine, but if you want something…”
All he wanted was her. The rest could wait.
He grabbed the remote for the television and turned it on as he made his way to the other side of the bed. Before he joined her in bed with only his boxers on, he handed her the control.
She flipped through the channels while he settled next to her. Since he wasn’t sure if she wanted to snuggle or not, he thought it wise to keep a little space between them, a very, very tiny amount. Of course, he wanted to do far more than cuddle with her, but he doubted she had enough energy.
She found the History Channel and then gave the remote back to him. “Truthfully, I don’t care about TV. I just want to be with you.” She laid her body half upon his
with her head resting in the crevice of his arm and shoulder, her arm over his chest, and the lower part of her leg on his thigh. Her foot felt cold.
He set the control at his other side before he held her close to his body. The softness and warmth of her flesh soothed him. He’d missed it over the last several days. No surprise, his erection began to swell.
He kissed her head. “Feel better?”
“Better now that I can lay with you.”
He could relate. Being near her was one of the best feelings. Of course, being inside her was at the top. What would have done if he’d lost her? He didn’t want to think about it. Ever.
“Did you … see anything when you were out?” he asked.
“No. I remember thinking I was dreaming and that the television was on because I heard voices talking. Besides that, I don’t remember anything. It was like being in a deep sleep.”
He grazed his fingers over her arm. The entire time she’d been out he’d wondered if she had gone anywhere. He’d heard stories of people seeing things when they had near-death experiences. Maybe she’d been fighting to stay alive the entire time and that had been why she hadn’t seen anything. Who knew? He’d try to remember to ask after he returned to heaven in the future.
“We need to talk about what we’re going to do with her,” Emily said.
Andrew inhaled a deep breath. “You just got home. Can’t it wait?”
“I think we should talk about your next steps.”
He ran his free hand through his hair. “You’re not doing anything. I’m going to kill her. I just need to finalize a few details.” A touch of frustration crept up within him. He preferred to hold off talking about the demon so he could enjoy spending time with Emily.
“I know I’m not going to do anything, but have you considered how you’re going to kill her now?”
“The same way I’d planned before. Nothing has changed.”
Emily propped herself up on her elbow. “I don’t think you should take a drug from the hospital. If she used something from there to try to kill me, then it might be obvious when you use the same kind of drug on her. Plus, they may notice there are drugs missing.”