Book 4 - Chapter Five

Seona’s POV

Opening my eyes groggily, I am immediately aware that I’m not alone, and it isn’t my mum. Looking to the foot of my bed I find a large man dressed in tailored trousers and a hoodie that is pulled up over his head, his face hidden in shadow.

I want to scream but my throat won’t respond, paralyzed with fear. Oh God, is he from Davis’ work? Did he send him here to get me? Or to make sure I don’t tell anyone what happened?

P . . please’ I manage to croak out, tears already threatening as I hunch down further in the bed. I want to tell him that he doesn’t need to hurt me, I know what to say, I know it’s my fault, but I can’t get the words to form.

‘I’m not going to hurt you’ he tells me, his voice gravelly like he rarely uses it.

I don’t let my guard down, I don’t know this man and I’ve heard the same words from Davis before too. I need to be careful, not make this man angry, I need to keep everything calm. If I behave, he won’t have a reason to hurt me will he.

‘I came with Noah, he asked me to help’ the man continues, his words startling me. My brother brought him? Where is he? Why would he let a stranger in my room without saying anything?

‘You know . . my broth . . er?’ I ask uncertainly, gasping against the pain in my ribs from talking. Does he really know Noah or is this a trick? Davis might be testing me, getting a friend to see if I’ll say things I shouldn’t. . .

The stranger nods, ‘work for Eden’s guy’ he tells me, ‘at Cadell’s.’

I know of the Cadell’s, my brother has mentioned them before, they work in security I think, and Eden . . Noah talks about her all the time, ‘Eden . . my brother’s friend’ I say more to myself than the stranger.

Another curt nod, ‘he came and said you need help, I’m help.’

A laugh escapes me before I can stop it, the sound turning into a sob as the weight of the truth washes over me.

‘No one can help me’ I whisper, and it’s true, they can’t. Davis is a cop, he has too many friends, to much power, he’ll never let me go.

The stranger huffs, calls Davis garbage, promises to keep him away from me.

‘My husband . . . is a good . . I tripped’ The words fall from my lips with practiced ease, instinctive like breathing, defending the man who hurts me but I can’t stop loving. If I could just be better, keep him happy, maybe he’d not get angry anymore. I shouldn’t have gone and asked for the pills from the doctor, I knew he wanted children. I don’t even know why I did it, I’d like to be a mom, maybe having a kid would make Davis happier, then everything would be better. It was my fault, he was right to be angry, I went back on our agreement, it was just a shock to him . .

‘You know, they all say that’ the strange man’s angry voice snaps me out of my thoughts and I instinctively curl up, cowering from the bitterness. ‘I fell, I tripped, I walked into something, and it’s all b.ullshit.’ I peek over the top of the covers, as his chest heaves, anger radiating off of him as he fights for control.

He looks up at me again and I quickly turn my gaze back to the wall, hoping he didn’t see me looking. Never make eye contact, he might calm down if you don’t make eye contact.

‘I think . . . you should leave . . ‘ I manage to whisper, not sure if I’m making a huge mistake here by giving what could be construed as an order .

‘No’ that is the response I get and I’m so shocked my gaze flicks back to him automatically.

‘You . . . you can’t say no’ I whimper, trying to sound brave when I feel anything but.

Voices float through from the hallway outside of my room, and fear envelops me as a familiar, male voice reaches me. He’s here, this guy is with him, did I pass the test?

The man tunes me out, heading to the door and inching it open, confusing me. Why doesn’t he just pull it all the way, let my husband in?

I can hear Davis arguing with my brother, demanding access to me and I close my eyes, waiting for the stranger to shove Noah out of the way and for Davis to appear next to me.

I hear the sharp click of the door and when I open my eyes again tentatively, I find myself once again alone, neither the stranger nor Davis in the room with me.

Minutes pass before the door opens again, and my brother slips inside, shutting it behind him and walking over to me, taking the seat that our mother was sitting in before I fell asleep.

‘Hey Se Se’ he murmurs, taking my hand in his hand squeezing it gently.

‘Was that Davis?’ I ask worriedly.

My brother’s face hardens as he nods, ‘yeah but he left again, don’t worry, he isn’t getting near you.’

I swallow, glancing at the door again, ‘that man . . ‘ I mutter, ‘you know him?’

Noah looks over at the door before returning his attention to me and nodding, ‘Yep, he words for the Cadell’s. Harrison sent him over with me, he’s going to keep you safe tonight and then tomorrow I’ll sort something out long term.’

My heart constricts, ‘Noah . .’ I croak out, but he immediately holds up his hand, stopping me.

‘Don’t Seona’ he growls, ‘whatever it is, whatever you have convinced yourself whilst I’ve been outside the door, shove it away. I’m going to help you get away from him, the guy is an asshole, the worst kind at that. When I was younger and you married him, I couldn’t stop him, I couldn’t help you! Even when I’d come over and I’d see the bruises under your shirt . . ‘ he swallows, his fingers tightening around my own, making me feel even worse.

I’d always done my best to hide it, worn high necked jumpers and buttoned my shirts up to my neck. Everything had long sleeves, I thought I protected my little brother from what was happening, but it seems I hadn’t.

‘I’m sorry . . ‘ I whisper brokenly.

‘Don’t you dare apologise’ Noah snaps loudly, making me cringe, his face falling at my reaction as guilt floods his features. ‘I’m sorry Se, on’t be scared’ he murmurs, trying to comfort me as I force my body to relax. ‘I need you to listen to me, you did nothing wrong Se, nothing! You were a good wife, loving, caring and kind, you didn’t deserve his anger and you don’t deserve to live in fear. Please, I’m begging you, let me help you.’

I stare at him, the faint hope that I could actually leave trying to ignite within me.

‘He’s got so many friends . . ‘ I mumble sadly

‘So do I’ Noah replies, jerking his thumb over his shoulder, ‘and they are all just as tough as the man out there.’

I don’t know what to do, I’m scared but . . that man outside, he got Davis to leave . . . can he really help me?

‘What’s his name?’ I ask reluctantly, gaze flicking to the door of my room again.

‘Hallick’ my brother tells me, ‘ex Army, stubborn as they come, he won’t let anyone near you that you don’t want here.’

I frown, ‘his name is Hallick?’ who looks at a baby and decides to name it Hallick??

Noah laughs, ‘it’s his surname’ he explains.

The door to my room opens quietly and a nurse walks in, smiling at us both before checking my chart and then fiddling with my IV for a second. Writing something down on my chart, she asks me if I need anything and then glances at my brother, before flicking her gaze pointedly at the clock that states its past ten o’clock.

Noah nods in understanding, it’s time for him to go.

‘Oh, so what is his first name?’ I wonder out loud.

My brother shrugs as he stands up, checking his watch as I yawn loudly, covering my mouth in embarrassment as my little brother laughs, leaning over to press a kiss to my forehead.

‘No idea’ he admits, ‘everyone just calls him Hallick so that’s what I call him too.’

I nod slowly, my eyes starting to close as fatigue and the medicine I now realise the nurse gave me kicks in.

‘I’m going to get you away from him Seona’ I hear my brother tell me firmly, ‘I don’t care what I have to do, I’m not letting you go back to that b.astard, not again.’

I hear the door to my room open again, the familiar scent of my mother’s perfume tickling my nose as darkness takes me, the blissful peace of dreamless sleep that I have so rarely had over the last four years.