“I’m not sure how this is going to work. Erik said he needs to wipe out my cellular data, then smash my phone and throw it in the incinerator. I have no idea where I’ll be living, either.”
“You’ll figure it out.”
“Did he give you everything you need? Phone? Money?”
“Yeah. He made a reservation at a hotel, too, so I should be good.”
“I hope everything goes well with returning to your family.”
“Me, too. I’m quite nervous, but if I can explain what happened, they might understand.” I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her in tight. “Thank you so much, ’Chelle. You mean the world to me.”
She nodded, then looked up at me, tears coursing down her cheeks. “I love you,” she whispered.
I drew my lips into my mouth. I had no response, which made me feel like a jackoff. Most wanted the words returned. I loved her as I would my best mate. I will admit she was a pleasure to look at and her personality was lovely, but I needed to get home to my Elaina.
I stepped back, holding her shoulders. “It was you who saved me. Always remember that.”
“Thank you.”
I leaned down and brushed a soft kiss over her cheek.
The cabbie pulled up and hopped out to grab my small suitcase.
The day before, Michelle and I had gone shopping to pick up a few outfits in my smaller size, then we hung out at the café, eating sweets and drinking coffee until the sun set.
I needed to fix my size issue soon. Plans of healthy meals in multiples of two swirled in my brain, along with a strict workout regimen that should help me get my body back.
I felt so bloody scrawny, which was a confidence buster. I admit, I enjoyed the attention when I was in good shape, even if it was just a quick once-over with a cheeky smile.
I thanked the cabbie for his help and turned to face Michelle once more. “I’ll see you again sometime.”
“Bye, Luke.” She forced a smile.
I got into the cab at the same time the driver did. Sighing, I rubbed my hand over my head.
“Leaving your lady friend behind?”
“You can say that.”
“Where to?”
“Heathrow.”
“All right.” He put the car in gear and drove off.
I gazed back for one more glimpse. Michelle gave a slight wave before heading back to the entrance.
Walking back inside, Michelle wiped away the tears on her cheeks. She would miss Luke terribly, and wasn’t quite comfortable with the idea of going to visit him in New York. The biggest reason? She didn’t think she could handle watching him with his wife.
She pressed the call button for the elevator. Just as the door opened, Erik came out of Roger’s office. “Hey. Meeting in the conference room,” he said as he walked past, a slight stagger in his step. Exhaling a loud breath, she followed behind him. “Take a seat,” he said, doing the same. He pulled a folder from inside his coat and set it on the table.
“What’s going on?” she asked precariously.
“One minute.” Erik pulled his phone from inside his jacket and sent out a mass text. Once finished, he set the phone on the table and leaned back in the chair.
“Are we bringing in another?”
“No. Not now. Maybe at a later date.”
One by one, the team walked in and took seats, all pulling out their phones, setting them on the table as they turned to face Erik.
“Okay… Luke just left. As of now, I’m dismissing you from your positions, with the exception of Dr. Barter. I need everyone’s phone. I will be incinerating them later today.” He tapped the table in front of him. Silently, everybody slid their phones down the table to Erik.
“So we have to leave today?” Michelle asked.
“Yes.”
“But…I don’t have a place to live,” she said.
“I have arranged a fully furnished flat for you close to your work, the Hospital of Tropical Diseases. PJ will go back to his home in London. Tess and Joseph…back to Mummy and Daddy’s.” Michelle stole a glance at Tess, seeing her roll her eyes. “Dr. Barter will stay here to help me sort through some documentation. We will make a determination as to whether to bring in another to cure. If we decide to do so, I will be in touch.”
“How? You took our phones,” Michelle said.
“I have my ways.” He grinned. “And I know where everyone will be living. So there’s that…”
“Well, okay then,” she muttered.
“PJ, I want you to stay in touch with Luke. There will be a long adjustment period for him.”
“You’ll need to give me his information then.”
“I will send an email later today.”
“Perfect.” PJ stood. “Are we finished?”
“Unless any of you have questions?” He glanced at everyone at the table. Getting no response, he bowed his head. “Thank you for all you have done. I appreciate your professionalism. Everyone here was an integral part in curing Luke.”
A mumbling of “You’re welcome” ran through the room.
Erik smiled and stood, weaving on his feet. “You all are dismissed. Michelle, please stay put for a moment so I can give you your housing information.”
When everyone else left the room, Michelle approached Erik. She reached out and grabbed his arm, stabilizing him as he sat back in the chair. She watched him reach into his coat pocket for a hanky and pat the sweat from his forehead.
“What’s going on with you?” she asked, brows furrowed in concern.
“I’ll be fine.”
“You look bad, Erik.”
He nodded. “I realize that, but it will be fine.” He grabbed a folder from the table and pulled out a printout of Michelle’s new flat. “The rent was lowered for the first year to help you out.”
“Thank you,” she said, taking the printout.
“Michelle, I just want to thank you again for taking such great care of our patient. Your tremendous efforts are what kept him alive. If you ever need anything, please don’t hesitate to contact me.” He tapped the printout. “I added my email address at the bottom.”
“Thank you, Erik.” She smiled before leaving the conference room.
