Chapter Five
Alice
I gaze back at my reflection in the mirror, taking in the fading marks that mar my skin as Nurse Linda helps me dress. Until now, I have been avoiding this moment, not only because of the brutal reality of my body, but because I didn’t want to stare back at a stranger, much like I am now.
The face staring back at me is not one I recognize and it leaves me wondering who I am. Who do I belong to? Am I a sister? A wife? A friend? Is anyone out there looking for me?
I’ve been trying not to obsess over all these unanswered questions and instead be grateful that I’m still alive. I meant what I said to Braxten, not knowing who I am is better than never getting the chance to find out.
“Lift up.” Nurse Linda clears the shirt over my head, plunging me into a moment of darkness. I carefully slip my arms through the sleeves as she begins combing my long, blonde hair over my shoulder and braiding it.
The hospital was kind enough to give me scrubs since the only piece of clothing I own is the shredded nightgown I was found in. They also put together a small care package for me with a few necessary toiletries. Their kindness and generosity will never be forgotten.
“There, let me see.” Her hands gently grasp my shoulders before she steps back, that kind smile of hers always in place. “Beautiful.”
It’s a complete lie. There’s nothing beautiful about me, not right now.
“Thank you for all you have done for me. I really appreciate it.”
Her smile slips as worry takes over her face. “Are you sure I can’t talk you out of this?”
This isn’t the first time she has said this. She’s made it very clear she does not like the decision I’ve made to stay out at the Creed farm.
“I have nowhere else to go, Linda.” Misplaced shame fills my chest as I say those words out loud.
“You have options, honey. The state will help you or heck, you can even stay with me if you want.”
My heart warms at the generous offer. “I appreciate that, I really do, but I don’t want to put you in danger. Besides, I trust Braxten. He’s been good to me and he’s adamant he can help me find out about my past.”
Her lips thin at the mention of his name, face pinching in distaste.
“Why don’t you like him?” I ask.
“I know things about him that you don’t. Things about that whole family. I don’t trust them.”
“What kinds of things?”
Her mouth parts as if she’s about to tell me all the secrets she holds, but then thinks better of it. Shaking her head, she offers me a tight smile. “Never mind. It doesn’t matter.” She picks up my discarded hospital gown and walks out of the bathroom.
I fight to keep pace, wincing with every step before reaching out and touching her arm. “Please tell me, I want to know.”
A dreary sigh escapes her as she sits on the end of my hospital bed. “A lot of rumors surround that family, especially those brothers. Rumors that I know for a fact are true.”
“What are they?” I ask.
“Well, for starters, they share their women.”
I blink back at her, confused. “Share?”
She nods.
“I don’t understand.”
“They have sex with the same girl at the same time.”
I tense and feel my cheeks heat, wondering how that’s even possible.
“It used to be all three of them, but I heard the one brother doesn’t participate anymore since he’s had a child. However, I know the other two do.”
“How do you know it’s true?”
“I know someone who spent the night with them. She had feelings for Braxten and he broke her heart.”
My stomach hollows out, an unfamiliar emotion taking root as she shares that information with me.
“They’re dangerous, Alice. They’ve even killed people.”
“Killed?” I squawk, my mind scrambling to process these unbelievable stories.
“They’re mercenaries. Sharp shooters. Whatever you want to call them,” she says, waving a hand through the air.
“I also believe they are the ones who killed our prior sheriff along with the mayor only a few months ago. Despite what reports say, everyone in this town knows they are responsible for their deaths.”
This does not sound like the Braxten I’ve come to know. Is he intense? Yes, there’s an edge about him that screams lethal. But a murderer? I can’t see it.
“I’m not saying the mayor and sheriff were good people, but they didn’t deserve to die the way they did. Honestly, when he brought you in, I worried it was him who did this to you.”
The accusation knocks me out of my stunned state and I quickly shake my head. “No. Braxten wouldn’t hurt me. He saved my life. If not for him, I wouldn’t even be alive right now.”
I might not know him well, but I know him enough to know that. He’s been nothing but kind and gentle—protective even. He has sat here with me every day and watched over me, never leaving my side until he had to. Just like he promised.
“After the investigation the sheriff has done, it’s obvious he isn’t the one who hurt you, but that doesn’t mean he can be trusted. Why is he going to all this trouble for a stranger? I worry what he wants with you, Alice. You’re too innocent for the likes of him.”
“He just wants to help me find out what happened.”
