AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I’m sure,” he says softly. “But you need to be careful. Mixing substances like that is incredibly dangerous.”
I nod, feeling a deep sense of shame. “Thank you, Dr. Grant. And...Dion, he?—”
“He’s just outside. I’ll let him know you’re awake.”
As Dr. Grant stands up, I catch a glimpse of concern in his eyes. “Try to rest,” he advises, before stepping out of the room.
I lie back, staring at the ceiling. The last time I was here, things were different. I was different. The thought hits me hard, and I take a deep, shuddering breath.
The door cracks open again, and Dion stands in the frame.
Suddenly, deep realization dawns on me. I’m at Dion’s. I sit up fast, the movement causing a jolt of pain through my brain. I hiss.
“Are you okay?” Dion asks, coming to the edge of the bed.
I rub my temples. “Andrew,” I manage to croak, wetting my parched lips with my tongue. “Andrew,” I repeat, my tone growing more frantic.
He can’t know that I’m here or he’ll lash out at me. Even worse, hurt my family.
I’m so stupid. I texted Dion from my phone in my intoxicated haze, not thinking of the consequences.
I’m two seconds away from freaking out.
Dion reaches toward the nightstand and hands me a bottle of water, taking off the lid first. “Drink this,” he orders, and I chug almost the entire thing.
“Don’t worry about him,” he grits his teeth. “He won’t know you’re here.”
“If he finds out, he’ll?—”
“He’ll what, Aria?” Dion challenges, cutting me off. His eyes are fixed on mine, searching, probing, seeing more than I want him to. I look away.
My fingers fidget with the hem of the blanket, unable to meet Dion’s gaze again.
I can tell he’s trying hard to stay calm.
I swallow hard, forcing a tight smile that doesn’t reach my eyes. “Never mind. It’s nothing. Really.”
His eyes narrow, not buying my weak attempt at deflection. He reaches out, placing a hand over mine, stilling my restless fingers.
“Aria,” Dion murmurs. “I won’t sit here and force you to tell me exactly what he did, but don’t mistake me for a fool.”
The warmth of his touch sends a shiver down my spine, and I can feel my resolve crumbling. But there’s nothing that can be done, not if I want my family to be safe. My fiancé might be aggressive, but it’s nothing I can’t handle.
I peer out the window, searching for something to change the subject, and my eyes land on Dion’s manicured lawn.
“You planted more flowers.”
Dion sighs, catching on to my plan, though gives in with a small smile. “I want to show you something. Are you up for it?” I nod, ignoring my aching body.
“Stay put,” he orders when I start to move. He lifts me off the bed, cradling me in his arms.
“Dion, it’s okay. I can walk,” I protest, but he shushes me.
“Let me take care of you. Please.”
I relent, burying my face in his neck to inhale his vanilla and cedar scent. I love the way he smells.
Dion carries me downstairs and to the back of his estate, his arms strong and secure around me. I then notice a new structure in the distance. As we get closer, I realize it’s a greenhouse, something that wasn’t here last time. I blink rapidly, trying to make sure my eyes aren’t deceiving me.
