Page 52 of Blood Ties
“Gaby?” I heard my name called through the fog. It was like a lighthouse directing me through the haze.
“Grayson?” I mumbled as I opened my eyes.
“Sorry, no.” I looked up and saw Sebastian staring back at me. I turned my head taking in the room. I had been here before, but only once. Sebastian’s scent surrounded me. I realized I was lying in his room, but I asked anyways.
“Where am I?”
“You’re at The Angelo Tower. In my room.”
“You’re room?” I asked as I tried to sit up then immediately regretted it.
“Lie back down,” he coaxed easing me back.
“What happened?” I demanded while holding my head.
“You don’t remember?” I shook my head just barely feeling it throb. “You were attacked after you left here.”
That rung a bell. I gasped as it all came flashing back. I reached up instinctively making sure my shirt was in place and felt soft cotton instead of the silk.
“You’re okay,” he reached over grabbing my hand. I saw that blood still stained my arm. I couldn’t look at him. I felt if I did, I’d break down in tears over what happened and what almost did. “I got to you in time,” he whispered reassuringly.
It was silent for a few minutes as I looked at the wall, then I gripped his hand. “Thank you,” I breathed.
“You’re welcome.”
I took a moment just absorbing the simple comfort he was offering before pulling my hand away. Slowly I tried to sit up, but when I struggled Sebastian helped me to the edge.
“Why am I here, Sebastian?” I wondered.
He looked bashfully away. “I didn’t know where else to take you. I didn’t know what kind of questions would be asked.”
“You mean about the attack?”
“Yes and no.”
That got me curious. “Not that I’m not grateful, but how did you find me?” He looked away, embarrassed. “Sebastian?” He still didn’t answer me. “Were you following me?” It seemed like a ridiculous notion, but when he didn’t answer, I became slightly outraged. “How long?”
“Since the night on the balcony.”
What?I couldn’t believe it. He had been following me around for weeks. Before I let my temper get carried away, I reminded myself that if he hadn’t been following me around that something much worse than an invasion of privacy would have happened.
“Why?”
His green eyes narrowed, almost studying me. The way he looked at me made me feel like he thought I knew the answer, but his response surprised me. “I didn’t think Damien throwing the party was such a great idea. The resemblance… Well, let’s just say that it doesn’t take a genius to realize you two are related. Everyone at the party knew that you had to be of his blood and there’s only really one way for that to be.”
“So you’ve been following me to keep me safe?”
“Yes. Your father has many enemies. They resent him for some reason. You’re the quickest way to get to him and now the world knows it.”
“Those men, are they…?”
“They’re all dead.”
I nodded, seeming okay with that. “What time is it?”
Sebastian grabbed his phone. “Five.”
“In the morning?” I had been out almost all night.
