Chapter Four
“That woman is going to be the death of me, I’m sure of it,” Caleb said, turning toward them. “Let’s talk in my office.”
When Lydia was out of sight, Henry followed his friend, closing the door behind him. He didn’t like not knowing where Lydia was. She’d been so scared during their time together. Seeing her in the large house with the lights shining around them, she’d looked broken.
“What did you have to agree to?” Henry asked, still pissed at himself for putting them all in this position. He shouldn’t have upset Lydia, sending her running, nor should he have gone after her.
“We’re expanding a venture into rural towns along with accepting them as our suppliers for the future.” Caleb sat down behind his desk while Elijah took the sofa.
“I’m pissed off,” Elijah said. “I’ve got a good deal going with the Mexicans. I don’t want to risk my ass because of some two bit townies.”
“They’re not townies, Elijah. I told you that. Bill and Leon are front men. They’re not the men running the show. Someone else is.”
“Drake Stone? He wouldn’t use those guys. They’re next to useless,” Henry said. Drake was their enemy and tried to fight for the right to run the whole city. They were all powerful men, but Drake was an asshole of the highest order. He got women hooked on drugs, then put the addicts on the books. His operation was sloppy and violent. Henry loved violence, but with him getting older he was seeing the need to keep his fists firmly in his pockets.
“It could be Drake.”
“That little shit would be bragging about having him,” Elijah said, pointing at Henry. “He’s nothing better than a twelve-year-old with a gun. Drake couldn’t keep quiet to save his own ass let alone anyone else. It can’t be Drake.”
“Why not? We know him as being a pain in the ass little shit. This is a competition to him. How do we know he’s not about to take on something else? Let’s face it, he knew we’d rule this out,” Caleb said. “I’m not going to rule him out, not yet.”
“When can I kill them?” Henry asked, more interested in hurting the men who’d hurt Lydia.
“You can’t kill them yet. We need to find out what else they know before we take them out.”
“No, I’m the one who’s going to be taking them out, no one else.” Henry wanted their blood on his hands to know he did the job right.
“Are you okay?” Caleb asked.
“I’m fine. This isn’t the first time I’ve been taken, and I imagine it’s not going to be the last. Don’t worry about me.”
He stood up and started to pace the room. Glancing at the clock on the wall he saw it was a little after seven.
“Lydia can’t be alone,” Elijah said, speaking up.
“What?” Henry paused to look at the other man.
“We don’t know if they’re going to be watching her. Bill didn’t look all that stable,” Caleb said.
“And yet you struck a deal.”
“It was either strike a deal with them or put you and Lydia at risk. From the crazed look on your face I imagine you wouldn’t want me to put her in a situation that will change her.”
Caleb’s knowing words irritated him.
“I’ve not got to listen to this.” Walking toward the door, Henry was ready to leave.
“They’re going to come back. If this isn’t Drake then it’s going to be someone else. You can’t let her be alone.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll be on babysitting duty.” Henry opened the door, walking away.
He needed a drink, and it was too early to get started on alcohol. Stepping into the kitchen he came to a stop as he saw Donna sitting at the table. A cloth was over her shoulder, but the sight of Luke’s legs let Henry know what she was doing.
“Where’s Lydia?” he asked, going to the coffee pot. He saw it was still brewing and cursed.
“She’s taking a shower. I want to thank you for taking care of her. When we realized she’d been taken, we were both so worried.”
He glanced over his shoulder to see Donna looking at him.
“Sure, no problem. The doctor should be here soon.”
“I know. I’m letting this guy have his feed and then I’m going to get some food ready for Lydia. Did you guys eat?” Donna asked.
“We were kidnapped. What do you think?” He snapped at her, angry that she’d ask such a stupid question.
“Henry, a word,” Caleb said, drawing him toward the entrance of the kitchen.
Fuck.
He followed his friend. “I’m sorry.”
“I don’t tell Donna everything that goes on. She knows you were taken, but you don’t need to take out your anger on her. This is not her fault, far from it. I’m the one to blame.”
