Obsession (Endurance) (4 page)

“When
I wanted to learn to ride a motorcycle, to feel what it was like to ride in
open air instead of behind bulletproof glass, Fiaaz brought his own bike to a
closed track.  He put me in every piece of safety equipment he could find
and spent all day showing me.”  I laughed, remembering how many serious
scratches I’d raked across his paint.  “I caused a lot of damage but he
thought it was funny.”

I
grinned, “Padme teaches me about makeup and does my nails sometimes.  She
says I should know just in case I ever need to pull off glamorous by
myself.  I feel like we’re normal friends when we watch romances and eat
ice cream.  She likes Channing Tatum best but Ryan Reynolds makes me
laugh.  Sometimes…not always but
sometimes
…everyone will hang out
together and watch an action flick.  I really like that.”

I
shrugged.  “And Hyde…”

Let
it go, Elliana…just let it go.  It will never be the same again.

My
mother’s touch brought my face up.  “What has he shown you, Ellie?”

“That
just because I’m
me
doesn’t mean I can’t go out in the world.  I
wanted to visit a fair.  The cattle exhibits, the silly shows, the food,
the rides.  It’s hard to manage a protection detail in a situation like
that.  Too many things can go wrong.  I didn’t think they’d let me
go.  He and Bianca put me in disguise and the entire team disappeared,
there but not, so I could enjoy the experience.”

It
had been so noisy with children screaming and the sound of the rides.  The
air smelled like popcorn and funnel cake.  “Most of the stuff I did by
myself so they could maintain a perimeter.  I played games and even dunked
a clown.  There was a roller coaster.  It was huge, set up along one
whole end of the fairgrounds and rising a hundred feet in the air. 
Because the cars were open, Hyde went with me.” 

I
looked out the window as I remembered my nervous excitement at the top, the
hardness of Hyde’s shoulder and how warm he was against my side.  I
remembered him saying, “Hang on, Ellie.”  Then the drop and closing my
eyes with my hands in the air and wishing it could go on forever. 

I
shook my head and gave my parents a half-smile.  “I think that was the
best day of my life.  The closest I ever came to normal.  I’ll never
have normal again.  But I’ve decided to devote myself to your charities
and my writing.  With a child to love, it will be enough.” 

I’d
never talked to anyone about the fair.  That had been two years ago just
weeks before Preston died.  Talking about it now made my heart ache but I
wanted to share these things with my parents.  To help them understand how
different I felt as a person, as a woman, from everyone around me. 

To
reinforce my defenses, I added, “I’ll leave for home whenever you’re ready.”

Late
July

It
took Theresa another two weeks to get the equipment she wanted installed at my
parents’ house and for the necessary renovations to be completed.  The
minute she gave the all-clear, I said my goodbyes to my elderly friends in the
long-term geriatric wing and allowed a team of guards to escort me to the
caravan of armed vehicles waiting in the hospital’s secured underground parking
garage. 

The
drive to the estate took half an hour and I used it sticking a bent wire hanger
into the top of the leg cast that extended from my thigh to my ankle.  It
was awkward because my wrist and forearm were broken on that side.  I
finally asked Padme to help. 

The
relief was sublime.

“Two
more weeks, Ellie, at the most.  Then soft casts that can be removed at
night.”  Her slight Indian accent was beautifully musical and matched her
shimmering black hair and almond-shaped eyes.  “I’ve organized all your
emails and correspondence so you don’t have to plod through weeks of crap to
get to the important stuff.”

Bianca
was the only member of my personal team who was in evidence during
transport.  She gave Ellie a grin.  “Jamie Vasquez and her little boy
Ricky sent a three page letter thanking your parents for the car and Ricky’s
four-year college fund but insisted it was unnecessary.  They were so
happy to hear you were on the mend.  That woman is hysterical.” 

The
woman who posed as my housekeeper was from South Africa.  She spoke four
languages and had the kind of beauty models could only wish for. 
White-blond hair and ice blue eyes that always seemed to be laughing and a
long, lean figure. 