Chapter 49
-Gamebridge, New York-
Life had been hectic in the household. Between Jeb and Will moving in and Nicky’s and Charlotte’s needs, there wasn’t much time to breathe.
Will found the chaos enjoyable. He finally had a family to call his own, never thinking he’d have such luxury. He loved the warm, loving atmosphere.
The constant pattering of Nicky’s footsteps.
The small smiles and coos Charlotte had started making.
The low chatter between Jeb and Anne.
The quiet humming from Elaina as she cared for her daughter.
He rolled onto his side and watched Elaina nurse the baby. “You’re a good mommy.”
“And you’re a good daddy.”
“I hope so. I never know if what I’m doing is right.”
“You’re doing great.”
He pulled himself up and gave her a quick kiss on the lips. “Mmm… Save this kiss for later tonight…after the kids are in bed.”
“Sounds good to me.”
“Perfect. As for now, I have to be a responsible father and get ready for work,” he said with a groan.
He stood and headed to the door, pausing before turning around. Smiling at Elaina once more, he couldn’t wait to start a new chapter in their lives.
“I have tomorrow and Saturday off. Keep your schedule open.”
“Well, damn. I guess I’ll have to cancel my trip to the Bahamas,” she joked.
Laughing, he headed out the door.
I had been in New York for about week, holing up in the hotel, but couldn’t find the bollocks to knock on Elaina’s door. I struggled with the idea that if I interrupted her life once more, how would she perceive my motive?
I did have one, to get her back, but I also f
elt like I needed to start a new chapter in my life. In a way, I feared seeing her. I loved her so much for so long, but with this new mental stability, what if I didn’t feel the same?
As I took a seat on the patio at the diner, I realized it was the first time I had ventured out of the hotel, only doing so because I was tired of the shitty hotel food. Not to mention I needed to stop feeling sorry for myself.
Looking and listening, the area was familiar, but foreign. It was as if I were a passerby peering into a world I was no longer accustomed to. It wasn’t as comforting as I thought it would be. In fact, it was downright daunting.
The sounds, the people, the air… It all struck me as something I wasn’t so sure I needed anymore, forcing me to wonder if, with all the changes I had gone through over the past year, this new person was my authentic self.
Even though I had buried him ages ago, Luke Aaron Richards rose from the pits of hell, and Liam Henry Daniels had left on permanent hiatus.
Dead.
Nail in the fucking coffin.
No longer a machine driven by a sickness and need.
No longer a pawn in a never-ending game.
The madness was gone. I, Luke Richards, reigned over my mind, which was full of harrowing memories, my scarred body, and my darkened soul.
Ultimately, all these changes made me think the unthinkable.
I didn’t know if I loved Elaina anymore.
Henry had unyielding love for her, living for her. I needed to get to know Luke before I could dive back into a relationship, following old patterns, hurting people.
Now that Erik wiped the slate clean for me, I had a chance to prove myself as a healthy, stable man. Setting aside my memories, my mind flourished with a feeling of calmness. The idea of discovering who I was truly filled me with joy, but did I have the fortitude to face Henry’s past?
Too many questions, not enough answers to carry me into this next phase of my life.
I wanted to see Elaina, talk to her, explain what happened. Tell her it was all on me, not because of her.
At the time I left, I was mentally fucked. I was now able to make decisions based on thought, not just emotion. I needed to face her, see if the love for her was real or just something Henry clung to as his only hope at stability.
Did I really even need a significant other to feel whole? I wasn’t sure, but I needed to figure it out at some point.
Frustrated, thinking about how to approach Elaina, I drank my second cup of coffee while eating a breakfast sandwich.
I couldn’t decide if I wanted to just be bold and knock on her door, call her, or accidentally on purpose run into her. All of which felt wrong. Everything surrounding me felt wrong, making me think I didn’t belong there.
Then, with all the luck in the world, there she was, Nicky’s hand clasped in hers, maneuvering her way through the seating. She came so close to me, my nose picked up her glorious vanilla aroma. I stared at them, desperately wanting to cuddle my son, but I couldn’t.
Self-control was no longer an issue. I refused to be reactive anymore.
As I watched her pick a table with four seats, I enjoyed the freedom of movement she displayed. She seemed completely happy-go-lucky as she bantered with my lad, who was as handsome as a son of hers could be. From twenty feet away, I could see his striking blue eyes, the Cooper trademark black hair wispy on his forehead. Elaina sat, putting Nicky on her lap, talking and chattering with him as if he were a grown man. It made my heart skip with happiness.
Of course, I took a moment to check her out. After all, I was a man who had been denied the exhilarating act of sex for about a year, albeit by my choice.
I licked my lips as I stared at her, remembering her taste on my tongue, the feel of her body writhing under mine, her eyes staring up at me, desperate to please as she knelt on the floor in front of me.
She was a fox. Perfect as always, her hair cut differently, the sweeping bangs looking brilliant on her. I craned my neck to get a peek at her amazing ass. The memory of our last night together trickled through my mind.
A familiar man weaving his way through the tables interrupted my thoughts. “What the fuck?” I whispered, sitting forward.
