I sit on our bed with Bear huddled up to me on my lap.
Watching her steady breathes and pulling her closer still, I try to convince myself that she's really here, safe in my arms.
I haven't put her down since I picked her up at the club. I'm too terrified to let her go, as if she might disappear or suddenly stop breathing.
Anthony said that one of the guys admitted to spiking her drink after some…encouragement. So, I arranged for a doctor I trust to check her over at the hotel.
She reassured me that she is stable and that it's the reason she's sleeping so deeply and will wake in several hours as the drug wears off.
Having listed off what to watch out for and what to expect in the morning, she left Bear in my care.
My majorly unqualified care.
I tried to convince her to stay, but she insisted there was no need.
Of course Heidi slurred an offer of medical assistance. Luckily Adam had the good sense to redirect her straight to bed instead.
The last thing we need tonight is more suggestions from her.
When they hadn't arrived within twenty minutes after Bear's texts, I called Andre. He's been shadowing them during the trip, but when Heidi ran off he followed her and wasn't even aware that Adam and Bear went to look for her in the club. So a fat lot of help that was!
"What do I need to do to keep you safe?" I whisper into the deafening silence before planting a soft kiss on her forehead.
I sigh, watching the absolute absence of a reaction.
As soon as Andre reported what happened, I knew Bear would've gone back for her, putting her friend's safety first. So I rushed to the club.
Anthony was so startled by my panic that he accompanied me without a single question or remark.
That's when I called her…
Their slimy voices and the thunderous slap echo in my head, squeezing my throat in a vice yet simultaneously making me gag.
My heart shattered into smaller pieces every time she pleaded with them to stop. The disgusting things they said to my teddy bear when all she asked for was for them to respect her body. A body they had no right to touch.
I swipe the teardrops off her tender skin, having not realised they had started tumbling.
Come on! We need to get our sh*t together. We need to be strong for her. She's all that matters now.
A pointless knock sounds as Anthony edges the door open.
"How's she doing?" His voice is devoid of it's usual playful nature.
"The same." I sigh, looking over her dainty features, the bruising masked by darkness.
"Your girl's got some real bad luck." He pushes a hand through the longer section of his hair. "This one has to be an awful coincidence."
"How can we know for sure?" She would've been taken if we hadn't gotten there in time.
My stomach lurches at the thought.
I've failed her. That's twice this has happened now. In less than a f*cking week.
What kind of man lets that happen?
"They were organised, it was clearly premeditated. But Evelyn being there wasn't. She just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time." He reasons cautiously as he drags a chair next to the bed.
"She shouldn't have been in that position. She shouldn't have been alone."
"Then you get more security and make it beyond clear that she is never to be left alone."
"She'd have my head."
"But she'll be grateful if it saves hers. If it doesn't, then she'll never know."
I don't like going behind her back, but I need her safety to be a certainty, not a doubt. Exhaling deeply I sigh, "Okay."
"How's the hand?" He redirects the conversation towards my swollen extremity.
When I saw the oafs with their hands all over my barely conscious Bear, I finally had a target to direct all of my brewing anger and frustration at.
I wanted to end them for what they put Bear through.
"The doctor said it's just badly bruised."
"Good. You should get some rest, she won't want a grumpy sod tomorrow!" Anthony rises from his seat, giving me a pointed look as a opportunity for me to say anything further. With my notable silence, he takes his leave. "You can put her down. She won't be capable of running into more trouble for at least a few hours yet!"
I know what he said is true, but I can't bring myself to act on it. I was unable to tear my eyes away from her or release her from my hold all night.
The ringtone of my phone jolts me from my trance. I wriggle it free from my pocket, assessing the blaring name. I shoot Anthony a message after it rings out, asking him to cover work for me.
Foreign movement tugs my attention downwards. Heavy eyelids grapple with themselves to open. A hand joins the battle, shoving the forced drowsiness away with a moan.
"Morning beautiful." I sweep the chaotic tendrils off her disgruntled face, competing with her small hands clutching at her head.
"Morning." Bear moans hoarsely, "Why do I feel like I've been hit by a train?"
"Someone spiked your drink last night." I envelope her hands in mine.
"Ugh! F*cking d*cks!" My little soldier huffs, jolting my heart out of a racing rhythm.
She rolls off my lap, flopping onto the bed. Before I can protest, Bear looks up at me with pleading emeralds dancing amongst amber flames, "Please turn me into a duvet burrito."
My eyebrows pinch together, waiting for context that never comes. "A what?"
"Seriously Ade? Roll me like the duvet is a tortilla." She stretches her arms above her head, extenuating her irresistible figure. My dick twitches watching her elevated breasts push forward with each heavy breath.
"You're right I should probably clean up…" The timid tone directs me to her avoidant gaze analysing my reaction as she shoves herself up from the sheets.
"No, you're perfect. But, I can draw you a bath if you want?" Spectacular Adrian! She's just been brutally objectified and what's the first thing you do? Idiot!
Bear pauses at the edge of the bed. I listen to the light exchange of her breathing, counting each exhale, hoping the next one transforms into voice.
Collapsing backwards once more, her hair splatters the bed, burning in the sunlight. "Yes please."
Her eyes fall shut as I slowly rise, monitoring her resting form as I walk.
An infinity of bottles with beautifully impractical writing later, I locate the bubble bath. It froths generously under the whirl of the water. Perfect.
The crystal handle rotates with a click. Distraught whaling floods the bathroom, drowning my lungs.
I push off the doorframe, propelling myself forward until I skid to a halt, colliding with a stray chair.
Oh. It's her.
Bear massages circles into the back of the huddled mess of dripping makeup. Purple and maroon bracelets Bear's wrist as she soothingly caresses a trembling hand and hushes the blubbering.
"I'm sooooo sorry! It it it's all my fault!" Heidi screeches.
Damn right it's your fault. Yet here you are, shrieking at the person you've harmed whilst they have a drug induced hangover. Real considerate.
"Your bath is ready bubby." I trail my hand up her arm, resting on her sagged shoulder.
She leans into my hand, pushing a feeble smile onto her lips as her darkened eyes find mine. I swallow the piercing shard shredding my throat, denying my urge to pull her against me.
"Ade, could you please grab Heidi some water?" The words strike me, sending my jaw and eyebrows in opposing directions.
I swiftly school my expression before agreeing. I plant a kiss against Bear's forehead, flattening her soft hair, and head to the kitchen, glancing back more than once.
Scowling at the offending glass, I collect the two cups of water and search out Adam on the way back. Heidi needs to leave.
Huffing at the vacant hallways, I re-enter our bedroom.
My thigh brushes Bear's as I sink into the mattress. I peel her hands away from the hurricane and cup them around the glass, running my thumb over her knuckles.
Resisting the burning desire to shower Heidi with hers, I shove the glass into her grip.
"Adam, was looking for you Heidi, seemed important." I lie smoothly, before driving home my point. "Bubby, you should enjoy the bath or it'll get cold."
"Oh I'm sorry, I should go." Heidi's voice wobbles between gasps.
"No worries, we'll see you later!" I guide her up and out the door, jolting it closed behind her.
"Ade…" Bear shakes her head, but I'd have done it sooner if it was plausible.
Shepherding her into the steam-filled bathroom, I splay my hand across the small of her back. Her muscles contract under my fingers as we enter into view of the mirror.
She bolts forward, haphazardly tracing the marks, using the additional sensory input to confirm their existence.
Her eyebrows drag together as her features twist into a grimace. A searing urge to smash the mirror surges through me. My nails bite into my skin, as I eclipse Bear's view of the mirror.
Bear spins on her heals, clamping her hands over her face.