35. Raven

Chapter 35

Raven

" I s it always this bright in here?" I quipped, an attempt to mask my growing anxiety as I squinted against the harsh fluorescent lights. The paramedics exchanged a glance above me, their faces etched with professional concern that failed to reach their eyes.

"Your pupils are reacting normally," one of them responded mechanically, scribbling something onto his clipboard.

"Great," I murmured, a frown creasing my forehead. Their detachment felt odd, clinical, even for medical staff. They seemed more interested in ticking boxes than in addressing my unease.

"Are you feeling any discomfort, Ms. Fields?" the other paramedic asked, his voice devoid of warmth.

"Besides the headache from your interrogation lights? No." My retort was sharper than intended, but I couldn't shake the unsettling suspicion crawling beneath my skin like ants over spilt sugar.

"Let us know if that changes," the first paramedic said, already turning away.

"Will do," I replied, but they were barely listening. As they walked off, their indifference gnawed at me. Why did it feel like they knew something I didn't?

We took off in the ambulance toward the hospital. They wanted to do a couple more tests before sending me home. We were done within an hour and cleared for Jerome to take me home.

As I paced the sterile hospital corridor, I ran my fingers through my hair, trying to calm the storm inside my head. Where had I heard that voice before? It nagged at me, a splinter lodged deep in my memory.

"Remember, breathe," Jerome's low voice instructed, grounding me in the present.

"Right," I whispered, taking a deep breath. The voice... it was almost recognizable, like a song heard once in passing, the melody lingering but the lyrics forgotten.

"Anything?" Jerome asked after a moment, watching me closely, ready to chase down any lead I could provide.

"Nothing concrete," I admitted, frustration creeping into my tone. But I couldn't shake the feeling of familiarity. It wasn't just any voice; it was one I'd heard in a context I trusted, one that shouldn't belong to a faceless tormentor.

"Take your time," Jerome encouraged. "We'll piece this together."

I stopped pacing and closed my eyes, focusing on that single thread of memory, willing it to unravel. The voice... it was there, on the edge of my consciousness, dancing mockingly out of reach.

Think, Raven, think…

"Imagine you're hearing it again," he suggested softly. "Let it come to you."

I nodded, taking another deep breath. I could almost hear the voice now, an echo in the depths of my mind. If only I could capture it, bring it to light...

My eyes snapped open.

"Jerome, the gardener," I gasped, her voice barely a whisper as the realization struck her like a physical blow. "The one he recommended when we moved in."

Jerome's eyes narrowed, a storm brewing behind his calm demeanor. "Are you sure?"

"Distinctly," I murmured, my mind replaying the countless mornings of casual greetings exchanged over the scent of freshly cut grass. The voice that had once seemed so friendly now sent shivers down my spine.

"Damn it," I cursed under my breath, anger seeping into my veins like venom. My ex-husband's involvement was a betrayal that cut deeper than I could have ever imagined. To think that he would stoop so low, to hire someone to terrorize me, all in some twisted attempt to win me back—it was unfathomable.

"Raven," Jerome said, reaching out to steady me, but I shrugged off his touch.

"Can you believe this?" I spat, pacing back and forth like a caged animal. "He hires a gardener to watch over me, to keep tabs, and then..." I couldn't finish the sentence, the words too bitter to speak aloud.

"Let's not jump to conclusions," Jerome cautioned, though his own jaw was clenched tight.

"Conclusions?" I rounded on him, expressive eyes blazing with fury. "I trusted that man. I let him into my home, into my life, and all the while, he was just another pawn in my ex's sick game!"

I stormed across the room, my fists clenched at my sides. The gardener's face, always so amiable, now morphed into something sinister in my mind's eye.

"Raven," Jerome tried again, his voice steadier, "we'll handle this. We'll get to the bottom of it, and they will pay for what they've done."

"Pay?" I laughed, a harsh, mirthless sound. "Is that supposed to make me feel better? Knowing that my privacy, my safety, was violated by someone I greeted every morning with a smile?"

My heart raced with a mixture of fear and anger, each beat a stark reminder of my vulnerability. To think that I had been so close to the source of my torment without even realizing it.

"You're not alone in this. Remember that."

For a moment, my resolve wavered, my steely exterior cracking to reveal the hurt beneath. I nodded, taking a shaky breath as I composed myself.

I watched as Jerome turned on his heel and headed toward the door, his steps purposeful. I could almost see the tactical wheels turning in his mind, plotting the next move. It was reassuring, yet the churning in my gut wouldn't subside.

