While She Sleeps

“Well, Axe and I can help with that. I have two cars circling the area, making sure there aren’t any more assholes hiding away,” he tells me.

“Thanks for coming.” I slap him on the shoulder before I turn my attention to Axel. “It’s been a while, man.”

“It’s been far too fucking long,” Axel responds, his British accent thick. “Dax mentioned you’re coming back to the city with us?”

“Yeah.” I nod. “I need to end this shit storm my father started. Going after me is one thing, but he went after my girl.” Both men nod in understanding. They know what it’s like to have the women in their lives in danger because of some asshole who should never have intervened.

“Sounds good,” Kael says before following me toward the cabin. There’s not much inside I need to pack, merely some clothes for Vera and myself, and my computer, along with her devices I grabbed from the apartment when I took her.

Anything else can be locked up. Even if Dad gets into the house, he won’t find anything he can use against me. I’ll have the most important thing—Vera.

“Do you want anything to drink? Or are you ready to head out?” I ask as we step into the living area. The open plan offers up a view of the kitchen as well.

“I’m good. I think the sooner we leave, the better.” This comes from Axel, and I know he’s right. “If you want to shower first, we’ll wait.” He gestures to my clothes, and I notice the blood and caked-on mud I’ve brought in from burying my father’s men.

“Yeah, make yourselves at home.” I leave them downstairs, making my way up to the bathroom, where I quickly strip off and hop into the shower. I can’t be long. The more time we waste out here, the easier it will be for Herbert to send men back to claim Vera.

Back in the bedroom, I pull out my phone and tap out a message to Dax to ask him to send a doctor to my apartment once we get there. I want Vera checked out. I don’t trust my father. Even if he says she’ll be okay soon, I’d rather have a medical professional take a look and assure me she’s alright.

By the time we reach my old apartment, I’m exhausted. We got Vera into the bedroom, placed her on the bed, and I’ve finally gotten an hour’s worth of sleep. The moment Axel and Kael left, I flopped on the sofa and allowed my eyes to shut. It’s been one whole day, and she’s still not awake.

I know the doctor will be here soon enough, but I’m stressed. My muscles are stiff, and my jaw is aching from me grinding my teeth. Tension has taken hold of me, and I know it’s not going to let go until she’s awake.

I’ve been scrolling through websites, looking up information on what my father did to her. What I found has my blood boiling. She could be out for a couple of days or even weeks. The need to go to him is at the forefront of my mind, but I’m not leaving here until I know my Beauty will be okay.

The buzzer sounds and I push to my feet to answer the intercom. “Yeah?”

“Doctor Novak here for Logan Oakridge,” the man answers, and I give him instructions on how to get to the apartment. When the elevator dings, I open the door and meet the older man. “Nice to meet you. Dax said your girlfriend needed a check-up?”

I nod. “To be honest, I don’t know what’s wrong with her. I think she’s been put into an induced coma,” I tell him as I lead him into the apartment and toward the bedroom. “I just need to know she’s safe. That she’ll wake up soon.”

He doesn’t respond. Instead, he just follows me into the bedroom. At Vera’s side, he opens his bag and pulls out a stethoscope, along with a small flashlight. I step back, allowing him to do his thing, but my eyes never leave the bed.

Time ticks by, and with every passing second, my stomach tightens with anxiety. Finally, after I’m not sure how long, the doctor looks at me.

“She’ll be fine. She is in a sort of dreamlike sleep, but she’ll wake up soon. I can’t tell how long exactly. It depends on her fighting through whatever drug was administered.”

I sigh in relief, shaking the older man’s hand before saying, “Thank you, doc.” He packs up, and I escort him to the door, shutting it behind him.

Once Dr. Novak leaves, I pick up my cell phone and dial Dax’s number. He’s at the club right now, but I know he’ll answer, no matter what. Seconds into the ringing, his voice comes over the line.