DREAM (24 page)

I had some soup, forced by Mrs. Stones and a whole bottle of water. My hand is in a mobile sling and there are pins sticking out of my pinky, ring, and middle fingers. I try not to look at them because it makes the pain worse, for some reason. Mrs. Stones flips through the TV, but I keep drifting in and out of sleep.

When I wake up the last time, Gable has replaced her. He’s in fresh black dress shirt, black pants, and he looks as if he had recently stepped out of shower. I had been upset with him leaving I should have realized that he went home to rest. He wanted to be alone.

How selfish could I have been? He knows when to leave me alone and here he is going through a lot that I had, feeling the strain of it all, and I didn’t even care. I’m a real spoiled bitch sometimes.

“Baby, you okay?”

I didn’t even notice that I had been stroking his ring finger, twisting his wedding band. “I’m okay.” My voice is worse than this morning and I’m sure that I’ll lose it altogether soon.

“Are you in pain? Do you need me to get the nurse?”

I shake my head. “Stay. Please Gable, just stay with me.”

“I’m not going anywhere.” He kisses my right hand. “I’m right here.”

Chapter 23

The next two days are a blur. The newspapers, TV, and every other media outlet have been reporting nothing but our ordeal. I’ve done my best to avoid it all, but it’s hard when they’re everywhere. Mama and Mrs. Stones have been staying with us, and babying me to the point that I’m about to scream at them to go away.

However, I haven’t done that yet.

Gable has been working out of his office with Joy and Bruce. The media isn’t helping Butler Corp, but he’s managing to make it better day-by-day. Mrs. Stones and I have been working as well, but nothing too much. Every time I go to open my laptop, Gable suddenly appears and gives me a malevolent look, which makes me close the laptop. I tried last night to get him to come to bed with me, but he never did. He’s not been sleeping a lot and when he does, it’s in his office on the couch. Misha is the one that let me know.

The arraignment for Gideon and Aven is today. Jacob is hanging on by a thread, but no one has shut off the machines yet. Gable heard the doctor’s say he was brain dead and there’s no chance of recovering.

There aren’t any charges being pressed against Gable because of the circumstances. I am relieved to hear that. They never recovered my wedding ring, and sadly I am disappointed. It’s not like I can wear it now, but it was mine.

Gable tried to talk to Gideon, but he refuses any communication, even with Mama. I feel bad for her. One son tried to kill her other son. She and Gable have talked, even though I don’t know what had been said.

Gable has closed himself off and I need to break through, before it gets worse. His OCD is a little off the rails. He didn’t even want grape jam with his toast because it was too purple and he yelled at Misha. I was there to intervene, but there’s coldness in his eyes.

It’s scaring me.

“Are you ready?” Leo asks as I walk out the bedroom door. I nod and we head to the elevator.

Gable is with Bruce and Trent by the front door. Leo guides me past them and I don’t speak to Gable. The Mercedes is right in front of the mansion and I hop in. Everyone else comes out of the house and Gable still doesn’t speak to me.

The courthouse steps are full of reporters. I stay in the SUV until Leo opens the door and I shield my eyes from the flashing light bulbs. Gable wraps his arm around my shoulders guiding me through the crowd. When we finally make it to the door, he holds my good hand, but still says nothing.

My fear is that I’ve lost him. Maybe he finally believes marrying me has done nothing but ruin his life and family. What if I weren’t in the picture? Would he have gone into business with Jacob and Gideon? I don’t think he would.

I thought about asking Mama for advice, but I know Gable wouldn’t appreciate that. He doesn’t want his mother to worry about him considering how much she already has on her plate.

We find a place to sit on the benches in the courtroom and I see Mama coming in behind us. She takes her place next to Gable, and I sit on his other side. We see Gideon in a holding box. He looks terrible. His hair is a matted mess; the orange jumpsuit washes out his tan skin. He doesn’t look he’s been eating and has even lost a few pounds. I feel a little sad for him. Mama stares straight ahead, but I see her pat her eyes a couple of times.

The charges read for Gideon is longer than I thought. They take everything into account, anything that happened during those twenty-fours when we were with them. Gideon pleads not guilty to all of them and they set the bail at one million dollars.

Why did they even set bail?

