Roll For Initiative

51. Lucian

W hen that door finally flung open, and I saw her, it was like the air was finally allowed back into my lungs. I could breathe again. She fell into my arms, crying and mumbling unintelligible words. I slide into the backseat with her in my arms. She passed out as soon as she fell into my arms when she walked out of that door. Jayme had his gun trained on Theo the entire time, but Theo just let her go. It made no sense. I got a good look at her when we were in the back seat. My poor Cassie. She looks so pale; her eyes look sunken in with dark circles underneath. Her face not only has scratch marks all over it, but she has a huge swollen bruise under her right eye; more bruises are covering her jaw, throat, and collarbone. Her lip is split, and her nose was bleeding. The knot on the back of her head is larger now, and it is bleeding again. Her delicate hands look like she fought hard. They are all cut up, bruised, and caked in blood. One of the nails is even pulled back. What the fuck did he do to her.

He was fucking smiling as we took her away. Like he was proud of what he had done to her. I was going to go back and try to take a shot at him, but Jayme stopped me. He warned that if I did, a war would start. We also have to pretend that Cassie was the victim of assault and robbery. Jayme said that all the cops were in Theo’s pocket anyway, so her pressing charges would just get dropped, and he would have more reason to come after her again. I wanted to go on a rampage of destruction against him for what he did to her. Jayme said we have to be patient and that we will be dealing with Theo personally. Maybe I am cut out for this life after all because all I want to do right now is watch the life fade from his eyes after hours of slow, agonizing torture. I want to hurt him. I want to feel his bones break under the damage I do to him.

We drove in silence to the nearest hospital. Jayme did most of the talking and bribery. She has a private room, with no one in the neighboring rooms for safety. There are round-the-clock guards outside her door, one by the elevator and one by the stairs. She is safe. Oh, and we can stay with her all the time. Apparently, fuck visitor hours if you personally can donate enough money to a hospital that they name a wing after you.

After hours and hours of tests, x-rays, and scans, the doctor came in to give us the update. It is horrible. I feel sick as he lists off all of her injuries. He could have killed her. She has a hairline fracture on her jaw. She has a severe concussion and hairline fracture on the back of her head. Judging by the looks of the x-ray, he did some damage when he pushed her into the car, but whatever he did at his house was much, much worse. Her collarbone is bruised. She also has three sprained fingers. The doctor said it looked like she was clawing to either get out or away from someone or something. I double-checked her chart after the doctor left earlier to see if there was anything they weren’t saying. He fucking raped her. How could someone cause so much damage to someone they claim to care about? It sickens me.

She has been unconscious since yesterday when we brought her in. I haven’t left her side. I can’t sleep or even really eat. I need to be here when she wakes up. We haven’t allowed visitors yet. Her mom is aware that Cassie is in the hospital, but I told her I would update her if anything changes. Needless to say, she is pissed off to high hell right now that I won’t let her see her daughter. Jayme had some shit to take care of last night. He ended up coming back early this morning. He was kind enough to stop by my apartment to grab some clothes and other necessities. I even had him bring my portable DVD player with all the original 6 Star Wars.

I’ve been sitting in this chair next to her for just over 26 hours now. I refuse to move. I talked to her, sang her favorite songs, read some books, and showed her some cute TikToks I knew she would love, but she still hadn’t woken up. They said it was OK, though, that it was her body's way of self-healing from the trauma. I haven’t slept in almost 40 hours, and it is starting to catch up to me. I decide to lay my head down on the bed beside her thigh, making sure not to lay on her and hurt her. I’ll only close my eyes for a few minutes.

I woke up a few hours later. My body jolted awake from a nightmare. My body is covered in sweat, and my heart is pounding. That’s when I hear her raspy, small voice calling my name.

"Lu... Lucian?" Her voice is so quiet and broken.

"I’m here, Cass. Shh, don’t talk. Do you need some water?" Her eyes barely crack open.

"What happened?" She asks. I put the straw to her lips.

"You don’t remember? Maybe that’s for the best."

She looks at the splints on her fingers; you can see the pain seeping through trauma fog. She doesn’t have much pain medication in her system because I know what her wishes would be regarding that. I told the nurse I was her boyfriend, and they listened.

"He could have killed me. I... I thought I was going to die." She reaches out to me, and I sit beside her to cradle her in my arms against my body. She’s sobbing and hyperventilating. I hit the call button for the nurse. Jayme comes rushing in when he sees the light go on above the door.

"She’s awake. Thank God." He looks about as relieved as I do.

After about 5 minutes, her crying slows. The nurse checked her vitals, and everything seemed ok. She didn’t want a sedative, and I can’t blame her.

After the nurse leaves, she looks back and forth from me to Jayme. "Thank you both for saving me. I don’t know how you knew I was there, but I’m grateful. How long have I been asleep?" I hug her tighter, still hesitant with her injuries.

