p; “Will you stay down here for in case Jamie and Danny come back from the park? Call me so I can talk to Jamie.”
“Sure.” He gives me an encouraging smile.
I quickly race back up the stairs with the paramedics behind me. I walk around the bed and sit behind Della.
“Babe, they need to look at you. I’m right here. Let them fix you up.”
I haven’t even had a good look at her face. When the paramedic starts to work on her, my eyes are drawn to every bruise. The marks around her neck are the worst. They’re purple and on places her skin is broken.
I don’t know how much time passes before a doctor arrives. The paramedics leave the room, allowing the doctor to take over.
People start to come and go. Everyone asks questions which Della answers as if she’s on automatic pilot. I guess she is, considering everything that’s happened.
I find out from the police that it was Stew Roberts. It was revenge for what I did to him.
I should have killed him when I had the chance.
CHAPTER 21
DELLA
It’s been a week since the attack. I’m just waiting for the bruises to fade so I can go back to work.
The first three days I couldn’t keep in any food. All I remember was feeling sick to my stomach. The rest is all a blur.
Carter stayed with me for four days before I told him to go back to work. The sooner things return to normal the sooner I’ll be able to move on.
Stew has been charged with aggravated assault and attempted murder. Once he’s been sentenced I’ll never have to see him again.
I look at my reflection in the mirror and brush the tips of my fingers over the marks on my neck.
I almost died.
Another human being almost took my life.
I’ll never forget the crazed look in his eyes. I’ll never forget the promise of death in his voice. I believed him.
Surprisingly, I have no nightmares when I sleep. The real nightmare is when I’m awake – the memories. I know it will take time to deal with what happened.
The men have been in and out, constantly checking on me. I owe Rhett and Logan my life.
I’m sitting in a chair, staring out the window when Marcus comes into the room. I’m surprised to see him here. He never comes to visit unless Carter is here.
He leans against the wall and stares out the window. When he doesn’t say anything, I go back to staring out the window myself.
“I know we’re not as close as you are with the others, but I wanted to tell you that I do care.”
I try to force a smile to my lips, but it’s too hard.
Marcus crouches next to the chair and his blue eyes catch mine. I’ve never actually looked at him. His eyes are a little darker than mine.
“I know what it feels like, thinking you’re going to die. I know the fear you felt. I know the thoughts you were thinking.”
Tears start to well in my eyes.
“For days, it’s all you smell. You can’t eat because it’s all you taste. When you close your eyes it’s all you see. I fucking get it, Della.”
A tear rolls over my cheek and as I look away from him, he reaches for my chin, turning my face back so I’ll look at him.