Chapter 34

CHAPTER 34

SIN

I walk into the room and stand, shocked at her appearance, although I shouldn't be. She has bandages as far as the eye can see from all the knife wounds. The most frightening thing is how pale her skin is. Yet, even like this, she's absolutely stunning.

After I set my coffee on the table beside her bed, I lean over her and kiss her on the forehead. "I missed you, baby."

I take a seat beside her bed and stroke the back of her left hand. Her right one is bandaged up, but this one seems uninjured. I'm desperate for her to wake up and look at me, but I know sleep is the best thing for her right now.

My phone vibrates in my pocket so I pull it out to see the name Bones flash across my screen, so I answer it quickly but quietly so I don't disturb Kierra, although with her being sedated I'm not even sure if it's possible.

"She's been stalking your girl, man. Told them where to find her. Gave them her keycard you trusted her with and told them what time you'd be leaving."

This is my fault, really. I should've seen it coming?. Belinda was jealous. I knew that and did nothing to prevent this. I trusted her blindly. And now Kierra is paying for my mistake, likely with her life. She trusted me to protect her. I promised I would. I'm not worthy of her calling me Daddy. She is way too good for me. I don't deserve her.

I lean back in the uncomfortable chair while I run a hand through my hair, never taking my eyes from Kierra. "How do you know?"

It's not that I doubt Bones is telling me the truth. I know he is, but I want to know how he knows.

"She told me."

I arch an eyebrow as if he can see me. "She told you? Why? Why would she admit to that?"

He chuckles and I hear whimpering in the background, "You'd be amazed what a few broken bones can accomplish."

I shake my head. "You're crazy. You know that, right?"

The scream I hear from the other end of the phone sends chills down my spine. "I gave her the opportunity to run a few moments ago. Apparently, it's hard to run with broken legs. Shame."

Psycho.

"Hold on, let me put you on speakerphone. I'm a nice guy so I'm allowing her one final request."

The last person I want to have a conversation with is Belinda. If I could, I'd have him bring her here, and I'd choke her to death while watching the light fade from her eyes. And I'd enjoy every fucking second of it.

"What?" I growl.

"Sin, please. Don't let him d-d-do this."

I grip the phone so tight I worry I might break it. "Tell me the truth, Belinda. Is it true? You did this?"

"Yes," she whimpers.

I go to hang up, but something holds me back. "Why? I've trusted you for so long. Why would you do this?"

The anger in her voice makes me see things clearly for the first time. "I love you. I would've been the best submissive you could ever have. Yet, you let her dig her claws into you and you couldn't see what was right in front of you all these years. You were going to collar her when it should've been me, Sin. You created the problem. I was simply fixing it."

Her words make me sick to my stomach because I know I had an important role in what happened to Kierra. I kept her at my apartment for her safety, but ultimately, being close to me could have cost her life, and it still might.

"There has never been a time where I was remotely interested in you. I'm not attracted to you. You disgust me, Belinda. Bones, do what you must, but don't call me again to hear her voice. The world will be a better place without her in it."

It's funny how fondness can turn to hate in the blink of an eye. I never had an interest in Belinda the way she did with me, but I considered her a friend and a valued employee. After what she's done, what she's cost me, I will not intervene and ask Bones to spare her life. The moment I found out, she was the reason I found Kierra drenched in blood. She was dead to me. There is no coming back from that.

I disconnect the call and focus my attention where it belongs, on Kierra.

Leaning down, I kiss the back of her hand. "I need you to fight for me, baby. You do your part and I'll do mine. I'm going to show you the fucking world. You'll finally get to enjoy traveling. No running, just taking in everything you've never gotten the chance to experience. Just please. Don't leave me."

Her eyes don't open but she cries, "Daddy. Help."

I hold her hand in mine. "Baby girl, I'm here. I'm not going anywhere. I promise you, you're safe."

It's not lost on me, I've made that promise before and then utterly fucking failed her. That won't happen again. I'll likely drive her crazy because I'm not sure I'll ever leave her alone.

I wake in the painful chair to a sliver of sun peaking through the blinds. The nurse offered a room for me to sleep in, but I refused to leave Kierra, so I slept in the chair instead. If she wakes up, I will be here. If something happens, I'll be here. No matter what, I'm not leaving her side. Zade was insistent last night that I'd have to go shower at some point. I agreed because I don't want to disgust my girl when she wakes up, so he's bringing me some clothes and toiletries in a little while. The nurse gave me a toothbrush and toothpaste, so I head to the ensuite bathroom so I can at least have a clean mouth.

When I walk out of the restroom, the most beautiful eyes are open and my chest squeezes from the sight as I rush to her.

"Daddy," she whispers, "Am I dreaming?"

I lean down and kiss her on her hair. "No, baby girl. You're alive and I'm here."

I'm ready to tell her the three words she wants to hear. The same three words I mean so completely, I feel it deep in my goddamn soul.

Her eyes roll back into her head, and she shakes. Is it shaking? This must be convulsions. I ring the buzzer to call the nurse. "Help. Something is wrong. Get the doctor."

I fucking hate hospitals. Every time I've ever been in one, I end up going home without someone I love. Holding my sick sister in my arms as a boy as she exhaled her final breath was only the beginning. The last time I saw a woman covered in the amount of blood I saw today was when my mother butchered herself. I sat beside her bed and waited for her to wake up. ‘ She lost too much blood.' I heard the doctors telling my dad. As a kid, I couldn't understand why that was a problem, since they gave her several blood transfusions. After days in the hospital, I was told the damage was done, and that it was time to remove her from life support. Sitting in this damn room now, it's as if I'm experiencing it all over again. Pain. Loss. Somehow I survived it back then, but this time, I don't think I will.

A team of several nurses and the doctor come rushing into the room yelling at me to get back. I step away from her bed as the pain rises in me to a point I think I'm dying with her.

The doctor yells orders to the nurses, although I understand little of what he's saying. A nurse runs out, comes back in and injects medication into her IV.

Eventually the doctor comes over to me, "She spiked a fever and had a febrile seizure. I suspect she has developed an infection. We'll know more soon."

I don't say a word in response because I don't even know what to say. They rush out of the room and I go back over to her and sit beside her again.

"Please, baby girl, please don't leave me. I can't lose you."

I haven't cried since my mom died. After shedding tears for weeks, I swore I never would again. Yet here I am, letting them fall. I'm terrified I'll never get the chance to tell her what I need to. If she dies, I never will.

Taking her hand in mine, I lean down and kiss her small fingers. "I imagined your eyes being open when I tell you this, baby, but I can't wait any longer. I love you too. I regret not saying it when you did. I didn't know. How are you supposed to know what love feels like? I sure as hell didn't. Now I know, it feels like you're dying when you might lose it. The pain in my chest watching you suffer is excruciating. If given the opportunity, I'd change places with you in a heartbeat. I love you, baby girl. Please stay with me."