Chapter 47: Home Safe

Danica POV

During the car ride, Dax held my hand and glanced over at me often. He seemed very concerned about my well-being which made feel appreciated.

We didn’t converse while we drove along. I wasn’t quite ready to talk again, or my voice would betray me. I still wasn’t over the stress of being imprisoned by criminals. It had felt so unreal, almost as if it hadn’t happened to me.

Dax must’ve understood that I didn’t want to talk and didn’t try to press me to say anything. We had comfortable silence in the car. I wanted to thank him for getting me out of that situation, but no words could describe how grateful I was.

He had gone beyond what I expected of him. I glanced at him and noticed that he looked at ease now that I was back with him. I had no idea how Dax was so affected by hearing about what happened to me.

I didn’t like how I had caused him more stress by getting involved in that mess. It made me feel guilty that I hadn’t tried to tell him about it before. But back then, I hadn’t trusted him with my sister’s affairs. He was a stranger when we started this arrangement.

I tried to push the events of the last several hours away, as we got closer and closer to the mansion. It was better to try to distance myself from that sooner than later. I didn’t want it to take over my mind and be all I thought about.

Once I was back at the mansion, everything would be better. I could try to get back to life from before. I knew I wouldn’t forget being taken and kept for ransom but at least I had gotten away.

The gangster hadn’t succeeded with his plan. That’s when I wondered if Lola still owed him money. I almost wanted to ask Dax but couldn’t bring myself to do it. I wanted everything to be over.

There were a couple things that I felt bad for, however. I looked at Dax and saw bruises on his face, and there was a stain of blood on his arm.

"Did you get shot?"

"It's just a graze," Dax calmly replied.

He had really put himself through a lot to free me from that hideout. His whole life had been on the line for me. No one had ever done that for me, and I was honored that he did that.

As I saw the mansion come into view, it gave me a major sense of relief. I almost wanted to spring out of the car and kiss the ground. I had never been happier about seeing this place than I did in that moment.

Dax opened the door for me and helped me out of the car. He didn’t stop holding my hand as we walked in together. I hadn’t expected him to keep doing that the whole time, as it wasn’t necessary.

I stepped inside and couldn’t believe that I was back. It felt like days had passed since I had last seen this place. The hours went by slowly while I was kept captive and never seemed like they would end.

I decided to sit down on the couch and relax.

I was surprised when Dax came to join me. Right away, I noticed he had a bandage over his wound.

He seemed to be paying extra attention to me. I didn’t mind his company as it made me a little more at ease.

Chills went through me as I remembered the gangster’s smile. I hoped that he would get serious jail time.

My heart raced when Dax’s arm went around me. I got comfort and warmth from him. Our eyes met for a moment. Dax was looking at me in a different way than before. It was almost as if he was trying to say “I’m here for you.”

Dax spoke up, “I wanted to let you know that I’m going to stay with you. I don’t want you to be alone. Nothing will happen to you again as long as I’m around.”

His words were making me feel safe. I also noticed that there were guards standing around every entrance and exit. He had really upped the security around here since I had been taken.

His arm stayed around me, as we sat in silence with each other. I could tell we came to an understanding after Dax had risked his life to save me. No words needed to be said. I could tell that we knew what this meant for us.

Nothing would be ever the same. This was new territory for us, and we would be more connected from having this experience. I certainly looked at him in a new light after what he did.

We weren’t the same two people who had met several months ago, that was for sure. Somewhere along the way, Dax and I had grown into a deeper relationship.

I realized at that moment that I was irrevocably in love with Dax. There had never been any man quite like him before. He had shown me time and time again how much he put on the line for me. I had seen parts of him that were for only me.

My love for Dax wouldn’t ever end. I felt in my heart that I would always love him and couldn’t distance myself from him any longer. After we went our own ways, my heart would only beat faster for Dax. I snuggled against Dax and felt the rise and fall of his chest and didn’t want to ever stop being by his side.