Inferno (17 page)

Wordlessly, Carlson transferred Lexie to the other man.  Ethan held her tight, careful not to cause any additional pain.  He carried her through the high grass, murmuring softly the entire way.  At the edge of the lawn, family waited to see Lex’s state for themselves, but Ethan didn’t stop until he reached the open door of the ambulance, deftly placing her on the waiting gurney.

Chapter Twenty

I was in a sterile, white hospital room.  An IV, secured with medical tape to the back of my hand, facilitated the contents of several hanging bags into my veins.  The rhythmic beep from a monitor behind me, emulated the pulse in my finger.  Dirt and grime is absent from my body, and I feel skin pulling at numerous cuts and scrapes.

Although the blinds were drawn, a light, recessed in the ceiling behind the bed, illuminated the room with a faint glow.  Searching the muted space, I focused on the chair against the wall.  The sleeping form’s disheveled appearance spoke volumes to the stress suffered by all over the past several days.  Crumpled clothing hung loose, indicating weight loss.  Dark circles and deep, creasing lines testified to a lack of sleep.  One more day and his scruffy hair would be a full beard.  Even in this unkempt state, he was still the most beautiful man I have ever seen.

A nurse entered, jarring me from my musings.  “You’re finally awake.  I was starting to believe you meant to sleep forever.”  Her spoken words woke my companion, and Ethan was soon by my side, holding my free hand and stroking my hair with his.

“Hi baby, welcome back,” he said softly.

“What time is it?” my unused voice croaked.

Looking up at the wall, he answered, “nearly midnight.  You’ve been asleep for just over twenty-four hours, waking only for a few minutes at a time.  The doctor said it was partially due to your body’s exhaustion, and partly due to the medication you were given.”  He paused for a moment, drinking me in.  “You’re family’s in the other room.  They’ve been waiting for you to wake up.” 

“Can I see them?” I asked the nurse.

She pursed her lips and replaced the pressure cuff on her cart.  “Visiting hours were over hours ago, but I guess it wouldn’t hurt.  As long as they’re quiet and only stay a few minutes,” she warned.

Ethan followed the nurse out, returning moments later by a parade of people.  Of course, the first by my side were Makayla, Bella, and Jack.  When adequately assured of my wellbeing, they moved aside, replaced by Makayla’s parents.  This scene repeated itself several more times to include all of the Stewart sisters, Ethan’s parents, Sophia, and ending with Tate and Sebastian.  At long last, the line of visitors dwindled, leaving me to rest; except for Ethan, who resumed his position in the hospital chair.

Morning arrived, and with it came the doctor whose care I have been under.  The pudgy man stood at the end of my bed reading the notes in my chart.  I was mesmerized by the elaborate comb over he displayed on the top of his head.  It started at one ear, extending upward to form a puffy coif and swirling down the other side to tuck behind the other ear. 
Maybe I hit my head harder than everyone thought.  My doctor cannot possibly be a stunt double for a cartoon character
.

The doctor looked up at me with a twinkle in his eye.  “Good morning Miss Reed.  I’m Doctor Salvadore.  I’ve been described a lot of ways, but I must admit, that one’s a first for me.”

My head whipped in Ethan’s direction.  The amusement playing across his face told me that yes, yes I did just say that out loud.  The heat caused by embarrassment flushed my skin.  I began to apologize, but the doctor cut me off.

“No need, I think yours is now my favorite,” he said good naturedly.  “Now, let’s have a look and see how my lovely patient is today.”  

Dr. Salvadore examined my more severe cuts and bruises.  Removing the adhesive pad from my arm, he inspected the sutures holding my skin together, and then he moved to run his fingers over my scalp.  Pulling up the blanket, revealing my legs, he lifted my foot, lightly touching the exposed area he held. 

When he was once again by my side, he went over my diagnosis.  “When you arrived, you were quite battered.  You suffered a concussion, and a sprained ankle.  Bruises and cuts, filled with dirt and debris, covered nearly your entire body.  You were severely dehydrated, slightly hypothermic, and your body had gone into mild shock. 

