The floor-to-ceiling windows let in the lights of Miami, the sky behind it taking on a deep blue that said sunrise wasn’t far behind it.
I walked over toward them, staring out at the town, wondering if Drake was out there somewhere, if he knew his man had failed yet. Would he run? Would I ever be able to find him?
Maybe it had been a pipe dream to think I could have some grand confrontation scene in the first place. What did I hope to accomplish? Even if he had the money, what were the chances that he’d give it back?
“Goddess? I mean, Lula?” Raff called, making me roll my eyes before turning. Only to find him standing there with a small trash can. At my pinched brows, he shrugged. “You can ditch the gauze now,” he told me. “I can’t get your script filled right now, but the club gave me the leftover pills from the last time one of them got fucked up. I’d like to get one in you before your bath. Get it working so you can sleep.
I leaned over the trash and spat the gauze out, surprised how willing I was to do something like that in front of anyone else. But, I guess, road-tripping with someone kind of stripped away all those little self-conscious concerns. It was hard to be perfectly pretty, controlled, and polished when you spent nearly every hour the day with someone.
Raff could handle the less glamorous parts of me.
“How’s it feel?”
“Weird. But it’s not bleeding.”
“Not bleeding is usually the goal. So, will you take the meds?”
“Yeah. I could use some good sleep after tonight. And I don’t think I’d get it without some painkillers.”
“Good. Now, you go on and take yourself into the primary bath. I’ll be there with the meds and some water in a second.
He walked toward the kitchen and I made my way into the primary bedroom—finding more dark wood, cream, windows, and a bed that looked so comfortable I almost wanted to cry again.
Because everything hurt now.
I guess once the emotions were worked through and the adrenaline had eased, I was able to feel every point of contact with the guy’s hands, fists, the pain from where I’d fallen to the hardwood floor. My whole body felt like a bruise. But my face hurt the worst. And my throat was on fire from the strangulation, making swallowing my own spit feel like shards of glass.
The bathroom was covered in the same tile as the kitchen—looking luxe and inviting. There was a walk-in niche long enough not to require any doors. Then, of course, there was the massive soaking tub that Raff had slowly filling with steaming water.
Sucking in a deep breath, I turned and made my way toward the floating vanity, forcing myself to confront my reflection for the first time.
It wasn’t pretty, but it also wasn’t as horrific as I’d been telling myself it might be. There were dark rims around both eyes. My cheek was swollen from the trauma to my jaw. And, yeah, there were marks on my throat from the man’s hands that I was sure would only darken with time. But, as a whole, it couldhave been so much worse. A little carefully applied makeup and some ice and I could probably pass as my usual self.
I was still standing there, staring at myself when Raff came in, placing a glass bottle of water and a pill on the counter beside me before making his way to turn off the water.
I took the pill and set down the bottle again, still staring at myself.
I saw Raff making his way back before he moved in behind me. In the mirror, he sucked in a deep breath, released it, and pressed his chin down on my shoulder.
“You okay?”
“I feel like it should look worse. It felt worse.” My hand lifted to gently trace over my throat.
“Don’t let yourself try to downplay how bad it was just because there isn’t ‘enough’ evidence of it on your skin.”
My head tipped, leaning against his for a second.
Then we stood like that for a long moment or two before Raff’s head turned, pressed a soft kiss to my neck, then straightened and stepped away.
“Take your bath. There are some fresh pajamas on the bed. Can I make you coffee? Tea? A snack?”
“I’m just tired. But thank you.”
“Okay. Take a quick soak. By the time you’re out, the meds should kick in so you can knock out.”
With that, he left, closing the door as he went.
Alone, I stripped and slipped into the bath, feeling the almost too hot water ease the aches in my body.