How could I have been so blind? To think that every smile, every courteous nod, was a lie. My hands curled into fists as I replayed each interaction with the gardener, searching for missed clues, warning signs.

"Raven!" I whipped around to see my ex-husband, his face a mask of feigned concern.

"Are you okay? I came as soon as I—" His words halted abruptly as two detectives stepped forward, their badges glinting in the harsh lighting.

"Alex Mercer, you're under arrest," one detective announced, his voice resolute as he read the Miranda rights. "You have the right to remain silent..."

My gaze locked with his. The truth hung between us, unspoken yet undeniable. He had orchestrated this nightmare, believing fear would drive me back into his arms.

"Raven, I can explain—" he started, but I cut him off with a sharp gesture.

"Save it," I spat, heart pounding with a cocktail of emotions. Anger, betrayal, but above all, determination. This was the end of our story, the final curtain falling on a play twisted by deceit.

As the officers led him away, I felt a weight lift from my shoulders. It wasn't relief—no, that would come later. It was the weight of the chains he had tried to place around me, now broken and discarded.

"Will you be alright, Miss Fields?" the detective asked, watching me closely.

"I will be," I affirmed, voice unwavering. "Now that justice is being served."

"Good." The detective nodded. "We'll do everything we can to find the gardener. He won't get far."

"Thank you," I murmured, turning away from the sight of my ex-husband in cuffs.

As the sirens faded into the distance and the last of the police cars pulled away, I stood alone amidst the disarray. My heart was an inferno, burning away the remnants of a past that no longer held any power over me. With each breath, I felt more alive, more myself than I had in years.

I am free, and I will never look back.

"Let's just go home," Jerome whispered, crossing his arms around my waist.

Together, we walked to the exit, the automatic doors parting as if sensing the gravity of our shared unspoken resolve. The cool night air kissed my cheeks, a stark contrast to the stifling atmosphere I had left behind.

"Lean on me," Jerome offered, noticing the slight tremble in my steps. Without hesitation, I accepted the crook of his arm, allowing his steady presence to ground me.

As Jerome guided me to his SUV parked under the dim glow of the streetlight, I felt an odd sense of safety. I slid into the passenger seat, body sinking into the leather as he closed the door with a soft thud.

"Seatbelt," he reminded me gently, a hint of the old Jerome peeking through the cracks of his stoic facade.

I buckled herself in, fingers brushing lightly against his as he reached across me to ensure the strap was secure. Our eyes met, and for a moment, the world outside faded away. There was an unspoken conversation in that glance, a depth of feeling that words had yet to capture.

Jerome started the engine and pulled out onto the deserted street. The hum of the vehicle was soothing, a lullaby to the tempest of thoughts swirling in my mind. As we drove through the quiet city, I found myself leaning slightly toward him, drawn by an inexplicable force.

"Thank you, Jerome," I murmured. "For everything."

"Always."

The SUV came to a halt outside the gates of my estate, an oasis of tranquility amid the chaos that had become my life. I gazed out the window, the sprawling shadows of my home casting long patterns on the gravel drive. The silence between us was thick with words unsaid, a tangible tension that begged for release.

"Jerome," I began, turning toward him. "I need to say something."

He cut the engine, the soft purring of the car ceasing and surrendering them to the stillness of the night. His profile, silhouetted by the moonlight, was a picture of focus and strength that had been her shield. Yet now I sought the man behind the armor.

"Go ahead," Jerome said, his voice steady but cautious, as he turned to face me, the intensity in his eyes inviting me to speak my truth.

"Your job here is done," I stated, though my heart raced at the gravity of my own words. I watched as a flicker of surprise, perhaps disappointment, crossed his features.

"Raven, if you're worried about—"

"No, it's not that," I interjected, my hands clasping together to steady their shaking. "It's just... I can't have you as my bodyguard anymore." My eyes searched his, pleading for understanding.

"Because of what happened?" Jerome asked, the lines on his forehead deepening with concern.

"Because..." I took a deep breath, gathering the courage that had propelled me through life's trials. "Because I want more, Jerome. More than the professional, more than the safety you provide. I want you—the man who has been by my side, who makes me feel... alive."

Jerome's expression softened, a vulnerability breaking through his usual composure. "Rav—"

"Let me finish," I rushed to say before my confidence waned. "These past days, the fear, the uncertainty, they peeled back layers I didn't even know I had. And beneath it all, I found something unexpected... feelings for you that go beyond gratitude or friendship."

For a long moment, there was only the sound of our breathing, a symphony of nerves and anticipation. Jerome reached out, his hand coming to rest gently on my cheek, his touch sending a jolt of electricity through me.

