Page 63 of Power and Possession

“If he can be treated at home, that’s preferred,” I said, advocating for him the best I could. “If he’s in the hospital, there will be records. I don’t want anyone to know where he is.”

The team looked at each other, and then seemed to all nod in agreement. Instant relief hit me, and I hoped Steele’s security in France would be enough to keep us safe in case my fatherpieced together my deception.

“Cooper, my father said he had an informant on Steele’s security team—”

“It’s already been handled, Ashlynn. I’ve been looking out for Steele for the past six years. I know what needs to be done.”

I didn’t argue with him, especially since I’d had the opportunity to prevent this debacle, to tell Steele what was coming for him, but I didn’t. I vowed to make up for it, though.

“Ashlynn…” Steele’s voice came out weakly.

He hadn’t spoken in a couple of hours, so my head instantly jerked in his direction. His eyes were closed, but his fingers were held out, searching for mine. I gulped, then grabbed them, holding his hand as gently as I could.

Cooper gave me a knowing look as he watched the exchange, but I ignored him, putting all my attention on Steele.

Chapter Thirty-Two

Steele

I didn’t know how many times I moved in and out of consciousness. Bits and pieces flashed before my eyes, as if I was watching a movie that would fast-forward and then pause. But no matter what state I was in, I saw Ashlynn. Sometimes she kissed my forehead, other times she held my hand. Once, I swore she whispered apologetic words in my ear as she pushed my hair back from my forehead. The dreams mixed with reality, but I knew one thing for certain.

Ashlynn had come for me.

I hadn’t figured out how she’d managed it, but she’d saved me.

And, even in my broken state, with my body mangled and my head fuzzy, I wondered if it meant that she loved me.

When I finally woke up, I opened my eyes slowly. I was in my bed, at my estate in France, and my entire bedroom smelled of Ashlynn. Her very scent was infused into my bedding, and I moved my head, looking at the spot she normally claimed when we slept together. It was empty, but the sheets were pulled back and a copy of War and Peace rested on the nightstand. That could mean only one thing.

She’d been in my bed with me. While my mind and body had been knitting itself back together, my woman was there beside me, watching me and taking care of me.

I loved her even more.

I tried to sit up, but everything was painful and I feltterribly weak. The pain seared through my entire body and left me breathless. Topher had done a number on me. I could tell exactly when he’d started to suspect that Ashlynn had slept with me of her own free will. At that point, his beatings took on an untamed, wild quality.

Despite the circumstances, his daughter wanted me. And I wanted her.

Desperately.

I stopped struggling to sit up when I heard her quiet footsteps.

“You’re awake!”

I smiled at her excitement. “I am. I’m alive, thanks to you.”

Her eyes immediately looked at the ground, and the happiness she exuded from seeing me awake instantly vanished.

“What is it?” I asked, laying back against the pillow.

She stood in front of the bed, wringing her hands nervously.

“Love, tell me what’s wrong. Now.” My voice was a bit scratchy, but my tone was still authoritative.

“Steele—”

“Spit it out.”

“I knew my father was coming for me.” The words poured out of her mouth, tumbling like a leaf in the autumn wind.

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