“Hello, Edward.” She paused and blanched. “Oh, God. I’m in Essex but I’ll return now. Don’t worry. Call everyone and set a meeting.” She entered her room and started packing in a hurry. “As soon as I’m in a taxi, I’ll call you back.” She smiled as she closed her carry-on. “Thanks, Edward. You’re the best.”
Sophia entered the library where everyone had gathered, her overcoat on her shoulders. With Gabriela holding her hand, she approached Leonard and Alice.
“I’m so sorry, but I have to go back to London. There’s an emergency. You understand, I’m sure. Clients come first.”
“Of course, my dear.” Leonard and Alice rose from their seats.
“Promise me you’ll come back soon, Sophia. Ariadne and Gabriela are the best of friends now.” Alice smiled. “She’ll be disappointed.”
“I promise, Alice. Thank you for your hospitality.” She smiled back. “Next time your husband says I’m the one keeping him out of your bed, don’t believe it. He’s too good of a lawyer to be disturbed by my beginner’s tactics.”
“Beginner’s tactics?” Leonard laughed. “I want to avoid you when you become experienced then.”
“Gabriela, love, why don’t you go kiss everyone good-bye and wait for me in the hall while I say my farewells?” She pressed her lips tightly and waited for Gabriela to exit the room.
She felt Alistair’s green gaze searching her face as he lightly put a hand on her shoulder and kissed her cheeks. “It was a pleasure seeing you again,” he murmured.
She returned the smile with ease. “Likewise,” she breathed.
Ethan stood by the mantel, transfixed, watching the love of his life slip through his fingers. No! I won’t allow it.
She approached him, a tight smile on her lips. “Why don’t you call me on Tuesday? I’m working straight through until then.” She stood on her tiptoes to kiss him on the lips, a hand on his chest.
He whispered, his breath fanning across her cheek. “Make a polite excuse and I’ll forget your fit of rage.” His azure eyes were blistering.
“I didn’t lie. I really must return to London,” she answered in the same way.
“Don’t you dare walk through that door,” he pretended to kiss her and gripped her arm to keep her next to him.
“I really have to go,” she excused herself, kissing him lightly on the cheek, trying to disengage her arm.
“Don’t. You’ll regret it,” he said in a murmur.
“Will I?” she smiled darkly at him. “Watch me.” Tapping two fingers at the side of her forehead in a salute, she turned.
He closed his fingers vigorously and yanked her to him.
She lost her balance and shoved at his chest.
He released her.
Sophia fell sideways and hit her head on the marble mantel with a loud crack.
Blood cascaded down her face as a gash opened over her eyebrow and her vision went black.
She fell backward, but someone stopped her fall.
Strong arms and a firm chest provided her with a safe haven before she plunged into a complete darkness, without uttering a sound.
All hell broke loose in the room.
Alistair, who had run to catch Sophia, now maneuvered her in his arms and placed her down on the sofa, sitting down by her waist. Anger surged hotly through him. He wanted to kill Ethan.
With my bare hands.
John jumped from his place, kneeling by Sophia’s head. “Ice, please, Alice. And clean cloths.” He pulled out his handkerchief and put it on the gash on Sophia’s brow, to stop the flow of blood.
“Jesus! How could this happen?” Ethan immediately moved to Sophia’s side and attempted to shoo away Alistair. What have I done?
“I’ve got her, Ashford,” Alistair stated his claim but Ethan hovered nearby. He drew in several steadying breaths, trying to calm the adrenaline that buzzed through his veins. It’s not the time to punch Ashford, Alistair Connor. Focus on Sophia.
“Someone has to see to Gabriela,” Leonard said, looking around for his sister. “Domitila, find her and leave her with Mother and the children. Don’t forget to pay and dismiss the taxi.”
Alice came rushing back into the room. “Here, John. Is she still out?”
“Yes.” John assessed the wound. “She will need stitches. Quite a few.” He gave Leonard a worried look.
“Can you perform them?” Alice’s face twisted with concern. “We have a complete first-aid kit here.”
“I’ll need the kit.” John changed his soaked handkerchief for a thin cloth and put some ice on the towel Alice gave him, gently pressing it over Sophia’s face to soothe the swelling on her forehead and cheek. “Honestly, I would prefer a plastic surgeon does it. She’s too beautiful to have a scar on her face. Also, it is advisable to get an X-ray and an MRI done. She hit the mantel hard and has been out for too long. We have to take her to a hospital.”
“No,” came a faint sound from the woman lying down on the sofa. “No hospital.”
“You need stitches, Sophia.” As always, John looked calm and collected, but deep inside his eyes shimmered an anger Sophia had never seen before.
“Oh, baby, I’m so sorry.” Ethan threw himself over John. He braced his left arm on the back of the sofa and caressed her cheek with his right hand. “I’ll take her to the hospital straight away, Walter. Which one do you recommend?”
“No. I hate hospitals.” She tried to open her eyes, but the towel was blocking them. “I’ve had worse. John can patch up me here, can’t you, John?” She grimaced in pain. “Make room, Ethan. You’re crowding me.”
“Please, Walter, could you call a plastic surgeon?” Ethan said. “The best one.”
“Of course. I’ll call Dr. St. Michael. If he’s not available, there’s Dr. Longman.”
Alistair didn’t budge from his place on the sofa; his big hands resting protectively on Sophia’s hips, the wide expanse of his chest looming over her, as if a bodyguard protecting her. He observed the whole scene with keen interest.
“Gabriela?” she asked, worried.
“Don’t you worry, she’s with Elena, Domitila, and the other children. Do you want me to check on her?” His deep voice soothed her. Unable to stand it a moment longer, Alistair put a hand over hers, clutching it.
She brushed the towel aside and looked at him, bewilderment in her honey eyes. “No, thank you,” she murmured. “They’ll distract her. She didn’t want to go back anyway.”
John looked at Ethan. “Ethan, can you please hold this for me? Apply pressure.” He rose from his kneeling position on the floor. “I’ll see if one of my colleagues can attend to you at the nearest hospital, Sophia.”
“I’ll take her anywhere he deems fit, Walter.”
No hospital. No hospital. My mind can’t cope with hospitals. “No.” Her hand gripped Alistair’s and squeezed it nervously. “I’m not going to any hospital.” She took the towel from Ethan’s hand. “John can do it.” She looked at John, her eyes begging.
“I don’t have my instruments here and, seriously, Sophia, I’d prefer if you did this with a plastic surgeon, in a hospital; then you can have the necessary tests.”
“Leave this to me, Walter. Please, call the doctor. And I’ll take her to the hospital. It doesn’t matter the cost.” To Sophia, he ordered, “Don’t behave like a child, Sophia. Here, let me hold this.” He took the towel from her hand and pressed it on her forehead. “Walter is a great doctor, but this is not his specialty. I don’t want you to have another scar. The sickening one your husband gave you is more than enough.”
What? Sophia was astonished by a heartbeat before her anger boiled and spilled.