Release You

29. If I Had You

CHAPTER 29

If I Had You

Nikki

I stood in the back of the tunnel, where the light didn’t reach while Henry strode out the front door with Tessa in his arms. A sharp pain hit me square in the chest. Why did it feel as if he were walking out on me, leaving me all over again.

Bracing my hands on my knees, I dry heaved, tasting the musk in the air in the back of my throat. The taste made my stomach muscles constrict even more. I’d never felt this kind of panic, the kind that made me want to jump out of my own skin. I’d been afraid for me and Tessa. But most of all, I’d been scared out of my mind for Henry.

For a very long minute, I thought he was going to kill his uncle. Yeah, I’d been prepared to do the same when Tessa and I were trapped in the tunnel and Francesca was the only thing between us and freedom. But Henry had so much rage inside him. It scared the shit out of me.

“Please help my wife. She’s injured,” Jonathan said to one of the cops.

Every time that asshole spoke, the urge to stab something flooded my mind. Out in the foyer, cops were still bringing in security guards for questioning. The crowded room made my head spin, and I couldn’t focus on anyone or anything. Why were they not dragging the real criminals out of here? Because they were Cavaliers?

“No.” I raised my voice and stepped into the light, effectively making the cop stop in his tracks. “Neither of you is leaving this place until you explain to everyone here why Tessa and I were kidnapped.”

Francesca snorted. “What are you talking about? You came into our home and attacked us. Officer, arrest her.” She pointed a finger at me.

I should’ve known she’d try something like this. I stomped over to Jonathan. His face was a bloody pulp as he sat against the wall next to his wife. He flinched, covering his head with his arms.

“Phone.” I wiggled my fingers in front of his face.

His gaze darted to Francesca, but then he conceded and fished his device out of the pocket of his dress pants and unlocked it for me. I dialed Dom’s number and waited.

“Dom here,” he answered.

In the background I could hear papers shuffling. I glanced at the screen and checked the time. It was four in the morning. Did Dom ever sleep?

“Hello, darling. Did I catch you at a bad time?” I glanced at the cop standing next to Francesca

“Hey, doll. Not at all. What do you need?” he asked.

“Well. I have some really bad people here trying to get away with murder. Any thoughts?”

“You didn’t leave him after all. Did you?” He chuckled.

“No.” I bit my bottom lip. “Did you talk to Henry?”

“You can say that, yeah. He brought me a very interesting recording. ”

I pressed a hand to my forehead. The lack of sleep and Francesca’s death threat hanging over my head all night had compounded into one massive migraine. But I didn’t care. The nightmare was finally over. Henry had done the right thing. He’d reached out to Dom and given him the recording. Lisa was coming home.

“When will Lisa get out?” I asked.

“One thing at a time, doll.” Dom released a breath. “Where are these bad guys you called me about?”

“I’m at the Cavalier Manor. The police are here, but they’re not in a hurry to put the mayor in jail.” I glared at Jonathan.

“Put me on speakerphone.”

“Of course.” I tapped on the screen and held the phone out in front of me.

“May I speak to the officer in charge, please?” Dom’s deep voice made everyone look in my direction.

“That’d be me.” The cop in full SWAT gear stepped forward, the same one who a minute ago was ready to believe Francesca’s crazy lie about Henry and me breaking into her home.

“This is Dom Moretti, Henry Cavalier’s attorney. I have an original recording that belongs to Tessa Cavalier. I’d like to play it for you.”

“It’s a lie.” Francesca scooted up, sitting taller against the wall. Her leg no longer a concern. “They doctored the recording.”

“Ma’am. He hasn’t played anything yet. How do you know the recording is a lie?” the officer in charge asked.

The scratchy static came through the speakerphone loud and clear before Tessa spoke. A dozen cops shuffled closer when Jonathan spoke. Jonathan never said he killed his brother, but there was enough in there to assume he was guilty one way or another. All eyes were on the two of them when Francesca’s whimpering echoed in the tunnel. By the looks on everyone’s faces, this recording was enough to create reasonable doubt for Lisa. But we needed a confession. Lisa needed a confession.

I turned to face Jonathan. “It’s time you told the truth.”

“Don’t say a word,” Francesca said, her jaw clenched. “Our love is strong. We will get through this. I promise.”

“Seriously?” I stepped closer to her. “Because a few minutes ago, you were ready to run away with Henry. Is this how you felt about his dad too? Where in the world did you get this delusional idea that he could want you? Gross.” The thought made me want to puke.