“About 30 hours. You slept through all the tests and X-rays, but you are doing ok now. You are safe, and Jayme has the best staff looking after you. We are in a private room, and no rooms are occupied near us. There are guards all over the hospital. He won’t get to you. No one will hurt you again. I’m so sorry, Cass. I should have protected you; I should have gotten there sooner.” I feel so terrible. None of this would have happened if I hadn’t stormed out that night.

“I called your mom and dad; they will be up in a few,” Jayme says, walking over to us.

“Thank you both. For everything.” She snuggles onto my lap, and I tuck her head under my chin to hold her closer. I’m not letting her go.

“Eww, I probably need a shower. I must stink.” She giggles. That’s a good sign.

“Need some help?” Jayme jokes and winks at her. She laughs back and plays along.

“Listen here fucker. I’m sure I can find a shampoo bottle somewhere in this hospital to whip at you.” This is good; I was worried she would have fully lost her spark.

“Knock, knock. Anyone home?” I look up to see Madam Odette walking through the doors with a big bag in hand. She looks back and forth between Jayme and me, and I give her a look that she seems to understand. She somehow knows who we are but understands that we should not bring up that night.

“Odette? What are you doing here?” Cassie seems overjoyed at seeing Odette. Are they friends?

"Please don’t get up. I just had to come when I heard what happened. One of my friends is part of the force and told me about a girl who was... attacked near my home, and when he said your name, I practically fainted. I’m so glad to see you are awake, though. Such a strong girl.” Cassie melts at her praise. “I brought you some goodies. Hospital shampoo is horrible on the hair. So I brought you shampoo, conditioner, body wash, razors and shaving cream, a new toothbrush toothpaste, and, of course, a dirty book to help pass the time.” Cassie excitedly takes the bag.

“You didn’t have to do all this. Thank you. And thank you for coming to visit. Apparently, I’ve been out ever since.... Well, since I was attacked.” She looks up at me, and I just place my lips on her temple. I’ll explain once we are alone.

“I’m so sorry, Cassie. This shouldn’t have happened.” She walks over and sits on the other side of the bed next to Cassie. She cups Cassie’s face with both hands, wiping away her tears with her thumbs. She pulls Cassie in for a hug, and they both cry silent tears. “I’ll be back soon, you go relax.” She stands up and glances between Jayme and me. “Keep her safe, boys.” Is all she says to us as she walks out of the room.

I help Cassie stand and slowly walk to the bathroom. She’s weak. I don’t know when she last ate or drank anything other than the water I gave her when she first woke up and the fluids they have been pushing to nourish her. I’ll order up some food for her or maybe have her mom bring her something.

“Let me know if you need me; I’ll be right out here,” I tell her as she walks into the bathroom, but she looks back at me and hesitates. I probably look like shit. No sleep, I haven’t showered since Sunday morning, I haven’t shaved since Saturday, and it is now Tuesday. I am a mess. After what feels like forever, she stops studying my face and shuts herself in the bathroom. I hear voices in the hall and find Jayme and Odette in a heated discussion.

“What’s going on?” I ask, walking up.

“I’m sorry, guys, I tried to intervene. I didn’t realize it was this bad, though. She was glowing when she came down from the suite on Sunday morning. I guess you two were the reason. Does she know?” We both shake our heads, and she rolls her eyes. “That’s fucked up. Anyways, while we were talking, Theo came up and wrapped his arms around her. I thought she was just worried about him finding out what happened that night; I didn’t realize until he pulled her too tightly that it was fear in her eyes, fear of him.” She pauses a moment. I can tell that she is blaming herself.

“I knew he had a mean streak. He was always more verbally dominant to his subs, but never has he ever laid a hand on one in an abusive way, to my knowledge. Something seemed off that morning, though. After he practically dragged her out, I went to talk to Mr. Snider about it, and he said he would look into it. Next thing I know, he is telling me he heard from your father, Jayme, that Blackmore kicked the shit out of her. I was so worried, so I rushed over here. Sorry, by the way, I didn’t realize you were family.”

“No apologies necessary. I don’t go by Morelli in public. I’m Jayme West to the world. And thank you for not outing us when you walked in. Lucian is going to tell her everything when the time is right.”

They both look over at me. I can tell my body is vibrating with rage. I need to hit something. I am out for blood. He could have fucking killed her.

“Well, I’ll leave you boys to it. Do whatever needs to be done; you know you have access to any resources you need. Just say the word.” She winks at us. “Oh, and please keep me updated on her status. I’ve taken quite a liking to her.” She smiles as she turns and heads toward the elevator.

Hmm. Another Domme showing interest in around my woman, and a woman at that. I shouldn’t feel jealous, but I am. She practically melted at Odette’s praises of her strength. I want her to look at me like that. I hope I can help her get through this and protect her—my strong, beautiful woman.