Chapter 4
The awful texture of the hospital gown is spiking my blood pressure, but my heart is also racing over the fact that Sloan is so fiercely by my side. It’s no wonder she went after my dad. She’s in full-blown fearsome mother mode, and it’s making it really hard for me to focus on anything but her.
But after my family steps out into the waiting room for the police to come in to take statements, I learn the full scope of everything that happened and my hospital gown is the last thing on my mind.
Sloan and I walked into my house in the middle of a burglary.
It was likely the same burglars who hit Hobo’s house, but we must have caught them early.
As far as the police could tell, there was only some minor vandalising that was noted.
They are working with my security company to recover the CCTV footage which will hopefully provide some clue as to how they got in without setting off the alarm.
Whoever it was, one of them must have had somewhat of a conscience because they used my mobile to call an ambulance before they fled the scene. When the first responders showed up, Sloan had just come to, but I remained unconscious all the way to the hospital.
Sloan’s eyes are red and downcast as she describes what she recalls to the female officer sitting beside her.
“I woke up on the floor in the entryway and was covered in blood. It took me a minute to realise it wasn’t my blood but Gareth’s.
His phone was laying right next to him, and it started ringing so I answered it.
It was the 999 dispatcher. She said someone had called from his phone and the ambulance was close. ”
My muscles tense as I imagine how horrific that must have been for her to see me like that.
Luckily, her friend Freya brought her some clothes, so she’s no longer covered in my blood.
It’s clear she is shaken to the core, and I hate that I put her through all of this.
I wish I could remember exactly what the fuck happened. Everything is fuzzy.
Throughout the questioning, we learn that there was no sign of forced entry, so whoever got into the house either had the code or they were agile enough to scale the large security fence. Because of that, my staff members who have access to my home will need to be questioned.
“Did you see or hear anything unusual when you opened the door?” the male officer standing beside my bed asks.
I shake my head. “I don’t remember anything after getting out of the limo.”
“Ms. Montgomery?” The man looks at Sloan. “It seems your injuries were less severe. What do you recall?”
Sloan stares at me with nervous eyes. Eyes that I want to soothe and kiss and take all this ugly pain away from, but I can’t.
She clears her throat and replies, “I heard men’s voices, but I don’t know what they said. It all happened so quickly.”
“Have a think and try again,” the officer says, crossing his arms over his chest like he’s interrogating her. “You got out of the limo, walked up the steps, went inside, and…”
Sloan’s face tightens with horror as she recalls the blow to her face. The blow that apparently knocked her unconscious.
“I don’t know,” she croaks, her eyes welling with tears.
“Come now, it’s right there,” the officer says and my blood pressure instantly spikes.
“She told you she doesn’t know,” I snap, my voice deep and gruff, pushing the dull headache I have in my skull to a full-on migraine. “I think it’s time for you to leave.”
The officer slides his beady eyes to me. “Mr. Harris, please understand, your memory will never be better than it is right now. The more we know now, the more we can do to catch whoever did this.”
“I understand that, but we’re not recalling anything. And I don’t like how you’re speaking to her.”
“Gareth, it’s fine,” Sloan murmurs softly.
“It’s not,” I retort dismissively. “She’s not the criminal here. She’s the victim. Fucking treat her as such.”
The female officer places a reassuring hand on Sloan’s shoulder. “You’re right. We have enough information for tonight. We have your mobile numbers and you have our cards. Just call us if anything else comes to mind.”
The male officer doesn’t look pleased but begins to follow the female out. He pauses in the doorway and turns back to add, “Your home is currently a crime scene, and it will take us a day to clear. You’ll need to find other accommodations until then.”
“Very well,” I reply through a clenched jaw. This prat is an obnoxious sod on a fucking ego trip. I need him to disappear.
As soon as the officer is out of sight, I exhale and realise how tense my body was the entire time they were in the room.
“Gareth, your pulse is racing,” Sloan says, rubbing my shoulder.
“Fucking wanker,” I mumble and attempt to relax my jaw.
“He’s just doing his job,” Sloan states softly.
“Sloan, that guy was pushing you way too fucking hard. You’ve just been attacked for Christ’s sake.
” I turn my eyes to her sitting in the chair beside my bed.
She’s wearing jeans and a T-shirt, her messy hair scraped back into a low ponytail.
The circles under her eyes are shadowy alongside the faint bruise darkening above her cheekbone.
Anyone can see that she’s been through a trauma.
“He should have directed everything at me. It’s my bloody fault we’re here. ”
“What are you talking about?” she gasps, her golden eyes red-rimmed and glossy.
I ball my hands up into fists and stare straight ahead. “I should have been paying attention. I should have noticed something was amiss. I was so up my own arse, I wasn’t thinking straight. It’s my fault we’re here.”
“Well, I think some of that distraction was my fault, too,” she retorts with a huff.
“No, it wasn’t,” I state firmly, looking at her again.
“Don’t push me on this, Sloan. I’m fucking sick over what could have happened to you tonight.
I can’t imagine if—” My voice cuts off. I clear my throat and push through the last part of my sentence that is almost too difficult to utter. “You have a child.”
Sloan’s eyes fill with tears that quickly fall down her cheeks. “I know that.”
“She needs her mother,” I state to the universe just as much as to Sloan. Sophia is near the age I was when I lost my own mother, and that realisation isn’t lost on me.
Sloan sniffs loudly, then licks her lips as she grabs hold of my fisted hand. She pulls it to her mouth and drops a kiss on my knuckles. “I know that, Gareth. And I’m fine. Look at me. I’m right here and I’m okay.”
I shake my head in disgust. “Where is Sophia?”
Sloan swallows and her chin begins to wobble. “She’s at Callum’s. She has no clue what’s happened, and I’m going to keep it that way if I can.”
I nod woodenly, knowing that’s for the best. “My agent will keep this under the radar,” I reply, dropping my head back on my pillow. “This is a private hospital, so stuff doesn’t get leaked like it does elsewhere. He’ll take care of it, and I’ll do everything I can to keep you out of the papers.”
Sloan runs her hand down my arm in a soothing manner. “Stop worrying about me, Gareth. Whatever happens, happens. I’m just grateful we’re both okay.”
I take a big breath just as my dad walks back into the room with my brothers and Vi. They are deep in conversation when I interrupt them to say, “The police said I can’t return home until they’ve cleared the crime scene, so can one of you book me a hotel room?”
Vi nods and pulls her mobile out of her handbag. “I’m on it.”
“Then you guys should all go home. They are going to run some tests on me anyway. No sense in everyone sitting around here all night.”
Vi’s tired eyes look at me sharply. “Gareth, I’m not leaving you. I’ll book a room for myself as well.”
Sloan’s voice interrupts Vi’s dialing when she says, “Or you can stay at my house.”
I turn my eyes to her and feel an intense pressure in my chest that has nothing to do with my injuries and everything to do with Sloan.
She blushes from everyone’s attention on her and adds, “There’s room for whomever wants to stay. Of course, I understand if you’re more comfortable at a hotel.”
My dad begins voicing excuses for why a hotel would be better, but I cut him off and reply to Sloan, “I’ll stay with you.”
The corners of her mouth lift into a wobbly smile as she avoids eye contact with me.
She’s nervous. The truth is, so am I. Sloan is opening up her home to me.
Her life. Hell, maybe even her child? Am I ready for this?
I bloody well better be. I told her I want more.
No more boundaries. No more secrets. I may be injured, but my feelings for Sloan are still as strong as they’ve always been. Maybe even stronger after all of this.
If she’s going to offer me this olive branch, I’m going to take it and more.