“Jon” was all she said.

I sat on my heels, swallowing hard to find the strength to talk sweetly to this asshole. “Darling, it’s time to do the right thing. Don’t you think?” Vomit rose in my throat, but I pressed on with my hand on his. “Tell me what happened that day. How did James Cavalier die?”

Jonathan closed his one good eye. Tears rolled down a swollen and reddish cheek before he finally uttered the truth. “Francesca hit him in the head.”

I envied Henry. He got to punch this spineless jerk. “Why did you move the body? And don’t give me that bullshit about how you did it to save Henry and me. You did it to give her an alibi, didn’t you? And then you went back and closed off the tunnel entrance in the hotel. And all the other ones that led to the manor.” My soothing voice turned to a demanding one.

“I love you, Jonathan. Don’t do this,” Francesca whispered next to him. Her face finally showed a speck of fear. She’d done the math, and she knew she’d lost this war.

She lost to the Morrow girls.

Jonathan nodded. “After we sedated Tessa, Francesca left through the tunnels and met Mrs. Blaine for tea. It wasn’t hard to confuse her and make her tell the cops she’d been with Francesca for hours and not just a few minutes.”

“That’s why you moved the body. If the police didn’t know about the tunnels, they would have no reason to question her alibi.” It all made sense now.

Francesca grunted, slamming her body against the wall. “You pathetic excuse for a husband. After all I’ve done for you. Tell them the truth. Tell them how I did it for you. You were relieved to see your brother gone. Tell them.” She yelled. “You were tired of living in his shadow. Perfect James Cavalier…I did it all for you.”

Jonathan hung his head. Tears dribbled on his dress shirt, and I almost felt sorry for him. He lifted his head to look at Francesca. “You killed him because he wouldn’t love you. Because he kicked us out.”

No doubt for years, he told himself a different truth to justify what they did to James’s family and mine. But the truth was much simpler—greed. She’d done it for money and the crazy-ass idea that someone like Henry’s dad could love something like Francesca.

“You two disgust me.” I nodded to the officer before I stood. He jerked into action and read Jonathan his rights as he cuffed him. I tapped on the phone and put it against my ear. “Tell me they’re going to be in jail for a hundred years.”

“I’ve counted at least five criminal charges, so I’m sure I can get pretty close,” Dom said. “How’re you doing, doll?”

“I’m tired. How long before Lisa is out?”

“A few days. I’ll let you know when it’s done. Now go get some rest. You sound worse than what Henry looked like when I saw him earlier today, or was it last night?”

“Thank you.” I smiled.

“Don’t mention it. And good job getting a confession out of Jonathan.” He hung up .

In a daze, I trudged out of the tunnel. It was all over. I took a couple of steps, fell in a heap at the bottom of the grand staircase, and rested my head on the banister. My legs and arms dropped to the side like they weighed a ton.

A pair of boots came into my line of sight next to my shoes. Rubbing my temple, I glanced up and met Russ’s gaze and his eager smile. I blinked to ease the stinging in my eyes and found I couldn’t open them again.

“You need to rest. Let’s take you upstairs. I’m sure Henry won’t mind if you stay in his old room tonight.” He hooked his arm under my elbow and lifted me to my feet. I let him usher me upstairs, down the hallway, and into one of the bedrooms. “Okay. I think this is it. I’ve only been up here once.” He made a sound like a chuckle. “But this looks right. In you go.”

Henry’s bedroom was exactly how I remembered it. A large poster bed with intricate wood carvings on the headboard was the main focal point of the room. A sitting area facing the floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked Tessa’s garden completed the eighteenth-century chamber.

The pale green wallpaper had seen better days, and so had the carpet. Most of the damage had been done when Henry lived here, when we’d spent hours in the garden and then tracked mud all over his bedroom. Francesca would make me clean it up every time. But I hadn’t cared because that meant more time with Henry.

“I ran the shower for you,” Russ said. “I don’t know where anything is, but I’m sure there’ll be some soap in there somewhere.” He pointed at my face.

If my face looked as gross as it felt, I definitely needed a shower. “Thanks, Russ.”

“You need anything, just call. I can be here in ten minutes flat.” He gave me a little curtsy before he closed the door behind him.

Feeling numb, I trudged to the massive bathroom that was bigger than the hotel room I’d been living in for the last month. My bare feet slapped on the cold marble floors, as I made my way to the steaming shower. I peeled my dress off and let everything else drop on top of it—Jonathan’s phone, my emergency pack, the Taser, and my boy shorts.

