“Thank you,” she mouthed, laying her head back on the pillows. “And you’ll stay with me?”
“I’ll stay. You’re safe. I promise on my life. And Princess?”
“Yeah?”
“When you’re ready to talk… about what happened, about James, any of it, I’m here to listen.”
Fern
I woke with a jolt, dripping in sweat, my face throbbing and my body shaking. Shallow breaths heaved in my chest as I tried to fill my lungs unsuccessfully. I looked around the room, struggling to get my bearings, only to find Charlie asleep in the wingback chair across the room, his wide frame looking so uncomfortable that a rush of guilt washed over me.
Pulling back the covers, I tried to stand, but my body felt like I’d been pummeled and that was when it hit me. James screaming at me, hitting me, groping me… nearly raping me. Bile filled my mouth as I remembered how close he’d been and how Charlie saved me. Tying my hair up in a messy bun, I forced down all the pain, fear, and emotions that threatened to engulf me.
Searching quietly through the clothes Charlie must have packed into my case last night, I tried to find something baggy and shapeless, terrified that anything else would make his words true; that I was asking for it. But then I remembered AddisonStone, and I wondered what she’d say if she was here… what she’d do. She’d tell me to put on some armor and stand tall, so that was what I did. Fifteen minutes later, I emerged from the bathroom, ready to fight.
“Charlie,” I whispered. He stirred, stretching his arms above his head, sighing loudly, obviously uncomfortable. “It’s 7 am and your phone keeps buzzing. Is that the car?”
“Hhhmmm,” he mumbled as his eyes opened, taking a moment to let his vision focus. “So early.”
“You didn’t have to sleep in the chair.”
“I didn’t want you to feel uncomfortable. It’s fine.” His eyes suddenly widened as if he was remembering last night, just as I had. “Are you okay?”
“I will be when we get the hell out of here.”
Just then, there was a light knock on the door, and someone whispered my name. Charlie bolted from the seat, pulling the door open slightly, before nodding and opening it fully.
“Miss.” Helen offered me a small smile before pushing a silver trolley into the room while Charlie closed and locked the door behind her. “I thought you might like some breakfast. Bacon, eggs, toast, fresh juice. I’ve also left you some painkillers on there and ice if you need it. Chef also made you both up a picnic to take with you in case you don’t have plans for lunch.”
“Thank you,” I replied, confused about what she knew.
“There is a car outside and some men waiting to come get your bags. They told you to take your time. They’re happy to wait.” She paused before she spoke again. “Miss, can I speak openly?”
I nodded.
“If you need a witness,” she whispered. “I’m happy to give a statement.”
“You saw?” Charlie fired out. “And you didn’t help?”
“I heard, not saw, but I’ve seen things before. Mr. Horten with your sister, even Judge Richards with Mrs. Richards. In this house, the women don’t usually fight back as hard as you did.”
I gritted my jaw, surprised by her admission.
“I’ll leave you both to get ready and I’ll get your bags taken down. Your father will be down for breakfast in fifteen minutes.”
Thirty minutes later, Charlie had forced me to eat while he quickly showered, and then, taking my hand in his, he led me down the stairs. At the bottom were four huge bodyguards I’d never seen before, two of them obviously carrying guns under their black jackets.
“Charlie, Fern, I’m Jarrid,” one of them announced as he moved in front of us. Tall, wide, long hair pulled back from his face in a messy man bun, he looked like an enforcer and I let out a long breath as his warm blue eyes silently reassured me.
“Matt asked us to come and help you today. Just make your way to the car and we’ll be on our way in no time.”
“Thanks,” I mumbled.
“Would you like to go to the hospital or the police station before we hit the road?”
I shook my head and started walking towards the front door, which was the only thing between me and safety, but before I could get there, my sister appeared in front of me, holding Ari.
Her bottom lip was split and her eyes red rimmed and full of fear. She looked me up and down, her gaze landing on the damage to my face.
