Chasing Paradise (Chasing Series #3) (27 page)

This
was unexpected.

“
We’re here, sir. I’ll just wait out here.” Edward gestured towards the door next to him. The acrid smell of the hospital inflamed my senses, reminding me that Sienna was hurting behind this door.

I stifled a sob when I saw her, pale and ashen, with a cut on her forehead. For some reason, I stayed at the foot of the bed, afraid to move any closer or dare to even touch her because I was afraid that something wrong would happen.

A quick knock on the door made me look up. Edward appeared and slowly walked inside the room. “I was just informed that Gareth just got out of surgery. He’s in recovery. I will let you know if there are any more updates.” Edward gave me a curt nod before walking back out into the hallway.

When we were on our way here, I vaguely recalled him mentioning Gareth needing surgery, but I was too out of it to even pay attention.

Dragging my legs to function, I pulled a chair and placed it right next to Sienna. The room was eerily quiet, except for the monitors beeping, reminding me that I failed twice.

The nurses and doctors came and went, explaining procedures and the healing process with good news, but I was pretty much zoning in and out as they spoke to me. Guilt was eating me alive while I watched Sienna recover, fighting to get better.

When it went past midnight, I reached out and stroked her hand, hoping she’d wake up. “Hey, it’s me.”

Maybe hearing my voice, even though she was asleep, would subconsciously let her know that I was there, waiting for her.

“
I love you. Come back to me soon, cara.” I kissed her hand, needing to see her smiles. “You said you’d wait for me. Don’t keep me hanging for long.” I paused, needing to gather myself and not breakdown. “I’m sorry for not protecting you as I had promised before. I’m terrible at it, aren’t I? I wouldn’t really blame you if you don’t want to wake up and see me because I’ve let you down again.”

I brushed against her fingers, bombarded with memories of her. Sienna throwing popcorn at my face, or how she’d make faces, sitting on the countertop while I shaved. The way she put her heart into singing, but was so terrible at it; however, it hadn’t mattered because she was having the time of her life.

One of my favorite memories of her was when she and I fought, she was in the wrong and she knew it, too, but she didn’t want to apologize. I left for work aggravated and then was surprised to find her in my office, carrying a pizza box with her and wearing the sexiest dress.

“
Hi, I brought you lunch.” She was nervous, eyeing me cautiously because I was still rooted to the spot, right next to my door.

I nodded, moving slowly towards her before I took the outstretched box in her hands and placed it on the coffee table. “Thanks. How thoughtful of you to come by and bring me lunch.” Inside, I was overjoyed, but I had to mask that because I wanted her to apologize. A simple ‘I’m sorry’ would’ve done the trick, but she was too stubborn.

Sienna came closer, looking like she wanted to sit, but opted to stand instead. “You must be hungry, you should take a bite. I got you your favorite.”

This should be interesting. “What might that be?” Referring to my favorite since I was almost sure we never ate pizza together. I sat back on the sofa, lounging as I watched her squirm.

“
Cheese?”

She was too adorable, but still, I was adamant to hear her apology. I loved and worshipped the ground she walked on, but when she was in the wrong, I needed her to know that she was mistaken so we didn’t have to keep having the same problem time and time again. “Margherita is one. Anchovies, second.”

She reddened. “Oh,” she murmured, clutching her purse. “Are you breaking up with me? I know we fight a lot and most of the time it’s my fault. I’m childish; I tend to overreact on things, but I do love you, Blake.”

I suppose this could be an apology. “I’m not breaking up with you, even if you drive me mental most days.” I glanced at her. “Are you just going to stand there or are you going to join me and eat this pizza?” I asked, opening the box.

She did get me a cheese pizza, but it had black olives, spelling “I’m sorry.”

Sienna sure knew how to make me feel good again. I just wanted to kiss her senseless, but I wasn’t going to make it that easy for her. “Getting creative with your apologies, Sienna? A simple ‘I’m sorry’ would’ve done it.” I patted the space next to me. “Come sit. We need to talk.

“
You do understand that we need to work on talking to each other properly, right? As friends, things were fairly easy for us. I know the transition from friends to lovers is a tad difficult, but I’m still the same man. The only difference is that I’m open about how much I love you and how much I want to marry your stubborn arse.”

“
I was only teasing about being curious about one-night stands. You take everything I say literally. You need to let loose a bit and have fun. You’re too possessive and jealous most of the time. I get that because, I’m the same with you, but you have to know that when it comes to sex and anything related to him—even with my limited experience—I know when I hit the jackpot with you when it comes to that department.” She curled her hair behind her ear.

I didn’t even let her breathe another word. I pushed her down on the sofa and bit into her lips, yanked her thong aside and stuck a middle finger inside her. “Jackpot.”

We spent half of the afternoon on that couch. Let’s just say that she panted out her “I’m sorry” until she could no longer comprehend to utter another damn word.

