Chapter 50 She’s Mine Again
No one had to tell me that I was dead.
Ryker would come for me.
I might not even live to see my wedding that was happening in a week.
Vanessa had a sharp cut at the back of her head but thankfully, it had been stitched up by the doctors.
But there was no way Ryker wouldn't find out about this incident.
He always knew. Especially when it had something to do with Vanessa.
Even if she didn't rant me out to him—which was unlikely to be the case—he had his ways of knowing. And he wasn't blind, he would see the bandage around her head if she returned home.
Wait—
What if she doesn't return?
That way, he wouldn't know.
What if I keep her with me until the wounds healed and the bandages were taken off?
She was fast asleep already, unaware of anything, dressed in a blue hospital gown.
Perfect time to kidnap her, keep her away from my brother and have her all to myself. Just like before.
And Ryker? He'll become miserable.
He would beg to see her.
Probably even negotiate giving me the CEO position of Holland group in exchange for her.
Hashtag sweet revenge against my asshole brother. Part one.
Perfect.
And just like that, I signed the necessary paperwork and got her out of the hospital.
I felt the weight of her body in my arms as I carried Vanessa off the hospital gurney. Her limbs hung loose, her breathing was shallow. They wanted her to stay, to be monitored, but I refused. She was mine now, and I needed to control what came next.
I managed to get her into the backseat of my car, laying her down with slow careful movements.
"Mr Holland," The doctor called from behind me.
"Yes?" I turned, shutting the door. I tried to keep my voice steady, but my hands wouldn't stop shaking beside me.
"Here's the prescription. Pain meds, antibiotics. Don't give her any alcohol. And please—" He looked at Vanessa in the backseat, then back at me. "Make sure she gets a proper rest. If she vomits or becomes drowsier, bring her back right away."
"Understood," I lied. "Thank you, Doctor."
The man hesitated like he wanted to say more, maybe ask questions. Maybe he did suspect something. Or maybe he didn't. He walked away and left me with the paper and the bitter taste of guilt in my mouth.
The doctor's voice was still ringing in my ears as I shoved the prescription paper into my pocket and pulled open the driver's seat door.
Vanessa was unconscious in the backseat, her head slightly tilted, the bandage still fresh and white. I stole a glance at her through the mirror.
She looked so quiet now. So helpless.
Less provocative.
Just like how she was back then.
Under control. The way I liked it.
Finally, She was mine again.
I gripped the steering wheel tighter as I pulled out of the hospital lot and onto the road. The sun was starting to dip below the horizon, painting the sky into a weird shade of red. One that was fitting, considering the hellfire Ryker would rain down if he found out about the incident.
But he wouldn't.
He couldn't.
Just then, my phone's ringtone filled the car. I flinched. Then, quickly grabbed it from the other seat.
It was Annie.
I almost didn't want to answer the call. I was already in enough deep mess that I needed to clean up.
But I knew I had to keep her away for a while. Ignoring her calls wouldn't help. Instead, it would drive her to come over to my house and that would be the end of me if she managed to see Vanessa.
Sucking in a deep breath, I answered the call.
"Hello?"
"Hey babe, where are you? I stopped by your office after coming back from the site and your assistant said you weren't in."
I cleared my throat, forcing my voice to sound casual. "I'm out handling some business stuff that came up suddenly. Nothing serious."
She hummed on the other end. "You okay? You sound... off."
"Just tired. Flu, maybe."
"Aww," she said softly. "Want me to come over? I can bring soup, or—"
"No," I declined. Too fast. "No, Annie. I need space. I'm... doing something at the house. Alone. I don't want any intrusion. Just let me rest tonight, alright?"
She paused, clearly confused. Then, quieter, "Okay. If you say so. But... Derek, are we good?"
I didn't answer. I just ended the call and tossed the phone on the other seat again.
I threw another nervous glance at Vanessa, counting every seconds that she had been out until I couldn't anymore.
Slowly, I drove out of the highway and into my street.
My gate came into view.
But so did something else.
A black SUV, parked directly in front of my driveway.
My heart dropped.
Before I could even reach for the gear, the door to the SUV swung open and he stepped out.
Ryker.
Slow. Dangerous. Controlled fury in every step he took towards my car.
I froze. My hand was still on the gearshift, but my body wouldn't move. My mind was racing.
He knew.
Of course he did. Ryker always knew.
I looked in the rearview mirror again. Vanessa hadn't moved from the spot I kept her. Her eyes were tightly shut,with no sign of her waking up anytime soon.
But Ryker's eyes were already on my windshield.
He saw me.
He saw her.
And in that second, I swear, the air between us went still.