Vanilla: Book 2

Chapter 1

It had been almost three weeks since Edward’s accident. Edward’s recovery was slow going, but he was finally being released from the hospital. John managed to rent a condo in the city. Edward usually stayed in hotels when he was in town, but because of his recovery, his stay would be extended. I planned to live with him to assist in his recovery. Once I got him settled, I hoped to pick up where I left off and start working at the gallery again. Meg was super nice and let me have the past three weeks off. I didn’t have much summer left before school was back in session.

I tried not to think about Nicholas. I hadn’t seen him since the day Edward woke up. He didn’t try to contact me, and I didn’t try to contact him. I tried to keep myself busy as much as possible. Lena constantly tried to remind me about him, but most of the time I managed to change the subject.

Edward was scowling as the nurses finished helping him into a wheel chair. I can walk, he growled.

I smiled as John rolled his eyes. You need to do as you are told. The last time you did what you wanted, you pulled your stitches, I chided as I packed the last of his things in a bag and handed it to John.

I am going to get the car, John muttered as he accepted the bag, and then walked out.

Once I was sure we had everything, we started our journey to the front entrance. Edward was relatively silent and sullen. He didn’t like being dependent on others. He was used to running the show.

Once we were all safely in the car and headed to the condo, Edward turned his gaze on me. Are you still talking to Nicholas?

I glanced at him briefly, and then looked back at my phone. No, why? I was doing an excellent job playing it off. I had lots of practice thanks to Lena.

He scoffed. Why aren’t you talking to him?

I looked at him a little confused. He made it seem like it would be easier if I kept my distance; so I am respecting him.

Edward sighed, shaking his head. That boy has no sense. Are you making me a welcome home dinner?

I raised my eyebrows in amusement. I suppose I could.

He smirked. Good. I like your roast.

I rolled my eyes. I will go shopping once we get you settled.

I didn’t think I could be more relieved to not have to go back to the hospital again. After spending a couple weeks running back and forth, I was glad to be home. I had all my things moved to the condo. It was a gated community; so I felt safer. Since I had been away from Nicholas, I hadn’t had any more stalking incidents, but I wasn’t about to go back to that apartment. Lena moved in with Patrick, and I moved in with Edward.

Edward was napping. I had already done the shopping, and I had just finished unpacking some of the last boxes. I was going to start dinner soon. I walked downstairs to the kitchen.

John was sitting at the counter. Mail came for you, he said indicating a yellow envelope on the bar. It came a couple days ago. I figured you would have seen it by now, but obviously you haven’t.

I was a little surprised. Who’s it from?

He picked it up and looked at it. It says ‘Nicholas Quinn’ sounds interesting, he teased. He tossed it back on the counter, and then stood. I’m going to go check on Edward.

I hesitated, a small rush of excitement coursed through me. I thought it was odd that after so long he would contact me through the mail. I snapped out of it. I walked to the counter. The thought of Nicholas made my stomach knot up. I picked up the packet. I flipped it over and tore it open.

I looked at it confused. I sorted through the papers. It was some kind of accident report. My stomach did a small flip flop when I saw my parent’s names. It was the report on the accident that killed them. I never actually read it. I didn’t remember what happened. All I knew was a car changed lanes into us and that was it. I grabbed the envelope again to confirm it was from Nicholas. I looked back at the report, flipping to the next page. A wave of nausea hit me when I saw Edward’s name in the report. His name was circled in red … he was the other driver. I felt like I had been kicked repeatedly. I wanted to quit reading, but I couldn’t. He claimed responsibility for the accident. He claimed he was distracted. I thought I would feel anger or hate; something other than the pain of loss that I actually felt. In that moment, Nicholas’s words came back to me, ‘Edward doesn’t do anything for no reason. There had to be a reason’. I clenched my eyes shut. I felt like I couldn’t breathe. I needed to get out of the house. I couldn’t handle this. I couldn’t lose Edward too.

I stuffed the papers in the envelope and shoved them in my purse. I grabbed my phone, and then walked outside trying to figure out what to do. I didn’t want to believe Nicholas was capable of this, but he insisted his father wasn’t the man I thought he was. Maybe this was his cruel way of proving it.

I set off determined to confront him. I made it downtown before I realized it was only four in the afternoon. He wouldn’t be home yet. I detoured to a bar that was only a couple blocks from his apartment building. I would wait until six, and then I would confront him.

I walked into the bar and the bartender served me a drink. I sat watching the clock. A couple of guys attempted to talk and buy me drinks, but I refused. I was on a mission. The clock finally hit six and I stood. The room swayed slightly.

The bartender eyed me. Are you okay?

Fine, I snapped. Cash me out. I waited impatiently for my card to be returned to me. Once he handed it back to me, I stuffed it in my purse and headed for Nicholas’s high rise.

