Stealing Cinderella(79)
It isn’t long at all before the bloodcurdling screams unfurl inside as the women stir to life and realize what’s happening. But I don’t have the privilege of a VIP seat for this show. They will have to find their own way out.
Leaving them behind, I walk across the field and return to my car. From my driver’s seat, I watch as the first fiery shape leaps from the picture window, spilling onto the grass outside. Two more orange-flamed silhouettes follow, clinging to the earth as they mourn the loss of the only thing they hold dear. Their vanity.
When sirens sound in the distance, I slip back out onto the dark streets and drive to an abandoned petrol station. Parking behind it, I dispose of my shirt in the dumpster and wash myself quickly with a bottle of water and some hand soap. It’s already past four in the morning, and I need to get back to Ella.
The hospital is quiet when I arrive. Only a few nurses are hanging around, including the one I spoke with yesterday. She recognizes me right away and stops me on my way to Ella’s room.
“Did you leave?” she asks.
“I had to get some things for Ella.” I hold up the black bag in my hand.
“That’s so thoughtful of you.” She smiles, but I’m fairly certain she’s already thinking of ways to leak this to the media just as soon as Ella is discharged. Regardless, I don’t care about that right now. As long as I take her home with me, I don’t really care what the press says anymore.
When I get to Ella’s room, she’s still fast asleep and stays that way as I take a proper shower in her adjoining bathroom. Once I’m dressed and freshly shaved, the exhaustion hits me all at once, and I barely make it back to the chair beside her before my eyes fall shut, and I drift into the easiest slumber I’ve had since she left.
The nurse wakes both of us when she comes to check Ella’s vitals in the morning. Ella sits up, glancing at me like she’s still a bit disoriented.
“You’re still here.”
“I’m not going anywhere.”
The nurse smiles at us and then checks Ella’s eyes and asks her to perform a series of tests. When she’s done, she types some notes into the computer.
“How are you feeling this morning? Any nausea, dizziness, pain?”
“I’m fine,” Ella answers. “Other than feeling a little hungover, I’m totally fine.”
“Good.” The nurse nods. “Dr. Hobbs is making his rounds now, so he should be here shortly.”
“Okay.” Ella smooths her finger over the Band-Aid on her hand. “Thank you.”
The nurse leaves, and Ella looks at me.
“Did you go somewhere last night, or did I dream that?”
“I had a few errands to run.” I keep my answer vague for now. “And I bought you some clothes to go home in today.”
“Home?” she murmurs.
“My home, Ella. Our home.”
“So you want to take me back to Norway,” she says. “And then what?”
“Well… the estate is ours, but we’ll need to move into the palace full time.”
“You want me to move into the palace?” Her eyes widen.
“Yes.”
“And what will I do there?”
“Whatever you want.” I offer her what I hope is a reassuring smile. “I thought maybe you’d like to do some charity work with animals since you’re fond of them. My secretary can give you some options closer to home.”
She’s quiet, and I think I know what’s holding her back. Olivia was waiting to tell her, but I think now is as good a time as any.
“Of course, we’ll have to come back to Cranbrook to visit regularly too.”
“We will?” She perks up.
“Considering we’re the proud new owners of Hilliard Sanctuary, it might look bad if we don’t.”
Ella shrieks, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen her so relieved. “Are you serious?”
“I already finalized the deal with Olivia. She’s still going to run it, and we can visit whenever you’d like.”
She stares at me with watery eyes. “I can’t believe you’re doing all of this for me.”
“I love you,” I tell her again. “You’ve given me something to fight for, and this is me fighting. Come home with me, Ella. Because I really don’t want to have to drug you again.”
She laughs, and I smile, and it feels so natural between us, I don’t know why I resisted it for so long. This woman gets me. We’re both fucked up, but together we work somehow. And in spite of everything, she still loves me. Miserable bastard and all.
“I’ll come home with you, Thorsen.” She leans over to graze my lips with hers. “But you have to promise me that you’ll keep fighting. Even on your darkest days. Promise me we’ll get through the hard times together. No more pushing me away.”
“I promise,” I growl into her lips and dig my fingers into her hair. I need to feel her. I need to get inside her again and fuck away the stress of the last two weeks. But before I can even try, the door opens, and Dr. Hobbs enters the room.
“Feeling better, I see?” He arches an eyebrow at us, and Ella blushes as we separate.
“Yes, I’m much better this morning. Thank you.”