Chapter 4
Ifelt like I was underwater before I took a deep breath. I had the urge to yawn then realized just how dry my mouth was. The dull ache covering most of my body reminded me that something was terribly wrong, but I couldn’t remember what happened.
When I finally opened my tired eyes, memories of my distressed call came flooding back. My hands shot to my stomach. The pain in my head made me dizzy. I looked around the room, panicked, before my eyes landed on my savior.
Kannon sat with his back against the door and his eyes boring through me like laser beams. He looked pissed, and I wasn’t completely sure that some of that anger wasn’t directed toward me. Kannon had every right to be mad. I’d ghosted him.
He vowed to protect me from the very people who’d landed me in what I now realized was a hospital. The lack of cameras flashing made me wonder what kind of strings he had pulled getting me here. I didn’t know what to say first, so I went with the most obvious thing.
“You came.” My voice cracked when I finally spoke.
“You used your safe word,” he stated flatly.
“Still, I wasn’t sure if you would come.”
“I told you I would.”
“Thank you,” I mumbled, dropping my eyes to the crumpled sheets covering me.
“They said you were trying to hurt yourself. I don’t know what you were thinking, but I’m glad you called.”
“Wow.”
“I won’t claim to understand. I can only imagine what you’re going through, Carteay. That’s why I’m going to get you out of that deal.”
“Kannon, I didn’t try to hurt myself. I wouldn’t do that to my family.” He ran his hand across his chin, leaving it over his mouth as he stared past me. I watched his chest rise and fall for a minute before I spoke again. “Kannon, I wouldn’t do that to you,” I whispered.
“He did this?” he asked, still staring into space. Tears stung my eyes as I nodded.
“Do you remember what happened? Did he hurt you? They won’t tell me anything about your injuries.”
I shook my head. “It’s mostly foggy. We were in the studio.
We talked a little, and I got upset. I can’t remember why.
Probably just annoyed with his existence.
Cy offered me a drink for my nerves. Then I went in the booth to record and started feeling woozy.
Cy was by my side in no time telling me that I needed to sit down, but he was rubbing all over me.
I knew something was off. I practically fell into the bathroom.
I don’t know what made me call you. I felt like I would pass out.
I guess I should have dialed nine-one-one, but something made me call you.
They were beating on the door and trying to break in the bathroom, and all I could think about was if Kannon gets here, I’ll be OK. I’m sorry.”
“You were right to call me. Who else was there? What about Ceasar? When I went to the studio looking for you, Cyrus told me you left with Ceasar. Who else was there?”
“It doesn’t matter, Kannon. I’m just glad you came.”
“Names, Carteay!” His voice boomed, making me jump.
“Kannon!”
“Now! All of them.”
“He was there, but I don’t know if he helped Cy drug me. I remember hearing his voice at the bathroom door, but I don’t know. We were the only ones there. Cy wanted to work on our next single before the producer showed up. I should have known he was being too nice.”
“Either you give me Cy’s home address, or I’ll get it. I figured you could make it easy.”
“Kannon, please.”
“I’m not asking you for permission, Carteay. I just thought you would want to help me with this. You don’t have to. I can just make a few calls.”
“I don’t want you to do anything crazy, Kannon. I just want to get out of here.”
“He could have killed you, Carrie.”
“I know you’re mad, but he wasn’t trying to kill me. Can you just take me home?”
“So they can get to you when they realize they didn’t finish the job?
Hell, I don’t know if he was trying to roofie you or kill you, but it doesn’t even matter.
He drugged you and lied to me when I came looking for you.
He acted like you two finished recording, and you just left with Ceasar on your own.
You think that bastard wasn’t trying to kill you? ”
“I don’t care about that right now. I just want to go. Can we just go back to your house?”
“No. We can’t go anywhere, because once I tell them you’re awake, there are a couple of nosy fucking cops who are going to want to talk to you without me present.
If it weren’t for my brother’s sister-in-law being a doctor here, I would be in jail right now.
When I came in asking for a recently admitted Jane Doe, they drilled me with questions like I did something to you. ”
“Where are they? I have to clear your name.”
“You don’t have to worry about clearing my name. I need you to tell them what happened but leave Cy and Ceasar out. Tell them you were somewhere drinking, and somebody must have put something in your drink. You can let them know you’re famous and want to stay in the system under Jane Doe.”
