Free Need by Sherri Hayes Page A

damage.”
    “Karl?” The look on Cal’s face was enough of an answer. She stood. “I need to get Stephan.” He didn’t respond. “Will you stay with her until we get back?”
    “I’m not leaving her,” he said as though that was a foregone conclusion.
    She gave me one last look and then she was gone. I knew I had to say one more thing to Cal before Stephan got there. “May I . . . ask a . . . favor?”
    “Of course you can, Anna.”
    “Don’t tell . . . anyone . . . about me.” He looked confused. “I don’t . . . want John . . .”
    However, that was all I got out before I saw Stephan rushing toward me. He’d had a very similar reaction to Lily’s, but after a slightly hostile look at Cal, he knelt beside me and hugged me. “Did Karl really do this?”
    I nodded. “Yes.”
    I felt him cringe at hearing my raspy voice. He placed several small kisses on my head before resting his cheek on my temple and turning to face Cal. “I owe you a thank you, Ross.”
    “I didn’t do it for you, Coleman.”
    I felt Stephan nod and then he was helping me to my feet. He held me in front of him and took in all the changes in my appearance. His finger gently touched my neck and I knew he must have been tracing the mark Karl had left.
    Two men from the hotel suddenly appeared behind Stephan, and I took a step closer to him. One of them whispered something in Stephan’s ear, but I didn’t hear. I was too busy trying to make myself invisible. He said something back to the man, and he nodded. They walked away as quickly as they’d arrived. 
    Stephan turned to Lily. “Would you mind retrieving Brianna’s wrap? We’re going home.”
    Suddenly, I felt a hand that wasn’t Stephan’s on mine. I looked over to see Cal. His face was hard. “You live with him , Anna?”
    Stephan’s body was rigid. I felt his hold on me tighten. I felt worn out. I just wanted to go home. “Yes,” I answered him.
    Lily returned with my wrap before anything more could be said. She looked like she wanted to hug me, but since Stephan wouldn’t let go of me she instead said, “I’ll call you tomorrow.” 
    She went back inside the ballroom, but glanced at us once before disappearing inside. Lily was here with Logan. This was his big night. She had to stay.
    Stephan placed the wrap over my shoulders and tucked me under his arm. He surprised me by extending a hand to Cal. “Thank you,” he said simply.
    After only a moment’s hesitation, Cal took the hand that was offered. “You’re welcome.”
    Stephan gave Cal a final nod and guided us toward the elevators. The relief I felt to be going home was almost more overwhelming than those few minutes with Karl. All I wanted to do was curl up in Stephan’s lap. It was where I felt most safe.
    There wasn’t a lot of activity by the elevators, but there were a few other couples waiting with us.
    The elevator dinged, but before the doors opened, I heard someone call Stephan’s name. He turned us toward the sound.
    The person I saw sent me into a panic faster than I had remembered possible.
    I felt Stephan hold me tighter. The man was close enough to touch me! My mind screamed, Yellow! But I couldn’t form the words.
    “Stephan, I’m so glad I caught you.”
    Then it wasn’t yellow anymore. It was red. They knew each other!
    “Hello, Daren.”

 
    Stephan
    Brianna’s leaving my side with Lily, even for a few minutes, increased my anxiety. I knew now that both Daren and Karl were here. Although I didn’t think either would cause her harm, I was still hoping she did not see them without me by her side.
        Logan found me briefly before he was shepherded away, and I was once again left to my own devices. I spent the time scanning the room.
    Daren had been easy to find. He and Gina were standing five tables away talking to another couple. There was no sign of Karl. If he was sitting down, however, I wouldn’t have seen him. Too many people were up milling about now