Chapter 43

Xander showered me, fed me soup, and tucked me in bed where he just gave me space to be on my own and I appreciated him for that, for knowing exactly what I needed without having to say a word.

I was shaken and terrified by what had happened. I couldn't exactly recall what had transpired, my brain felt fuzzy and nothing made sense; one minute I was having dinner and the next someone was at my door and as soon as I opened it, there were hefty, terrifying-looking men waiting for me. I'd tried to shut the door but one had stuck his leg so I'd run inside my room and lock the door but they'd broken into it and it was such chaos.

I could recall yelling, multiple voices, loud noises, open drawers, and then everything went black when someone struck me with something. I'd woken up tied to a bed and Donovan’s heavy breathing over my face.

“It’s in the past now,” I whispered to myself in the dark and clutched the duvet tighter, reminding myself to breathe.

It was all over now. I didn't know what it was that'd transpired between Donovan and Xander for the old bastard to let me go but whatever it was, I would dwell on it tomorrow, and for tonight, I needed to focus on getting enough sleep.

I shut my eyes and even though it was hard, sleep actually came until I woke up to the distant sound of screaming and I felt myself thrashing against the bed. My eyes were still shut and no matter how hard I tried to force them open, they remained closed. I felt someone holding me, trying to calm me down but everything felt so out of reach and my thoughts were jumbled.

Finally, I managed to open my eyes to find Xander’s worried eyes on me, his arms wrapped around me protectively as he whispered in a gentle voice to me.

I looked around us. “What happened?” I asked but my throat was hoarse.

“It's okay,” Xander comforted, “it was just a bad dream.”

I shook my head. “I can't remember anything.” My voice was filled with apprehension—if I’d been dreaming, why couldn't I recall what I'd been dreaming about? Was it me who'd been screaming? Why had I thrashed the bed? What was going on?

Xander stroked my back and hair gently. “It's normal, you have nothing to worry about, love. You are safe, okay?”

I looked at him and the softness in his eyes made my heart ache. “You came for me,” I whispered. “I was scared and I thought I was going to live there, locked up in that room for the rest of my life but you came for me.”

He pulled me into his arms and kissed the top of my head. “I should have never let you go. I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry.”

“I'm okay,” I managed to say.

“Did that sick bastard…” Xander swallowed thickly, the dark storm in his eyes intensifying with rage. “because if he did, I swear to fucking God…”

I shook my head. “No, no, he said something about wedding night but he didn’t.”

Something broke inside me. Donovan had toyed with me like I was his prey, he'd teased and left me in suspense and terror about what he was going to do, and even though he hadn't touched me, fear still wrecked me over what happened. It wrecked me and broke me into irreparable pieces.

“I was so scared,” the words came out in short gasps. “I cried and begged and I screamed but…”

Sobs racked me and I finally let my tears fall and they fell hard. Once I started crying, I couldn't stop. Xander held me tight, his presence a quiet reassurance that he was here and he'd once again saved me.

Flashes of what could've happened if he hadn't come went through my head and it amplified my sob. Fear and a mix of dread wrapped terrifyingly around me, blanketing me but Xander’s arms were strong and when he held me tight, it was almost as though nothing could harm me.

I fell asleep in his arms, my face tear-streaked.

The next time I woke up it was to see that morning had come and I’d managed to sleep well. I was still in Xander’s arms and when I lifted my head to look at him, I saw he was awake, watching me.

“You didn’t sleep,” I said softly.

“How could I?” He asked, his thumb stroking my cheeks with affection. “Did you sleep well?”

I nodded. “Thank you,”

“Breakfast should be here soon,” he said, kissing my cheek.

“I should have my bath then.” I tried to stand up but he pulled me back.

“Stay,” Xander said, his voice rough. “Just a little longer so I can get used to you being here again. It doesn’t feel real yet.”

And so we stayed in bed like that. It could have been hours or minutes but it didn’t matter, the world around me could've been falling apart but right there in his arms, I felt safer than anywhere else.

Finally, when breakfast came, we had to pull apart. I, to the shower and Xander to the front door. I wrapped my wet hair in a towel and came out to the living room dressed in Xander’s shirt only to stop when I saw a woman in the house.

“Hey,” Xander said, coming to wrap his arm around my shoulder as he led me toward her. “This is my sister, Victoria, and Victoria, as you know, this is Kathleen.”

Victoria smiled brightly at me, “Oh, I know her for sure.”

I glanced at Xander confused and he let out a low groan.

“We are on the news,” he said quietly.

Fear snagged at me. “What?”

Victoria passed me a sleek pink tablet and on the screen was a smiling picture of me with the words ‘XANDER BLACKWOOD MOVES ON FROM JULIA WYNTER REVEALS NEW FIANCÉE!’

“Oh, no,” I whispered, my heart racing as my eyes flitted through the screen, reading the words:

"In a shocking turn of events, news reaching us has revealed billionaire Xander Blackwood has officially announced his engagement to another woman amidst marriage talks with the beautiful heiress, Julia Wynter, and his new fiancée is a far cry from the elegance and sophistication of his former flame. Meet the mysterious woman who’s captured Blackwood’s attention—and his wallet! With her unknown background and questionable style, she's a stark contrast to the refined, aristocratic beauty of the women Xander has been associated with…”

Xander yanked the tablet from my hand. “Don't read that,” he said.

“Let me see…”

“No!” His voice was authoritative. “It's the regular trashy and condescending news they report to keep their readers entertained. Don't mind it, it'll pass.”

Victoria nodded. “My brother is right, they've said worse things about me and I've learned to just ignore the internet when things like this happen. In a few days, something else would happen and all eyes would be on that again.”

“I don't understand…” I stuttered, “What are they saying? Why are they reporting this? Aren't you worried, Xander? Your position?”

“Let me worry about that, just focus on getting better, okay?”

I searched his eyes. “Are you sure you'll be fine?” This all seemed like a huge mess and I didn't know how he was going to manage to pull through.

I trusted Olivia was working hard on containing the damage it'd have on Xander’s reputation and trying to erase the scandal from public eyes but it was already out and his family had seen it, heck! His sister was right here and I was in front of her wearing his clothes and walking barefoot in his home.

“I can handle it,” Xander assured me. “Victoria is here to keep you company, she's fun I think.”

Victoria rolled her eyes. “I'm fun and you know that. Don't worry, Kathleen, Xander asked me to help get your mind off things and there's nothing I do better.”

Xander narrowed his eyes. “Don't tire her out,” he warned.

“Oh, you're such a grump, just get going already,” She said, pushing him toward the bedroom.

I watched as he left, fear still burning in me.

“Xander can handle himself,” Victoria said softly.

“I know but…”

She shook her head. “No buts… come, let’s eat, I'm starving.”

And she dragged me toward the buffet that had been spread in the dining room.