I stepped under the water, braced my hands on the tile, and sobbed. Dirty water ran down my legs and into the drain. A fancy bar of soap sat on the recessed shelf. I unwrapped it and used it to wash my hair and body. The hot water and lavender smell soothed my tensed muscles. My battered soul would need more than scented oil to heal. The emptiness I felt was too much.

Lisa’s name had been cleared. Tomorrow I would make sure everyone in town knew what really happened. But what would I do after that? I couldn’t stay in Paradise Creek, not when Henry was still here, probably hating me for leaving him again. I should leave tonight, but where would I go? I didn’t have a plan. I blinked, my eyelids heavy with sleep. Tomorrow. I would figure things out tomorrow. I’d been up all night, and I couldn’t think anymore.

I shut off the water, grabbed a towel out of the bathroom cabinet, and dried myself. Henry’s closet was mostly empty except for a few T-shirts from his boarding school in Tucson. I grabbed one, put it on, and then ran my fingers through my hair to comb it. Had he left these here the day they sent him away to Canada?

Numb, I slipped under the covers. His smell was no longer on his clothes or his bed, but I had the memories of us in this room to keep me company. Good memories.

I woke to rain pelting down on the window. Something about it comforted me. It felt like home. I sat up and peered at the stunning Italian carved and gilded eighteenth century sofa across the room. Right. I was in Henry’s room. I blinked a few times. How long had I been sleeping? I threw my legs over the side of the bed and welcomed the cool feel of the marble when my bare feet touched the floor.

I didn’t remember this place being so cold or empty. I padded to the bathroom to pick up my emergency pack and Jonathan’s phone. It died while I slept. I returned to the bed and threw the pack and the phone on the bedside table. I couldn’t go back to sleep. Instead, I sat on the sofa near the window and contemplated the cloudy and gloomy sky beyond the garden. I had no idea what time it was, if I’d slept just a few hours or days.

Time didn’t matter. I was awake now, and I had to get out of here. But first things first. I needed to call Russ so he could bring me some clothes. I didn’t mind going out in just a top, but no underwear was pushing it.

I rushed to the door and turned the knob, but it was locked. How long after Henry’s dad died before Francesca put an outside deadbolt on Henry’s door? But more importantly, why the hell had Russ locked me up? I tried again. What the fuck, Russ?

I darted back to the bed, grabbed my emergency pack, and rummaged through it. But then I remembered I left my lock kit in the tunnels last night. I paced the room with a swirl of ideas swimming in my head. Now what?

A click on the door made me jump, and I turned to face it, bracing myself for whatever was coming my way. The police had taken Scott, and they said most of Francesca’s security guards had run off when the SWAT team descended on them. I was supposed to be alone in the house.

I glanced at my legs. I was naked from the waist down. The hem of Henry’s T-shirt barely brushed the spot between my ass and my thigh. The door cracked open, and Henry’s head peeked through. My heart did a somersault when I saw his beautiful face, the same jolt I felt in the tunnel when I had the gun pointed at Francesca and he stood at the threshold looking like the hero of some western movie, complete with dirty jeans and a sexy scowl.

Like before, I wanted to run to him, bury my face in the nook of his neck and tell him I never left him. That everything I did was because I was afraid for him, because I wanted to protect him.

“Is it safe?” He swung the door open.

“Why don’t you come in and find out?” I widened my stance.

“I was hoping you’d be asleep. But I can explain.” He cleared his throat and closed the door behind him before he flipped the inside bolt.

“What?” I crossed my arms over my chest, and my top rode up an inch.

Henry’s mouth fell open with a look on his face that by now I recognized well. I pulled on the hem to cover myself.

“What are you going to explain? That you sent Russ to trick me into coming up here so he could lock me up? Why?”

He sauntered toward me, wearing a clean pair of jeans and a T-shirt, hair wet. He smelled of lavender and aftershave. Crap. I pulled on the hem again as his dark gaze dropped to my hand, as if he could see through the fabric.

“Don’t even think about it. You think I’m interested in canoodling after the little stunt you pulled last night. Locking me up, like I’m some kind of willful child.” I didn’t even know why I was angry at him.

“It was this morning.” He flashed me a panty dropping smile. “I asked Russ to make sure you didn’t leave the house until I got back. I may have mentioned my room had an outside lock.” He took another step. “Stop me, if you want. Tell me you don’t want this. But now you have to say it to my face.”

