you’re ever going to be, and snuff it out in an instant…and there’s nothing you can do. And David is the one who saved me.
My thoughts plague me until we’re finally pulling up in front of the Fortuna.
“You okay to walk?” David asks.
“Yes.” I take a deep breath and do my best to give Mike a smile as he opens the car door and offers me a hand to step down.
“Thanks, Mike. I’ll take it from here.” David steps up and offers me his arm to take. Mike nods and steps away.
I want to walk alone but I’m grateful for the support in that moment. The adrenaline that has been surging through me is slowly dissipating, leaving me weak and shaky. I clutch his elbow for a few steps but then my ankle rolls slightly and I stumble.
“Come here.” David bends down and scoops me back up into his arms.
“I can walk.” I fuss. But I know it’s a lie.
“This’ll be faster.”
Embarrassed, I hide my face in his chest as he carries me through the casino. Only once I hear the ding of the elevator doors closing behind us do I look up. We’re headed for the penthouse.
“I just want to give you a quiet spot to rest and get cleaned up,” David murmurs in response to my look. “No expectations.”
Inside the penthouse, everything is exactly as I remember it. He carries me upstairs and sets me gently on the bed, then goes to the bathroom and starts water in the tub. The aroma of some lavender bath bubbles makes its way out to me, reviving me as I lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling vacantly.
David steps out and approaches me with a gentle smile. I’m finally in a calm enough state of mind to take a good look at him and register what I’m seeing. He’s still as tall and muscular as ever. He’s taken off his jacket and is just wearing slacks and button-down. The shirt is a mess. My tears and mascara are smeared across the front, and its wrinkled all over. He’s pushed the sleeves up and undone the top buttons, showing just a hint of his chest.
“You okay?” He approaches me where I’m now sitting up on the bed.
“Yeah.” I nod. “I will be,” I’m not okay right now.
“I just ran you a tub. You can get cleaned up and unwind.” He pauses. “I’ll be just downstairs.”
I watch as he turns to head towards the stairs, feeling a lump forming in my throat as his broad back moves away from me.
“Wait.” I choke out the word.
He turns and raises an eyebrow.
“Would you stay and sit with me? I don’t want to be alone.” It’s the truth. After what happened, I need someone I trust…him…by my side.
“Of course.”
“Thank you.” I stand up and undo the buttons of my blouse, realizing my hands are shaking. I peel off the blouse and my skirt, letting them fall to the floor. I slip out of my bra and panties, likewise letting them drop to the ground, and then walk to the bathroom. I feel like a zombie. I don’t even think about the fact that it might be weird for David, an ex of sorts, to see me strip down naked in front of him. I’m just going through motions mechanically, like a robot.
The tub is almost full with fluffy, white bubbles. I turn off the water and step inside slowly, hanging on to the sides of the tub for stability before sinking down into the warm water. It’s exactly what I need. I feel my muscles relax as I lean back into the lavender-scented water. Closing my eyes, I inhale the soothing aroma.
“You look better already.” David’s calm voice causes me to open my eyes. He’s looking at me from the door of the bathroom. With a smile, he walks over and sits on the edge of the tub.
“I needed this.”
“Understandable. Anybody would’ve, after the day you’ve had.”
I nod, our eyes locking.
“I’m sorry you got dragged into that, Lilly.” He looks away for a moment. I think it’s the only time I’ve ever seen David avoid my eyes.
“It’s not your fault.” While this is true, I can’t shake the nagging thought that there will always be danger in a place like Vegas. And around a guy like David. I’m already regretting leaving Parkville.
“Still. You didn’t deserve that. And they only grabbed you to get to me. They thought you were leverage.”