Chapter 2
“Mrs. Winters? Is it okay if I come in?”
My eyes follow the sound of the deep voice, and I find a middle-aged man standing in the doorway to my room. I don’t know who this guy is, but he looks like some sort of official, which has me instantly on edge. He must sense my discomfort because he digs into his suit jacket’s breast pocket and withdraws a wallet.
He flips it open to reveal a badge, but he’s too far away for me to see any details. “My name is Derek Simmons. I’d like to ask you a few questions about your attack.”
I narrow my good eye in suspicion. “I already gave a statement to the police.”
Mr. Simmons nods to the plastic chair that sits against the wall. “May I? I promise I won’t take too much of your time.”
I give him a slight nod.
“Mrs. Winters?—”
“Presley,” I insist.
The thought of being Mrs. Winters for a minute longer makes me sick. I can’t pretend anymore.
“Presley.” He clears his throat. “The statement you gave to the police doesn’t match the witnesses’ statements or the evidence we have. I’d like to know if you’d care to revise your account of the events that transpired early this morning.”
There are witnesses? I guess there’d have to be, but the last thing I remember before waking up in an ambulance is riding the elevator down to my building’s lobby.
“Am I being charged with something?”
I wouldn’t put it past Sebastian to use his connections to shift the blame to me somehow.
He shakes his head. “Not at all. But I would like to ensure the right person pays for their crimes, and I can’t do that without your help.”
I release a sigh. “Look, Mr. Simmons?—”
“Derek,” he says with a smile that’s undoubtedly charmed many women out of their panties. “It’s only fair.”
“Derek.” I blow out a breath. “Like I told the first officer who came here, a man broke into my apartment and attacked me. No, I can’t give you more details about his appearance because all the lights were off since I was asleep at the time. Somehow, I managed to fight him off and get away. The last thing I remember is riding in the elevator toward the lobby floor. I have nothing else to say.”
“What do you typically wear to bed at night, Presley?”
I startle at the sudden change in topic.
“Pajamas, like most people. What does that have to do with anything?”
He gives me a knowing look. “According to the security footage, you were wearing slacks and a blouse when you were found, which, as you’ve stated, is not your normal bedtime attire. Are you telling me you took the time to change your clothing before leaving your apartment and fleeing the perpetrator?”
Crap. This guy is too observant for my liking. I glare at him again, but I don’t think it’s as effective as I’d like with only one eye.
“I fell asleep on the couch while I was waiting for my husband to return. I hadn’t changed into my pajamas yet.”
Derek frowns. “You live in a highly secure building. No one can access the penthouse without a keycard to your private elevator. The doorman confirmed your husband came home around midnight but left again approximately one hour later. Security footage shows you stumbling out of the elevator shortly after that, right before you collapsed onto the lobby floor. Look. I appreciate how delicate this situation is, considering your husband’s... influence. I truly don’t want to pressure you after everything you’ve been through, but I can’t prevent this from happening again if you don’t tell me the truth.”
Yeah, right. Like I’m going to trust anything this guy has to say. For all I know, Sebastian put him up to this.
I clench my jaw but forcibly relax when a shooting pain reminds me how many hits it took earlier. “I am telling the truth. I have nothing else to say.”
“Where was your husband going at one in the morning?”
“I have no idea. Not that it’s any of your business, but we had a fight, and Sebastian stormed out. Now, if you have any more questions for me, I think I should have my lawyer present as this conversation seems to have taken a turn into an interrogation.”
He releases a harsh exhale as he reaches into the breast pocket of his jacket again. He produces a business card and extends it in my direction. As I eye it warily, making no attempt to grab it, he says, “You have options, Presley. I have zero loyalty to your husband, and I can help. Don’t let him get away with this. Call me when you’re ready to talk.”
With that, he stands up, places the card on my bedside table, and leaves the room. When he’s out of sight, I pick up the rectangular cardstock.
Derek Simmons
Special Agent
917-555-0156
At the bottom, there’s an address to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Civic Center office. What the heck? Why would the FBI be interested in a case like this? I set the card down and allow my eyes to drift closed, willing the throbbing in my head to go away. The doctor offered me some prescription painkillers, but I declined. Those things make my head fuzzy, and that’s the last thing I need right now because my head is already spinning. It probably doesn’t help that I haven’t slept in over twenty-four hours.