I stomped to the elevator and hit the button a couple times. It finally opened and I typed in the code for the penthouse. I was a little relieved he didn’t change the code. The elevator seemed to be going so damn slow. I was swaying slightly. I probably had way too much to drink. I needed the alcohol to be strong. I wasn’t sure I would be able to face Nicholas any other way.

The elevator opened. I hiked my purse up on my shoulder, and knocked on his door.

The door opened and a petite blond stood there. Can I help you? She was perfectly done up, like a doll.

I had to admit, seeing her answer his door took some of the wind out of my sails. I had been doing so good not thinking about him and keeping busy over the past few weeks. I was able to because I had Edward, now I had nothing. I stifled the anguished feeling trying to find its way in. I straightened, sticking my chin out. I retrieved the envelope. Give this to Nicholas and tell him if he was hoping to ruin my life, then he succeeded. I shoved the envelope in her hands, and then turned to walk away.

Wait, miss, are you okay? I can get him for you? She actually sounded genuinely worried.

Her concern made me hate her a little more. No, I am just fucking dandy. I stepped on the elevator.

As soon as the doors closed, the tears I was trying to stifle poured from my eyes. I angrily swiped them away. I didn’t know what I was going to do now. I didn’t want to keep running to Lena, and I couldn’t go back to Edward. I stepped off the elevator and walked toward the exit. It had started raining. It wasn’t a light rain either. It was a hard downpour. I walked outside anyway. I walked to the bus stop and sat down on the bench. The chilly rain made me shiver. I was just relieved I could feel anything at all. I buried my face in my hands and cried. The sound of the rain muffled my sobs.

Amanda! Nicholas’s voice boomed above the sound of the pounding rain.

I looked up and he was coming down the sidewalk toward me. I didn’t want to talk to him. I stood and hurried away from him. The alcohol and my shoes made my escape nearly impossible. I slipped and almost fell, but his arms wrapped around me, catching me.

Let me go! I started slapping his hands in a lame attempt to get him to release me.

Amanda, stop! I would never send you that! I would never hurt you like that! He growled as he fought to hold me tightly against him.

It had your name on it. I was crying so hard my voice was almost a defeated whisper.

It wasn’t me, I promise you, it wasn’t, he said firmly.

I sagged against him, defeated. It didn’t matter who sent it. The damage was done.

Nicholas lifted me off my feet. He carried me back into his apartment building. We were both soaking wet. I buried my face in his chest. I wasn’t crying, but the ache in my chest was overbearing. He pushed the button to the elevator and stepped inside. He held me tightly as the elevator slowly moved to the top floor.

The doors opened, and the petite blond was waiting. Is she okay? She seemed so upset.

Nicholas shook his head. She isn’t okay. I’m going to take her to my room and get her dry. Tell Michael we will have to go out another night.

She nodded. I will let him know once he gets here.

Part of me was relieved. He didn’t act like the girl was his submissive. I knew I shouldn’t care, but I did.

Nicholas carried me to the bathroom and set me on the counter. He started the shower. He stripped his own clothes off. He removed my high heels, and then unzipped my dress and slid it down. He quickly removed my bra and panties, and then pulled me into the warm shower.

He kept his arms wrapped around me. I felt numb. My eyes were sore from crying. My chest felt like it had a weight on it. I didn’t know what to think. I couldn’t think. Even if Nicholas had nothing to do with it, Edward was still responsible for my parent’s deaths and he lied about it. He lied about everything.

After a while, Nicholas coaxed me out of the shower. He wrapped a towel around me and led me out to the bedroom. He dried me off, and then brushed my hair. He pulled one of his soft tee shirts over my head and helped me to bed.

He pulled a pair of silk pajama pants on and climbed in next to me. He pulled me against his chest, wrapping his arms around me. I remained silent. I realized neither of us had spoken the entire time. I didn’t have the urge to fill the silence like I thought I would. I didn’t even know if I would be able to speak. I was miserable, but at least I felt safe.

Chapter 2

I want to know who put my name on this! Nicholas’s low growl pulled me from the dark.

It was obviously the same person who has done everything else trying to fuck up your life, Patrick said softly.

They were just outside the bedroom door. They were trying to be quiet. I was sure it was for my sake.

I don’t give a fuck about my life! They are trying to ruin her. What if she didn’t come to me and give me a chance to deny it? What if she just believed it was from me on top of finding out Edward was involved in her parent’s deaths? This could have broken her. I am not entirely sure it didn’t. Nicholas was furious. I could hear him pacing back and forth in front of the door.

Did you contact your father? Patrick sounded somber like he was deep in thought.

Nicholas made a disgusted noise. Of course! I cussed that asshole out for lying to her. If he fucked up, he should’ve admitted it and then offered help, not hidden it to come back and tear her apart like this.

Patrick sighed. "I will see what I can find out. The bastard doing this is pretty smart; you know that. I am not sure if we will find