Will Jarvis, the knob who threw a sucker-punch at me, walked right up to her table, a baby carrier in his hand. He settled in a chair across from Elaina. The rush of emotion and possessiveness surprised me, seeing as I did my best to stay calm, cool, and collected. However, racing adrenaline made me feel territorial in a pit bull sort of way.
Shaking my thoughts away, I settled back, sipping my coffee, observing their interaction. They talked and smiled. She leaned forward, pressing a quick kiss to his lips. She looked so…content. Even Nicky enjoyed himself.
When the baby fussed, Will pulled the little bitty, decked out in pink and ruffles, from the seat and passed her over to Elaina, who tossed a blanket over her shoulder, just as she would when she fed Nicky. Will picked up my lad, returning to the chair, holding him in his lap.
I can’t believe she had a baby with that cunt, I thought, working to reel back the fierce anger rolling through my body.
But whom was I angry with? Elaina? Will?
Nope.
Henry.
That motherfucker did all of that bullshit. It all laid heavy on Henry’s shoulders, not mine. Although I needed to keep reminding myself of that fact because watching them disturbed my efforts to remain peaceful.
I stole another glance. I had never seen her smile so brightly. The whole time Henry was with her, he had held her back from true happiness.
Witnessing it now, I noticed my heart didn’t flutter, no buzz of excitement in my body. Instead, relief swept over me. I knew what I had to do.
“Would you like another cup of coffee?”
I looked up at the waitress. “No. Thanks.” I dug into my pocket, pulled out a twenty, and handed it to the woman. “Keep the change.” She thanked me and walked away, taking my mug and plate.
It was time to get the fuck out of there and start over fresh. The chaotic world Henry had built in New York was not mine. I didn’t want to face the whispers or the stares brought on by a sick man.
I stood, realizing the only way out was past Elaina’s table. I had no choice. I stormed past her, glancing back one last time. One last peek at them before I walked away for good.
Our gazes connected. Her brow furrowed, then she cocked her head, lips parted.
I turned and headed back down the street toward the hotel. Sadness welled, the emotions rising in my throat. Letting go and setting them free was what was best for them…and me.
“What’s up, babe?” Will asked, trying to see what she was looking at.
Elaina turned back to him, pointing over her shoulder. “That… That guy… You’re going to think I’m crazy, but he looked like Henry.” She spun back around to get another look, but he was gone.
“You know what they say. Everyone has a twin.”
“But…” She trailed off, looking over her shoulder once more.
“Babe, it wasn’t him. He’s gone. To be blunt, he’s on the mantel. You’re just thinking about him. Maybe you’re projecting your thoughts because you miss him.”
“You’re probably right. He was way too thin anyway.” Elaina sighed and faced Will again, her lips pursed. “I’m sorry.”
He smiled, reaching out and taking her hand. “It’s okay. Honestly, I don’t mind.”
“I’m ruining the day you planned for us,” she mumbled, adjusting her clothing before removing the blanket from her shoulder. She gazed down at her little girl, enjoying how she slept so blissfully, unaware of the world surrounding her.
“You’re not. Babe, I get it. He will forever be in your heart and there will be times you will miss him.” He leaned forward, a smile tugging at his lips. “I’m going to take care of you. I think it’s time for you and me to take this to a whole new level.”
“Take what to a whole new level?”
“I was going to wait
until our last stop, but…” Will stood, setting Nicky in the chair. He dug into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small box. Elaina gasped as he dropped to one knee. Forgetting the planned speech, he started to ramble. “Elaina, I love you. Every bit of you. And the kids… They are just as close to my heart. Please, do me the honor and be my wife.”
Tears running from her eyes, she was unable to speak. She nodded and covered her mouth with the back of her right hand, trying to keep the sobs inside.
With a smile, his hands shaking, Will slipped the ring on her finger and stood, pulling her up with him. With Charlotte still in one arm, she wrapped the other around him.
“I love you so much,” he whispered into her ear, embracing her tightly. Nicky leapt from the chair and ran over, hugging their legs.
“Hug!” he yelled, making them laugh.
Will reached down to pick him up. “You three are my world. I couldn’t imagine not having all of this.”
“I love you, too. Thank you.” She pulled back. “You have been so amazing to us. So patient and kind. Understanding our needs and emotions.”
“For the most part.” He smiled. “I’ve grown a lot as a man since we started dating. Come on. Let’s have some coffee and a late breakfast.” He brushed his lips across hers once more before helping her back into her seat.
Chapter 50
-East End of London-
Dr. Barter walked through the lab, carrying a small bin full of medications he would need to start treating Erik. He thumbed the print reader and headed into the foyer.
Peeking through the observation window, he checked to see if Erik was up or still asleep. He hadn’t heard from him since the morning before, figuring he needed some time to acclimate to the chamber.
He pressed his finger to the reader next to the decontamination stall. Once the door unlocked, he walked inside, a pungent odor filling his nostrils.
“Erik?” he said, approaching the bed, holding his hand over his nose and mouth. “Shit…”
There was a note next to the cell phone on the nightstand, the font nothing more than chicken scratch. He set the medication down and picked up the note.
Full Circle (Shattered Lives, Book Five) Page 36