Inseparable (21 page)

“Neither have you.” I grumbled. “Okay.” I added, seeing his expression. “Frase and Kella are here. They can take me back. They send their love.” I lifted my mouth to his once again, placing a soft kiss on his lips. Smiling at his parents, I quietly left the room, nodding at the guards outside her door.

Chapter Twenty-Three

It was close to seven in the morning when Dane crept into bed. I rolled over, hugging him.

“How is she?” I asked.

“She’s okay.” He laughed suddenly. That got my attention. I rolled over to face him, to see what was so funny.

“Hell, I don’t know how she is. How are you supposed to be after being locked up like an animal for ten years?” He spoke with anger. I kissed his chest gently, knowing there was not much I could say to make him feel better.

“I’m here, Dane. If you want to talk.” I murmured. I felt his embrace around me tighten.

“Thanks Lil.” He whispered huskily. “Do you have any idea how much I love you?” He whispered, his lips pressing against mine. I melted into the kiss, unable to resist his soft lips, and sweet taste.

I lay awake until he had fallen asleep. Closing my eyes, I listened to the sound of his breathing. Yesterday had been such a huge day for everyone, but none more so than for Dane and his parents. I couldn’t seem to dull the ache in my heart I felt for his whole family, not only Steffy.

Dane and I walked into the South Mercy Hospital, my hand in his. How the media hadn’t grabbed a hold of this yet I didn’t know. Fifteen women and girls found chained in the basement of an abandoned warehouse, listed for auction on a website was the kind of story the media would kill for.

According to Aaron, the other women listed on the website were in a similar set up in Bolivia, ready to be shipped the highest bidder. The thought made me sick. How many of these women had already been sold by these assholes?

Steffy was in a private room now, and all the machines and been removed. She looked much more comfortable. Her parents hadn’t left her side since she’d been given the all clear from the doctor. Dane’s father, met us in the hallway. He smiled warmly at me, shaking my hand.

“Nice to see you again, Lily.” He said.

“You to, Mr. Hansen. How is she today?” I asked, glancing through the glass at Steffy, curled up, asleep.

“She’s still sedated. She hasn’t spoken much, but she did manage a small smile.” He said, a fresh surge of tears appeared in his eyes. “Physically, she’s okay. She has many old injuries that haven’t healed properly, but she is okay. Emotionally, we don’t know how she is yet.” He tried to look strong, but I could see the pain in his eyes, as he thought about what his little girl had been through. Instinctively, I reached for his hand. He looked at me, both surprised and touched by my gesture.

“You better keep this girl, Dane.” Andrew said to his son. Dane smiled at him.

“I will, dad.” He replied. Andrew went back in to be with his daughter. I followed Dane into the room. Steffy looked much better without all the tubes, and her hair had been brushed, her porcelain skin showing the slightest bit of color today. Mrs. Hansen smiled at me, as she sat next to Steffy, holding her hand. Dane went over to the bed, and bent down, kissing his sister on the forehead. His head tilted, he smiled, tucking her hair behind her ear as she slept.

After a few moments, he came back to me at the foot of the bed.

“I might call Aaron, try and get some information out of him. Meet me downstairs in the café later for a coffee? I asked. He nodded, leaning in to kiss me.

“See you later.” He smiled, his fingers trailing down my hand until they let go. I stood by the window, watching him as he hugged his father, feeling so lucky that I had found such a wonderful man.

Aaron ended up meeting me for a coffee, in a small café just down from the hospital. Apparently, the coffee in the hospital was pretty bad. I’d been waiting at the table for a few minutes when he walked in. He spotted me, and smiled, ordering his drink and then joining me.

“Lily.” He smiled, sitting down. “How are you? How’s Dane?” He asked, concerned.

“I’m good, and Dane is…coping.” I finally said, smiling. “Did you find anything out, about what might’ve happened to Steffy?”

“The detectives briefly interviewed her. She’s pretty overwhelmed, and scared. She should be released tonight from hospital. It won’t be long until this story leaks to the media, and Steffy’s parents have been advised to take her somewhere private to recover.”

“The media is going to be crazy.” I mumbled. Of the fifteen girls recovered yesterday, all were runaways, except Steffy. What happened to them was in no way any less of a crime that what happened to Steffy, but to the media, a girl abducted at six, a man charged with her murder who died while in prison, and the girl being found alive ten years later was a massive story.

