35. Sian
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
SIAN
R ick takes me back to the estate and promises I’m safe and Daniel can no longer hurt me. I have nothing else to worry about, but I can’t help but feel anxious. I want to know where Tate is and what he’s doing. I want to know what he’s going to do with Daniel now that he’s captured him, or if he’s still alive.
Despite everything, I fall asleep when Imogen comes to give me something to relax me. I sleep for a solid twenty-four hours. I no longer have nightmares of Daniel. Instead, I dream of Tate. The look in his eyes when Daniel brought me upstairs from the wine cellar. There was relief and then anger at what had been done to me.
When I wake up, I still feel a dull throb at the back of my head from where it connected with Daniel’s nose. But this is nothing compared to the pain in my back and ass cheeks from where Daniel whipped me. My face is sore, along with my arms and legs, which are both black and blue. A reminder of what that monster did to me.
I spend the day in bed, in and out of sleep, dreaming of Tate. When I’m awake, I look at the door, hoping to see Tate standing there, watching over me like he has the entire time I’ve known him. It worries me that I haven’t seen him. What if something bad happened to him when I was removed from his arms and Rick brought me here? I’m worried he’s been hurt as well. I need answers, so I wait for someone to come check on me, which doesn’t take long.
There’s a tiny knock and Imogen enters. “Hey. I just came by to check on you,” she says, walking over to me.
“Is Tate okay?” I ask her while she checks my vitals.
“Yes. I’m sure he’ll come see you as soon as he can,” she says, but she doesn’t meet my eyes. She’s hiding something.
“What are you not telling me?” I ask her, crossing my arms so she has to stop what she’s doing.
Imogen smiles. “Nothing. He was here yesterday.”
“So, he really is fine?” I ask, searching her eyes for anything sign she’s lying.
This time, she meets my gaze. “He’s fine.”
I nod and let her continue.
On the third day, Rick comes to see me. I smile when I see him.
“Thank you for saving me. I didn’t get to say it the other day. Where’s Tate?” I ask.
“He’s busy. Lots to do to clean up what happened.” He smiles at me softly. “And it’s our pleasure. I promised you we’d keep you safe. I’m sorry it took us so long to get to you.”
“You didn’t take that long,” I say. “Although, a second is too long with Daniel.” I try to sit up in the bed, wincing as the pain in my back starts up. Every time I move, the skin stretches, and the pain shoots through me. Imogen changed the dressing on it not long ago. She said the skin is still broken and will take the longest to heal out of all my injuries.
Rick is by my side in seconds and helps me with the pillows, being as gentle as his strong hands can. “I can imagine.” Rick offers a soft smile. “Tate said you broke his nose like a champ. Good for you. Maybe you didn’t need us at all.”
“That’s sweet, but I definitely needed both of you. He would have killed me if you hadn’t showed up when you did.” I fidget with my gown and then look up at him. “Can I see Rowan?” I haven’t seen my best friend in a long time, and I know she’ll be worried about me.
“First, we need to get your story straight. Then Rowan can come and visit you. I’ve been in touch with her. Tate’s orders, but I haven’t told her you’re here, or how bad it is.” He sits on the edge of my bed. “She can’t know about Tate’s involvement. She can’t know what Tate and I do, or what we’re involved in. You can’t mention the car accident or anything like that.”
I nod, understanding why and accepting it for what it is.
“I’ll tell her Daniel did this before disappearing.” I say it confidently. I don’t want to lie to my best friend, but I don’t want to drag her into this world. “She’ll need some convincing, but I’ll do my best.”
Rick nods. “Okay. I’ll get word to her that you’re here. She’ll probably be here a little later.” He stands. “You should be clear to go home in a few days. It’s over now. Tate told me we can trust your word that you won’t say anything, so there’s no need for you to stay at the estate anymore. You’ll be free to go.”
“Thank you, Rick. For everything. Please thank Tate for me,” I say.
Rick nods and leaves.
True to his words, Rowan is at my bedside a few hours later. She fusses over me, swearing about Daniel. “You should go to the cops.”
“He won’t bother me again.” I smile at her. “I’m sure of it.”
“Did you cut his dick off?” Rowan asks.
“Something like that,” I tease, resting back. “It’s good to see you.”
She takes my hand. “I’m sorry for being a shit friend. I haven’t spoken to you since the party because I was dealing with something, which seems silly considering what you’ve been through.”
