Chapter 124 Transporter
Shea's P.O.V.
The transporters come to move me up to one of the other units, and Tyler holds my hand the entire time. When we first arrived at the hospital, all I could think about was Tyler. Dakota had sent him to get me out of the mansion, so he had to be a good guy. When he held my hand, I felt safe. I have never felt truly safe with anyone, but I do with Tyler.
I can't explain it, but whatever it is, I don't want him to leave me. I know it's not fair of me to ask him to stay with me all the time when we just met, but having him here is the only way I have been able to cope.
While they get me settled in the new room, I think about Dakota. I have never met anyone like her. She was so sweet, but I could feel a hardness in her. I know I wouldn't want to piss her off. I felt like I had found a sister when she kissed my head. I can see why Ari is in love with her. She's incredible. Tyler opens the curtains in the room.
"Is this okay? It's dark and dreary in here," he says as he returns to my side.
"Yes, it's fine. Thank you. Can I ask you something?" I know this is crazy after what happened to me this morning, but I have to know if I even have a chance to be anything more to him than a woman he was sent to rescue.
"Sure." Tyler sits next to me and takes my hand. He's so big and muscular. I want to curl up on his lap and tell him to keep the monsters away.
"Are you only staying here because I asked you to? I know I look hideous right now, but I promise I clean up nicely. I just don't want you to feel obliged just because I asked you to or you think I'm some sort of charity case." I hope he understands what I'm saying. He smiles and kisses my hand.
"Do you know what Dakota said to me before she left?" Is he changing the subject because he doesn't want to hurt my feelings?
"No, what?" I try not to sound disappointed.
"She told me not to screw this up. She said she could tell that we liked each other and that I needed to go slow and be here for you in whatever way you needed me. I told you she can read people like no one I have ever met." I can't believe it. Dakota was only here for a few minutes, and she picked up all of that. I smile and look into his eyes.
"So, you like me too?" Tyler gently moves my hair away from my face.
"Yes. I'm not here because I have to be, or I feel sorry for you. I'm here because I want to be near you. I'm going to be honest with you. For years, I thought I was in love with Dakota. I even went as far as wanting to find a way to make her leave Ari. However, when they almost got killed, I woke up and realized that what I had always thought was love was infatuation. I do love her, but like a sister. I have never let myself get close to anyone or be in a real relationship. I paid for sex or had one-night stands. I want something more. We both have ghosts in our closets. I think it's time to let them out so we can move on. What do you say?" I sit up and turn to sit on the side of the bed. I'm going to do exactly what I want. I stand, and when he begins to stand, I push him back down so I can sit across his lap with my head on his chest.
My body hurts, but when he wraps his arms around me, I'm not crying because of the pain. I'm crying because I have never felt safer in my life. That's all I ever wanted. My parents didn't want me, and they let me know it with their abuse. Ari and Galdino made me feel safe, but it wasn't the same. I have been stumbling through life, but now I feel like I don't have to. Whether he knows it or not, Tyler is repairing the pieces of me that have been broken for many years.
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Noah's P.O.V.
"What do you mean, he said he's Uncle Yegor's son?" I look at the image of the man on the screen. I know Uncle Yegor's kids, and this guy is too old to be one of them.
"We didn't get into that. Whoever he is, though, he thinks he should be the head of the family. You have to show this to Dakota." I nod and stand. I don't want to leave Luka alone. Dakota said he was having a rough time. I look at Galdino.
"I'll stay here," he says. I wasn't sure about him at first, but he's not a bad guy. Well, in some people's eyes, he may be bad, but not in mine. I have a hard time being around new people, which sometimes makes them nervous. Galdino acted like we had been friends for years when we first met. He didn't pressure me to talk or ask questions that made me uncomfortable. He and Ari are a lot more alike than they think. They both have good hearts.
"Thank you," I tell him before heading for the door.
"I don't need a babysitter," Luka says. I stick my head back into the room.
"Until Dakota says otherwise, you do. Would you like me to get her?" I ask him. Luka shakes his head.
"No, and keep anything resembling a baseball bat away from her. She threatened to knock me out." Galdino and I laugh. Yep, that's the Dakota we know and love.
"Then you'll have a babysitter." I leave and head down the hall to Ari's room. When I knock, Dakota tells me to come in.
"We have something," I tell her and Ari. He's awake, but his eyes look heavy.
"What did you find?" Dakota asks as I sit next to her and turn the laptop so they both can see.
"I was going through the footage with Luka, and he recognized someone. He said this man claimed to be Uncle Yegor's son a few years ago and said he should be the rightful head of the family." Dakota leans closer to study his face.
"I've seen him. Wait a minute. I saw him today." She jumps up.
"Where?" Ari asks.
"He was one of your transporters when you had your procedure. Noah, stay with Ari and call Uncle Yegor. Tell him I need him to come to the hospital, but don't tell him why. I need to find this jackass and set him straight." Dakota runs out of the room, and I look at Ari. We're both thinking the same thing. We wouldn't want to be that man when Dakota finds him.