“Kannon, what are you gonna do?”
“Right now, I’m going out here to tell them you’re awake.”
I sighed. “Kannon, you know what I mean.”
Of course, his black ass ignored me as he headed out the door. I dropped my head back on the pillow as I considered getting up and getting the hell out of this hospital. I couldn’t believe Cy drugged me.
If Kannon didn’t bring me to the hospital, how the hell did I get here? I knew Ceasar’s bitch ass had something to do with it. I just couldn’t prove it yet. My chest ached as I considered asking for a rape kit. I needed to talk to the doctor alone.
Why did Cyrus tell Kannon that I left the studio with Ceasar? Did he bring me here? I was fairly sure that his ass had at least arranged it since he had just as much to lose as Cyrus. That was if he wasn’t in on it with his conniving ass.
Part of the deal when I returned was for Cyrus to never touch me again. For the past couple of weeks, he had been toeing the line of my conditions, but he hadn’t broken the rules. I knew he would cross the line soon. I just didn’t expect him to pull this.
Less than a minute after Kannon left the room, two uniformed police officers entered, a man and a woman. She was carrying a notepad. I didn’t feel like talking to anyone about last night, but I knew that my statement was probably the only way to clear Kannon’s name.
I didn’t want anyone thinking he had done anything to me or that I had tried to kill myself. My life was kinda fucked up, but I didn’t want to die. I wanted to figure a way out of my circumstances and improve my life.
“Good morning, ma’am.” The female officer greeted me as soon as they entered the room.
Her eyes stretched slightly when our eyes connected, and I instantly knew she recognized me. Hopefully, my face wouldn’t be on the front page of every blog and newspaper as soon as she left the room.
“Obviously, I’m registered here under Jane Doe for a reason.”
“Understood,” she said, quickly nodding. “Anything discussed here will be kept to the highest level of discretion.”
“Can you tell us what happened to you?” the male officer questioned.
“I was in the studio. There’s a bar inside.
I was kinda nervous about the new single we were working on, so I had a couple of drinks, maybe two.
I’m a pretty heavy drinker, so that usually doesn’t bother me.
I talked to a couple of people while I was there, but nothing major.
My security detail was close, but they usually stay outside unless I tell them otherwise.
I shouldn’t have been alone. Anyway, I think somebody might have put something in my drink.
When I started to feel funny, I called my friend who was here.
The next thing I know, I am talking to you right now. ”
“You were in the studio recording. So, you’re famous?” the man asked.
“In some people’s eyes, I am,” I said, not knowing how discreet his ass could be.
“So, who else was there with you?” the woman asked.
I shrugged. “I can’t remember, but I was early for my session. The producer wasn’t there yet. I wanted to warm up.”
“Nobody with a crush or perhaps someone who expressed having an issue with you?” she questioned.
“No. I’m not around much unless I’m in the booth recording. When I started to feel funny, I went to the bathroom and called him. I think I collapsed in there.”
“Why did you call your friend instead of calling nine-one-one?” the male officer asked.
“As we’ve established, I’m kind of famous.
I didn’t want a bunch of media attention, so I called my friend who owns a security company.
They know to be discreet. I called or texted him with my location.
I can’t even remember. I just reached out to him on a hope and a prayer because I didn’t want my face sprayed all over the news.
I knew he was someone I could trust. Obviously, I was right about him because I woke up here. ”
“Is there anything else you remember that might help with our case?” she asked.
“I told you everything I know. I’m just exhausted right now.”
“I’m going to leave my card with you. If you can think of anything that might be helpful, don’t hesitate to give me a call,” the lady told me.
“OK.” I nodded, hoping that concluded the conversation.
I let out a sigh of relief when they turned and left my room. Kannon didn’t even let the door close behind them before walking back in.
“How long did they say I have to be here, Kannon?”
“I don’t know, C. The doctors really wouldn’t tell me anything.”
“Can you see when I can speak to the doctor? I have a few questions for them.”
“I’m not leaving you alone in here. Hit the nurse button.”
I rolled my eyes as I pressed the button and tossed my head back. The searing headache that shot through my head let me know that was a mistake.
“Hello?”
“Can I see a nurse?” I asked.
“I’ll have someone come in,” they replied.