She jumped up from the stone bench and her husband yanked her by her arm,  pulling her close to him. She stumbled, not quite falling. Nick took a step forward. She held her hand up to signal Nick not to do anything, and he obeyed. “It’s time to give my annual speech. You're introducing me. They've been looking for you.” He reminded her. He was talking to her like she was a child. “I’m so sorry.” She apologized. “I know your sorry, now apologize.” He barked. Nick was appalled once more at the way Mr.King spoke to Elayna.  She looked made sure her expression held no emotion. It was all in her hazel eyes. The anger. The fear. The submission. She looked down then. 

Elayna felt refreshed and more like she had a better grip on things tonight than any other night since she had arrived back to her “normal” life. Though nothing was normal. She barely saw her husband after entertaining hundreds of people, and when she did he hurt her mercilessly. Her daily schedule was beginning to fill up as well, and it made the days go by.  Last night had been her first real sleep back home, and she knew it was thanks to Nick. He had fulfilled her in a way she could only dream about sexually and emotionally last night. He seemed to understand her on a deeper, more intimate level and she was frightened by the transparency and vulnerability she felt when he made love to her. She wanted to protect him and that blissful feeling. The only way to do that would be to sever the tie with him. She had to end it before this flame scorched them b

He walked over to her then and assessed her damage she was bleeding badly. He needed to apply pressure and  stabilize it. “We have to get you to the hospital.” Elayna said. Nick picked the woman up then. She tried to protest but he wouldn't hear of it. She weighed a little more than Elayna.  They walked out of the back and into a lit alley. There he saw a limo waiting.  “That is Carlos. One of our drivers.”She coughed. Nick let out a high pitched whistle to get his attention. It worked. Carlos turned and looked in their direction. He  recognized her, even in Nick’s arms and ran over to them immediately. 

It was past midnight when he returned back to the room. He thought he would find Elayna asleep but she wasn’t. She was sitting in the middle of the large king sized bed watching the news. He heard a reporter talking about the shooting and how the Mayor's wife was in critical condition. She looked so vulnerable to him in the large bed. She looked in his direction then turned the television off. “You’re back!” She got off of the bed, stood up, and walked over to him. She hugged him tight. He inhaled her scent then. She smelled fresh like soap. He found himself enjoying her affection.  She looked up of him them. “Are you alright? Is everything o.k?” He wanted to tell her ‘yes’ everything was alright, but he knew she d

Bradley wasn’t finished with Elayna until dawn. She had just fallen asleep when Rosa walked into Bradley’s bedroom with a silver breakfast tray. She placed it on Bradley’s empty side of the bed. Then went to the task of opening the curtains. The bright sunlight invaded the space, and Elayna awoke to the light. For a split second she forgot where she was, then her mind adjusted and she knew she was back in hell. She was home.  “Good morning, Mrs. King. Breakfast.” Rosa said as she sat the tray down in front of her. “Thank you.” She said as she sat up and carefully slid the tray in her direction as Rosa quickly left the room. She took the top off of her plate. It was full of fresh fruit and a couple of strips of bacon. She was reminded of Nick waking her up every