The bathroom lights cast a soft glow over the room as steam rose from the bathtub. Louis knelt by the tub, his hands trembling as he gently lowered Daisy into the warm water. She was barely coherent, her head lolling against his chest as he whispered soothing words she likely couldn’t hear.
“Daisy, I’m here. Stay with me,” Louis murmured, his voice laced with desperation.
Her body was limp, her skin pale and damp with sweat. The drug was still in her system, and he felt utterly helpless. Every instinct screamed at him to fix this, to take away her pain, but all he could do was hold her in the water and hope it would help her flush out the poison.
“You’re going to be okay,” he repeated, brushing wet strands of hair from her face. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”
For the first time in years, Louis felt powerless. His world had always been under his control, yet here he was, unable to protect the woman he loved from the cruelty of others.
Daisy stirred faintly, her lips parting to form soft, broken words. “Louis… don’t… leave…”
His heart clenched. “I’m not going anywhere,” he promised.
She whimpered softly, and he leaned closer, pressing his forehead to hers. “You’re stronger than this, Firefly,” he whispered, using the name he hadn’t called her in years. “You’re stronger than anything they throw at you.”
Once Daisy’s breathing had steadied, and her body no longer burned with fever, Louis lifted her out of the tub. He wrapped her in a thick, plush towel, holding her close as though he could shield her from the world.
She was more alert now, her eyes fluttering open to meet his. “Louis…” she croaked.
“Don’t talk,” he said softly. “You need to rest.”
Her gaze softened, a faint smile tugging at her lips despite the ordeal. “You’re always bossing me around.”
Louis couldn’t help but chuckle, relief flooding him at the sound of her teasing. “Someone has to. You’re stubborn.”
He carried her to the bed, gently laying her down before sitting beside her. His fingers brushed against her cheek, lingering as though afraid she might disappear.
“You scared me,” he admitted quietly.
Daisy reached up, her hand resting on his. “I’m sorry,” she whispered.
“It’s not your fault.” His voice hardened, a dark promise in his tone. “Whoever did this to you will pay.”
As the night deepened, Daisy drifted off to sleep. Louis stayed by her side, watching her chest rise and fall with each breath. The image of her, so vulnerable and fragile, was seared into his mind.
He reached for his phone, sending a quick message to his team to investigate every guest, every employee, anyone who had been at the party. He needed answers, and he needed them fast.
His thoughts wandered back to the past few months. Daisy had changed so much, grown into someone more mature, more guarded. She carried secrets, he could tell, but she wouldn’t share them with him.
Tonight, however, had shattered his resolve to wait. He couldn’t stand idly by while she faced threats he didn’t understand. He needed to know the truth, no matter what it cost.
When Daisy woke the next morning, the first thing she saw was Louis. He sat in a chair by the window, his shirt rumpled, his hair disheveled, and his eyes shadowed with exhaustion.
“You didn’t sleep,” she said, her voice hoarse.
He turned to her, his expression softening. “Neither did you.”
A small smile tugged at her lips. “Fair point.”
Louis stood, walking over to the bed and sitting on the edge. “How are you feeling?”
“Better,” she admitted, though her body still ached, and her mind was clouded with fragments of the night before.
“You need to eat,” he said, already reaching for the tray of food a staff member had brought in earlier.
Daisy watched him, her heart swelling at the care he showed her. “Thank you,” she said softly.
He paused, looking at her. “For what?”
“For everything,” she replied. “For saving me, for staying with me, for always being there.”
Louis reached out, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “I’ll always be there, Daisy. Always.”
Meanwhile, in the shadows of the city, Natalie was dealing with her own consequences. The henchman she had entrusted with the task had failed miserably, and the Mafia boss was furious.
“This wasn’t the plan,” the boss growled, pacing the room.
“It wasn’t my fault!” Natalie protested. “I didn’t know Grant would show up and play hero.”
The boss slammed a fist onto the table, making her flinch. “Your recklessness is jeopardizing everything. You think we exist to clean up your messes?”
Natalie’s jaw tightened, but she bit back her retort. She couldn’t afford to alienate the Mafia. Not yet. “I’ll fix it,” she said through gritted teeth.
“You’d better,” the boss warned. “One more mistake, and you’ll pay the price.”
Back at the hotel, Louis escorted Daisy to the car that would take them home. As the vehicle pulled away, she leaned against his shoulder, her exhaustion catching up with her.
Louis wrapped an arm around her, holding her close. His mind raced with thoughts of how to protect her better, how to ensure she would never face danger again.
“Move in with me,” he said suddenly.
Daisy blinked, lifting her head to look at him. “What?”
“Move in with me,” he repeated, his tone firm. “I can keep you safe, Daisy. You’ll never have to face anything alone.”
She hesitated, her heart aching at the sincerity in his voice. “Louis, I… I can’t.”
“Why not?”
She sighed, looking away. “I just can’t. Not yet.”
Louis didn’t push further, though the disappointment in his eyes was clear. “Fine,” he said quietly. “But promise me you’ll let me protect you.”
Daisy nodded, resting her head against his shoulder once more. “I promise.”
As they drove away from the hotel, both of them knew the battle was far from over. But for now, they had each other, and that was enough.