Page 55 of Secrets & Desires
Nox lookedover at Livia as they flew across the Atlantic Ocean towards Europe. Livia had hardly said a word since the attack at the concert. After she’d collapsed, he’d been the first to reach her, clambering over the seats to get to her. Charvi, Amber, and Sandor had looked on in shock as he’d carried Livia off stage and to the dressing room. She awoke in his arms, then screamed when she saw where they were. He’d looked around and noticed signs of a struggle, her torn panties, and his weeping love, and he knew what hadhappened.
At the hospital, they did a rape kit, even though she told them her attacker did not penetrate her. “This is still a serious sexual assault, Ms. Chatelaine. Let us careforyou.”
Nox insisted she let them tend to her, and then the police came. A kind female police officer took her statement. “The rape kit shows he did ejaculate on you, I’m sorry to tell you, so we’ll need to ask you for a DNA sample. And Mr.Renaud,too.”
“Of course,” Nox told her calmly, “anythingtohelp.”
Livia didn’t want to stay in the hospital overnight and so Nox brought her home, putting her to bed and lying down next to her. He stroked her face. “If you want me to go sleep somewhere else tonight,” he said gently, “I won’t be offended. Anything you need, baby,justask.”
Livia gazed at him. “Just hold me, please, Nox. I’msocold.”
And so, he did, wrapping his arms around her. Neither of them slept. “Do you want me to cancel our vacation plans? We can alwaysreschedule.”
“No,” she said quickly, “I want to go far away. Far, faraway,Nox.”
“Is Europe farenough?”
She half-smiled. “Europe, is it?” He felt her body relax. “Yes, that’sperfect.”
He pressed his lips to her forehead. “You want me to tell youwhere?”
“No, keep it asurprise.”
He studied her face. Her eyes were haunted. “I’m so sorry this happened to you, baby. I would do anything to turn back time and prevent it. I swear, the day we find out whoitis…”
Livia shook her head. “Please, don’t. Don’t stoop to hislevel.”
She hadn’t yet told him everything she’d told the police. “What aren’t you telling me? What did he saytoyou?”
Livia hesitated for a long moment. “That he was going to kill me the next time he saw me. LikeAriel.”
“Jesus.” Nox closed his eyes and drew in a deep breath. “That’s it. No more sending Jason away. No more late shifts at the restaurant. Liv, please…won’t you consider taking a leave of absence? We could stay in Europe as long as it takes to get the asshole. I wantyousafe.”
“I’ll quit my job at the restaurant. I’m no good to Marcel if I’m behaving like a scared rabbit every time a stranger comes in. I think he’s kind of expecting it anyway. But after New Year’s—I don’t want to abandon him at hisbusiesttime.”
Nox’s mouth had set in a thin line. “Deal—if you agree to extra protection. I’ll make sure Marcel is compensated for the lost business. I’ll have obvious guards and plain clothes men there. No one will get to you. But afterward, please, I know it’s a lot to ask, but I just wantyousafe.”
Livia tried to smile. “After all my independent woman rants, I’m agreeing to be a keptwoman.”
“A safe woman, analivewoman. After we catch this guy, you can have at the world. Until then, I don’t think it’s wise to be thatexposed.”
So now,two days later, they were finally on their way to Europe. Livia looked healthier, at least there was that, but she was subdued. He went to sit next to her and took her hand. She turned and smiled at him. “Hey,you.”
He leaned in to kiss her, felt her lips move against his. “Iloveyou.”
She tangled her fingers in his curls. “Let’s make this vacation a time where we forget the horrors of the past, recent and otherwise, and just make this aboutus. Romance,makinglove.”
Nox looked vaguely surprised. “Honey, if you’re uncomfortable with sex at the moment, we don’thaveto.”
She kissed him fiercely. “Nox Renaud, you better fuck me good on this vacation, because that’s what I intend to dotoyou.”
He laughed with a little shocked surprise. “Well, then, you have a deal.” If that what she wanted—or what she thought she might want—who was he to argue? But Nox knew, if it came down to it and she panicked, he’d be there for her any way she needed him. Hell, if she just wanted to get mad and pummel someone, he’dlether.
He wasable to distract her from brooding even more as they crossed into Europe. They flew over France and Germany before he finally relented and told her. “Vienna. Or rather, a small ski lodge just outside of it. I thought you would love the musical heritage ofthecity.”
Livia looked delighted. “Seriously? My god, Nox, you couldn’t have chosenbetter.”
“Actually,youchose it,remember?”