You were given fluids and broad-spectrum antibiotics.  The knot on your head has decreased, as well as the swelling on your ankle, but I want you to stay off that foot for at least two weeks.  The incision on your arm was the worst of the abrasions, but the sutures look good, and it is healing well.  My biggest concern is still infection.  You will be our guest for one more night, giving us a chance to get another round of antibiotics in you.”

Dr. Salvadore chatted with me for a few more minutes, playing twenty questions.  When he was finished, he left saying he’d be back in the morning.  I tried to convince Ethan to go home, telling him that I was just going to nap and he needed some real rest.  I won the argument when I told him he stunk and needed a shower.  The Lydia issue is still hanging between us, but I’m not ready to discuss anything yet.  As far as I’m concerned, nothing has changed.

I was flipping through channels after a quick catnap, when the door opened.  I figured it was Ethan, but a man I did not know walked in.  Around six foot, clean shaven, and I’m not just talking about his face.  His head was smooth all over.  A white tee fit snuggly across his chest, straining around bulging biceps, and his dark blue jeans hid thighs the size of tree trunks.  There was a dangerous quality radiating from this man as he approached.  When he removed mirrored aviator glasses, it did nothing to ease my angst. 

Perhaps he detected my anxiety, because he stopped near the end of my bed before speaking.  “I hope you don’t mind me stopping by.”

A huge smile spread across my face when that deep base sparked recognition.  “You didn’t strike me as the type of guy who cared whether someone minded or not.”

The deep chuckle I remembered from the woods spilled from his mouth.  He pulled the chair closer to the bed and made himself comfortable.  “I suppose you’re right about that.  You look a little better than the last time I saw you, cleaner anyway,” he smiled.

“Yeah, I should be out of here in time to enter the Miss America Pageant.  I’ll send you tickets if you promise to vote for me.”

“Don’t worry, you’ve got my full support.” 

“Tell me Detective, was it my sunny disposition or my keen fashion sense that brought you by today?”

“Would you believe me if I said it was your stunning beauty?”

Look, I have had a crappy past few months.  My relationship with Ethan is in shambles, and in just the past few days alone, I was kidnapped, chained to a wall, shot at, and forced to play hide-n-go-seek with a crazy psycho in the woods.  I think I have earned the right to flirt with the badass detective from my hospital bed if I want to.  You can keep your opinion to yourself, because right now, I do not want to hear it.

“So you’re into dirty chicks, sporting a variety of colorful body art, and who participate in extreme sports that result in a high probability of death.  Good to know you have a type,” I said, making light of how we met.

His expression became somber, and he gently raised my hand with the raw, three-inch ring encompassing my wrist.

“I wondered what happened to my bracelet.  Granted, it was an unusual accessory, and you’d definitely need the right outfit to pull it off, but I can’t remember where I put it.”

“Sorry to disappoint you, but it is now the property of the State Prosecutor.” 

Letting go of my hand, he leaned back in his seat and turned on his serious voice.  “There’s enough evidence that you shouldn’t have to testify.  Ms. Pack will be away for a long time.  I know this is difficult, given what you’ve just been through, but I need you to tell me what happened in your own words.”

He pulled out a recording device, and I started recounting the events of the past few days, beginning with leaving the club upset.  Although, other than saying it involved a disagreement with Ethan, I left out the reasons behind my distress.  I walked him through what transpired after waking in the stone tomb, and the assistance that the old man provided.  Finally, detailing my escape, up to and including, regaining consciousness with him by my side.  The detective interrupted every now and then with questions or for clarification.  When we finished, he thanked me and told me that if there were any additional questions, he would be the one in touch. 

With that unpleasant business out of the way, we sat like two old friends catching up, talking about everything from sports teams to favorite foods.  I talked about my job, pointing out some of my campaigns he might recognize, and he told me stories of the criminals he’s caught.  Let’s just say I’m glad we met under circumstances that didn’t involve me as the one on the wrong side of the law.

Ethan showed up while we were still happily talking, prompting the detective to say his goodbyes.  Carlson was reaching for the door handle when I hollered out.  “Hey Joel,” turning at the sound of his name, I finished with a smile.  “Thanks for everything.  I’ll talk to you soon.”  With a nod in my direction, he was gone.

As soon as the door closed, Ethan turned to me.  “Joel?  When did Detective Carlson become Joel?  And why will you be talking to him soon?”

