Page 29 of He Will Come for Me

“He said it was because if he didn’t, then someone else with bad intentions would.”

The kettle begins to whistle, so she turns to take it off the heat and turn the stove off. “He does that.”

I stare at the back of her head, ready for her to expand further, but she doesn’t. “He’s done that before?” She still doesn’t reply. “Clara, I need answers. How often does he go to these auctions?”

She puts a tea bag in a teacup and pours the water over it. “I can only tell you what Phillip has shared and even he hasn’t shared a lot. But it seems like he goes to every single one since he’s found out about them. But he didn’t go to the last one because he had just found you.”

“How often do these auctions happen? Do you know?” I ask.

“Every quarter,” she answers.

Placing my cold hands around the cup, I let it warm them. “I wish I could remember more,” I whisper as I bring the cup to my mouth and blow on it.

Clara sits across from me and offers me a sympathetic smile. “I know this has to be hard. I can’t imagine.” Taking a cautious sip, I hum. My mind drifts to Phoenix and wondering how long he’ll be gone and when he returns if he’ll have Anna.

“How long have Phoenix and Anna been married?” I hate myself for needing to know. I need to know more so I can get this obsession I have with him out of my mind.

“Miss McKenzie, Mr. Phoenix isn’t…” She shakes her head as she trails off. Phoenix isn’t what? “When he gets home, ask him these questions,” she encourages. “I’m sure he’ll answer the majority of them. He may have been trying to be careful because he didn’t want to upset you since you didn’t remember a lot. But you are remembering things and he might be able to give you some more information.”

Placing the cup in front of me, I think of all the questions I want to ask. “If it’s alright, I’m going to take this up to my room and write in my journal.”

“Of course. I’ll be staying here tonight just in case you need anything.”

Walking around the island, I wrap my arms around Clara in a hug. “Thank you, Clara. For being so kind, for taking care of me, for so many things.”

Clara returns my hug. “Of course Miss McKenzie. Anytime you need me, just let me know.” I lean back and offer her a small smile.

“You can call me Kenzie.” Her eyes widen. I know I told her when I first woke up not to, but I’ve felt guilty ever since. “I’m sorry I was such a hag that first day we met. Or, well… The first day I remember us meeting.”

She smiles at me and pushes my hair over my shoulder. “Thank you, and you don’t have to apologize. I know that was a lot.” I give her one more hug before grabbing my cup and walking to my room.

I grab a fluffy blanket and my journal, then curl up in the chair overlooking the grounds. I wonder who’s on security if Rex went with Phoenix. I’ve seen a few guys around, but haven’t met any of them. I wonder if that’s been on purpose.

Opening my journal, I take a sip from the tea and read the entry from the first memory I had. It was when I had baked chocolate chip cookies. The arms wrapped around me, did they have tattoos? The voice, was it soft but rough around the edges? The lips, were they full and inviting?

I swallow as I imagine all the things I’d like Phoenix to do to me. In school all the girls were so boy crazy, but I had a different outlook. I knew how cruel my father and the men he surrounded himself with could be. I had decided then I’d rather die alone than be with someone like that.

Flipping to a blank page in my journal, I grab the pen I keep on the table. It hovers above the paper as I try to think of what dayit is. It’s not like I’m on any type of schedule or anything. Putting my pen to paper, I begin to write.

I wish I could remember more. I wish I knew what they did to me to make me forget. Is it a trauma response? Or is it from the drugs they gave me? Or was I abused? Dr. Chamberland did check for any out of the ordinary injuries and didn’t find any head injuries. I’m supposed to meet with Dr. Pearl soon. Will she be able to help me remember?

I had bruises and sores all over my body, though. Is that because they beat me? Or something else? I know how cruel my father can be, but I still want to think of him as the man from when I was a little girl. Was that man real? How could he go from pushing me in the swing to selling me?

I stop writing and gaze out the window as I drink the rest of my tea. Either the tea is doing the trick or I’m just exhausted because my eyes are growing heavy. Pulling the curtains shut, I turn the lights off and climb into bed. I hope when I wake up in the morning Phoenix will be back.

“It’s time to wake up, Mrs. Stone.” I try to hide my smile and pretend like I’m still asleep. He’s on his side and his chest is pressing into my side. He runs his nose along my jaw before tracing the same path with his tongue.

I’m fighting a losing battle trying to keep my breathing even. “I know you’re awake, love.” He nips at my chin before covering my mouth with his. I give up all pretense and wrap my armsaround his broad shoulders as he climbs on top of me and deepens the kiss.

My breath hitches as he rocks his hard cock against me. I can’t believe I’m married to this man.

I sit up in bed as my heart pounds against my chest a mile a minute. Running my fingers through my hair, I turn to climb out of bed so I can grab my journal, but stop at the sight of Phoenix. He’s laid back in the chair next to my bed, his long legs sprawled out in front of him. It’s been three days since he and Rex left and here he is, safe and sound. The knot that’s been in my stomach for days begins to loosen at the sight of him.

Tiptoeing closer, my fingers itch to run over his closed eyelids. This man is beautiful awake, but asleep? His guard is down, so I can study him. He’s in pajama pants and no shirt. My eyes trail along his tattoos, down to his abs and tapered waist, to the V that disappears into the waistband of his pajamas.

I want to drop to my knees and see what I find there. I’m reminded of the dream—no, it wasn’t a dream. That was a memory. Glancing down at his left hand, his ring shines like a beacon to me. I run the tip of my finger over my left ring finger.

Phoenix is my husband. I’m his wife. How did that happen? When did it happen? Where’s my ring?

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