Damien took that as his cue and walked out of the room, Tasha still cradled in his arms. He entered the smaller room with three black leather couches lining the walls of the room except for the one with the windows. There was a short coffee table in the middle of the room filled with magazines. A coffee station sat under the shattered windows. He placed her down on one of the couches and headed straight for it. He would have preferred something stronger, but black coffee would have to do. He felt so wound up being in that building. He wouldn’t be able to breathe until they were out. And then what? Would he always be on alert of all the strangers they ran into? Was this the life Elaine has been leaving—well had been, considering his carelessness got Tasha found. But the FBI had been on her tail long before he came into the picture.
He couldn’t believe Vladimir sent one of his goons to the FBI just to eliminate Tasha. What was it that he didn’t know, that Elaine and Mike were keeping secret? And what did Elaine mean by Ellsa’s refusal to go completely dark led to all this? Does this mean Ellsa was like her? A person who could kill without batting an eyelash with a total lack of remorse?
He sighed heavily. It was funny how he’d reverted to calling her Ellsa. That must mean something.
“Damien, what is it? What’s wrong?”
He turned to face her, “Nothing is wrong.”
She shook her head, “Don’t lie to me. You have that pensive look on your face. What’s got you so worried?”
Damien’s brow went up, “And how would you know that? My back was to you.”
She smiled indulgently, “Your reflection on the window. Now spill.”
He sighed, scratching his head and missing his hair. He’d grown accustomed to pulling it when he was frustrated. “I just wish we were still in the cabin, far away from the real world.”
Tasha stood and went to him. Gingerly she wrapped her arms around his waist, “Well, you did say we’ll have to face things sooner or later. It just came sooner than we hoped.”
Damien placed his coffee cup down and hugged her back, “And I’m sorry for that—for this.”
“Hey, it wasn’t your fault and once Elaine clears everything up we’ll be on our way back to our little cabin. Though I think maybe I should start the divorce proceedings while we’re here. Just get it out of the way with everything else and properly begin the rest of our lives.”
He pressed his lips against hers then whispered, “That would be great though not as easy as you make it sound.”
She groaned, her head dropping to his chest, “Don’t burst my bubble okay. I would like to keep thinking of this mountain as an ant hill.”
Damien chuckled, and then turned to the knock on the door. The laugh died in his throat, choking him. Tasha was not prepared for this. He tried to hold her head against his chest, but she’d already turned and his hand landed on her cheek. She went stiff in his arms and he watched her, watching Ellie, who stood frozen at the door, confused at what to do. But the tears in her eyes were unmistakable.
“D-Damien,” Tasha stuttered, her voice breathy and inaudible. “Please tell me I’m seeing my own things? That your crazy cousin wasn’t right?”
Damien tried to turn her head to face him, but she wouldn’t budge so he settled for speaking calmly into her ear. “Tasha, I want you to take deep breaths for me.” He rubbed her back when she didn’t respond. “Come on honey, we don’t want you passing out.”
“Won’t—won’t work.”
Her cheek felt warm and wet. This was not good. “What will work then, tell me,” he demanded desperately.
“Nothi—” she didn’t finish before her body sagged against his and her arms dropped from around him. He caught her, lifting her up in his arms the same moment Ellie reached their side.
“What happened?” she cried.
“Why did you just come in here like that? Why didn’t you call me or send someone to fetch me? She can’t have triggers from her past just popping up, she needs to be prepared for them.”
“Stop screaming at me! I feel bad enough! Dale told me she was here so I came. I assumed she knew everything already.”
Damien walked to the nearest couch and gently placed Tasha down. “Now she won’t know anything.” Oh hell DJ was going to be crushed. “Stay here with her while I get Elaine.”
“Why? I’m her real sister!” she argued angrily, and a little jealous he was sure.
Gently as he could he said, “Not for the past year. And if—when she wakes up call her Tasha not Ellsa. Ellie, this isn’t your sister, not anymore. She’s not the same person you knew. Sure, you’ll recognize a few things about her but she’s not Ellsa. Do you understand?”
Ellie forcefully wiped her cheeks dry and sank to her knees at Tasha’s head, “Just get help.”