It’s obvious by her expression she disagrees.
“Besides, it’s not like that between us. He doesn’t feel that way toward me.”
He couldn’t. Not after the way he found me.
“And what about you?” she asks.
The question catches me off guard. “What about me?”
“You said he doesn’t feel that way, but you never said that you didn’t.”
I shift from foot to foot, unsure how to answer that.
There’s no denying Braxten is very attractive, but it’s more than that.
I’m not sure I would consider it romantic feelings because I barely know him, but I do feel drawn to him for reasons I don’t quite understand. Of course, I don’t confess that to her.
“I can’t explain it, Linda, but…I trust him and I feel safe with him. Right now I need that. I…I’m really scared.” The admission falls on a choked whisper.
“Oh, Alice.” She takes me in her arms. “It will be okay. I have faith that the sheriff will get to the bottom of this. Craig is a good man. Let’s just hope it’s sooner rather than later.”
I hug her close, seeking comfort as I allow a few tears to escape. Despite my best effort of trying to be optimistic, I feel incredibly lost in this world right now.
“Am I interrupting?”
We break apart at the deep, masculine voice, my heart leaping in my chest to find Braxten standing in the doorway looking as strong and confident as ever.
He wears a pair of well worn blue jeans and a grey T-shirt that accentuates his warm skin tone.
It’s not too snug, but the thin material reveals the powerful body he has beneath it.
“Braxten,” I speak softly, my voice cracking with nerves. “You’re early.”
“Just a few minutes.” His eyes shift from me to Linda, narrowing in suspicion. “Everything all right in here?”
“Yes, I’m ready whenever you are.” I look back at Linda. “Thank you again for everything.”
She reaches into the front pocket of her scrubs and pulls out a hospital business card, handing it to me. “I’ve written down my personal number for you. Call me if you need anything. Understand?”
“I will.”
After a parting hug, she walks up to Braxten and lifts her chin, her warm demeanor vanishing. “She needs to leave in a chair. It’s protocol.” She continues past him, intentionally ramming into his shoulder as she does.
He flashes me an amused smirk, not looking the least bit offended. “I think she has a crush on me.”
I smile, thankful he isn’t hurt by her coldness toward him. “Sorry about that. It seems she has become somewhat protective over me.”
“That’s something I can understand.”
His words do weird things to my insides, sending a flutter to ripple through my belly. He does that often to me, makes me feel things, beautiful things, that I shouldn’t be feeling.
He pushes from the door, amusement fading from his face as he walks into the room, every long stride bringing him closer and closer.
My breath stalls in my chest as he stops just before me, his large body towering over mine. I stare up at him like a deer lost in headlights, captivated by his overpowering presence.
Everything Linda just shared about him races to the surface and I find myself wondering if maybe I misjudged him. If I’m making a mistake by trusting him.
That niggle of doubt evaporates when he lifts a gentle hand to my face, his thumb sweeping beneath my eye, eliminating the remainder of my tears. “Why are you crying?”
“Oh, uh…nothing,” I tell him, licking my dry lips. “I’m fine.”
His head tilts at the lie, those dark eyes of his seeing right through me. “Are you nervous?”
“Yes,” I answer honestly.
“To leave with me?”
I swallow hard, but answer truthfully again. “A little.”
“Don’t be. I’m going to take good care of you, Alice.”
This is the Braxten I’ve come to know. This man standing before me. Not the one Nurse Linda has painted. Right now, I have to follow my heart, it’s all I have and for some reason it’s leading me to this man.
“Excuse me.” A nurse appears in the doorway. “I was told to bring in a chair.”
Clearing my throat, I step back from Braxten. “Yes. Thank you.”
The nurse helps me into it while Braxten grabs the small travel bag the staff put together for me. Afterward, he takes over, pushing me out of the room and into an elevator full of people.
The ride down is silent. My fingers twist in my lap, head bowed at the feel of everyone’s eyes on me. Once we leave the main doors and out into the fresh air, I squint against the blinding sunlight, but can’t deny how incredible it feels on my skin.
Braxten wheels me over to a large, black truck that’s parked close. As he opens the back door to put my bag inside, I push to stand out of the wheelchair and instantly regret it when I do. A sharp sound parts my lips and I falter on my feet.
He rushes to my side, placing a hand under my arm to help me. “When’s the last time you had something for the pain?”
“A couple hours ago,” I admit sheepishly. “Probably time for another.”