“I’m sorry.” Henry repeated his apology. “I’m hungry, tired, and fucked off.”
“Sorry, Donna. It has been a long night. I shouldn’t have snapped at you like that,” Henry said, apologizing.
“It’s okay. I can’t imagine what you’re going through.” She was rubbing Luke’s back as she spoke.
“I’m going to set up some food for Lydia and I’ll get out of your way.” He pulled out several different meats and cheese from the fridge. Arranging two plates of food, he poured coffee into cups, and asked where Lydia was sleeping.
“I put her in the room next to mine and Caleb’s. You’re next door to her.”
He didn’t stay around to talk.
Elijah was nowhere to be seen, but Henry wasn’t interested in work. He needed to see Lydia before he completely lost his shit. The doctor still hadn’t arrived. Knocking on the door, he waited for Lydia to answer the door.
Seconds passed before she opened the door. She wore a thick white robe with a towel wrapped around her head.
“Hey,” he said, not knowing what to say. He truly was used to women paid to be in his company. Those women didn’t need kind words or understanding, just money.
“Is that for me?” She stared at the plate, licking her lips.
“It certainly is.” He held it up. “Can I join you? I’m not really good company for anyone else.”
“Sure.” She stepped back letting him inside her room. The scent of lavender was heavy in the room. He was becoming addicted to the smell.
Lydia took gentle steps to the bed and climbed on the covers. He waited for her to be settled before placing the tray on her legs. Sitting in front of her, he rested the tray on his knee.
“You’re still dirty,” she said.
“I’ve not had time to shower. I needed to get up to speed with what Caleb had to agree to.”
“Will you be going into business with them?” He saw her shudder.
“No, we won’t be going into business with them. I made you a promise, Lydia, and I’m going to stick with it.”
She stared at him. Her dark brown gaze focused on him. “Good.” He barely caught what she said as she whispered it.
Nodding, he took a sip of his coffee, watching her eat the meat and fruit. She didn’t pull any faces of disgust at what he’d given to her.
“I’m going to sleep here tonight, and then I’m going to head home,” she said.
Picking up a piece of boiled ham he started to eat the meat. “You can’t go back home, Lydia.”
“What do you mean? You had an agreement with them. They wouldn’t be coming after me, would they?” The fear flashed on her face.
“They believe you’re my whore. I didn’t know what was going on, but if they thought you meant anything to me they would have used you against me.”
“I don’t mean anything to you.”
“This was where I struggled with the decision. If they believed you didn’t mean anything they might have taken you regardless. I was trying to save you. I can’t have your death on my conscience.” He had blood on his hands, the blood of men who deserved it. Lydia was different, and he’d known it the first time he spotted her in the jewelry store. Caleb had been talking with the blonde, and Henry had not been able to look away from Lydia. He tried to stay away. Then when Caleb gave him the order to get rid of Darren, he’d found himself in her life once again. The last thing he wanted to do was hurt her, yet it seemed all he was good for was hurting her.
“I know what you were trying to do. It’s hard to believe, but I did understand. A lot of men keep calling me a whore. It’s getting a little tiring.” She rubbed at her temple, wincing as she jolted her body.
“Are you hurt?” He put his plate on the bed beside him. Henry took her plate from her and tugged her to her feet. “Don’t try to lie to me. I want the truth.”
She stood up.
“Show me where it hurts?”
“I’m naked.”
“I’ve seen a lot of women naked. I won’t say anything. Just show me where you’re hurt.” If she was in too much pain he wasn’t going to sit around waiting for the doctor.
Lydia tugged at the belt tying the robe together. She turned her back on him and loosened the robe before turning back to him.
He saw the top part of her chest.
“Where does it hurt?” His cock was hardening as more of her body was revealed to his gaze.
“My right side.”
Henry reached out to open the robe. She dropped her hand to stop him.
“I’ve got to see you.” He stared up into her eyes. Tears filled her depths.
