Chapter 55

HARPER

J asper took some time off work and insisted I stay at the penthouse, instead of mine and Aster's place. Aster stayed to enjoy the amenities, particularly the rooftop pool, and the in-house gym. Max stayed too. Jasper said it was for selfish reasons, being his ability to gawk at Aster whenever he wanted to. I knew there was some truth to that, she was her flirty self toward him, but oddly as soon as he made any advances, she shut him down.

Once Aster returned home, Jasper arranged for a protective detail to watch our place. Aster wasn't happy about it, she said she already had a protective, overbearing father and didn't need another one, but when she realized she would be watched by big handsome guys in suits 24/7 she changed her tone, like I knew she would.

Max took to the office to keep things going smoothly with clients. He was happy to help, Max had been so sweet, and protective of me these past few days. kind of in the way I imagine a big brother would.

It was nice, I liked it.

Having them around the first few days was pleasant. It diverted the potential awkwardness that might have been, had I been alone with Jasper and his overly apologetic gestures. It was clear that his love language was gift-giving, so despite my reservations, I allowed him to indulge. He didn't hold back much, as I soon discovered. I received a new computer, complete with every imaginable accessory, a wardrobe curated by Aster—which I admit I'm apprehensive about and still haven't touched the boutique boxes from her shopping spree with Max—and a charm bracelet packed with a literary theme and my initials. The bracelet quickly became my favorite. I hadn't taken it off since he put it on me. I refused to open the box; I didn't want to risk seeing a price tag even though he assured me I wouldn't.

Having our two closest friends with us after that traumatic night, I believe, helped to soothe our nerves. though it revived some unpleasant memories, it also made coping with the aftermath easier. Besides, I'm not sure Aster would have let me out of her sight after I was unconscious in the hospital for three days. She often conceals her emotions, but I know it was difficult for her to see me that way, again.

"So what do you want to do today?" Jasper whispered into my ear as he joined me. He ran his fingertips across my bare neck. I sat on the sofa cradling a cup of hot coffee with both hands, enveloped in the couch blanket I had claimed. Though I believe it was unintentional, his touch electrified my senses.

Jasper pulled the end of the blanket over his lap and draped his arm across the back of the couch, drawing me into his side. I loved how perfectly we fit together. It was like a perfect little Jasper nook that was tailor-made for me. Aster and Max left early, leaving us with the whole day to ourselves.

"Can we just do this ?" I asked, tilting my head against Jasper and closing my eyes. "Like all day?" I took a deep breath and sighed in contentment.

I was trying so hard to put on a happy face and completely ignore everything I had been through. I refused to let that incident and the trauma it caused consume me again. But in the back of my mind, it was there, taunting me in every tranquil moment. Particularly at night while Jasper sleeps.

He shared a bed with me nearly every night since we got out of the hospital, and each night I am awakened by nightmares.

In my dreams, I see the faces of my captors in two distinct periods: First, they appear as they did when I was a young girl, and then they transform into the men I saw just days ago. Each image is similar yet different, but one thing remains unchanged—the fear still feels the same.

Jasper told me they would never be able to hurt me again. I didn't ask any questions. I needed to let it go, but the more the fear crept to the surface, the harder it got not knowing the details. I needed some closure.

"We can sit here if you like, Doll. I would give you the world if you asked for it." Jasper said kissing my head, as he moved his other arm to encase me in a hug. I eagerly leaned into it. It felt so strange not to be repulsed at the amount of affection he offered. Not to be breathing nervously and trying like hell to get away from him before he hurt me, but it was like Jasper had something that I waited for all my life. I couldn't put my finger on what it was, but it was there, and I didn't mind it. I wanted it.

"How about breakfast?" Jasper asked as he flicked the TV onto the news. Something I've learned about Jasper in the last few days is, he is a news junkie . He called himself a news enthusiast which at the time, had me laughing so hard I nearly peed my pants, but it reminded me of our age gap. Not that I had a problem with it. It was just small things like the news, that reminded me he was a bit older than I am. It also gave me ammo to make fun of him too.

My stomach let out a loud growl. I looked up at him with a blush.

"Breakfast sounds good."

He picked up his phone from the table and politely excused himself, making a call to have some of my favorite pastries delivered. I looked up as the breaking news banner flashed across the screen, and quickly reached for the remote to turn up the volume.

The newscaster reported on an abandoned bread factory that caught fire. The blaze escalated and consumed several acres of surrounding woodland, and fields. It took several days for the fire to get large enough to be noticed because the warehouse was in a secluded area. They believed it to be accidental. suspecting faulty wiring.

"Upon the emergency personnel's arrival, there were over a dozen burned bodies in the building. None of the victims were identifiable at this time," she announced, leaving me frozen.

Jasper turned to me with a smile, oblivious to the images of the burned warehouse and the still-smoldering woods in the clip. I felt the blood drain from my face as my heart pounded in my ears.

"You killed them?"