We sat there as they shuffle him away, and I wonder if Gable will post the bail. Mama whispers something in his ear that I can’t make out and he nods. Neither of them looks at me. Is this what a third wheel feels like?

The bailiff announces Aven House and I hear the click of her high heels. She looks as if she stepping out of a limo. She’s in a dress suit, with her hair freshly done, and she holds her head up proudly as she walks over to her lawyer. Like Gideon she pleaded not guilty to all of her charges.

I glance at Gable and he’s staring straight at her back. I can’t tell if he’s mad, happy, or sad. Hell, I don’t know if he is even listening to the judge or lawyers. Mama is still dabbing her eyes and looks as if she’s aged five years since we walked in.

Aven is escorted out once they set her bail at a million dollars. She smirks at us when she turns around. I try not to cringe at her as her evil green eyes catch mine. The last time I saw her was right before Larissa helped me escape. Between the look in her eyes and the sound of Jacob’s voice and the feel of his hands, I don’t sleep at night.

I heard people around us whispering how Aven shouldn’t have been given a bail and there must me a deal going on. I look at Gable, but he isn’t paying attention.

Gable stands with Mama and me, and we all walk out of the courtroom. Leo and Bruce flank us as I follow them to a side entrance where both our Mercedes wait. I say nothing and slide in. I figured that Gable would ride with me, but he shuts the door and goes to his mother’s car.

I understand he needs to be with her right now, but is he forgetting that I need him too. I’m hurting and scared and he doesn’t seem to care. Leo gets into the SUV and Trent heads out. Without hesitation, I ask him to take me to the park.

“Dream.” Leo tries to stop me, but I throw my hand up.

“To the park, Trent.”

He makes a U-turn and heads toward the other side of town. I watch the city pass me by and do my best to hold back the tears. In the last six months, my entire life has been just short of an epic novel, and I don’t think I want it anymore.

I’m done.

I love Gable, but I didn’t sign up for all of this. I’m alone again, just when I thought I could count on him the most. I remember when I first met Aven, she told me Gable doesn’t do anything unless it involved his grand plan.

What is his grand plan? Saving the world? Keeping me safe?

I don’t know the answers, anymore and there’s no one I can talk to. Leo works for Gable. Larissa works for the FBI. I guess, Mrs. Stones, but I don’t think I need to burden her with anything else at this point.

More and more every day, I wish Dad were here. He always gave the best advice. He knew exactly what I needed to hear to get me back on track. In addition, he could explain a few things that have left holes in my knowledge.

When Trent pulls up to the curb, I get out. I tug my coat up higher on my collar and am careful not to hurt my hand, still in a sling from surgery. I walk through the path until I see a bench facing the center of the park. I know Leo isn’t far behind me when I take a seat. It’s cold and it feels as if it might snow soon.

I cross my legs as I sit. I watch the few sporadic runners on the path and study the bare trees around the outer perimeter.

“Do you want to talk?” Leo takes his place next to me.

I say nothing.

“When you were little, and Ulrich was away, we would come here and play. You would tell me all about school, boys, and the latest fashion.”

I remain quiet.

“I knew more about N’Sync and The Backstreet Boys than any man should ever know.”

I hold back a smile thinking of what a torture it must have been.

“It’s sad I still know some of those Britney Spears songs.”

I laugh.

“Ah, there’s the Dream I know.”

I shake my head. “Only you, Leo.”

“I know.” He pats my legs in a fatherly way. “Talk to me.”

“What’s there to say?” I twist the button of my ivory trench coat.

“Apparently, there’s a lot for you to say, but you’re keeping it all inside.”

“You work for Gable,” I remind him.

“I work for you.” His reply is quick. “I’ve been guarding you for over twenty years, Dream. My loyalty is to you. All Gable ever paid me to do was guard. All the other stuff I did was because I care about you and respected Ulrich. Nowhere in my job description did it say I had to listen to pop music or talk about boys.”

I smile at him. “I’ve always loved you like an uncle, Leo.”

“I feel the same about you Dream. I always have.”

We fall back into the silence around us and listen to the pop and crack of the wind against the trees and branches.

“What his grand plan?”

“Huh?” Leo asks, perplexed by my question.

“What is Gable’s grand plan?”

Leo shrugs. “I think it’s to be the best he can be. Sometimes, I think he just wants to save the world. Other time, I have no clue. Why do you ask?”