“They will, so it’s important Steffy be kept out of the spotlight as much as possible while she recovers,” he agreed, as the waitress brought our coffees over. Stirring a sugar into my coffee, I listened as Aaron told me more about what had been discovered in the warehouse. It made me sick to think what all those girls had been through. How could someone treat other people in that way?

After leaving Aaron, I texted Dane that I’d be back at the hotel, and went to find Kella. She and Fraser were in their hotel room, packing their things.

“Frase just spoke to Dane. He offered them his plane to get Steffy out of New York. Apparently Danes parents have a cabin in Stacy Beach where they’re going to stay until things blow over with the media. Frase also knows a guy who’s organized one of the top trauma psychiatrists in the states to work with Steffy,” she added.

“Is there anyone you don’t know, Fraser?” I said, laughing in spite of the somber mood we were all in. Fraser grinned.

“Then I won’t mention the pediatrician I’ve organized too,” he winked at me. I laughed again, still stunned by Fraser's generosity.

“When are you guys heading off?” I asked.

“When the pilot gets back tonight.” Kella replied. “What are you doing?” She asked me. That was a good question. I figured Dane was going to want to spend some time with his family, so for me that probably meant heading back home. Maybe I could talk mom and Anna into coming up for a visit.

“I will head back with you guys and give Dane some time with his family.”

Dane came back to the hotel for his suitcase, and to give me a proper goodbye before heading off to the cabin with his family.

“I’m going to miss you, sexy.” He whispered as he pressed his lips against mine. Smiling, I put my arms around his neck, my fingers playing with the hair above his collar. He leaned down, our lips connecting in a long kiss.

“I’m going to miss you too.” I smiled. He looked so happy, and I felt lucky that I was able to contribute to his happiness. “When will you be back?” I asked.

“I think in about a week, or so. It really depends on how Steffy goes, and how mom and dad are.” He cocked his head to the side, his beautiful eyes catching the light in the room. “I’m going to want to get back to you as soon as possible.” He murmured, smiling. He kissed me again, this time with more urgency, as if he were trying to make up for all the kisses he’d miss over the next week.

“Call me when you get there.” I watched as he picked up his suitcase, and walked to the door. He smiled.

“I’ll call you every day.” He chuckled. “Twice a day, even. I love you Lily.”

“I love you too.” I said softly as the door closed behind him.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Lying on my bed, I texted Dane, wishing so badly that he was here with me. He’d been gone over a week, and though we spoke every day and texted constantly, I missed him like crazy.

Mom and Anna were coming up today for a few nights, and I couldn’t wait to see them.

I had explained everything about Dane and Steffy to mom, even Abby’s dreams. She had been shocked, and I was sure there was a little bit of guilt there for not believing me in the past. My phone buzzed, my stomach fluttered when I realized it was Dane.

“Hey you.” I said, smiling, pulling my knees up to my stomach.

“Hey back.” He said. “What are you doing?”

“Not much. Lying down. Mom and Anna are on their way up for a couple of nights. How’s Steffy?” I asked, just as I did every time we spoke, even if it was four times a day.

“She’s not bad, Lil. She’s not saying much, pretty quiet, but she was sitting up with mom and I before, watching
Community
, laughing, which was so great to hear.” He added. My heart swelled. I was glad Steffy was getting better slowly, and hopefully that meant he’d be back in my arms soon.

“And you? How are you?” I asked, wondering if he had been sleeping. “You better be looking after yourself.” I joked. He laughed.

“I am. I can’t wait to get back home though.” He said, yawning.

“I can’t wait to have you home.” I answered, sighing.

“Have I told you how amazing you are, Lil?” He asked suddenly. I laughed. “No, really, Lil, you are amazing, and I love you.” He added seriously.

“You’re the amazing one.” I said, a giddy smile on my face. I always got like this when he told me he loved me. Hearing those words, no matter how often he said them, made my heart go completely crazy. “Love you too, Dane.”

Mom and Anna arrived just after lunch. A soon as I heard the car pull up, I raced outside and waited impatiently for them to get out of the car so I could hug them both. I felt as though the whole day had been wasted waiting. Waiting for mom and Anna, waiting for Dane, just waiting for something.