I stumbled back. In two strides, he reached me, wrapped his arms around my waist, and pressed his lips against mine. His kiss was hungry and demanding as he slipped his hands under my shirt and up my hips to the small of my back. His fingers felt hot against my skin. Suddenly, the cold floor didn’t bother me anymore. I responded the only way I could. I let him in.

My tongue slid across his lower lip, while he held me tight against his chest. Kissing my cheek, he walked me back until my butt touched the bed.

“Could you ever trust a thief?” The question had been lingering in my mind since last night when I thought leaving was the right thing to do.

“No.” He shook his head once, cradling my neck. “But I trust you. With all my heart. I’d like to hear you say it.”

I glanced up at him. “I never left you.”

“I know.” His lips brushed my temple.

“No more cons. If you want me in your life, I’m here. I’m yours.” I ran my fingers into his hair.

“Why does it feel like it’s been an eternity since the last time I tasted you?” His hot gaze sent goose bumps down my back.

Sighing, I fell back on the mattress. I couldn’t even remember why I’d been so angry. All I could focus on right now was his mouth on my skin.

“Oh my God, Henry.”

“I’m right here, sweetheart.” He slipped his fingers inside me.

His thumb drew circles on my mound, while his mouth continued the glorious torture on my body. One wave after another, my desire mounted and expanded from my navel down to my toes.

“Tell me again. Tell me you’ll stay.” He breathed out.

His fingers plunged deeper just as a long and intense orgasm ripped through me. I raised my hips and rubbed against his hand until every sensation was spent.

“I’ll stay.” Heat still pulsed through me. “Take off your clothes.”

I needed to see him. I sat up and let my legs fall over the side of the bed. With a grin that said he’d do anything for me, he reached behind him and pulled his T-shirt over his head. He toed off his shoes and undid his belt.

I ran a hand over the ridges of his abs and walked a full circle around him, letting my fingers inspect every inch of his skin. I wanted to know for certain he wasn’t hurt and that he was really here. My Henry. When he turned to face me, I skimmed my arms around his neck and kissed him. He moaned, burying his hands in my hair.

“Christ. Nikki.” His thumb slid across my cheek. “I was an idiot for running away the first time. I’m never letting you go. I love you. I’ve always loved you.”

His words filled me with a kind of content I hadn’t felt since the day he asked me to run away to Paris with him.

“I love you too. It’s always been you, Henry.” I reached for the hem of my makeshift nightgown and pulled it over my head.

Henry captured one of my nipples in his mouth while he kneaded my other breast. “I want to be inside you so bad it hurts.” He gripped my waist and pushed me up onto the bed.

“I know. Me too.” I panted.

Jesus, the man had a way to get me to this state fast, to make me feel this intense desire I’d only felt in his arms .

“Condom.” I pointed to my emergency pack on the bedside table.

“Thank God.” He closed his eyes and pressed his forehead to mine.

I’d never seen him move so quickly, ripping the wrapper with his teeth and smoothing the condom over his cock.

“Now. Henry.”

He braced a knee on the edge of the mattress, placed my hands over my head, and entered me. The terror from last night, all the bad memories faded away. I wanted a life with this man, doing this, loving him, together. Always.

Since day one, Henry saw right through me, knew who and what I was and loved me anyway. Even when we were kids, it hadn’t taken him long to understand what I needed from him—a friend, a partner in crazy escapades through the tunnels. Time hadn’t changed him or his feelings for me. He still knew me better than I knew myself. He still loved me.

He rocked his hips slowly and deliberately, teasing my sensitive spot, sending an electric current to my core, over and over, until I was a puddle of want under him. I lay there caught up in his rhythm, taking in everything he had to give—the sucking, his fingers rubbing me, and the incredible accuracy of his cock hitting me right on.

“Henry.” I arched my back. He stilled my hips and pumped hard, staying with me until I came again.

“I know.” He covered my mouth with his and held me tight while he rode his orgasm through to the end.

God, the man was beautiful. I ran a finger down his jaw and then up, going against the stubble on his cheeks, before I tunneled my hand through his soft hair.

“Well, this is something we never did in this room before.”

He laughed, propping himself up on his arms. “Can’t say I never thought of it. After we kissed in the tunnel, I spent a whole day in here thinking of nothing else, thinking of what my life would be like if I had you.”

His words sent flutters to my stomach. I was so in love with him. And he was in love with me.

“You have me.”