"Raven," he whispered, his thumb tracing the line of my jaw tenderly. "Are you sure?"

"Never been more certain of anything in my life," I admitted.

In one swift movement, Jerome closed the distance between us, his lips capturing mine in a kiss that held the promise of new beginnings. I melted into him, arms winding around his neck as I poured every ounce of my pent-up emotions into the embrace.

We broke apart, breathless. The world around us forever altered. I looked into Jerome's eyes and saw reflected there the dawn of something beautiful, something worth fighting for.

"Does this mean I'm fired?" Jerome teased, a hint of his rarely seen smile playing on his lips.

"Consider it a promotion," I countered, laughter bubbling up from within me. "To partner, to confidant... to whatever this might become."

"Then I accept," Jerome said, his voice laced with a warmth that wrapped around me like a protective embrace. "With all that I am, Raven, I accept."

Outside, the stars shone brightly, bearers of witness to the birth of our love story, a tale forged in danger but defined by the courage to follow our hearts.

We exited the car, and as we approached the front door, the weight of the recent events seemed to hang heavily in the air.

"Let's get inside," Jerome urged, guiding me towards the door. "It's been a long day, and you need rest."

I nodded, leaning into his strength as we crossed the threshold. In the safety of my home, with Jerome by my side, I felt the first threads of peace weave through the chaos of my thoughts. Tonight, I would sleep without fear, and tomorrow, I would begin anew.

The bedroom door clicked softly shut, a sound that seemed to echo the finality of the harrowing escape. I leaned heavily against Jerome, the bruises marring my once flawless skin standing out starkly against the pallor of shock. I winced with each step, my body a testament to the brutality I had endured.

"Easy, just a few more steps," Jerome murmured, his arm securely around my waist as he guided me towards the bed. The strength in his grasp belied the gentleness in his voice, a paradox that I had come to associate with the man who was both my protector and unexpected confidant.

"Thank you," I breathed out, the words catching in my throat as she registered the pain radiating from my ribs.

"Let's get you comfortable." His tone brooked no argument, and I didn't have the energy to give one, even if I wanted to.

"Jerome," I started, but the words tangled up with emotions too complex to unravel. There was gratitude there, and something else, something deeper that I wasn't ready to name.

"Rest now, Raven. You're safe," he said, his deep voice a soothing balm.

I watched as he pulled back the covers, his movements efficient but not rushed, always mindful of my comfort. The room was silent except for the soft rustle of fabric and the steady cadence of our breathing, syncing in the quiet aftermath of adrenaline.

"Can you manage?" Jerome asked as I hesitated, the simple act of lying down suddenly daunting.

"Just... stay with me," I managed. He helped ease me down onto the pillows.

Laying there, with the warmth of his body so close, I allowed myself a moment of weakness, letting the fa?ade of the self-made, indomitable woman slip just enough to acknowledge the fear and vulnerability that clung to me like shadows. I closed my eyes, and for the first time since the ordeal began, I felt the possibility of rest, of peace, with Jerome by my side.

I watched, my breath catching, as Jerome removed his shoes and jacket with deliberate slowness. In my heightened state, every detail was magnified—the shuffle of his movements, the whisper of fabric, the reassuring solidity of his frame as he approached.

Then he was sliding under the covers beside me, his body emanating a heat that beckoned me closer.

As if sensing my silent plea, Jerome opened his arms. I nestled against him, my head finding the familiar curve of his chest. The steady thump of his heartbeat was a rhythmic anchor in the chaos of my thoughts.

"Is this okay?" Jerome's voice rumbled through me, low and grounding.

"More than okay," I murmured, allowing myself to relax into his embrace. I could feel the contours of his muscles, the gentle rise and fall of his breathing, and something within me unclenched. The bruises and aches from my ordeal seemed to fade in significance as I focused on the warmth of his body against mine.

For long moments, we lay in silence, the intimacy speaking volumes more than words ever could. I listened to the subtle shifts of Jerome's breathing, felt the brush of his thumb over the back of my hand, and knew that in this quiet space, I'd found a haven from the storm.

My fingers traced the line of Jerome's jaw, a gesture that surprised us both. In the dim light of the bedroom, shadows played across his face.

"Jerome," I whispered, and my voice was a tremble of uncertainty. "I..."

"Shh, don't speak if you're not ready," he replied, his voice a soft command that wrapped around me like a warm blanket.

But I needed to speak; words bubbled up from a place deep within—a well of emotion I'd kept sealed beneath layers of self-reliance. "No, I need to say this. Since the abduction... since everything, I've been thinking. About us."

