Chapter 18 Let Me Take Care Of You
Sarah drove home in silence.
The city lights blurred past her windshield, but she barely saw them. Her hands were tight on the steering wheel. Her thoughts were louder than the traffic.
Alex.
Her lawyer’s words kept repeating in her head.
A young intimidating man. Alex.
Her chest felt heavy.
Why would he do that?
Why would he confront Crude Farwell without telling her?
And how did he even know what happened in that office?
She had told no one. Not Stacy. Not Mark. Not even Alex.
Unless…
Her grip tightened.
Was he watching her?
Following her?
The idea made her uneasy, yet another part of her felt something else entirely. A strange mix of fear and comfort. Protection twisted into control.
She shook her head.
“No,” she muttered to herself. “This is not okay.”
By the time she pulled into the driveway, her nerves were tight. She parked, grabbed her bag, and walked into the house. It was quiet.
“Mark?” she called.
No answer.
She checked the clock. Just past five.
He must be out.
Her phone buzzed in her hand. Her thumb hovered over Alex’s name.
She needed answers.
She went upstairs, closed her bedroom door, and leaned against it for a moment. Her heart was racing.
She dialed.
The ringing didn’t come from the phone in her hand.
It came from her bed.
Sarah froze.
Her breath caught as she slowly turned.
Alex’s phone was on her pillow, lighting up as it rang.
“What the—” she whispered.
Her heart started pounding hard.
She stepped closer, picked it up with shaking fingers, and stared at the screen like it might explain itself.
Then she heard the bathroom door open.
She spun around.
Alex stepped out.
He had a white towel wrapped low around his waist. His hair was damp. His skin still glistened slightly, like he had just showered.
He looked calm. Too calm.
“Why are you calling me, mama?” he asked gently.
Sarah’s mouth opened, then closed.
“What… what are you doing here?” she finally said.
He smiled like this was normal.
“I came to take care of you.”
Her heart slammed against her ribs.
“You can’t just be here,” she said, her voice rising. “Alex, this is my bedroom.”
He walked closer, unbothered.
“I know. I'm it forbidden from being here.”
She took a step back. “How did you even get in?”
“You didn’t lock the back door,” he replied simply.
“That doesn’t make it okay,” she snapped.
He tilted his head, studying her. “You’re upset.”
“Of course I am,” Sarah said. “I came home to find you in my room. Naked.”
He chuckled softly. “Relax. I have a towel.”
“That’s not the point,” she said sharply.
He reached past her and took the phone from her hand, ending the call.
“I ran you a bath,” he said calmly. “Warm. With the oil you like.”
Her stomach flipped.
“I didn’t tell you what oil I like,” she said.
His eyes flicked to hers. “You don’t have to tell me everything.”
That made her uneasy.
“Alex,” she said slowly, “you need to leave.”
“Not yet,” he replied.
She crossed her arms. “You don’t get to decide that.”
He stepped closer. Not touching her. Just close enough that she felt his presence.
“Mark is out,” he said. “He won’t be back for at least three hours.”
Her heart skipped. “How do you know that?”
“He told me earlier,” Alex said easily. “He’s with Dave.”
She swallowed.
“This is not okay,” she said. “You don’t just show up. You don’t just decide things for me.”
Alex’s expression softened slightly. “You look tired.”
“That’s because my lawyer dropped my case,” she shot back.
His brow furrowed. “What?”
She watched his face carefully.
“He said someone threatened him,” she said. “Someone named Alex.”
Alex stiffened.
“What are you talking about?” he asked.
“Don’t play dumb,” Sarah said, anger rising. “Did you go to my lawyer?”
He looked genuinely confused. “No.”
She laughed bitterly. “He said it was you.”
Alex’s jaw tightened. “I haven’t been anywhere near your lawyer.”
“Then how did he know your name?” she demanded. “How did he know what happened in that office?”
“I don’t know,” Alex said firmly. “But it wasn’t me.”
She searched his face for a lie.
“Have you been watching me?” she asked quietly.
His eyes widened slightly. “Watching you?”
“Following me,” she pressed. “Listening to my conversations?”
“No,” he said. “I would never do that without telling you.”
But there was a faint smug smile on his lips and that was proof that he was definitely lying to her. But he wouldn't own up to what he had done.
“That’s not comforting,” Sarah replied.
Alex ran a hand through his hair. “Sarah, I promise
You. I didn’t speak to anyone who did not need to be spoken to.”
“Then explain it,” she said. “Because this is too much.”
He stepped back, giving her space.
“I’m not lying,” he said. “If someone threatened your lawyer, it wasn’t me.”
She exhaled slowly.
“Then why are you here?” she asked.
“Because you’ve had a long day,” he replied. “And because I care.”
She shook her head. “Caring doesn’t mean invading my space.”
He looked at her for a long moment.
“I should have told you I was coming,” he admitted. “But I knew you’d say no.”
“That doesn’t make it better,” she said.
He nodded. “I know.”
Silence filled the room.
“You still need to leave,” Sarah said.
“After your bath,” he replied.
She frowned. “Excuse me?”
“You’re shaking,” he said softly. “You need to relax before we talk.”
“We are talking now,” she insisted.
“And we will,” he said. “But not while you’re wound up like this.”
She scoffed. “You don’t get to manage me.”
“I’m not managing you,” he said. “I’m helping.”
She looked away, conflicted.
“Please,” he added. “Just the bath.”
She hesitated.
“I’ll be right outside,” he continued. “Door open.”
She turned back to him. “You’re not touching me.”
“I won’t,” he promised.
“And you’re answering my questions after.”
“Yes.”
“And if I tell you to leave after, you leave.”
He nodded. “If that’s what you want.”
Her heart was racing, but her body felt heavy.
“Fine,” she said. “Five minutes.”
He smiled faintly. “Take your time.”
He stepped aside and gestured toward the bathroom.
She walked past him, keeping her distance.
As she entered the bathroom, the steam wrapped around her. The tub was filled. The scent was familiar and comforting.
She turned back. “Alex.”
“Yes, mama?”
“Don’t ever do this again,” she said. “Don’t show up like this.”
His expression turned serious. “I hear you.”
She held his gaze. “Do you?”
“Yes,” he said quietly. “I do.”
She nodded once and closed the bathroom door.