“Don’t start.”

“You can’t expect me to stand back watching while another guy moves in on my girl.”

“Well, isn’t that the cheater calling the girlfriend a player,” I replied sweetly.

“One, I’ve never called, nor do I think you’re a player.  Carlson is the one taking advantage of you with his position and the current situation.  And two, I would never cheat on you.”

“One,
Joel
isn’t taking advantage of anything.  And two, you don’t get to pitch a fit because someone came to see me in the hospital when you had a half naked woman sitting on your desk!”

“Maybe if you’d give me five minutes to explain, you’d realize it’s not what you think.  I was getting ready to throw her out when you walked in.”

“Oh, that’s convenient,” I said snottily.  “She shouldn’t even have been there Ethan.  The fact that she was speaks volumes all on its own.”

“I fucked up, alright.  I never should have agreed to help her, but I swear, I had no idea what she was really up to until that night.  This whole mess is my fault.  You getting kidnapped is my fault.”

“No way, playing the sympathy card is not gonna work.  Beating yourself up for what Sara did, does not cancel your thing with Lydia.”

“Jesus Christ woman!  There is no thing with Lydia!”

The door to the room opened as Ethan cried out his frustration.  My friends cautiously made their way over to me, unsure how to react to the palpable tension in the room.

“If this is a bad time,” Bella said, warily alternating between our expressions, “we can come back later.”

I jumped all over that immediately.  “Nope, Ethan was just leaving.”  He shifted into a stubborn pose that I knew well.  “Ethan, just go.  I’m too tired to have this discussion, and I really don’t want to be around you right now.  Since I can’t leave, you have to.”  

His face was a strange mix of defeat and determination.  “I’ll leave for now, but Alexis, we will have this conversation.”

“There was never a doubt in my mind,” I muttered as he walked out.

“What was that all about?” Jack asked.

“Lydia,” I answered blankly.

“Lex, I know I’m usually the first one shouting kick him to the curb, but I really think you should give him a chance.  The guy is crazy in love with you,” Makayla advised.

“I wish I could be as positive about that as you are.”

Chapter Twenty-One

It has been twelve days since I left the hospital.  The first two I spent at Casa Stewart at Madelyn’s insistence.  She clucked over me like a mother hen, driving me nuts and expediting my decision to recoup in my own apartment.  There were a few terrifying hours where Mama Stewart was determined that she was coming with me.  Thank God, Mac was able to talk her out of it.  That must be whom Makayla gets her bullshitting aptitude. 

The first few nights at home weren’t bad.  The gang took turns spending the night and helping me out.  By the fourth day, I sent everyone away.  I needed some time on my own to process everything.  It is taking a lot longer than I had anticipated.  Apparently, traumatic events and I are not compatible.  Joel told me that it was perfectly natural with everything I had been through, and that maybe I should talk to a professional about the nightmares.  I have my first appointment next week. 

Physically, I am feeling better.  Most of the cuts are healing quickly, and any bruising left is a sickly shade of yellow.  I am off the crutches and using a walking cast.  Each day I am able to stand on it a little longer than the day before.  By the time I go back to work, in another two weeks, I should be walking on my own.   

I haven’t spoken to Ethan since that day in the hospital.  He hasn’t made any attempt to contact me, but I haven’t made the effort either.  Makayla took it upon herself to play secret agent and discovered that Sebastian is under strict orders to provide regular updates.  Much to my chagrin, those two have not been exactly shy about their feelings concerning the communication ban either.  Subtle hints about Ethan and I would be a welcomed change.  

I may not have seen Ethan, but he is around, always in my space.  Sometimes I think that was his plan all along.  He had to have figured out that every time I picked something up, I would think of him, knowing he was thoughtful enough to purchase it for me.  Sure enough, just as he intended, I catch myself thinking of him a lot.  Sneaky bastard. 

I haven’t decided whether we can salvage the relationship, or if I even want to, but I do know that I need closure either way.  I cannot leave a ‘what if’ hanging over my head forever. 