“Knock, knock.” I blink rapidly as the nurse who’s been taking care of me enters my room. Huh. I must’ve dozed off for a bit. “I have good news! As soon as I get that IV out, you’re all set to go home. Your husband just arrived, and?—”
“Could I have a moment alone with my wife, please?”
My entire body stiffens at the sound of his voice. Damn it. I knew it wouldn’t be difficult for him to find out which hospital I was in considering the police involvement, but I had hoped I’d have more time. I take a sip of water from the cup the nurse gave me earlier and set it back on the bedside table, this time, directly over Agent Simmons’ business card. I’m pretty sure Sebastian would actually kill me if he thought I ratted him out. Hell, he might do it anyway if recent events are any indication.
“Oh... of course,” the nurse stutters. “I’ll give you two a few minutes. You must’ve been so worried.”
He rushes toward me and grabs my hand. “I’ve never been more terrified. When the officers showed up at my office, telling me you were attacked during a home invasion, all I could think about was getting to you. Seeing that you were okay with my own eyes.”
I fight a whimper when Sebastian’s grip tightens in an unmistakable warning not to call him out on his bull.
“Sweetheart, I’m so sorry I wasn’t there to protect you.”
Our gazes are locked as we wait for the nurse to leave. As always, he’s perfectly coifed, not a strand out of place on his thick head of hair or a wrinkle to be found on his five-thousand-dollar suit. The only imperfections marring his beautiful features are the slight scratches on his cheek and neck. The second he’s confident we’re alone, the air shifts as the real Sebastian Winters leaks through the shiny surface. The concerned, loving husband has disappeared entirely. Instead, a menacing man now looms over me with the devil in his eyes, promising retribution. No longer able to stand the pressure, I avert my eyes. There was a time when this man’s baby blues would suck me into his orbit, but now, I go out of my way to avoid eye contact with him, afraid of what I might find.
Sebastian leans over, pressing his mouth against my ear. His thumb idly brushes over the racing pulse on my neck while his fingers span the width of my throat. “Trying to run was incredibly stupid, Presley. You should know by now I’ll never let you go, and I don’t tolerate disobedience. You’re going to have to work very hard to make it up to me.”
“Sebastian, if you don’t let me go, I swear I’ll scream.” I’ve been bowing down to this man for too long. After what I learned last night... after what happened when I confronted him about it... I refuse to keep my mouth shut any longer.
“I’d like to see you try.” His minty breath teases my nostrils as a dark chuckle falls from his lips. “Matter of fact, please do. I’ll enjoy punishing you for it later. And trust me when I say, I will punish you, dear wife. I need to make sure you never attempt to do something so stupid again.”
I claw at his fingers with my good arm when he puts pressure on my throat. I greedily gulp in air as he jumps back upon hearing someone enter the room.
“Excuse me, but I need to review these discharge instructions with my patient now.” The nurse—Mia, I think her name is—turns her icy gaze on my husband.
Said husband straightens his tie as he takes a step back, acting as if he wasn’t just trying to strangle me. “Yes, of course.”
Mia glances at me out of her peripheral. “I’m sorry, sir, but I’m going to have to ask you to wait in the lobby to protect my patient’s privacy.”
Sebastian narrows his eyes. “I’m her husband. You can say whatever you need to in front of me.”
“I mean no disrespect, Mr. Mayor. It’s hospital policy.” She juts her chin out. “Please don’t make me call security. I’m assuming you’d like to avoid making a scene. I’ll be happy to escort you to the waiting room myself, so you don’t lose your way.”
I could kiss this woman for playing the reputation card. The only thing Sebastian cares more about than appearances is control. I wait on bated breath as he decides which course of action he’ll take.
His gaze flicks to mine. “I’ll be in the waiting room, darling. Right outside the emergency room doors, so I can return at a moment’s notice.”
I don’t miss the implied threat.
My nurse straightens her shoulders as she steps aside to let Sebastian walk out first. Right before she leaves the room to follow him, she looks over her shoulder. “I’ll be right back.”
I nod, too busy trying to swallow the lump in my throat to form any words.
As promised, no more than two minutes later, Mia returns, sliding the glass door closed behind her, sighing as she takes a seat beside me.