At
one black tie affair held in my parent’s house, Bianca had watched one of the
catering staff pull a poisonous blow dart gun from his jacket pocket.  She
snapped his neck and hauled his body into the back garden before anyone even
realized there was a scuffle.

My
parents sat on the opposite side of the limo.  Their smiles of relief were
enough to convince me I’d made the right decision in going home.  Not
having me close, especially vulnerable, was worse on them.  I could see
that now.

As
we turned into the long drive leading to the main house, I absorbed the
ambiance of the home I’d grown up in.  Designed to mimic the multi-winged
homes made famous during Regency England, it wrapped around a central courtyard
that was part garden, part driveway.  Soft ivory stone gave it a castle
feel and the wide stone balconies on every floor lent a welcoming air. 

There
were currently fifty members of the staff lined up under the overhang of the
main entrance.

As
I was assisted from the limo I was greeted by cheers.  The biggest
bodyguard I’d ever seen came forward to lift my wheelchair, with me in it, to
the landing stretched before the massive double doors.  One by one, the
people who’d watched me grow up came forward to take my hands or kiss my
cheek. 

Mrs.
Safoya, the matron of the inner domain who’d served my mother and father for
forty years, fully embraced me and held my face gently as she kissed my
cheeks.  Her husband, combination butler and majordomo, wrapped his arm
around my shoulders. 

My
second mother and father, just as protective as my actual parents, took turns
whispering about their love for me and their relief to have me home at
last. 

“Cook
is making Beef Wellington tonight with a fresh horseradish sauce. 
Blackberry tarts for dessert.  A celebration that we have you back in our
arms again.”  The Safoyas were originally from Poland but their accent was
dulled by so many years in the States.  I loved them dearly. 

I
gathered them both to me and said, “Thank you.  I’ve missed you both so
much.”  Hugging me as hard as they dared, they stepped away in an attempt
to hide their tears.  I waved to everyone as Bianca pushed me
inside. 

A
suite of rooms had been prepared in the rarely used east wing to give me
privacy.  Inside the elevator, Padme described the changes cheerfully in
an effort to disguise the fact that my freedom had been completely curtailed
for the time being.

“The
apartments are lovely.  When the contractor realized your mother intended
a full kitchen installed and an entire room removed to expand and upgrade the
bathroom, he stopped trying to up-sell her.  The views of the rear gardens
and stables are incredibly relaxing.”

I
was nodding but unsure how to respond.  I’d lived in this house most of my
life and I loved it – but I doubted I’d be relaxing anytime soon. 

She
rushed on, “I set your office up, of course.  Bianca oversaw the gym
installation.  Dr. Spellman has her office and suite across the
hall.  The lab is attached so you have no need to go back and forth to the
hospital.  I think you’ll be
really
happy, Ellie.”

I
had to let her off the hook.  “Padme.  It’s fine.  I’m
fine.  I know I have to fully recuperate and I realize my parents are
going to need reassurance for a long time that I’m safe.  I miss running
and riding.  I miss…”  Padme and Bianca shared a look over my head
and I was glad I hadn’t completed my thought out loud. 

Entering
the apartment, Fiaaz was there to greet me with a bow before taking my good hand
and kissing my knuckles.  My driver was descended from Persian royalty and
very beautiful.  Thick black hair and pale green eyes were the icing on an
elegant and well-muscled form. 

I
suspected he was involved with Bianca but was too shy to ask.  They often
went riding on the two horses Fiaaz stabled on the estate.  Breathtaking
Arabians of perfect lines that he’d agreed to breed for my father. 

I
often wondered where my parents found the people they hired to protect
me.  I was always given a single paragraph bio and told “they checked out”
as if their criminal background were all I’d find interesting. 