"Us?" His eyebrow quirked, a silent question hanging between us.

"Can't you feel it? This thing between us." I hesitated, searching his eyes. "It's real, isn't it?"

He remained silent, but his gaze never wavered, steady and true.

"Jerome, I'm scared, but not of what's out there anymore—I'm scared of how much I want you."

It wasn't fear that made my heart race now—it was anticipation, desire... need.

"Raven," Jerome finally spoke, his voice thick with an emotion he rarely showed. "You know I will always protect you, but…"

"Stop." I cut him off, determination surging to the forefront. "I don't want you to be my bodyguard anymore, Jerome." I held up a hand to still his protest. "Not because I don't think I need protecting, but because I want something different. Something more."

"Are you sure?" The lines on his forehead deepened with his frown. "The danger may have passed, but I took an oath to keep you safe."

"Safe," I echoed, rolling the word around my tongue. "Yes, you've kept me safe, but at what cost? Our chance to see where this goes? That's a price too steep for me now."

"Raven, are you firing me?" The hint of a smile played at the corner of his lips, yet his eyes searched mine for the truth.

A laugh escaped me, short but genuine. "Yes. I suppose I am. Because I want to hire you for a different position entirely."

His hand reached up, capturing mine still resting against his cheek. "And what would that be?"

"Partner. Confidant. Maybe... maybe even lover." The words hung in the air, heavy with implications and promises.

"Is that wise?" His voice was teasing now, fingers interlacing with mine.

"Probably not," I admitted, a wry smile tugging at my lips. "But since when have I ever played it safe?"

"Never," he agreed, his thumb brushing over my knuckles. "And that's exactly why I—"

Whatever he was about to say was lost as I leaned forward, intention clear in my eyes. But before their lips could meet, I paused, inches away. "This is your last chance to back out, Jerome Dawson."

"Backing out isn't in my nature," he said, the warmth of his breath mingling with mine. "Especially not with you, Raven Fields."

"Good," I breathed, closing the gap between us.

My lips met his in a tentative whisper of a kiss, testing the waters of this new frontier. Jerome's response was anything but hesitant—firm and insistent. He coaxed my mouth open with a gentle urgency that sent a shiver down my spine. This wasn't the protective touch of my bodyguard; this was the raw desire of a man who wanted me as fiercely as I wanted him.

"Jerome," I murmured against his lips, the name feeling like a revelation on my tongue. It was strange how different it sounded now—not a call for help, but a plea for more.

I pulled away slightly, searching his eyes for any sign of hesitation. But all I found was the same intensity that had always marked his vigilant gaze, now lit with a different kind of fire. "We don't have to do this if you're not ready," I offered, the words costing me more than I cared to admit.

"Ready?" he echoed, a soft chuckle resonating in his chest. "I've been ready since the day I vowed to keep you safe." His fingers brushed away a lock of hair from my bruised cheek—a tender gesture that belied his strength. "But only if you're sure, Raven. If there's a part of you, that's not..."

As our bodies pressed closer, the sensation of his solid frame against mine felt like an anchor in a stormy sea.

"God, Raven," Jerome breathed out, his restraint unraveling as his hands slid down to cup my curves, pulling my hips against his own. "You feel... incredible."

"Then don't stop," I breathed back, nails grazing along the nape of his neck as I arched into him. The pain of my bruises faded under the surge of adrenaline and endorphins, replaced by a hunger for connection that demanded to be satiated.

As we moved together, a symphony of soft moans and whispered affirmations filled the room. There were no guards to stand watch, no hidden threats lurking in the shadows.

Afterward, I nestled closer, the curve of my body fitting perfectly against his side. I felt the rise and fall of his chest, each breath a silent oath of protection and care.

"What we have... it's real, isn't it?"

"More real than anything I've ever known." His thumb brushing away a stray tear that had escaped from the corner of my eye. His gaze held mine, unwavering and full of an intensity that made my heart swell.

"Good." I let out a contented sigh, allowing myself to relax fully for the first time in what felt like forever. "Because I don't want to go back to before—before this."

"Neither do I." His voice was firm, resolute. "Raven, with you, I've found something worth more than any duty I've ever served. You're my mission now—our happiness, our future."

"Then let's make sure we have one," I said, determination lacing my voice as I planted a soft kiss on his lips. It was a seal of promise, a symbol of the new chapter we were embarking on together—one filled with potential and hope.

As we settled into a comfortable silence, his steady heartbeat became my lullaby, lulling me into a peaceful repose. The challenges of the daylight would come, but for now, the darkness held no fear, only the warmth of the man beside me.