Page 33 of Vain (Tempest #2)

Chapter Thirty-Two

MATILDA

Greyson fussed all over me, and though I was glad to see him, I was relieved when he left.

He was so worried about me that it made me feel guilty for everything that kept happening.

Stupid, I know. I can’t help it. I hate that I’m causing him and Marley extra stress.

It’s bad enough worrying Aiden, but at least he’s used to dealing with situations like these.

Marley and Greyson are not. I’m also worried about them getting caught in the crossfire.

Aiden was hurt today because of me. What if Greyson or Marley are next?

I’m so sick and tired of people getting caught up in my bullshit.

Is it any wonder I pull away all the time?

“Penny for your thoughts?”

I jump at the sound of Reese’s voice. She disappeared after Greyson got here, and I wasn’t sure what happened to her. “I thought you’d left.”

“Just wanted to give you some privacy. I won’t leave until Aiden tells me to.”

“I feel bad that you’re stuck here with me.”

“Why? It’s not often I get a job that’s low-key. I’ll take any downtime I can get. Trust me, this is a nice break from the usual chaos I have to deal with.”

I laugh. “I don’t think people could pay me enough to deal with the crap you likely have to. Hell, I’m half tempted to run away to the mountains and become a recluse. Learn to live off the land or something.”

She closes the door before walking farther into the room. “Tell me you’re not feeling guilty for all this.”

“One, I really don’t like how perceptive you are. Two, I can’t. Aiden was hurt, Reese. I know it wasn’t bad, but it could have been. And what about the next time? We both know if this guy isn’t caught, there will be a next time. I’d never forgive myself if something happened to him.”

“And he feels guilty that he didn’t see the signs and magically stop the crash before it happened.

Ugh, men and their Superman complexes. The point is, only one person should feel guilty, and that’s the asshole who caused all this.

I get your need to pull back to keep others safe, but every time you do, you’re letting this asshole win. ”

“I really don’t like you being all logical and shit. It makes me feel like I’m being dramatic.” I sigh.

She grins. “You should meet Dulce. If you look up ‘dramatic’ in the dictionary, you’ll find a photo of her beside it.”

I chuckle. “Oh, good. At least I’m not alone then.”

“I think you’ve earned the right to be a little dramatic, don’t you? Though, just saying, I wouldn’t call any of this dramatic. If anything, you’re coping surprisingly well. And here I was expecting a diva.”

“Sorry to disappoint you.” I flutter my lashes at her.

She steps in front of me when the door opens, her posture rigid until she recognizes Aiden. “You’re lucky I’m not armed,” she mutters as she takes a seat.

“How did it go? Have you found out anything?” I ask him as he approaches the bed with a couple of bags in his hand.

He puts the gym bag on the floor and the carrier bag on the table at the bottom of the bed.

“First of all—” he bends down and kisses me “—are you feeling okay?”

“I’m good. My head is still sore, but otherwise, I’m okay.”

“Good. Marley packed some food for you and told me to tell you not to eat the hospital shit.”

“Of course he did.” I roll my eyes as he grabs the plastic bag and hands it to me. I look inside and feel my eyes get big.

“Is that Marley’s Do Me Dark and Dirty dessert?” I whisper in awe.

He grins. “Oh yeah.”

“I’m sorry, it’s called a what now?” Reese asks, coming to have a look.

“It’s only the best chocolate cake on the planet.” I grab the container. As there are three slices, I pull the lid off and offer one to Reese.

She takes it, looking at me skeptically. “I’m not a huge cake eater,” she warns me.

I let my eyes roam over her athletic body. “Oh really? I’d never have guessed.”

She flips me off. “Now if it had been a doughnut, I’d have understood…” She drifts off as she takes a bite before her eyes slip closed and she moans. “Holy shit, what kind of sorcery is this?”

“Told ya.” I chuckle before taking a bite of my own slice. I sigh in happiness. “Totally worth getting in a car wreck and getting shot at.” The room goes quiet. I look up and see Aiden glaring at me. “Too soon?”

“It will always be too soon.”

“Sorry.” I take another bite, but keep my comments to myself this time.

“So, did you find anything?” Reese asks around a mouthful of food.

“Banner called me. Turns out Daniel was fired from a previous job for aggressive behavior toward a client.”

“A client? Why?” Reese frowns.

“Not sure on the details. All I know is that she has a restraining order against him.”