“Was I always part of the plan? I know he married me to protect me, but were there any other reasons?”

Leo shakes his head. “Not that I’m aware of. Ulrich and Gable planned to keep you protected from Jacob and that’s all that I know.”

“By marrying me?”

“Dream, you know this. Gable has been very forthcoming to you about that since you’ve found out.”

I nod and grow quiet again. I know that’s what Gable told me, but I’m questioning it again.

“Tell me what’s really going on.”

“I don’t know,” I answer Leo. “Gable is distant and all I want is for him to hold me. Leo, I was almost raped; I was mentally tortured.” Leo stiffens. “My hand is broken. I was kidnapped, and I don’t know how much more I can take. The past six months…” I sob, brushing my cheeks roughly to not feel the tears on my face. “It’s been hard.”

“I wish,” he sighs. “I wish there was some advice I could give you, but I don’t have it. I don’t know what you’re going through, but know I’m always going to be next to you Dream.”

I close my eyes, soaking in his words. Leo is someone that I can count on. He’s right when he says that he’s been by my side for so long. He has. Yes, he was part of the lies from Gable, but time and time again, Leo’s been the first in line to protect me.

“It’s cold and if you stay out here much more, you’ll be sick. Let’s get you home.” Leo stands.

“Take me to Jackson Manor.”

Leo softly gasps, “No.”

“Yes. Gable doesn’t want me around right now. It’s better this way. I need to search for a divorce lawyer, too.”

“Dream.” Leo actually pales. “Why would you do that? Gable loves you.”

“No.” Aven was right. “I’m not part of his plan. I’ve messed up his family, his business, and his whole life. I’m an encumbrance to him. Nothing more.”

“That’s not true, and you know it. Now, I’ll stand by your side, but not when you’re throwing a pity party for yourself. He has a lot going on right now. You didn’t see him trying to get to you, Dream, when Jacob took you to that room...he wasn’t a man who was just using you for a
plan
. It was a husband trying to get to the wife he loves.” Leo’s voice is strong and almost forceful. “Give him some time.”

“Take me—”

“No,” Leo cuts me off. “I would never defy you, Dream. I’ve never done it, but this time I’m not going to let you make this mistake. You’re going to Butler Mansion. Period.”

I look in his steely blue eyes and his hard face, and I know there’s no point in arguing. I will figure out another way to get to Jackson Manor. Just not right now. I turn on my heels and head back to the SUV.

When we pull into the driveway of Butler Mansion, I wait for Leo to open the door for me and escort me into the house. It’s eerily quiet, and I don’t focus on anything, but heading to the media room.

The second I’m in the plush movie recliners, I use the tablet remote to turn on
Gone with the Wind
. I sit and stare at the screen. Any other time it would make me feel close to Dad and even my mom, but today it’s making me cry. Scene after scene, more tears came. The tears should have dried up by the time Scarlett loses her first husband, but they keep coming.

I cover my face with my good hand and close my eyes tightly. I pray these emotions stop soon, because as I told Leo, I don’t know how much more I can take. I’m hanging on like a broken limb of a tall tree that cracks a little more each day, and if it breaks I won’t survive the fall. I smell the Miller Harris before I feel him lifting me up. I bury my face in his neck, and he carries me to the elevator.

Gable says nothing to me as he continues to carry me to our bedroom. He kicks the door shut and lays me on the bed. Finally, I open my eyes and his blue, lustful glaze greets them. Not a word is spoken between us, as he brushes his lips against mine. With my good hand, I grip the nape of his neck and pull him closer to me. I’m trying to be careful of his split lip, but Gable is the one who opens his mouth wider sweeps his tongue into my mouth.

He begins to shove my skirt up and it dawns on me I haven’t even taken off my boots. He continues to kiss me as the material pools around my hips. Gable lifts his hips and I hear the sound of his zipper opening and he pulls my thong out of my way.

I gasp as he pushes himself into me. I open my eyes and he’s studying me, as I am him. The lust and love are gone from his eyes, and I’m scared to think what’s going on his head. He rocks his hips faster, but makes no sound. His jaw is shut tight and I feel the tear escape the corner of my eye.

This isn’t my Gable.

This isn’t my husband.