“Presley, I hope I’m not stepping over a line, but I have to ask this again. Are you safe at home? Was it really an intruder who did this to you?” She waves a hand toward me. “Or was it someone you know? Perhaps someone close to you?”
I take a moment to formulate my reply. I have no idea what I’m going to do about Sebastian, but I know I can’t leave here with him. I’m not about to trust that FBI agent without knowing the motive behind his actions, but something about Mia tells me I can depend on her. This woman heals people for a living. If anyone is a safe bet, it’d be her.
I take a deep breath. “Hypothetically... if I said I wasn’t safe at home—which that’s not what I’m saying—but if I did, what good would that do? I have no money, no friends, nowhere I can stay in this city.”
“What about family? Is there anyone you can stay with? Or, if you need me to, I’d be happy to make some calls to check shelter availability.”
“No, a shelter would never work.” I shake my head. “I could be recognized. And I don’t really talk to my family anymore. Even if I could go home, it’s almost a thousand miles away. I have no way of getting there.”
She gives me a sad smile. “I’d wager a pawn shop would give you good money for those rings. At the very least, you can get a ticket home. They should be open soon.”
I gasp, looking at my wedding set. I’ve been wearing these rings for so long, sometimes I forget they’re even there. Sebastian made it clear early on, I was not permitted to remove my rings for anyreason. It’s not like people don’t already know I’m married, seeing as we’re in the public eye, but I think he likes having tangible evidence that I belong to him. The overhead lights reflect off the flawless five-carat diamond as I examine it closely, casting tiny rainbows on the wall. It really is stunning, with its Asscher-cut center stone in a pavé setting, but it’s been more of a shackle to me than a piece of jewelry, so I lost sight of its beauty. Plus, if Sebastian ever truly tried to know me—the real me—he would’ve learned I’d never be comfortable with something this flashy and impractical. That should’ve been my first clue, but sadly, I was too busy nursing a heartbreak to notice.
“I don’t...” I toy with the bands on my finger. “I don’t even have cab fare to get to one.”
“My cousin Joey drives an Uber. I can call him and have him take you somewhere. It’s on me. There’s a service entrance... you wouldn’t even have to cross through the ER waiting area. And they might be a little big, but I have a change of clothes in my locker that I’d be happy to give you to help disguise you as much as possible. You need to decide quickly, though, because I have a feeling the good mayor isn’t the most patient man.”
You can say that again.
“Can I ask you something?”
Mia nods.
“Why are you helping me?”
“Because I’ve been there, honey. I was with a horrible man for too long. When I saw the way your husband was standin’ over you just now, I knew somethin’ wasn’t right. It felt like I went back in time for a second there.” Mia’s gesticulating wildly, and her New York accent is becoming more pronounced the longer she talks.
“How’d you get away?” My voice is so quiet, I’m not sure if she hears me.
She shrugs. “I stuffed my damn pride aside and asked for help.”
I wonder if that’s even an option for me. After all this time, would my family welcome me back home? I know I broke my parents’ hearts when I told them I didn’t want them to visit. I cringe when I recall the conversation where I implied they would embarrass me in front of my high-society friends. Little did they know, those friends were imaginary. Every time they asked me to come to Georgia, I had one excuse after another, acting as if my new life kept me so busy, I couldn’t possibly leave the city. Finally, when Sebastian was elected the mayor of New York City, they stopped asking. Since my wedding day, I haven’t seen my parents or my brother, which hurts me so much because we used to be so close. We still talk on the phone, but our conversations are brief, mostly on holidays, and always awkward. I blink back tears when it hits me how badly I miss them.
I sniffle. “Okay.”
Her brown eyes widen. “Really?”
I nod. “Yeah.”
“Okay.” Mia stands up. “I’ll be back in two minutes tops with those clothes.”
Ten minutes later, I’m dressed in an oversized Giants hoodie and jeans with a ball cap, and I’m sliding into the back seat of cousin Joey’s Prius. Mia was kind enough to give me her sunglasses to hide my swollen eye better.
“Good luck, Presley.”
“Thank you. For everything.” I pull the door closed, giving her a little wave through the window.
As the car pulls away from the curb, I take a deep breath to steady myself. Any minute now, Sebastian will know I’m gone, and once that happens, there’ll be no turning back.