***hi***

***hello gorgeous***

***meet me 4 a drink?***

***time?  place?***

***rascals, 5pm?***

***c u then***

I don’t think I’ve ever been this anxious before.  You may wonder why I picked
Rascal’s
instead of
Inferno
.  That’s actually pretty simple. 
Inferno
is his territory, and
Rascal’s
is mine.  I wanted the upper hand for the chat that was about to transpire.  That is also why I got here thirty minutes early.  I want him walking in to face me, not the other way around.  I’m not sure that it makes much of a difference, but I saw it in a movie once.  Although, I’ve also seen where people gain the upper hand by making the other party wait.  Damn Hollywood, sending mixed messages, now I don’t know which one is true.  Hell, who am I kidding, this is Ethan we’re talking about.  I’ll be lucky if I can keep my head above water.

The clock is creeping towards five.  I’m peeling the label from my beer bottle, just for something to do with my nervous energy.  Butterflies fill my stomach.  Not the kind that gently floats around, tickling your insides.  These are more like gigantic ones with barbed wings.  My belly is the jar they were shoved into against their will, and come hell or high water, they are going to fly their asses outta there. 

The door opens and I automatically look up.  Ethan’s long strides make quick work closing the distance between us.  He looks beat.  He’s not worn out from a lack of sleep; it’s something else.  There is an uncertainty to his baby blues that looks out of place on this man, and it makes me sad to know I am the reason it’s there.  He takes a hesitant step towards me, and when I don’t object, kisses my temple like he used to.  I offer him a timid smile in return.

“Thanks for meeting me.”

“Lex, you should know by now, I’ll always come when you call.  I’m just glad you finally did.”  When I didn’t say anything, he went up to the bar and grabbed us each a beer before sitting with me.

“You look good.  How have you been doing?” he probed with obvious concern.

“I’m good.  The minor cuts and bruises have healed, and the deeper ones are almost there.  Another week and I won’t even need the air cast anymore.”

“How are you emotionally?  Are you dealing with everything ok?”

I shrugged my shoulder in a noncommittal gesture.  “Some days are better than others.  I have an appointment next week with the therapist.  Joel said the police department sends their guys to him after traumatic events.  We’ll see how it goes.”

“You’ve been seeing the detective?” he asked calmly, but the tic in his jaw gave him away.

“He’s stopped by a few times to check on me, but we aren’t dating if that’s what you’re wondering.”

Ethan stared at the mouth of his bottle, mulling something over, before taking a drink.

“You asked me here.  I’m taking that to mean you’re ready to talk.  I want to make this easy for you.  I love you, and only you.  I’ll tell you anything you want to know.  Ask away.”

So much for my upper hand, it took him less than five minutes to rip that façade away. 

“Ok, well let’s start with the photos.”  I both needed and feared his answers in equal parts.  I slipped my hands under the table, hiding my clenching fists from Ethan.  Although I knew it was futile attempt, I still tried to limit any visible cues of my angst.

Ethan heaved out a weighty breath.  “I never meant to hurt you Lex.”  His pause put me even more on edge.  “I met Lydia in college.  Two broke kids with big dreams.  We became friends, talked about our futures all of the time, and the plans we were making to get us where we wanted to be.  But I swear to you, we never hooked up, not once.  I wasn’t looking for a relationship, and I didn’t use friends for sex.  Those pictures were a gift.  She sent them to me as a thank you.  I introduced her to the people who eventually signed her to their modeling company.  Those pictures sat against the wall in my living room for months.  The club was still experiencing growing pains, and I spent even more time at
Inferno
than I do now.  I was barely ever in my apartment.  I concentrated so much on the business, that I asked my mom to handle the apartment and my personal business.  She saw them sitting on the floor and thought that I bought them but never found the time to hang them up, so she did.  I didn’t even notice until she told me.  My mom thrives on helping people, especially her kids, so I left them where she hung them.” 

Ethan paused again, taking a long pull of his beer.  “Honestly Lex, I never gave the damn things another thought.  Half the time I slept on the couch in my office, going home only to shower and change.  Then I met you and spent the next several months trying to figure out how to get you to notice me.  When you finally did, you became my world.  For the first time in my life, I had something more important than building my empire.  I understand now why they upset you, and I don’t blame you for it.  I would be the same if this was reversed, probably worse.  It isn’t a good excuse.  I should have been smart enough to get rid of them a long time ago, but as lame as it sounds, they never meant anything to me, so it never occurred to me that you’d be bothered.”