“It
is a blessing to have you with us again, Elliana Monica.”  Fiaaz always
used my full first and middle names when he spoke to me.  I found it so pretty
and it made him unique.  He continued, “There are many things I wish; I am
unable to express them adequately.  For now, it is enough to see your eyes
bright and the beginnings of a smile on your face.”

“Thank
you, Fiaaz.”  It was good to be back with my team.  Padme and Bianca
helped me settle into my bedroom suite that was too large to contemplate or
explore right now. 

To
my horror I took a long nap and had to be awakened an hour before dinner. 

It
was Bianca who wrapped my casts and assisted me into the enormous shower
stall.  Once they were certain I was secure on the medical chair placed in
the center, I took my time washing my hair and body. 

Turning
off the water and grabbing the thick bath sheet from the hook just inside, I
wondered if I could make it from the shower to my chair.  I’d wrapped
myself in the towel and placed both hands on the chair rails when Bianca’s
voice stopped me cold.

“I
know…absolutely
know
you aren’t going to try to leave a wet shower with
two broken limbs.  Because that would be incredibly stupid and needlessly
prideful, two character flaws that do not generally afflict you, Ellie.  I
know you were waiting for help.  Am I right?”

Giving
her a bright smile, I lied through my teeth and gritted them as she helped me
to the chair and back into my bedroom.  “God, I hate this shit.”

Meeting
my eyes, her reply was strangely gentle, “I know Ellie.  I swear that I
do.  For a woman who has been sheltered as you have, you are admirably
independent and brave.  Still, the true mark of bravery is in knowing when
to call in reinforcements.  Knowing when to ask for help so you don’t make
a bad situation worse.  Do you understand?”

I
sighed with a small nod.  “I didn’t think about how my parents would react
if you had to tell them I’d been injured due to stubbornness.  Thank you,
Bianca.  I’m sorry.”  I meant it. 

Padme
had already laid out my clothing and Bianca left me alone.  For simplicity
sake, I pulled on a flowing sundress that came to mid-calf and panties. 

There
was a healing wound under one shoulder blade from my attack and wearing a bra
was impossible.  The stitches had dissolved but it still itched like
mad.  Someone had ordered me a wardrobe that offered support in
butter-soft materials that wouldn’t irritate my skin. 

When
Padme knocked I told her to come in and she brushed my hair, pulling it back
from my face.  “Would you like me to do some makeup, Ellie?” 

I
rolled my eyes dramatically and asked, “Pad, when do I
ever
wish to wear
makeup?”

She
grinned at me in the mirror.  “I have to try, Ellie.” 

Padme
pushed me from my apartment to the elevator, Fiaaz and Bianca on either
side.  In the formal dining room, there was a mix of employees I loved and
friends of my parents I knew but wasn’t really ready to see. 

I
was suddenly very nervous, putting my good foot on the floor to stop the
chair.  It jarred me sharply and I hissed in pain. 

Bianca
was in front of me instantly.  “These are people you
know
,
Ellie.  No one will hurt you, nor even be allowed to touch you if that is
what you wish.”  I was humiliated when my eyes filled with tears, blinking
furiously to keep them from falling.  “Ellie, take a deep breath,
love.  There are no injuries visible with exception of your casts. 
Your face is completely back to normal and you look beautiful.  You can do
this.  Yes?”

I
nodded and lifted my foot from the floor.  I felt Padme touch my shoulder
on one side and Fiaaz on the other.  They gave a small squeeze of support
and released me.  My mother and father saw me as they turned.  I
forced a smile as they hurried to my side. 

“Ellie,
you look so lovely, princess.” 

“Thanks,
Dad.”  I pulled him to me and whispered, “Thank you for the
apartment.  I’m so happy to be home with you both again.”  My mother
was kneeling and hugged me.  I touched Dad’s cheek and he leaned into my
palm with his eyes closed. 

I
knew both of them were on the verge of losing their composure completely. 
“Enough.  We’re together and we’re safe.  I love you very much. 
Help me get through this.”