Chapter 23
A stabbing painraces through my body, and I feel dizzy. I feel my dry throat and a tightness in my chest, which makes me feel as if I have a heavy hangover. Or like I was hit by a landslide.
Slowly, I open my eyes, and only then do I realize why my chest feels so tight.
Andrea is lying next to me. Her head leans against my stomach and she has one hand wrapped around my body. Her copper-colored hair is strewn across the sheets, and her lips are slightly ajar.
She’s wearing one of my dark T-shirts and tight pants, but she’s taken off her sneakers. She looks exhausted, but still so simple and beautiful, and it stirs my heart.
Slowly, I move my hand to stroke her cheek.
Andrea opens her eyes.
Damien... are you really awake?
She looks up at me with her amazing blue eyes, bright and clear. The rims of her orbs are red with tears, and her lips are slightly parched and cracked being bitten.
I look at her, taking in the features of her face as I caress her. What’s not obvious?
My voice sounds hoarse, and my throat feels dry. Suddenly, a terrible thirst comes over me.
Andrea seems to sense it. Slowly, she stands up, holding out a glass for me to drink. Youve been sleeping for the past three days, she tells me.
What day is it?
Sunday, she says as she sits back down on the bed. She looks at me as if shes afraid Im going to disappear.
Self-hatred burns inside of me, furious that I caused her so much pain.
Im okay, I promise her, cradling her cheek in my palm.
She starts to cry.
Damien...I thought I lost you.
She settles against my side and hugs me, still shaking. With what little strength I possess, I pull her to me and bury my nose in her perfumed hair, kissing her forehead.
Thats not going to happen, I promise her.
Slowly, the memories from before begin to trickle into my mind. Once again, Andrea seems to be able to read the tension in my body.
Her head separates from my chest, and she looks up at me. Tears create paths on her cheeks, trailing down to her chin.
Brandon has been arrested, she announces.
Good.
My voice is cold with hatred, thinking about how close that asshole came to achieving his goal of hurting Andrea.
She sits back down on the bed, and wipes her tears.
After sniffling, she begins to explains. It was him all along, Damien.
I know. He confessed it to me, I tell her.
She nods. Ethan showed me. It was all recorded on the mansions security cameras. She looks at me and, for a moment, a spark of understanding crosses her face. You did it on purpose, didnt you? You made him confess, because you knew it would all be on tape.
I had to protect you, I assure as I caress her cheek.
She wraps my hand between hers. The plot between Brandon and my mother has been uncovered. Brandon is facing over twenty years in prison, according to the evidence.
What about your mother?
Andrea bites her lip and squeezes my hand. I can feel the tremor in her pulse. I didnt press charges against her. I just... I couldnt.
I understand, I tell her.
I asked her not to come after me again.
And you think shell comply with that?
Andrea shakes her head.
Ill make sure she doesnt bother you, I promise.
She looks at me, nervously, as if she fears that I’ll be annoyed with her because of this. I could never be, though, because I understand her. She has a noble heart, and she wouldnt dare do this to the only family she has left.
But from now on, I’ll be her family. I’ll protect her, no matter the cost.
The press must have gone crazy with this whole story, I say, trying to change the subject to a less turbulent one.
Andreas lips draw into a pout. Well, in that aspect, I must say that your friend Jackson is quite a genius. He’s been able to address the press in an admirable way.
I dont doubt it.
Im serious. Thanks to him, this whole thing has been turned around. The story of the pop princess being subdued by her abusive boyfriend is behind us.
And what do they say about us now?
That youre a misunderstood hero, and Im a damsel abused by her manager for years.” She sighs. Honestly, Im sick of all of these stories about damsels in distress.
Then lets change the story.
She entangles her fingers with mine, and takes a moment to look earnestly at our joined palms.
I’m serious, Damien. I thought we wouldnt get out of this.
But we will, and theres nothing to fear about our future.
You promise? She bites her lower lip and I nod, kissing her hand.
I promise.
As I make that promise, I begin to remember something.
Something I shouldnt have forgotten.
Andrea...
She glares at me, cheeks flushed with color. Her gaze is fixed on mine.
And then, I remember.
You said something... when I was about to die.
Dont say that.
What?
That you were about to... die. Just dont say that.
Her tone is blunt, and I’m sure the memory of that moment brings her great pain, so I nod.
But you said something to me before I passed out.
I did, she affirms.
You said you were pregnant.
Yes.
I have to ask. So...was that true?
She takes a moment, but finally nods.
Bringing a hand to her belly, a smile tugs at her lips. Im about two and a half weeks.
For a moment, its as if my heart stops beating. I hear it slow on the monitors before it picks up the pace again.
Two weeks...
Yes.
...of my son.
She nods, and giggles.
Andrea shudders as she embraces me, her body dancing against mine.
My arms close around her body, and I pull her close.
Please tell me this excites you, she pleads into my chest.
I ignore how painful it is to hold her so close, as my whole body is bruised. Instead, I burst out laughing.
Its the best news in the world, I assure her.
Really? So, you want us to have it?
I look at her, puzzled. Of course I want it, Andrea. Its our child.
The way I say that must be amusing, because she bursts out laughing, too. She nods, clearly excited.
Yes, it is.
Her lips reach for mine, and I feel her begin to move slowly against my skin. Her tongue tentatively seeks mine, and she sighs.
Immediately, desire begins to build inside me, but I have to remind myself that I’m wounded. I’ve been hit by a bullet, and I’m still weak, so I cant just have her straddle me so I can make her mine.
As much as I wish I could fulfill that fantasy at this very moment.
Andrea.
Mhm?
She doesnt pull away from me. Her breasts brush my body against the top of my shirt and her hands settle on my shoulders.
Theres something else we need to do if were going to be parents.
Buy a house? she lets out a giggle.
No. I think we can raise our children here in Wain Ethan.
Id like that, she whispers.
I meant something else.
Andrea sighs and breaks away from me. What? she inquires.
I look at her, at those deep, clear eyes and the tousled, copper hair that spills over her shoulders.
I gaze at the pop star who has become so much more to me. She’s become the woman I love.
We should get married.
She raises an eyebrow, sleek and perfect, and looks at me in awe.
Are you serious?
I wouldnt joke about that, I assure her.
For some reason, she shakes her head.
I mean, you have a lot of drugs coursing through your veins. All that medication...
Andrea, listen to me.
...affecting you. It must be the meds.
Andrea. Im serious.
My hands cup her cheeks, and I make her look at me. Ive never been so serious about anything in my life. I love you, and I want you to be my wife.
She looks at me, completely dumbfounded.
As the silence grows, impatience finally pushes me to ask.
Will you accept?
And just when I think shes going to refuse, a smile creeps over her lips.
Yes, Damien. I will marry you.