I nodded, suddenly exhausted down to my bones. “Yeah. Hotel.”
It was over. Herbert wasn’t just gone—he was erased. The monster who’d haunted our nightmares, who’d stalked our steps and poisoned our peace, had finally met monsters more terrifying than himself. We were free. Actually, truly free. Nomore looking over our shoulders, no more waking up in cold sweats wondering if today would be the day he found us again.
The drive back to The Maxwell was a blur of city lights and scattered thoughts. Matt’s security detail had everything coordinated with military precision—one SUV taking Mia to the hospital with James, another whisking Matt and me through the LA traffic. I vaguely registered Bruno and Tyrone’s massive forms clearing a path through the hotel lobby, but everything felt distant, like I was watching someone else’s life through frosted glass.
The elevator doors opened directly into the penthouse suite of The Maxwell Los Angeles, but I barely registered the luxury surrounding me. After forty-eight hours of hell, finding Mia alive, and knowing she was safe, my body had apparently decided it was done running on pure adrenaline.
Matt’s hand settled on my lower back, steadying me as I swayed slightly. “Easy there, pet.”
“I’m fine,” I mumbled, even as I leaned into his touch. “Just need to?—”
“Sleep for about three days straight?” His voice held equal measures of concern and fondness. “First, you need a bath and food.”
I wanted to argue, but honestly? A bath sounded heavenly. Even the plush carpet beneath my feet seemed to be trying to seduce me into unconsciousness.
Matt’s phone buzzed. He checked it while still keeping one hand on me, as if afraid I’d topple over without support—fair enough.
“Scott,” he said. “Mia’s settled at the hospital. James and Savannah are with her.”
Relief flooded through me again, making my knees even weaker. “She’s really okay?”
“She’s safe,” Matt confirmed, pulling me against his chest. “You both are.”
I buried my face in his shirt, breathing in his familiar scent. “Thank you,” I whispered. “For everything.”
“Always.” He pressed a kiss to my temple. “Now, let’s get you taken care of.”
Matt guided me into the bathroom, which was massive and luxurious. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a stunning view of Los Angeles, though privacy glass ensured no one could see in. The centerpiece was a massive soaking tub that looked more like a small pool, surrounded by pristine marble in warm honey tones.
While the tub filled, Matt helped me out of my clothes. When he found a bruise I didn’t even remember getting, his fingers ghosted over it with such tenderness my throat tightened.
“Our clothes should arrive soon,” he said, stripping efficiently himself. “I had Eddie arrange for some shopping.”
“Of course you did.” I let him help me into the tub, sighing as the hot water enveloped me. “Your solution to everything is throwing money at it.”
“Is it working?”
“Maybe.” I leaned back against his chest as he settled in behind me, his strong arms wrapping around my waist. “Don’t let it go to your head.”
The water lapped gently around us, and I felt the tension slowly seeping from my muscles. Matt’s hands moved in soothing patterns across my skin, washing away the past two days.
“It was always just us before,” I found myself saying, my voice quiet in the steam-filled air. “Me and Mia against the world. When things went wrong, we only had each other.” I traced a pattern in the water. “This time, when she needed help,I wasn’t alone. You were there. James, William, everyone… I’ve never had that before.”
Matt’s arms tightened around me. “Get used to it, pet. You’re stuck with us now.”
“Yeah?” I tried for teasing, but it came out more vulnerable than intended.
“Yeah.” He turned my face toward his, kissing me softly. “Both of you.”
We stayed in the bath until the water started cooling. Matt helped me out, wrapping me in what had to be the softest towel in existence. As if on cue, there was a discreet knock at the suite’s door.
“That’ll be lunch,” Matt said, securing a towel around his waist. “And hopefully clothes.”
He returned moments later with several bags and what looked like enough food to feed a small army. “The kitchen’s sending up more in an hour,” he added at my raised eyebrow.
“Planning to fatten me up?” But I was already reaching for what looked like a gourmet burger, my stomach reminding me that protein bars and coffee weren’t a sustainable diet.
“Planning to take care of you.” Matt handed me soft sleep pants and a t-shirt. “Eat what you want, sleep as long as you need.”
