Chapter 31
Chapter
Thirty-One
DECLAN
I haven’t been able to sleep, so I’ve just been staring at Harper all night. She fell asleep holding Banks’s hand and is still clutching it as he sleeps on top of the covers facing her. Emerson and Cy are spooning on the floor beside her. At one point a nurse came in and changed her IV bag out for another. I didn’t even realize there was a nurse here. Dad must have had one brought in.
My fingers run over the beads of my mom’s rosary while I sit in silence. She can’t be here to physically comfort me, but her rosary has never failed me. I glance down at the black beads and smile at the sight of the cream-colored ribbon I stole years ago from Harper’s hair tied to it.
I’m surprised Harper hasn’t noticed the ribbon. Or maybe she has but hasn’t put two and two together. I have an entire collection of ribbons I’ve stolen to add to my collection since she moved in with us. She never complains about them going missing, though.
The sun’s nearly up when Dad pokes his head in the room and locks eyes with me. He gestures me out into the hall with a tip of his head. My muscles ache when I stand, but before I leave, I grab a blanket and drape it over Banks. He’s got to be cold just wearing a pair of my shorts after helping her in the shower.
Dark circles around his eyes are the only indication that Dad hasn’t slept at all either. That and the fact that he’s wearing the same clothes. A few drops of blood splatter dot the front of his shirt.
“Are you okay?” he asks me.
“I’m fine. Just can’t sleep. You?”
“Fine.” He waves off my concern. “Harper?”
“She’s in pain and hasn’t spoken much to us, but she’s been asleep for about four hours.”
“That’s good. Your mom said they spoke quite a bit after Dr. Meier left.”
“Did she tell Annabelle anything?”
“Not really, but she refused a rape kit, said that he didn’t get a chance.”
“He was going to, though. Her pants and underwear were pulled down when we found her.”
“At least you got there in time.”
Relief for her rushes through me. It’s been one of the biggest concerns I had, that we didn’t get there in time. At least that fucker is dead now. I wish I had been the one to pull the trigger.
“Did you find White?”
“Yes. We took him to Weigman’s shanty. We didn’t find out much more than we already assumed. Five years ago Flynn struck up a deal with White for Harper. Then as Scott was being taken down, he reached out to White and had him transfer huge sums to an overseas account. White told him he wanted Annabelle for never talking to the feds about this. Even though he was the original whistleblower in the case that ultimately brought Flynn down.”
That’s actually more diabolical than I expected.
“What happened to White?”
“He’s spending eternity at the bottom of the marsh with Weigman.”
“So it’s done? This is all over?”
“I think so. Neither of them had close family, so I doubt anyone will be looking too hard for them.”
I should be relieved, but I’m numb. I still feel like I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop or some asshole to come out of the woodwork with more threats. How am I supposed to let my guard down after having it up for so long?
“So we just go back to normal?” I ask.
“Nothing’s been normal for months. I think we have to find what our new normal will be.” He runs his hand through his hair. “I’m going to call the school and see if they’ll be okay with Harper finishing her coursework remotely. I’d like to get her started with a therapist. Same for Annabelle. The things they’ve been through,” he trails off, shaking his head. “They’re the strongest people I know.”
I nod my head, completely agreeing. “Are you going to have Harper stay here and finish or go home with us?”
“I’ll consult with Annabelle, but I’m assuming we’ll just let her decide what she wants.”
He tells me he’s called Jared, our chef, to come in the late morning and make a brunch spread for everyone. I watch him slip down the hall and disappear into his bedroom. Hopefully, he gets good rest.
When I walk back in the bedroom, Banks isn’t in bed with Harper anymore, and the bathroom door is shut. I’m just about to sit back down in the chair when he comes out. He hands me the blanket I used to cover him up and points to the bed.
“You take over. I have to get back to school today, and my mom wants to see me before I leave.”
“You should wake her up to tell her goodbye.”
He looks over at her, conflicted. After a moment of hesitation, he walks over to the other side of the bed and runs his hand over her shoulder.
“Harper,” he says quietly waiting until her eyes flutter open. “I have to get going but wanted to say goodbye first.”
“Oh.” She starts to sit up but he gently keeps her down.
“No, keep resting. Declan’s going to take my place in bed with you if you want. I just didn’t want to leave without saying goodbye and telling you that I love you.”
“I love you, too.” She grabs his hand and holds the back to her cheek. “Thank you for helping me in the shower last night.”
“Of course. Call me tonight.”
“I will.”
He looks over at me with a wave. “Thanks for letting me borrow your clothes.”
I wave him off. It’s not even worth mentioning; of course I would let him do that.
“Do you need anything before I lay down with you?”
“No.” She shakes her head and pats the empty bed beside her.