“Okay.” She released his hand, averting her gaze as he slid the robe open.
It took every ounce of strength not to look at her pussy. He saw the dark bruising across her ribs. Henry didn’t have a clue what he was looking for. All he saw was the bruising, but at least none of her ribs were poking through her skin. They could be poking organs inside her body. He wasn’t going to worry her.
“I don’t think they’re broken. You might have cracked one or two.” That seemed the more logical explanation.
His mouth ran dry. Could he smell her pussy?
Standing up, he gave her space to cover her body.
He didn’t want her to cover up. Reaching out, he stopped her. She stared at him, and he closed the distance between them. Lydia tilted her head back to look in his eyes. He didn’t see the bruise on the side of her face, or the pain in her eyes. Henry saw the woman he’d seem many times but kept himself away from.
Cupping her cheek, he stroked a thumb across her lips. “I’m going to make each of them pay.”
She did something that shocked him. Lydia licked the tip of his thumb. “Thank you.”
He leaned down, wanting to know what those plump lips tasted like.
The door opening stopped him. He withdrew his hand and took a step back.
“The doctor’s here,” Donna said.
Lydia put her robe back into place.
“I’ll give you some privacy. I need to clean up.” He picked up his plate and coffee, leaving the room without another glance behind him.
He needed a shower and to get some focus on his troubled thoughts.
****
Lydia ignored Donna’s obvious stare. The doctor pressed on her ribs. He was a middle aged man with greying hair. His hands were cold, though, and it was distracting her from the pain.
“You’re very lucky. Two cracked ribs and a lot of bruising.”
“That’s lucky?” she asked, wrapping the robe around her once he bound up her ribs.
“I’ve seen a lot worse. I heard what happened. Believe me, Henry saved your ass from a lot more pain.” He took a step back, writing something down on a notebook. “You’re going to be in a lot of pain, but you’re going to need to rest for a couple of weeks.”
“I don’t have the time to rest. I need to be working.” She didn’t want to lose her job at the hotel chain. It was boring, but it paid the bills and kept her above water.
“I’m sorry. You’re not going to get well unless you listen to me, and that means resting. You can argue with me all you want. If you don’t rest then you’re going to end up being off work for a lot longer than a couple of weeks.” The doctor packed his kit away.
“I’ll make sure she rests, doctor,” Donna said, glaring at her.
“Make sure she does. I’m going to see Caleb.” He gave her another look then turned to leave.
“You’ve got to rest, Lydia.” Donna started listing all the things that could go wrong if she didn’t rest.
Rubbing at her temples, she looked at her friend.
“I will, Donna. Not all of us have a rich man to live off.” Her words were harsh, and she regretted them the moment she said them. “Fuck, forget I said anything.”
“You think I’m living off Caleb?”
“No, I don’t think that. You’re both in love. Look, it has been a long couple of days. I’m in pain, and I’m tired. My mouth is running away with me.” Getting to her feet, she pulled the other woman in for a hug. She loved Donna like a sister. Even though they no longer worked together they’d grown close, and Lydia didn’t want to lose her friend. If she kept talking shit to her, she knew Caleb would be seriously pissed at her.
“Okay, so are you going to tell me what’s going on between you and Henry?”
Lydia groaned. “Nothing is going on between us. We went through something together, and he saved me.”
She wasn’t going to think anymore about what happened. Henry had saved her from a lot more pain.
Pushing hair off her face, she winced as the sudden movement jolted her body.
“I’m going to leave you to get some rest. I’ll see you soon.”
Glancing at the clock, Lydia saw it was past nine. She watched Donna grab the plate and cup then leave the room.
Once the door closed, she walked over to the bed and sat down. Staring at her feet she wondered what was going to happen to her in the next couple of days. For most of her life she’d stayed out of the way, not getting into any kind of trouble. One mistaken night out and she was in a lot of trouble.
Lying down on top of the blanket she stared at the plain white ceiling. She’d thought sleep would come to her easily, but it was actually being a pain in the ass.
