Page 75 of Wildest Desire

As I’m walking their way, Jackie stops me. “Mr. Williams called me. He said he’s been trying to call Lexi, but she isn’t answering and he’s worried Sam got to her. What do you want me to tell him?” she asks me, in a soft, calm voice.

“Tell him the truth. I know that they’re close, and Lexi helped him when he needed it.” He was the only client Lexi wanted to keep because she saw him more as a friend than a client. Plus, I’ve seen him with her. He doesn’t treat her like his call girl. He treats her like a friend or a daughter, so he needs to know.

Walking over to Travis standing with the lawyers, I get their attention. “Has Travis told you the situation?” I ask them.

“Yes. We'll go to the station now and see what the charges are, then we can form a plan of action from there. Is there anything that Miss Lexi would like?”

“She will not go to court. She doesn’t want to see him, much less be in the same room as him, so make sure that happens. And, I want you to make sure he never leaves. He’s to spend the rest of his fucking life behind those bars, understand?” I look at the three of them. They have worked with me long enough to know I get what I want or it won’t be good for them.

“Yes.” And with that one word, they leave. I do like that they know to keep it straightforward and not clutter it with crap I don't need to be bothered with.

Turning to Travis, I look him in the eyes. “Until Lexi is one hundred precent, you’ll take over all business matters. I'll have my phone, but I won’t be in the office, and for now, I want everything to come you first, then you can come to me if needed.” I rub my eyes. The fatigue is beginning to drag me down. “I’m going to stay at the hospital until Lexi comes home,” I add, walking to the bench to sit down.

“Would you like me to keep you informed about things?” Travis asks, sitting down next to me.

“Only if I need to know.” Resting my head back, I close my eyes. I need a minute to myself. Knowing that Dan and Jon are with her makes me feel a little better, and now that Sam is behind bars, I feel like I can relax. “Edward and Angie signed the papers, so you won’t have to hear from them again,” Travis tells me. I smile with relief. Thankfully, I'll never have to see them again, and that’s a huge weight lifted off my shoulders.

Chapter 33

Lexi

Two weeks later.

My stay at the hospital seemed to last forever. I was never alone in the room; someone was always there visiting with me. Ethan never left the hospital, even at night. When someone else was visiting with me, he would wait in the waiting area.

“Ready to go home?" Ethan asks as he walks into the room. “All of the papers are signed, and they’ve given me the go-ahead to take you out of here.”

Taking my hand, he helps me to stand up. Oh yeah, that hurts a bit. I can still feel where I was stabbed, but the doctor said the pain will ease with rest and to not do anything that will pull any of the muscles. I looked at Ethan and laughed when she said that. Our three-day bet has now turned into a two-month bet—maybe longer. Ethan has told me enough times that he isn't touching me until he's happy I’m back to normal. I know better than to try to fight him when he uses his serious 'I'm the boss' voice.

“Yes, and do you know what I want to do first?” I ask him, placing my hands on his shoulders.

“What's that?”

“Sleep in our bed,” I tell him. The hospital beds are not horrible, but nothing beats your own bed. “I can’t wait for you to make me breakfast. I’ve missed your cooking, I’ve missed our shower, I’ve just missed home.” I stop as the nurse walks in. I don’t want them to think I haven’t appreciated them because I do, more than they'll ever know. They’ve helped me through the nights when I couldn’t sleep because of the nightmares. They helped me shower when I couldn’t even stand up. They’ve given me back my life.

“All ready to go?” the nurse asks, and I nod my head. “You have to change the bandage regularly. Otherwise, you could get an infection,” she says, putting the instructions for care of the incision into my bag.

“I don’t think this one will miss anything.” I start laughing.

“You won’t be leaving the bed until I’m happy you're fit enough to walk.” Ethan helps me sit in the wheelchair. I've told him I don’t need one and that I can walk to the car, but he isn't listening.

“You have a good day,” the nurse says as she hands Ethan my bag. “You take care of yourself, Lexi. Our phone number is on the paperwork if you need us.”

“Thank you so much.” I smile her way as Ethan rolls my chair to the exit.

The penthouse is finally finished. Ethan’s mom oversaw all of that to make sure it was finished by the time I got out of the hospital. Ethan’s pleased with it and said I would love it. I already knew I was going to love it. Who wouldn't love living in a penthouse? It doesn’t get much better than that.

The police came this week and questioned me. They wanted me to tell them everything about my past. I gave them every name I have ever used and told them what Sam did to my father. They already had that in the file as an open case since no one was ever arrested for it when it happened. I also told them about what I remembered about the day at the warehouse. Tanya had already told them everything, but I still had to relive it for them.

Ethan’s lawyers were there every time the police came. They’d gotten the judge to agree to let me be absent from the court proceedings, and I was so happy when they told me I didn’t have to see him. I want the court date to come and go so I can finally start living my life, and never have to look over my shoulder ever again. I can finally look forward and enjoy every second with Ethan.

“How are you feeling?” Ethan says, placing his hand on top of mine.

“Okay. I just want to get home now,” I tell him, as I rest my head on the seat. “I might take a nap when we get home.”

“Good, I'm glad we agree.” Ethan gives me a wink with a cocky grin.

Today is the first day Ethan has acted normal around me. For the past two weeks, he’s treated me like I’m glass and going to break at any moment. When he would kiss me, it was with the softest touch and then he would only gently hold my arm to help me up or to the bathroom. Other than that, he hasn't touched me at all, but today, he's holding my hand. Not to help me, but because he can.

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