Page 19 of The Tourist

Diego

Iwake to the sound of terrified screaming. My heart pounds in my chest as I bolt upright in bed. It takes me a moment to realize where I am, the familiar surroundings of my blue and gold-decorated bedroom slowly coming into focus.

The screams continue, piercing the stillness of the night. I throw back the covers, grab a pair of shorts, and quickly pull them on before rushing down the hall toward Chloe’s room, fear gripping my heart. After she was rescued, her nightmares were a regular occurrence but recently there have been fewer.

The door to her room is ajar, and I push it open to find Chloe thrashing in her bed, tangled in her silk sheets, her face contorted in terror.

"No! Please, no!" she cries, her voice hoarse with desperation.

"Chloe!" I call out, rushing to her side. I gently shake her shoulder, trying to pull her from the grips of the nightmare. "Chloe, wake up! It’s just a dream!"

Her eyes fly open, wild and unfocused, and for a moment, she doesn’t recognize me. She tries to lash out, but I grab her arms and hold them still. Then, as the nightmare begins to fade, her gaze sharpens, and she realizes where she is. I try to release her as tears spill down her cheeks, but she clings to me, sobbing uncontrollably.

"It’s okay. You’re safe," I comfort, wrapping my arms around her and holding her close. "It was just a bad dream."

She nods, her body trembling as she tries to calm herself.

"I’m sorry," she whispers, her voice barely audible. "I didn’t mean to wake you."

"Don’t be sorry," I reply, stroking her long blonde hair gently. "I’m always here. You’re not alone."

She pulls back slightly, looking up at me with tear-filled eyes. "Can you stay with me?" she asks, her voice small and vulnerable. "I... I don’t want to be alone."

"Of course," I say without hesitation. I know I won’t get back to sleep now, anyway. I’ll be lying awake in my bed, listening out for more of her screams. "I’ll stay as long as you need me."

She shifts over in the bed, making space for me. I lie down on top of the sheets, keeping a respectful distance but close enough for her to feel my presence. She moves nearer and nestles against me, her head resting on my chest while her body trembles slightly.

"Thank you," she whispers. "I feel safe with you."

"I’m glad," I reply. "Try to get some sleep. I’m not going anywhere."

For a while, we lie there without speaking, our settling breaths the only sound. I stare up at the ceiling, my mind racing. The nightmare Chloe experienced is a haunting reminder of the abuse she suffered.

"I trust you." Chloe says suddenly, her voice breaking the stillness of the room. "Serena told me you’d save us. And you did."

A pang of guilt stabs at my heart. Serena was taken because of our family name and business connections, but Chloe was an innocent bystander who got caught up in the crossfire.

"Serena’s strong, like you," I say. "We’ll find her. I promise."

She nods against my chest. "I know. She’s always believed in you. I believe you."

Chloe’s faith in me is both a comfort and a source of immense pressure. I can’t let her down.

We fall silent again. Chloe’s breathing evens out as she drifts off to sleep, and I hold her gently so she knows she’s safe and I’m still with her. Her warmth gives me comfort as well. Chloe is an amazing woman. I can’t help but admire the way she’s facing everything.

I stay awake as the minutes stretch into hours. I think about the life I’ve led and the choices I’ve made that have brought us to this point. My ancestors put me in this position when I inherited their empire. The cartel and mafia world of Las Vegas is a dark and dangerous place.

Chloe shifts slightly in her sleep, her hand clutching the sheets. Her trust in me is humbling, and it strengthens my resolve. I will do everything in my power to protect her. I will find Serena and dismantle the legacy of pain my predecessors created. I owe it to Chloe for the fight she is putting up.

As the hours pass, staring at the ceiling, I feel a sense of calm settle over me. No more nightmares disturb Chloe’s sleep, and the warmth of her body next to mine, lulls me into a state of peace.

Finally, my eyelids grow heavy, and I let myself relax. The last thing I hear before drifting off is Chloe's soft, steady breathing, reminding me that she is safe and I’m the one responsible for saving her. That’s what I need to focus on, rather than the guilt I feel from putting her in such a terrible position in the first place.

CHAPTER13

Chloe

The sunlight is streaming through the living room window, its warm glow falling on the pages of my notebook. I’ve been writing for hours, the words flowing more easily than I expected.

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