Getting to her feet, she opened her door to find silence met her ears. She hadn’t heard Donna or Caleb leave. The house was big enough to hide in.
She stepped down to the bedroom next to hers. Knocking on the door, she waited. Rubbing her hands together she wondered if he was still asleep. When seconds passed and he still hadn’t answered the door, she started to walk back to her room.
“What’s up?” Henry asked, opening the door.
“I can’t sleep.”
His hair was wet.
“Did I get you out of the shower?” she asked.
“Yeah, I smell and need a wash.” There was a towel around his hips. “Come on in.” She brushed past him to see his room was very much like hers.
“You make yourself at home?”
“Caleb’s like a brother to me. We’re business partners, and I hope he’d do the same when I get a place of my own.”
“You don’t have a place?”
“I do, but I never actually go there. I tend to crash at Caleb’s place.” He closed the door, flicking the lock into place.
She wasn’t scared to hear the sound. For once she wanted to shut the rest of the world out, but she didn’t want to be alone either.
“Make yourself comfortable. I’ll finish up.” He didn’t close the bathroom door all the way. She listened to the sound of shower as she lay down in his bed.
Time passed, and soon the shower stopped running. She watched the door, and he appeared wearing a pair of sweat pants but no shirt. The bruises and more scars stood out on his body. The light in the bedroom was on for her to see.
“You’re staring,” he said.
He walked over to the bed, climbing under the covers.
She didn’t say anything or tense up as he slid into bed beside her. Lydia still wore the robe as she’d not found any clothes and had forgotten to ask Donna for some.
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“Saving me. The doctor said it could have gone a lot worse if you didn’t do what you did. I really appreciate everything you’ve done to help me.” She tucked some hair behind her ear.
“What did the doctor say?”
She told him that she had cracked a couple of ribs but most of her pain was down to bruises. “I’ve got to rest.”
“Then you better do what the doctor said,” he said, stroking her cheek.
“I can’t, Henry. I need to go to work or I won’t be able to pay my bills.”
“You need to stop thinking about the bills and think about your health. Your ribs could get worse.” He removed his hand, laying her palm flat on the pillow between them. “I’ll take care of you.”
She stared at him, wishing her heart didn’t race a little faster or her body melt a little harder at his closeness. This was the first time she’d been this close to him without them being strapped to a bed.
His eyes were a startling green. There was a coldness inside him, and yet she saw something else, something deeper.
“You’re not going to argue with me?” he asked.
“I want to, but I’m in too much pain to think of a good argument.” She smiled, blowing out a sigh.
“You’ll be back to fighting me in no time.”
“Will I ever be normal again?” she asked, feeling a tad broken. She’d never needed to sleep beside a man to feel safe before.
“In a couple of weeks, maybe longer. Before you know what happens you’ve forgotten everything you’ve been through and you’re living life.”
She nodded, staring past his shoulder. “And you’re going to kill them all?”
“Yes, not tonight, not tomorrow, probably not next week, but I’m going to kill them.”
“I want you to kill them.” Tears filled her eyes, and she returned her gaze to him. “Does that make me a bad person?”
“The last person you need to ask that is me. I don’t give a fuck what happens to them. They hurt you, and they’re going to die.”
She grabbed his hand and locked their fingers together.
“You’re going to go to sleep now, Lydia. Nothing is going to happen to you. Caleb’s home, and I’m here.”
“Why do I feel happier and safer knowing that you’re here?”
Henry smiled. “I hope it’s because of my dazzling personality.”
She laughed at his teasing.
“Go to sleep, Lydia. Everything will be okay. The bad guys are not going to hurt you. I’m going to take care of you.”
She closed her eyes as his breath fanned across her face. Every now and then she opened her eyes to see Henry staring back at her. “Trust me, baby.”
“I trust you.” She closed her eyes and tucked his hand between her breasts, holding onto him.
Slowly, she started to relax. Henry’s even breathing along with the masculine scent soothed her enough to finally fall asleep.