Page 66 of Tainted Rose

Scarlett

My mind jumbles and spins. Bright lights overhead force my eyes to squeeze shut and make me want to roll over and hide from them. The sheets on my bed feel scratchy and everything smells weird. I don’t want to wake up. Nothing feels right.

With a sharp gasp, my eyes fly open. Someone’s holding my hand. I’d know that touch anywhere. Xander. I sigh in relief. But his knuckles are bruised up and battered. He’s slumped forward in the chair, asleep, but still, he holds my hand.

My gaze sweeps around, landing on Sebastian in a chair on the far side of the room. He’s watching me, one hand over his mouth. He slides it down and gives me a tentative smile. “You’re awake.”

At his stepfather’s voice, Xander straightens up, opening his eyes. It’s almost like he’s startled to find me already awake. “Hey, Red. Everything’s okay. How are you feeling?” He reaches forward, cupping my cheek in his hand.

I open my mouth to speak, but it’s too dry. I’m miserably thirsty. Why wouldn’t everything be okay? What’s Sebastian doing here? Where the hell am I?

Sebastian crosses the room quickly to the tray at the opposite side of the bed from where Xander sits and holds out a Styrofoam cup with a straw. “Here. Have a few sips.”

I nod, grateful. I hope he sees it in my expression. Once I’ve swallowed some water, I whisper past my raw throat, “What happened? Why are we—?” My eyes flick between the two of them, not understanding how the three of us came to be in a hospital room—together.

Sebastian sets the cup down and goes back to pull his chair up to the bed, but then he hesitates. “I’m sorry, Scarlett. I should have asked. May I sit with you?”

“Okay.” I press my lips together, still confused.

Xander clears his throat, “You were drugged last night. The doctor warned us that you will probably have several hours that will feel unaccounted for, like a blackout.”

I breathe deeply, then allow my eyes to slide over to Sebastian’s. “I don’t remember much, but … did you— Did you hold me?” Tears fill my eyes. I don’t think I’m crazy. I have a hazy memory of being tucked under his chin against his chest, his burly arms cradling me like a baby.

His gaze connects with mine. “I did. I hope that’s okay.”

I nod slowly. “Because …?”

His jaw tenses and for a second, I don’t think he’s going to answer me. But then he puts a reassuring hand on mine and looks directly into my eyes. “Because you’re my daughter and you needed me.”

I blow out an unsteady breath through pursed lips. “Because you’re my father.” My lips quiver, and his hand tightens on my hand.

“Yes.”

Xander brushes the backs of his knuckles down my cheek. “Do you have any memory of anything else that happened?”

I close my eyes. I have a feeling it may be for the best that I can’t recall much of anything. “Snippets.” My voice shakes. “Justin. Justin was at the party.”

“He’s already admitted as much. And that he slipped something into your drink, then took you. I-I let you down. I’m sorry. So sorry.” His voice is gruff and full of remorse.

“Xander, neither of us expected that. We wouldn’t have gone in the first place if we’d thought something was going to happen. Maybe we should have done things differently.” I give Sebastian a worried look. “I’m sorry. I should have tried to talk to you sooner, once I knew who you were.”

“No.” His voice hitches. “That’s all on me. I could say I should have talked to you when you first came back to town, but the reality is I should have contacted you years ago. I’ve been an idiot. For so long.” He pats my hand. “There’s time to talk about all that later.”

“Okay.” I reach for the water and take another sip. Needing to get it out, I force myself to press on. “I remember being shocked that Justin was at Beau’s. Aria had just left, and he sat down beside me before I’d even had a chance to stand up. At first, he told me he wanted to talk. Apologize. And I was dumb enough to let him. He admitted to all of it—chasing me through the woods, standing outside the shower, messing with my truck… He even admitted that he borrowed their housekeeper’s truck to follow me that night. And then, that final note…” My voice trembles and I squeeze my eyes shut. “I tried to stand up and walk away, but he grabbed my hand and wouldn’t let me go, begging me to understand …” I breathe deeply, trying to regain my composure.

Xander takes my hand in his. “You don’t have to—”

“No. I do.” I open my eyes, looking between Sebastian and Xander. “He went on and on about how he’ll never be good enough, never be like you, Xander. Joseph told him things about me. He let Justin do what he wanted to mess with me. He knew.”

Sebastian shakes his head and looks down.

“I was so stunned I couldn’t move. And I couldn’t understand why Justin was telling me all this, but I see now he was stalling. Probably waiting for whatever he gave me to kick in so he could take me without a struggle.” I take a deep breath. “I started feeling funny, but not like I was drunk. It was different.” The dam of emotions finally breaks and I burst into tears as the awful memory plays like a film reel in my head.

Xander squeezes my hand. “Seriously. We don’t have to do this right now if you don’t want to.”

“No, I need to.” I shake my head. “Once he’d seen in my eyes that I understood he’d done something to me, he dragged me off behind some bushes. I was powerless to stop him, I couldn’t speak and tried to struggle, but it was futile. My body wouldn’t cooperate with what my mind was screaming.” Fight, Scarlett! Get away from him! More brutal memories slash through my mind. “It hit me that he’d be able to do whatever he wanted to me, take me anywhere, and I was terrified. He held me down with his hand over my mouth until he was satisfied that whatever he gave me had taken full effect and I wasn’t going to be able to call for help.”

My head whips toward Xander. “That scent. His cologne. It was on the note. I don’t know how I didn’t put two and two together. I remember now how much I didn’t like his cologne that night at Beau’s party.” I take a deep breath. “From there, it’s all lights, movement, sound, and a blur of faces. I don’t really remember much. And then I woke up here.”

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