Addison’s heart sank. Did that mean they had Erica and were going to do something awful to her? She didn’t know how to feel about that. She was horrified at what Erica had nearly done to her, but she couldn’t be complicit in anything happening to the other women. She would much rather Erica go to prison than have Daniel do anything to her.
“Please, Daniel, about Erica…”
“There’s nothing to discuss,” he growled down at her.
She knew better than to argue with him. She would just have to find another way. Later, when she wasn’t so exhausted. She also didn’t want to have to go to the hospital and tried to tell him so, but once again he prevailed.
“You could have hypothermia, Addison,” he snapped impatiently. “We’re going to a hospital.”
Three hours later, after Addison had been thoroughly examined and briefly interviewed by the police, both under Daniel’s uncompromising supervision, Addison desperately hoped Erica really had gotten away. She’d truthfully told the police that she hadn’t heard Addison after she’d tumble into the river and for all she knew Erica was still out there in the park where the police were currently processing the ‘crime scene.’
When Daniel was asked if he’d seen Erica while searching for Addison in the park he crossed his arms and refused to speak. The only time he said anything was in relation to pulling Addison out of the river. He didn’t tell the police how he knew where to find her or how he found out who her stalker was. In fact, when it came to helping the professionals out, he was spectacularly unhelpful.
When confronted on his attitude, he commented blandly, “You’ll hear from my lawyer on the city PD’s mishandling of Ms. Sterling’s case. That’s how she got these injuries. Could have easily resulted in her death. Anything else?”
The two officers that were assigned to take Addison’s statement left quickly after that, assuring Addison that everything in their power would be done to find Erica Pennington and bring her to justice. Addison tried to soften Daniel’s words by smiling kindly and reassuring them of her belief in their abilities. She turned to Daniel and frowned up at him.
“Is it just your natural charm or do you make friends everywhere you go?” she asked sarcastically.
He brushed the messy fall of her hair back off her face and shoulders and gently pushed her back on the hospital bed. He sat next to her on the narrow bed and she rolled over, curling her body against his warmth. He picked up her injured wrist and stroked his fingers over the bandage so lightly it felt like a butterfly’s touch.
“Cracked wrist,” he said, then set her wrist down and lifted his blunt fingers to brush them over the stitches on her cheek. “Two stitches here.” He touched her collarbone. “Nine stitches.” His voice became harder, more uncompromising as he catalogued her injuries. His hand drifted over her ribcage, just beneath her breast. “Five stitches. Your feet are bruised and cut to shit.” He leaned forward and touched his lips to her forehead. “Possible concussion.”
“Addison versus tree. Tree won,” Addison said, trying to lighten the mood.
“Don’t.”
She sighed and nodded. “Make your point then, because I’ve had a really bad day and I’m over being terrified and sad, Daniel.”
“I want them to pay,” he growled.
“Who?” she asked.
“Everyone.” He thrust an agitated hand through his hair and leaned away from her as though not wanting to touch her with the swirling darkness that surrounded him. “I want to fucking tear out the guts of everyone that led you to this point. I want revenge, Addison. And I’ll have it.”
She touched his back and gently ran her hand down his spine, feeling the tense ridges of muscle. “What about me?” she whispered. “I didn’t tell you about the stalker. I’m equally guilty in leading myself to this point. I could have told you. You would have tracked her down and stopped her long before… this. Are you going to tear out my… ugh … anyway… are you mad at me, Daniel?”
His shoulders stiffened and he didn’t answer. He didn't need to. She already knew the answer. Of course he was mad at her. He was furious. She’d hid something from him, something that had nearly gotten her killed after he practically declared himself to her. As best as he was capable of declaring himself to anyone. She hadn’t trusted him. She’d disappointed him.
“I’m so sorry,” she whispered, tears choking her voice. “Please, Daniel…”
He turned to her on the bed and leaned over her, blocking out the light with his body. “Hush, Addison,” he growled down at her soothingly. “Don’t upset yourself.”
“But, Daniel…”
“Of course I’m angry with you. Should have told me you had a stalker when you first met me. Would have been the smart move to make. But you made your choice and, when you’re better, you’ll live with the consequences,” he said quietly, running his hand gently over the non-injured areas of her skin.
“Consequences?” she asked sleepily.
“My revenge on the most important, beautiful woman in my life. I’ll tie her to our bed every night and force her to come over and over again until she begs me to stop. And then I’m going to keep going until I think she’s learned not to keep secrets from me. She’ll probably try to escape my revenge by running away to some high-end hotel where they serve fucking strawberries and chocolate, but I’ll find her and torture her until she gives in.” He leaned down and kissed her jaw as her eyes fluttered shut and she began to drift off.
“That sounds terrible,” Addison said with a yawn. “Can’t wait…”
Chapter Thirty-Four
“Please, let me see her,” Claudia’s whisper floated into the room, waking Addison.
She blinked and opened her eyes. She was pretty sure it was morning. She thought she could detect natural light coming from the opposite direction of the door where Daniel was coldly denying Claudia access to Addison’s room. Addison was about to let him know that she was awake and that she was happy to have visitor’s when Jane’s louder voice piped up.