He had such a sincere and hopeful look.  Begging me with his eyes to believe him, and I did.  God help me, but I did.

“Your mom didn’t recognize that it was Lydia in the pictures?”

“My mom never met Lydia.  You are the only girl I’ve ever introduced to my parents.”

“If all of that’s true, why was she in your office dressed…”

“Like a whore?” he interrupted me.

“I was going to be a little more colorful about it, but that works.”

“Because I’m a dumbass and still thought of her as my friend and not the conniving, evil bitch she’s turned into.  She called and apologized for what she said to you.  Told me a bullshit story about how she was just looking out for me, making sure you weren’t after my money.  Said she was trying to be a good friend, and she knows she screwed up.”

“What the fuck,” I hissed.  “I never met her before that night, and she’s calling me a gold digger?”

Brandon chose that moment to come check on us.  Which was another what the fuck moment.  Brandon never waits on anyone.   You have to ask for a beer three or four times before he gets it from the cooler, and he never comes out from behind the bar to serve it.  This in itself is a sign that the world is coming to an end.

Brandon paddled back behind the bar, and Ethan continued.  “I set her straight on the gold digger reference.  If anything, you’re the complete opposite.  Anyway, she begged me to forgive her, promising she would make things right with you.  I told her I’d go over the legal papers she received, but this was the last time and she needed to find a new consultant.  She agreed and promised to stay out of my personal life.  Lydia got there literally minutes before you, dropped her coat, and revealed her absurd pitch that we would make the perfect power couple.  I was getting up to kick her out when you walked in.  I had no idea she was playing some twisted game, trying to manipulate everyone to get what she wanted.  I finally saw what everyone else did a long time ago.”

“Does she love you?”

“Hell no,” he scoffed.

“How do you know?”

“Because when you love someone, you don’t give them permission to keep tapping ass on the side as long as they’re discreet about it.”

My hand flew to my mouth, and I exclaimed, “No she didn’t?!”  He nodded, finishing off his drink.

“So what happens with the two of you now?”

“Nothing, there is no us.  She crossed the line, purposely trying, and possibly succeeding, to sabotage the best thing in my life.  She fabricated a relationship with the intent to come between me and the woman I love.  Not only did she jeopardize our future, but her ploy compelled my closest friends and family to question my fidelity.  As far as I’m concerned, the bitch better stay the hell away from me, and everyone I care about, or I will fuck with her life until she won’t know which way is up.”

Now this look was anything but uncertain.  That skank wouldn’t even pass him on the street if she was smart.  Unfortunately, her intelligence is questionable at best.

“Where does that leave us?”

“That’s entirely up to you.  I want you.  Not for a little while, but for a lifetime.”

Wow.  I totally did not expect that kind of declaration from a man like Ethan.  Yeah, he may feel that way, but to actually verbalize it?  That shocked the shit out of me.

“Have you been watching Lifetime?  You didn’t grow a vagina in the past few weeks did you?  Because that totally sounded like something a chick would say.”

A smile lit up his handsome face.  “I’m just telling it like it is.  But maybe you should check on the state of my manhood just to be on the safe side.” 

His cheeky remark coaxed an involuntary grin.  My smile faded, replaced with an immeasurable sadness, and I knew he saw the feelings openly illustrated on my face.  Reacting to my sudden mood change, apprehension colored Ethan’s face.  Focusing on the man sitting in front of me, I sorted through my feelings and searched my heart.  What I found was an undeniable truth, and no matter how badly I wanted to, I was utterly incapable of changing it.

“Lex, it’s ok.  You can tell me.  I’ll deal with it, as long as in the end, I know it’s what makes you happy.”  Unable to conceal his worry, Ethan sat, body taut, waiting for me to drop the bomb he was dreading.

“Ethan, I’ve missed you,” I confessed.  “I’m sorry I didn’t talk to you before.  I never stopped loving you, and I want there to be an us, forever.”  The instant the words left my mouth, I dissolved into tears.  Within seconds, I was swiftly drawn into his strong embrace.