Chapter 15
Scarlett
Graham’s face had worry lines etched on it, and he insisted that I return home to rest. Exhaustion seeped into my bones as I tried to push through it all, but memories of Maddy flooded my mind during any moment of respite. The burden of sadness sat heavily on my chest, pressing like relentless waves crashing against a shore. At every turn, they would hit and nearly knock the wind out of me.
Rory and Stewart insisted that they escort me home in the sedan. April stayed behind to assist Graham and Georgia in tying up loose ends and completing tasks that needed to be finished today.
The ride home was silent, the bustling city streets becoming a blur as we sped past. Each building and streetlight blended into one another, a chaotic array of colors and shapes in our peripheral vision. Rory and Stewart sat on the edge of their seats, constantly shifting their gazes between the surrounding alleys and the road ahead. They were like vigilant guardians, scanning for any potential dangers lurking in the shadows.
I found it difficult to believe the amount of effort they had put into this just for my sake. I’m a big nobody. As much as I didn’t want to believe it, I couldn't shake the feeling that there were things they were keeping from me, secrets lying just beneath the surface. It seemed impossible that little ole me could be the reason for all of this commotion. After all, they already had DNA evidence on the perpetrator; my survival shouldn't have made a difference. The truth must lie elsewhere, hidden in the shadows of their hushed conversations and determined expressions.
I shrugged off the icky feeling as we pulled into the garage and the engine died down to expose the silence left behind. Stewart hopped out of the passenger seat as soon as the garage door closed to open the door for me. Before he could help me exit, though, Brody’s hand flew into the opening to grasp my hand, lifting me to my feet. As I emerged, the silhouette of Sensei stood in the doorway, his figure outlined by the warm light streaming into the garage from behind him. I could feel a sense of relief and gratitude wash over me in his presence, like a lifeline holding me above water in a stormy sea. His steady gaze and reassuring nod gave me strength.
With a sense of relief, I divested myself of the weight of my purse and briefcase, setting them down gently on a small wooden bench in the main foyer. My jacket, wrinkled from a day's wear, found a temporary home hung on a hook by the door. As I took in the familiar sights and smells, I felt a smile begin to form inside me, thinking about how natural it felt coming home. Home…
Drake poured glasses of a deep, ruby red wine, and we gathered in the cozy living room to visit. I sank into the plush couch, feeling exhausted from the long day but, although everyone else seemed eager to catch up and chat, I wasn’t in the mood to visit. Deep down, all I wanted was to soak in a hot bath and fall into bed.
A tired yawn escaped my lips as I looked at them. “Do you guys mind if I just go take a hot bath and call it a night?” I couldn't help but feel guilty, worried that they might be disappointed.
“Don’t you want to eat?” Sensei asked.
My shoulders slumped as I let out a heavy sigh, exhaustion evident in my voice, but I didn’t want to be demanding. Raising the wineglass to my lips, I took a long sip and savored the deep, rich flavors dancing on my tongue. The weight of the day bore down on me, leaving me feeling drained and depleted. I still hadn’t fully processed what happened to Maddy and felt overwhelmed.
"I don't know," I finally managed to say, my voice sounding tired and defeated. "I'm just wiped out."
“I can imagine,” Drake said, rising from his seat. With a gentle hand, he poured more wine into my glass, the deep red liquid swirling gently in the crystal stemware, drawing my attention. It was red, like blood, Maddy’s blood. As he placed the bottle back onto the table, he spoke again, and it jolted me to look away from the glass. “You relax and enjoy your wine. I’ll run a hot bath for you. Sensei has a simple casserole in the oven. How about we bring it in after your bath? Once you get settled into bed, when you’re done. Okay?” His calm words and gentle demeanor put me at ease.
“You’re all too good to me,” I said, trying to smile.
The thought of being alone filled me with unease. Too much time spent in my own head would inevitably lead to a downward spiral.
As I finished the last sip of my wine, I stood up to retreat to my room. They all sprang up from their seats in a flurry of motion, eager to help me. I almost laughed. Their collective movement brought a comical image to mind, resembling a chaotic scene from the old Keystone Cops films.
