I wake to the feeling of lips being pressed against my forehead. I groggily open my eyes and am immediately met with a blinding white light. I close my eyes at the intrusion, becoming aware of a throbbing on my head. A gentle squeeze envelops my hand, along with words of encouragement, prompting me to open my eyes.
Once my vision comes into focus, I notice Damien sitting next to me. His scruff is longer than normal. There are also dark circles under his eyes. His hair is sticking up in all directions, almost as if he has been pulling on it. I've never seen him more disheveled looking.
"It's okay baby. I'm here." He speaks in a soft tone, caressing my hand and arm. I look around the room, taking in the monitors alarming around me. I also notice the smell of antiseptic burning my nose. Flashes of what happened come flooding back to me, reminding me of why I'm in the hospital.
"Who was that?" My voice is raspy as I speak, my throat sore.
Damien clears his throat and looks at me. I can see the guilt in his eyes. "That was my arms supplier. The one I cut off so he broke into my house. I swear to you I had no idea that he was here. Please believe me baby. I never would have left you if I thought he could have been here. The thought of you and the baby-" He is unable to finish the sentence, his voice breaking at the last sentence.
My hands fly to my abdomen, panic flooding though my veins. "She's okay. They've done several ultrasounds and she okay." Damien's statement immediately calms me, reassuring me.
I nod my head in relief, unable to imagine what I would have done if I lost her. I rest my eyes, finally able to breathe from the relief knowing she is okay.
"You had some stitches placed to some of the wounds, but otherwise you are okay. I was terrified, Hadley. When I walked in and saw all the blood, I was terrified it was you. I don't know what I would have done if I lost you, baby. Then in the car, you just blacked out. The doctors say it was from the pain and the concussion. But you terrified me. I can't lose you. I swear nothing else will ever happen, to any of us." Damien grabs my hand, placing a kiss to it.
"How do you know that Damien? You can't promise that. Someone else you did business with could come after us." This whole event made me realize how unsafe Damien's life is. I know he wants out, but is that even possible?
Damien grips my hand tighter, causing my focus to return to him.
"I can promise that krasotka. My old business partner, the one who got me into this, he agreed to take over all of my investments. After the break in at my house, I realized I had to do something. That's when I contacted my old partner, we were able to negotiate a deal. All my investments are on board with this. There is no reason for any of them to come after me because they are still getting what they want."
Damien pushes himself out of his chair and sits at the side of my bed. He leans over and cups my face in his hand, pressing his lips lightly against mine, moving them slowly.
"Please, baby. Believe me."
