My mind and my body were misconstruing things.I knew that.But even so, I knew I'd do whatever the heck Nick asked of me.Gladly.
When I didn't answer, Carlo added, “We've got our asses on the line here, too.”
I peered up to see Carlo leaning against the back of the couch behind Giselle, Eve, and Nick.“This isn't just about you anymore.”
And then I realized the full gravity of what I'd done.
He was right.
Carlo was right.
I'd brought danger to everyone here in this house.I didn't know Raul.But I knew enough.
And from what the men here were saying—he was the kind of guy who wouldn't stop until he had what he wanted.
I stood and Stefan’s jacket fell off my shoulders to the floor.“Then take me back to the city.I'll find somewhere else to stay.”
Stefan grabbed my hand, but I pulled it away.“I'm serious.Take me back to the city.Nobody knows I'm here.”
Stefan rose to his feet and put his arm around me, his hand settling on my hip.“You're scaring her.Don't you think she's been through enough?Christ, Carlo.You're acting like a real piece of shit.”
I leaned on Stefan and looked up at him.“No, he's right.I'm putting you all in danger.You shouldn't have bid on me.”My voice got lost in my dry, closing throat.Just imagining where I'd be right now if Stefan hadn't bid on me—
Gosh.
I could hardly breathe.
“You're not going anywhere,” Stefan said, turning fully to me and grasping my upper arms.“I'll deal with Raul.”
I shook my head and felt tears threatening behind my eyes.Then I started to shake.“No, just take me back to the city.Or let me call for a ride.Carlo's right.I need to get out of here.”
Stefan's arms wrapped around me and pulled me tightly to his warm body.His warm, strong body.“Christ.She's shaking.”
I heard rustling and soft voices talking.But I couldn't hear what they were saying.Before I knew it, Giselle was behind me.“Here, honey.Use this.It's nice and soft.”Then, she draped something over my shoulders.Stefan let go and pulled a blanket around me the rest of the way.
A few minutes later, I heard, “Do you like tea?Or hot cocoa?”Eve's voice floated from behind me.
Stefan sat back on the couch and pulled me beside him.“We'll start with the hot cocoa,” he spoke quietly, his arm behind me.
“She's shocky.You should put her on your lap.Warm her with your body heat,” Eve suggested, a cup in each hand.
Immediately after that, Stefan arranged me on his lap.I wanted to push back.To tell them I was fine.That I wasn't in shock.
Except when I went over the signs of shock in my mind, I realized she was probably right.I was in shock.
And I wanted Stefan to warm me.
And hot cocoa sounded really good.And I'd bet that Eve didn't make it with a crappy stolen package of powdered mix from the hospital like I did.I bet Eve made it in some delicious, classy way.I struggled to get my hands free so I could grab the cup from her.She gave me a small, sad—yet worried—smile as she handed the cup over.
But my hands were still shaking too much.Before I had a chance to spill it, Stefan took it.“Shh, you're fine.I've got you,” he whispered into my ear.“You're safe, Chesca.”
When he called me that—his nickname for me—the tears that I'd been able to keep at bay began falling.
“Shh,” he said, his warm lips touching the cool skin on the side of my face.It felt wonderful, having him so close like this.Holding me.
Telling me everything was going to be okay.When deep down I knew it wasn't going to be.Mostly because it never was okay.Not once in my freaking life had it ever been—okay.
Stefan held the cup to my lips, and I took a quick sip.Oh, man.It was great.Just like I suspected.Eve could make a mean cup of hot cocoa.It was creamy and delicious.And so, so chocolatey.