As I stepped into the room, a wave of soothing lavender scent enveloped me. Drake had meticulously placed candles on every surface - the sink counter, the edge of the oversized jacuzzi tub, and even the windowsill. The flickering flames danced and cast a warm glow throughout the room. The tub's jets were roaring at full blast, sending cascades of bubbles and ripples across the water's surface. The atmosphere was calm and inviting, like a peaceful oasis in the midst of chaos.
I stripped out of my clothes, dropping them on the floor by the door. Tying my hair up on top of my head, I looked at my naked body in the full-length mirror. Carefully I peeled away the bandages, exposing the tightly stitched wounds that still throbbed. Eyeing the new bites in comparison to the old scars, sudden fear gripped me and I turned away.
I stretched my legs out in the tub, feeling the water lapping against my calves and ankles, then against my knees. The water was the perfect temperature, not so hot to burn but warm enough to soothe. A sigh of relief escaped my lips as I closed my eyes, taking in the scent of lavender that filled the air. It was calming and warm, radiating a sense of safety and comfort, as if nothing could harm me. I settled into the bath and a wave of warmth washed over me. It enveloped me like a hug, melting away the tension and exhaustion from my body. The swirling water danced around me, gently caressing my skin. My eyes fluttered closed, and I took a deep breath, trying to push away the thoughts of Maddy. The weight of her loss seemed too much to bear, pressing down on me like an invisible force. Yet her memory remained etched in my heart.
Tears flowed freely down my cheeks, unhampered by any attempts to maintain a strong appearance. I couldn't bring myself to believe that she was truly gone. The pulsing jets of the hot tub tried their best to soothe the aches and pains in my body, but my emotions continued to crash against my mind in waves - one moment consumed by fiery anger, the next engulfed in overwhelming sorrow. Both emotions waged a fierce battle within me, tearing at my heart and leaving me feeling raw and exposed.
When there was no energy left within me, I climbed from the tub and dressed for bed. The silky camisole nighty did little to cover my peaked nipples as I climbed into the large four poster bed. The warmth of the bed welcomed me to lean back into the feather pillows. The sounds of soft whispers filled the room as both Brody and Drake peered around the edge of the doorway. The scent of the warm food wafted through the air, making my stomach growl. Brody rested the tray across my lap, steam rising from the ceramic bowl filled with a savory smelling casserole.
Drake’s eyes moved toward my breasts, noting the soft peaks in the cami as he leaned down, softly kissing me, the warmth and fullness of his lips pressing against mine in a brief moment of comfort, while Brody sat on the edge of the bed, his hand on my thigh, warming me on the inside.
“Let us know if you need anything,” he whispered softly, then he stepped out of the room.
Brody’s kiss was warm but hard, pressing me into the pillow before he stood abruptly and spun on his heel to leave. At the door, he looked back at me, a pained look on his face, saying, “I’ll be back shortly to take your tray. Relax, Bella, we’ll take care of everything.”
The casserole was delicious; warm and comforting, in stark contrast to my emotions. It soothed my insides, each bite a burst of flavors. Melted cheese over pasta with a tomato base mixed beautifully with herbs and vegetables. Sensei really was an excellent cook. I’d have to make sure he knew how much I’d enjoyed it.
As I finished, my eyelids grew heavy and exhaustion took over once more. My body ached from the day's events, but not nearly as much as my heart did from losing Maddy. Before I could descend into another round of guilt and sorrow, Brody entered to take my tray, carrying a cup of herbal tea. He placed it on the table and lifted the tray from my lap, handing it off to Drake, who was not far behind him.
“How about you sleep?” His voice was soft as he caressed my cheek.
“Can you stay with me for a while? Just till I go to sleep?” I asked, my voice cracking. “I thought I wanted to be alone, but I don’t.”
A tear rolled down my cheek and his meaty finger softly wiped it away. “Of course.”
He propped up beside me, and Drake kissed my head as I laid it on Brody’s chest. “I’ll come in later. We won’t leave you alone, Cheri.”
Brody pulled me close and wrapped his strong arm around my shoulders. I nestled into his comforting warmth, resting my head against his muscular chest. The sound of his heartbeat soothed me as I closed my eyes. My mind drifted into a restless sleep, plagued with unsettling dreams that left me tossing and turning throughout the night.