“Rest, baby. I’ll be right here beside you.” As much as I hateto admit it, his reassurance is comforting. I want him beside me.
When I come to again, Ian is sitting next to me, his eyes bloodshot. “Hey, Pup. How do you feel?”
“Thirsty,” I reply in a strained voice. He helps me sit up and hands me a cup of ice water.
“I’m so sorry. I never should’ve taken you home.” His voice cracks.
I reach to squeeze his hand. “Don’t, this isn’t on you. I can’t stay with you forever. It’s not your fault some psycho attacked me.”
He nods, wiping his eyes. “The cops want to talk to you when you’re up to it.”
“Because that’s done me so much good in the past.”
“We’re going to find out who’s doing this. I promise.”
“Have them check the women in the pictures. My car was vandalized during my first date with Mason. The pictures and note were delivered after we went away for a few days. I was attacked outside his organization. It’s someone he’s fucking or someone he dumped.”
The doubt on Ian’s face pisses me off. “You don’t believe me?”
“I’m not saying you’re wrong. It could well be a disgruntled ex, but you need to talk to Mason, Ev. The pictures don’t necessarily mean he was cheating.”
Tears fill my eyes. It’s too much, the pain in my head and body doesn’t compare to the ache in my heart. Listening to Ian side with Mason again makes me feel like I’ve lost him too. “No, Everly.” Ian crawls in bed beside me, careful not to pull my I.V. He guides my head gently to his chest. “I’ve got your back, always. You know that. You’ve been through a lot the past few weeks. Right now, you just need to rest. Don’t worry about anything but getting better.”
“I want to go home.”
“I know, but it isn’t safe.”
“I can’t keep staying with you.”
“I want you to, but I won’t be home during the day, and until we catch this asshole you can’t be alone.” He holds metighter. “God, Everly, he could have killed you. I’ve never been so scared in my life. When Mason called me…”
“Wait. How did Mason know where I was?”
Mason enters with a duffel bag and answers my question. “My security detail was monitoring you.”
“You had me followed?” I demand.
“I had you protected.”
“They did a bang up job,” I snap.
His face softens. “The guard lost you in the crowd. When he figured out you cut down the alley, he was too late. He got a brief glimpse of the man who attacked you. We’ll catch him.”
I bring my hands to my head, closing my eyes. It’s all too much. My boyfriend was having me monitored without my permission while he was probably off with some new bitch. Someone is out to hurt me, even kill me. A wave of nausea sweeps over me and I take a deep breath. Throwing up would be excruciating right now.
“You have to take it easy, love, and let us keep you safe.”
“You’re sure it was a man?”
“Yes,” Mason replies. “I promise he won’t touch you again. I’ll have security at my house around the clock.”
My eyes pop open. “I’m not going home with you.”
Ian sighs. “It’s the safest place for you.” His pleading eyes meet mine. “Please, Everly, just trust me. I’d never do anything to hurt you.”
With a deep sigh, I give up. “Fine, whatever you want.” I’m too exhausted and in too much pain to argue. “Will you ask the nurse if I can have something for nausea?”
“Of course.” Ian scoots off the bed and plants a kiss on my forehead.