Harper watches as I tiptoe alongside the bed, making sure not to step on Cy and Emerson. I pull back the covers and slide in beside her. She’s wearing one of my old shirts which hits her mid thigh but still doesn’t cover one of nastiest bruises I’ve ever seen. I push the blanket and sheet down, so I can get a better look.
“It’s from him kicking me after I stabbed him in the eye.”
“I hate that you got hurt.” I ghost my fingers over the purple skin. “But if it makes you feel better, he probably would have ended up losing it.”
“What do you mean would have ?”
I look her in the eye. “He’s dead.”
“Good.” She doesn’t even flinch. “I don’t care if it makes me a bad person, knowing the men who hurt me are dead makes me rest easier.”
“That’s all that matters now.”
She sighs and closes her eyes. “I don’t know what was in that IV, but I’m tired.”
“Go back to sleep. We’ll be here when you wake up.”
Everyone is gone when I wake up. When I stretch my arm out, the sheets are cool to the touch. Judging by the angle of the sun shining into the room, it must be at least mid-afternoon.
I hear the muted sounds of conversation as I pad down the back staircase and into the kitchen. Dad, Annabelle, and Felix are sitting at the kitchen island sipping coffee and having what appears to be a serious conversation. They look up when I walk in, Annabelle gives me a warm smile, Felix a quiet nod. Dad stands and surprises me by pulling me in for a hug. He holds on for longer than any of the other hugs have lasted. It’s not until I physically nudge him away that he lets go. He looks at me as if he’s about to say something but changes his mind and goes to sit back down.
I grab an energy drink from the fridge and walk into the living room, finding Harper nestled between Emerson and Cy. They’re watching a football game and munching snacks.
“Hey.” Cy holds his fist up for a bump.
“Morning.”
“We wanted to let you sleep since you were awake basically all night,” Harper says.
“Who told you that?”
“Banks.” She holds up her phone.
“He’s only called her once an hour since she woke up.” Emerson’s lip turns up at one corner.
“It has to suck being away from you right now. I’d be losing my mind,” I say as I sit on the floor at her feet just to be close to her.
“I never thought I’d see the day where you’re sticking up for Banks.” Harper runs her fingers through my hair when I rest my head on her knees.
“He loves you, I respect it. When do you guys want to go home?”
“Your dad called and pulled strings for Harper to finish the semester remotely, but I can’t afford to miss any classes leading up to finals,” Emerson says. “I need to get back tonight.”
“I’m ready to go home,” Harper says. “The sooner the better because they’re a little tense.” She motions to our parents in the kitchen. “It’s stressing me out a bit.”
“Don’t have to tell me twice.” Cyrus stands and starts for the stairs. “I’ll grab the bags.”
“I’ll help.” Emerson follows him up.
“Have you taken your medication?” I ask as I stand and help her up.
“Yes. And I ate.”
“How are you feeling?”
She shrugs. “Okay, considering everything.”
“Will you tell me if that changes?”
“Yes.”
“Promise?”
She raises an eyebrow in that sassy way of hers. “Yes. Can I go to the bathroom now?”
I’m blocking her path but don’t move just yet. “Do you need help?” I know she doesn’t, I just want to annoy her now. See if I pull more of the sass I love so much from her.
“You know, I think I’ll be just fine peeing on my own, thanks.” She steps around me with a shake of her head.
I smile as I watch her go.
“Are you guys leaving to go back to Trinity?” Dad asks.
“Yeah, Emerson needs to get back for a class in the morning. He told me about Harper, thank you for that.”
“Of course. She needs time to rest and heal.”
“I was hoping I could convince her to stay here until after the holidays,” Annabelle says as she joins us and wraps her arm around Dad’s waist. “But she wants to go back to the home that feels the most comfortable for her.”
Warmth explodes in my chest hearing that. She thinks of the house I bought as her home. There’s something so beautifully poetic about that.
Dad and Annabelle walk us out to the car and spend a long time giving us hugs and saying goodbye. Annabelle and Harper hold onto each other the longest, each of them finally letting go of the other and wiping tears from their eyes. By the time we actually get on the road, the sun is sinking low on the western horizon. I find myself wishing, yearning, to be up in the air.
With everything that’s transpired over the past couple days, I feel the drive to be close to my mom. I’ll have to go to mass Wednesday night. Feeling her presence will help ground me, especially when I need to be at my best for Harper’s recovery.
Part of me is sad that Harper doesn’t feel safe in church anymore. It’s obviously understandable, but it’s such a big part of how I connect with my mom, I wish I could share it with her. Even if it was just a holiday service. It’s not about God or religion for me, it’s just the closest I can get to feeling Mom while having my feet on the ground.
Harper and Cy have snuggled up against each other in the back seat while Emerson drives. I put on some music and soon I hear soft snores coming from behind me. Emerson looks over at me and laughs quietly because Harper and Cy always argue that neither of them snore, yet there they are. It’s the most beautiful sound in the world.