Chris emerged from the basement door. Ilis normally pristine appearance was notably disheveled–shirt partially soaked, sleeves rolled up revealing bandaged wrists with fresh blood seeping through. His face was taut with frustration.
<b>Eleanor </b>stood frozen near the kitchen entrance, her eyes fixed on Chris with concern.
“Chris, you’re bleeding <b>again</b>,” she said, stepping toward him.
Chris nced down at his wrists with mild surprise, as though he’d forgotten about his Injuries. “It’s nothing.”
“Why is your shirt wet?” <b>Eleanor </b>asked, reaching out but stopping short of actually touching him.
“Water situation,” Chris replied vaguely, smoothing <b>back </b>his hair. “Our guest downstairs wasn’t cooperating.”
“Do you need help with anything?” Eleanor’s voice was s
soft.
“I appreciate the concern, Ms. Astor, but I’ve got it under control.” Chris gave her <b>a </b><b>practiced </b>smile. “I should clean up. I’ll see you in the morning.”
With a slight bow of his head, <b>he </b>started toward the stairs. “I’m heading to my room now, Ms. Astor. Have a good night.”
The next morning, <b>Jade </b>found herself sitting on a plush sofa in Chris’s bedroom, watching as a private doctor carefully unwrapped the bandages from his wrists. Eleanor sat beside her, her cheeks flushing every time Chris winced.
“These are healing well, considering.” the doctormented<b>, </b>examining the raw, inmed skin where rope and metal handcuffs had cut into Chris’s nesh. “No signs of systemic infection, but we’ll need to keep an eye on this area.” He pointed to a particrly angry–looking wound.
“How much longer for full healing?” Chris asked, his voice casual.
“Three weeks minimum before the skin fully closes. You’ll have stars, though.”
Chris shrugged. “What’s a few more?”
Jade noticed Eleanor’s quick intake of breath at his words. She waspletely captivated by him–this strange mix of polished attorney <b>and </b><b>damaged </b>man.
wasn’t aware I’d be having an audience for my medical examination, Chris said, ncing in their direction with a raised eyebrow
“If we’re b
bothering you- Eleanor began.
“Not at all,” Chris interrupted with a calcted smile. “Though I am curious why Jade brought you to watch me get bandaged up. Is this some form of entertainment I wasn’t aware of?”
Jade met his <b>gaze </b>evenly. “Eleanor insisted. She was worried about you.”
<b>12:31 </b>Sat, Sep <b>27 </b>
“I just wanted to <b>make </b>sure you were healing properly,” Eleanor exined, her cheeks reddening further.
Chris’s expression softened slightly. “That’s very thoughtful.”
“I could help with the bandages, Eleanor offered. “I took a first aid coursest year.”
“That’s kind, but unnecessary.” Chris replied smoothly. “The doctor here is quite capable, and these wounds are… rather personal reminders.”
Eleanor nodded, disappointment flickering across her face.
The doctor finished applying the fresh bandages and packed his supplies. Same time tomorrow, Mr.
Jensen?”
“Yes, thank you,” Chris confirmed, already rolling down his sleeves to cover the evidence of his ordeal.
After the doctor left, Chris excused himself to take a call, leaving Eleanor and Jade alone in his bedroom.
“Jade,” Eleanor <b>began </b>hesitantly once they were alone, “can I ask you something personal?”
Jade gave <b>her </b>a nomittal shrug.
“How do you <b>and </b>Mr. Haxton… interact?” Her fingers nervously pleated the fabric of her skirt. “I mean, he seems even more reserved than Chris. Is Mr. Haxton the one who initiates things between you two?”
Jade suppressed a smile, thinking about Ethan’s persistent <b>pursuit</b>. “Very much so.”
“And… has it worked?” Eleanor leaned forward eagerly. “His approach?
“You could <b>say </b>that.” Jade thought about Ethan’s fierce protectiveness, his quiet support, the way her. “Effort usually gets rewarded<b>.</b><b>” </b>
“I won’t give up,” Eleanor dered with surprising firmness.
y he’d moved mountains just to be near
Liana’s been refusing food <b>and </b>water for two days now. Passed out this morning.
The basement had been converted into a secure holding area,plete with reinforced doors and surveince equipment. Lianay strapped to a hospital bed, an IV inserted into her arm. Her <b>face </b>was pale, cheekbones more prominent than he remembered.