Sienna and I communicated through our lovemaking. We both were passionate people. So when we came together, that passion ignited into something larger than life. It’s the perfervid, subliminal, exhilarating ride of your life. When that strong emotion turned into hatred, it was the most crippling, toxic kind of emotion that never lets you off, until you find your way home. Back in her arms, I could only seek refuge, love, calmness and serenity. In her arms, I could only feel the hate, loathing and wrath. Both are the opposites of each other, just like Sienna and I. She was the only person that could make me feel the extremes of emotions, like I do for her.

You become intertwined with this person. You live for this person. You become whole with this person. Once our souls bonded, we were mated for life.

Staring at her peaceful face, I kissed her hand again. “Come back to me, Sienna. It’s lonely without you.” My head pounded as I clutched her hand with mine before I fell asleep on it, smelling her skin.

Twenty-nine

Sienna

The first thing I registered was the throbbing pain from something being pulled out of my skin. The second, was the smell surrounding me, it was familiar. The third was the odd feeling of being moved. I could feel the sheets moving away from my body, leaving a soft brush against my legs before I felt the cold floor on my feet. I think I even heard myself groan from the sudden contact, but I wasn’t so sure because my mind was still muddled and the heavy feeling of my lids made it difficult for me to open them.

Then I felt something cold and sturdy, what I’m only guessing was a wheelchair because my feet were being placed on those odd foot pedals.

“
Sienna?” I could hear Blake. He sounded like he just woke up. Were we at home? Why couldn’t I wake up?

“
Don’t move or I’ll blow her brains out,” a woman’s voice threatened Blake.

British. Posh. Familiar. My mind was whirring with all the words until it finally came into place. It was the woman who pushed me down the stairs. Then the accident this afternoon came back into my mind, reminding me that I was more likely in the hospital, heavily medicated. Fuck!

“
Camilla, put that down!” Blake sounded alarmed.

When I felt the cool metal on the side on my head, I understood perfectly. She came here to finish what she couldn’t accomplish earlier.

“
The only thing going down is this woman, six feet under,” Camilla spat out, pushing the metal against my skin, hard, making me bob my head to the side.

“
Don’t do this, Camilla. Let Sienna go. I’ll give you anything you want.” Blake was in his serious, business mode.

I was sure he was calculating in his head already. If Camilla had a gun, there was no way I was getting out of here alive.

“
Marry me like how it was supposed to be to begin with.” Camilla’s voice shook.

“
I’m engaged!
I know your father wants to acquire more wealth. I can offer you that, as long as you follow my instructions and not hurt anyone.” Blake was calm, voice in control.

I tried to will my eyes to open, but it was too heavy. Surprisingly, I could move my fingers, but not my hands. What the hell! I wanted to scream, but instead I heard myself make a muffled groan.

“
I could care less about any of that. I want marriage. That’s what’s open for negotiation.” The metal brushed my cheek before she stuck it underneath my chin. “Or she dies.” She made a weird laugh like groan. “In case you’re doubting my ability to pull the trigger, I already killed one doctor. He’s stuck out in the morgue, so it will take awhile for them to know that he’s missing, since you know, his face got blown off.”

“
All right, I’ll marry you, if you let her go, now.”

No!!!!
I screamed, but nothing came out. Blake was playing into her trap and I was helpless against it.

“
Good. Now I need for you to prove this promise, Blake. Because from what I can recall, your promises aren’t all that solid.” Camilla sounded pleased.

“
How?”

“
Impregnate me.”

Aw, hell no! This woman was outright batshit crazy! I wanted to fight and kick her to a pulp. I was so enraged. I wanted to kill someone. Blake wasn’t going to do it. I knew he wouldn’t. He’d laugh at her dumb ultimatums.

Blake made a sharp gasp then remained silent. “You mean now?
Right here?
” he was aghast and he didn’t mask it.

“
Yes, Blake. Right now. Right here, where your lovely Sienna may hear you fuck another woman. She deserves it, really, because she fucked with mine. I don’t get why she wants to marry you. She seemed to have no qualms letting another man kiss her and grope her right for everyone to see. I think Kyle will be happy when he finds out that she will be available again. You do know that she’s going to run back to him, right? She always did. She loves him, but she’s in lust with you. Can’t blame her, can I? You were amazing.”

“
No,” he gritted out, pissed off. “Go fuck yourself, Camilla.”

She laughed, moving away. I could hear the door open and close. It was then I felt another person join us because I felt his roughened hands on my shoulder. Blake remained silent, which I took was a bad sign.

“
Clock is ticking, Blake. Make up your mind because we don’t have that much time before we take her away and have Gareth have his wicked way with her.” Camilla sounded triumphant. “Oh, didn’t you know? The bodyguard you hired was in love with her all along. Gareth wasn’t in surgery. I had to pay a large sum to get one of the doctors to lie. Everyone has a price. And I’m guessing you have yours, too.”