Epilogue
Mia
I’m going home today. It’s only been a week since the incident, as everyone is calling it, and I couldn’t be happier to be getting away from the smell of disinfectant and cardboard-tasting chicken.
My leg is in excruciating pain most of the time except for a brief hour where my meds really kick in and then, for sixty blissful minutes, I feel almost normal.
The ache eventually seeps in like I can feel my bone fusing together again, the sharp cold of the metal pipe they put in my leg, snagging against the muscle.
Alfie hasn’t left my side. Except for using the bathroom and shower, he held my hand, read to me, had Lottie and the Dinner Club bring us games to play together.
But the days drag in the hospital, and I need to feel some sense of normalcy again.
It’s almost like this is a cutoff point.
As soon as I leave the hospital, the anger I feel for Carter can dissipate.
It’s done, over with. At least that’s what I’m telling myself.
The ordeal was terrifying, of course. I had a strong sense that he was going to kill us both, although I think his narcissism wouldn’t allow for it.
It would feel too much like losing. I’m sure that he thought if we could just make it to the border, he’d get away with kidnapping me.
As if the Canadians wouldn’t just hand him right over.
I haven’t asked what happened to him, but I overheard Alfie and Lottie speaking in the corridor.
He’s held in Hodgkins River Prison, where some of the worst criminals in the state are held.
There he awaits his trial for kidnapping, drugging me and stalking.
I had pretended to be asleep when Alfie returned to the room, but from peeking behind my blanket, I can see the frown lines in his forehead becoming more and more permanent.
As if the mere memory of him could hurt me.
I know I’m going to have to talk about this at some point.
The problem lies deeper than what happened last week.
I know this. But for now, I’m just proud that I was ready to accept the job with Lottie without being with Alfie.
I chose not to run. I have a life in Seattle, and nothing is going to keep me from it.
Despite the personal triumph I felt for putting myself first, I’m happy that Alfie is here.
I was going to forgive him at the ice rink.
Regardless of whether his apologies came with the expectation that we would get back together, I was going to forgive him for the things he said.
I’m not seventeen anymore. I don’t expect my relationship to be a fairy tale.
But the way he charged in on a goddamn helicopter might have ruined me for life.
He called in his favor with Lottie’s boyfriend, who is none other than Prince Luca of Orzanna, a small country in the south of Italy.
Apparently, Lottie made a deal with the prince, who had originally said that loaning his helicopter would be too damaging reputation-wise.
His PR team had refused until Lottie sweetened the deal by offering the Prince something he desperately wanted.
She won’t mention what it is, only that we’ll find out soon enough.
I haven’t seen Jonesy since he ripped Carter out of the car. He’s been lying low with his army buddies who assisted him during the car chase.
“It’s time, love,” Alfie murmurs, a small smile playing on his lips as he wheels in the chair.
“Let’s do this.” I grin.
◆◆◆
By the time I’m home, and by home, I mean Alfie’s house, I’m tucked up on the sofa within five minutes with my leg propped up on the coffee table on top of a pillow.
His fussing really is quite endearing.
“Alfie—"
“What do you need? I can get you a drink? Wait…is that pillow a bit stiff? I have a softer one.”
“Alfie!”
“I know.” He rubs his hand over his beard. “Please let me do this, just for today, and then I’ll back off. I just need today.”
“You’re very good at begging, you know,” I murmur, my eyes dipping down his body until he steps back.
“Nope. No way.” He covers his eyes with his hands, and I laugh. “You can’t look at me like that right now. Not for six weeks.”
“The surgeon said whenever I was comfortable, and you’ve seen to that so thoroughly, Dr. Adams,” I purr, the growing bulge in his pants has me wondering whether I could break him.
“You’re a menace, love. I’ve had blue balls for over a week.”
“You know full well I could help with that.”
“Enough, let’s watch something.”
He turns Netflix on adjusting himself as he takes a seat next to me.
◆◆◆
It’s been a few weeks since I returned from the hospital, and I can now hobble around the house unaided.
With my boot on, of course. We’ve even managed to get a Scooby Snack with Teddy.
Alexei was smitten with Teddy, slapping him on the back as he told him he’d give him extra pickles because he looked like he could handle it.
Alfie had rolled his eyes when he opened up his own sandwich and saw only two pickles.
As for today, Alfie is currently attending his first therapy session. He had almost insisted that Lottie come and sit with me for the hour he was away, until I told him I’d be moving back into my house alone if he didn’t give me one hour of peace.
He quickly relented, but not without pursing his lips like some prissy old matron.
Lottie has been sending me patient files to review until I’m ready to work, which will hopefully be soon. My mind is settled and ready. I’ve accepted what happened, and I’m ready to move on. Emotionally, mentally and physically.
I hear the click of the door, and Alfie calls out to me, so I know it’s him.
That is the one thing I’m grateful for. He doesn’t spring up behind me or walk into the room unannounced.
He lets me hear his voice, and it’s just so considerate.
I hadn’t even thought it would be a problem until one of the nurses came up behind me as we were leaving the hospital and she scared the shit out of me.
After that, Alfie ensured I could always see the whole room, and if I couldn’t—he let me know if there was someone approaching from behind.
“How was it?” I ask.
He hangs up his jacket and smiles when he sees me. “Surprisingly helpful.”
“Surprisingly? You’re a psychologist, so why would you not find it helpful?”
He shrugs. “I have a big enough ego that, sometimes, I think I know everything there is to know.”
He leans down, brushing his lips against mine.
“But you can admit that you learned something today?”
“Mmhmm.” His gaze drops to my lips. “How are you feeling?”
“So good. I got a lot of work done today and I had a call with Mom and Annie.”
“And physically you’re feeling okay?”
“Yep. The leg feels good today.”
“Good.”
He sweeps me up bridal style, carrying me carefully through the house and up the stairs so as not to hit my leg against anything before pushing through the bedroom door and settling me on the bed.
“Is this what you discussed with your therapist?” I laugh, pulling my top off before he has a chance to change his mind.
He rubs his hand over his mouth, looking up to the heavens for a split second before back down to my breasts, where I’ve started to squeeze and pinch my nipples.
“Yeah. I did, love. Is that okay?”
“More than okay, get over here now.”
And he did.