“It’s so good to see you guys. I’ve missed you.” I cried, embracing them both at the same time. Anna laughed and tried to squirm away. “Oh not you don’t, brat!” I grabbed hold of her tightly, peppering her with big wet kisses as she laughed. Mom smiled as she unloaded the car.

“How are you feeling, honey? How’s Dane?” She asked, concerned.

“He’s good. Steffy is slowly talking, which is good.” I added. Mom shook her head sadly.

“It’s been all over the news.” She said, her voice laced with shock, and disbelief. I groaned.

It
had
been all over the news, and on the front page of every paper. Somehow, my name had managed not to pop up yet, but I was waiting for it. I felt like as soon as I let my guard down, hundreds of reporters would jump out of nowhere shouting questions about my dead sister.

Aaron assured me my name would not be released, but what if other people spoke out? Like Cole Chambers?

I showed Anna around the house, and mom seemed impressed that it looked a little more homely that it had when she was last here. After the grand tour, we sat down. Anna talked my ear off about school and sports, and her friends.

“Hey, you didn’t answer my Facebook message!” I said, accusingly, suddenly remembering she hadn’t replied. Anna rolled her eyes.

“Facebook? That’s for old people. All my friends are on Tumblr.” She said smugly. Only my fourteen year old sister could make me feel so old. “But for you, I’ll check my Facebook occasionally.” She added, as though she were doing me a huge favor. I laughed, giving her a nudge.

“Gee thanks.” I said sarcastically.

For the next few hours, we caught up. It was this kind of thing I missed the most, yet at the same time this kind of thing reminded me the most of Abby.

Mom had started a new job, which paid more and meant shorter hours. She was even dating, according to Anna, an accusation that mom strongly denied.

We ate dinner (I cooked a roast chicken), both mom and Anna surprised I’d actually managed to do it without burning it. And it actually tasted okay! After Anna had gone to bed, mom and I sat up, talking.

“Are you going okay, Lily?” Mom asked seriously. Right away, I knew she was asking about Abby.

“I’m fine, mom. Really.” I added, as she looked at me uncertainly.

“Would you tell me if you weren’t?” She asked softly. I made a face. Probably not. Mum laughed. “Well, at least you’re being honest.” She tried to joke, although I could tell she was hurt.

“I want to be able to tell you things, it’s just…” I stopped, wanting to word this correctly, the last thing I wanted to do was hurt mom.

“You sometimes feel as though I maybe don’t get it?” Mom supplied. That was exactly how I felt.

“Yes.” I said, surprised, and thankful, she understood.

“I’m sorry if you feel I haven’t been there for you since Abby died.” Mom began. She held her hand up as I went to defend her. “No, Lily, let me finish. I should’ve been more of a support for you after Abby died, and I’m sorry I wasn’t. When you were seeing her, I’m sorry I dismissed that so quickly.” Mom put her hand over mine. “Can you forgive me?”

“There’s nothing to forgive mom. You were grieving the loss of Abby, and then your marriage, and trying to raise Anna and me. I never felt as though you weren’t there for me, and when I was seeing Abby, even
I
thought I was crazy.” I said, trying my best to reassure her.

“This has been good, Lil. I needed this, and I think you did too.” Mom hugged me, then headed to bed. Glancing at my phone, I saw I had missed a call from Dane. I readied myself for bed, and once in my room, I called him. He answered almost right away.

“Hey sexy.” He said, his voice warm, full of love.

“Hey.” I said softly. “How are you?”

“Good. Mom and dad will be taking Steffy home tomorrow, probably.” He said.

“That’s great news.” I smiled. “Does that mean I will have you back, too?”

“Yeah.” He hesitated for the slightest second. “I will probably spend a night at home, and then I’m all yours.”

“I can’t wait to see you.” I sighed, lying down in my bed. Closing my eyes, I listened to his voice, imagining he was here next to me, holding me.

“Me too, Lil.” He murmured softly. “Love you.” We both hung up. Curling up in bed, I drifted off to sleep as I thought about Dane.

Opening my eyes, I saw Abby sitting on the end of the bed. Sitting up, I smiled at her.

“Hey you.” I said, happy to see her again. It had been a few days since she had visited me, which made me nervous. I wasn’t sure why. I guess I was just used to seeing her every day.