“Wait, she?”

“You caught that, huh?”

“What the hell? Why would the studio hire Cox Security if he had that on his record?” I ask.

“Depends on if they actually dug into them,” Reese spits, feeling as disgruntled as I am.

“Plus,” Aiden adds, “Different states don’t always share information. A restraining order isn’t the same as having a criminal conviction.”

I put the slice of cake down, suddenly losing my appetite. “I hired him because I assumed the studio did all the necessary checks. I’m such a fool.”

“Fuck that, Matilda. They fell down on the job, not you,” Reese states before she looks between me and Aiden. “I’m gonna go and let you talk some sense into your woman,” she tells him.

“Thanks for everything, Reese. We both appreciate it.”

“As I told Matilda, it really was no problem. Do you still need me to hang around? I can—” Ringing cuts her off.

We both look at Aiden as he pulls out his cell phone and answers it. “Yeah?” He frowns before looking at Reese. “Turn on the TV.”

She grabs the remote off the table and does as he asks. “What am I looking for?”

“CNN.”

She flicks it over as I look from Aiden to the screen, trying to figure out what’s happening. I gasp when I see the wreck of my car as it’s being hooked up to a tow truck.

“This was taken earlier. Matilda Carson was rushed to the hospital after being chased off the road and shot at. Reports coming in suggest that Matilda has attracted yet another stalker. As many of you will remember, Andrew Summers was convicted six months ago for stalking and causing grievous harm to Matilda and fellow crew members while she was filming.”

I feel vomit swim in my gut. I hear Aiden tell Banner he’ll call him back, but it’s as if I’m underwater. I take in the police station behind her and sit up sharply, tuning into what she’s saying.

“I can confirm, thanks to an anonymous tip, that police are questioning Matilda’s former head of security, Daniel Cox. Daniel was fired from Matilda’s employment , and I hear this isn’t the first time he’s had an issue with his female clients.”

Matilda is said to be recovering in the hospital, but with rumors of a second stalker after her, the question is, just how high a price must we pay for fame?”

Reese flicks it off before looking at us. “Guess I won’t get to kick his ass after all,” she grumbles.

“You might get away with it, but I’d easily be the prime suspect.” Aiden sighs sadly.

“I’m just glad they have it. Maybe I can finally move on with my fucking life.”

The problem is, I don’t feel nearly as confident in the justice system. Judging from Reese and Aiden’s silence, neither do they.

“Looks like you get to fly home after all.”

“You know what, I think I’m gonna hang around for a little while. I can catch a flight out in the morning. I have cake to finish, after all. It needs coffee, though.”

I know she’s staying because the press will likely descend on the hospital en masse if they haven’t already.

“The cafeteria is closed, but I’ll head to the 24-hour coffee place around the corner,” Aiden offers, looking at me. “I need to call Banner back, but I also want to call Greyson and Marley. I’d rather they hear all this from me.”

I blow out a shaky breath and nod, knowing he’s right.

“I promise I won’t be long, and I’ll bring you back a hot chocolate.”

“Okay. Just be careful.”

“I will, I promise. I bought some clean underwear and PJs if you want to get changed while I’m gone.”

“God, yes please.”

He leans over and slides his hand into my hair before kissing my forehead. “I love you. I won’t be long.”

“I love you too.”

He holds me for a little longer before pulling back. I realize as he heads for the door that I’m actually okay. Yes, I’m still a little shocked over today’s events, but I’m not freaking out. I’m not sure if that’s to come or if I am just getting used to this shitshow.

“You good?”

“I think so. I’m not really sure, but I’m alive and mostly uninjured. Aiden’s okay and he loves me. Even with all this shit, I still feel like I’m winning, you know?”

She grins. “Good. Now get your movie star ass in the bathroom and get washed up and changed. Leave the door open a crack in case you need me. Don’t worry about me seeing anything, one of my best friends is a porn star. Trust me when I say I’ve seen so much pussy and ass I’m immune to it.”

“I’m not really sure what to do with that, but okay.”

She cackles as I gingerly climb off the bed and head to the bathroom.

I grab the door handle and pause, staring at it.

I take a deep breath and will myself to let it go but it’s like an itch at the back of my brain that needs scratching.

Fuck it. I turn the handle three times and head inside.

Rome wasn’t built in a day, but at least I’m heading in the right direction.