“What is it? You can talk to me.” I stroke her thumb with my finger.
“Don’t worry about me. Right now, we need to focus on you.” She brushes me off. When I’ve got more energy, I’ll ask her what’s been bothering her.
“So, Daniel... he really won’t be bothering you again?” She narrows her brow.
“Yes. Daniel won’t be showing his face any time soon. We can go back to our normal lives now.” I sigh happily.
Rowan fidgets with her pants. “Is Tate the one who sorted it?”
“Rowan,” I say with a warning tone. “Just let it be.”
“He’s clearly dangerous. Do you really want to jump from the frying pan into the fire?”
“Tate is safe,” I say. “I promise. I just want to go back to my normal, boring life now.”
The thought of going back to my old life seems weird after being a part of Tate’s world. He isn’t a bad person. He’s got a kind heart, and I know he cares about me. I saw it in his eyes. In the way he protected me and the way he made sure I was okay first before he dealt with Daniel. I remember how he got me to Rick, made sure I was taken away before he did anything further. I’m grateful for that. He may not want me in his world, but I do believe there’s something there.
He’s also hurt. He needs to heal just as much as I do. I feel much better knowing Daniel isn’t going to be around anymore, but I still feel traumatized.
Rowan stayed with me for most of the day and came to visit me every day after that. I let her know I’ll be home soon, and after reassuring her numerous times that I was fine and she didn’t have to take off work, she finally said she’d see me at the weekend.
Imogen comes over, giving me the all-clear speech. “Rick has a car waiting for you.”
I smile softly. “Thank you. I’ll see you soon.”
“Hopefully not too soon,” Imogen says before giving me a hug.
Mary appears as Imogen exits. “I’ll help you to the car. I’m going to miss you.” She rubs my arm affectionately.
“I’ll miss you too. In fact, I’ll miss everyone and this place. You’ve all been so good to me.” I try not to get emotional as I grab my stuff that Mary insists she carry, and with a little struggle, I head out front. I’m upset that I don’t see Tate, and I’m not going to lie and say it doesn’t hurt.
Clint gets out of the car and opens the back door. “Mr. Matthews wants me to make sure you get home safely. He’s had the locks changed and everything deep cleaned.”
“That’s very thoughtful,” I say and then sigh. “But I’m not going anywhere until I see him.”
Clint looks at me curiously. “Mr. Matthews...”
“I know what Tate wants, but after everything I’ve been through, I need to speak to him. Please.” I look at him with big eyes.
He sighs. “You’d better not get me in trouble,” he mutters, shutting the car door and heading towards me. Mary gives me a wink as she drops my bags by the door and disappears.
“Just give me a second.” Clint takes out his phone and calls who I can only presume is Rick. They have a short conversation, but I don’t really pay attention.
Is Tate even here?
Has he taken Daniel somewhere far away from here?
He slips his phone back into his pocket.
“Do you know where Tate is?”
“He’s waiting for you in his office,” Clint says.
I nod and head inside without looking back. I go upstairs to Tate’s office and stand outside it, taking a deep breath and knocking on the door.
“Come in,” I hear Tate say.
I open the door and walk in. “Hey.”
“Hey,” Tate says, standing behind his desk. “It’s good to see you up and about.”
“Imogen took good care of me, thanks to you.”
Tate gives me a small smirk. “I promised I’d take care of you.”
“And you did... but what happens now?” I ask.
“What do you mean? You’re free to go home now and live your life.”
“Just like that? What am I meant to do?”
“Never speak about this,” Tate says. “It’s over, and you never have to worry about Daniel again. You’re free.”
“I can never thank you enough.”
“Well,” he says with a grin. He takes a suit jacket from a hook behind him and brings it to me. “You still need to dry clean the suit you ruined.”
I blush. The suit that brought us together.
“Once you’re done, you can call me on this number.” He hands me a card. “I’ll personally collect it.”
I smile. He wants to see me again. It feels like he’s asking me out on a proper date, like we can start fresh.
We stand there for a moment, and I turn to leave before I pause. “Tate, can I ask you something?”
“Anything,” he says, taking a step forward.
I turn to face him fully. “What did you do with Daniel’s body?”
Tate looks at me hesitantly. There’s something new in his eyes when I mention Daniel’s name. I stare at him and then step towards him. Tate nods and takes a deep breath. “I haven’t killed him yet.”