Don't kill me after reading this. That's my only comment.

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Chapter 22

I smoothed my skirt and jacket before looking back to the car. It had taken some persuading on Ian’s part, but I had ended up letting him drop me. He put down the window and gave me a serious expression. “I’ll pick you up in this exact spot, Lana.” His voice was still stuffy as his cold was at its worst. He sneezed into a tissue and I gave him a soft look.

“Bless you. And, Eleven o’clock.” I assured him with a nod, before giving him a short wave and heading into the café. I spotted Logan instantly and he smiled over at me which I didn’t return. “So what’s on the agenda for tonight?” I asked, flatly.

“Oh, come now love. Let’s act at least a little excited.” He smiled and gestured for me to sit.

“I still don’t understand why you’re having me do this.” I grumbled and his only response was an eerie smile. The waitress came over with a bright smile and greeted us.

“Hello, I’m Lacey. How are you both tonight? What can I get you to drink?” She asked and I smiled at the fact that she didn’t see the need to let us answer how we were doing.

“Just black coffee for me. She’ll have a cappuccino with a shot of espresso and whipped cream.” Logan answered and Lacey smiled as she wrote it down.

“I’ll be back right away with those.” She left and I cocked an eyebrow at Logan.

“What?” he asked.

“You didn’t have to do that. It’s not like you’re going to win any brownie points with me by remembering my coffee order.”

“I think you were just a little impressed by it.” He said smoothly and I rolled my eyes, staring down and running my fingers on the imperfections in the table.

“Excuse me.” I said, going to the bathroom. After washing my hands, I stared at my reflection for a moment. I could see the nervousness in my eyes. Why was I nervous? I hated this guy, didn’t I? I headed back out to Logan. Our coffee was already set on the table and Logan was gazing out the window. Lacey saw me sitting back down and headed back to our table.

“Is there anything else you would like?” Lacey asked and I looked up and smiled.

“Can I have two slices of apple pie?” I asked, without glancing at Logan.

“Absolutely.”

“With whipped cream and vanilla ice cream on the side please.” I added, with a big smile. The waitress returned it and nodded, jotting it down.

“Anything for you sir?”

“No, I think she’s eating enough for both of us.” He commented and I felt my smile fade and Lacey’s face betrayed her shock before she nodded and left without another word.

“So, you’re still an asshole.” I said nonchalantly and he chuckled.

“And you’re still a smart mouth.” He returned. “Still a firecracker. I missed you, you know.”

“Then you’re an idiot for breaking up with me.” I snapped and sipped my cappuccino.

“You were going to break up with me anyway. I just sped up the process.”

“Don’t blame this on me. You were a controlling ass. No one would blame me for not wanting to stay with you.” I hissed and he cleared his throat as my pie was set on the table.

“Are you really going to eat all that?” Logan asked and I glared daggers at him.

“You have a problem with that? If I wasn’t allowed to order whatever I wanted this wouldn’t be a very good date, now would it?” He didn’t answer and I felt a sense of victory, at least for the moment.

We left the café after I finished with my pie and ice cream. We started down the sidewalk, Logan telling me something about the paper he worked for and me not really paying attention. All I could really think about was earlier, when I was getting ready for the date.

“Don’t wear the skirt. Then it looks like you’re trying to look pretty for him.” Ian frowned, wiping his nose on a tissue. His cold had gotten progressively worse as it got later.

“I don’t have to try. I’m already pretty.” I countered from the bathroom, changing into the skirt and top. “Besides, I have to at least look like I’m on a date.” I walked out and looked at myself in the floor-length mirror. Ian was behind me in a second, holding me against him.

“I don’t trust him.” He whispered, resting his head on my shoulder.

“Neither do I. But we don’t have much of a choice.” I grumbled, turning quickly to kiss him before pulling on a jacket and grabbing my purse. He followed me downstairs, and grabbed my hand in his to pull me toward the garage. I frowned at his silver Aston Martin. “That’s so James Bond.” I commented and he chuckled, opening the passenger door for me.

“I’m way smoother than James Bond.” Ian smirked and I shook my head.

“Impossible.” I breathed before sliding inside.

The drive over to the café wasn’t a long one, and we were both relatively silent. I could feel the tension from our nerves overtaking the atmosphere. At a stoplight, Ian looked over at me. He looked so sick, and I felt guilty.

“I wish I could stay home and take care of you.” I whispered and he smiled.

“You can take care of me later. I’ll make sure you do. You have to tuck me in, read me a bedtime story, kiss me goodnight…” I slapped his arm playfully.

“You’re such a child.” He stuck his tongue out at me and I returned it. I guess I could be just as childish sometimes.

“Are you even listening to me?” Logan interrupted my thoughts and I cleared my throat.

“I’m sorry, I zoned out.” I shook my head, feeling lethargic. My limbs felt like gelatin and I felt my eyelids drooping.

“Still doing that, hm? Thought you would’ve grown out of that when you entered politics.” Logan muttered, looking around at the shops we passed.

“I pay attention when I have to. Most guys don’t mind when I zone out. They say it’s cute.” I argued and walked on, as difficult as that seemed now. My face felt hot and I tried to shake away the drowsiness again.

“It’s not cute, it’s annoying.” Logan hissed and grabbed me by the wrist. He pulled me into an alleyway and shoved me against the wall. “Why? Does your boyfriend tell you you’re cute when you space out?”

“Get off me, Logan.” I hissed. I felt his hands run down my front and I shook him off about to let out a scream, but my legs felt like gelatin and I could barely stand. I felt myself slipping down the wall and Logan was smirking evilly at me.

“It’s amazing, the medications they give you for insomnia. Triazolam is a wonder, Lana. What do you think of it? Is it working?” He whispered in my ear and I felt myself start to shake in fear, but I passed out before I could think any further.

I woke up in the alleyway, alone. I felt cold, dizzy, disoriented…so many different things. The worst was the soreness I felt…I couldn’t even cry at first. I was too out of it for my mind to process everything quickly enough. I tried to pick myself up and failed, falling back against the wall and slipping down to the ground. The world was still spinning from whatever it was he had given me. So many things were going through my mind at the moment. It was hard to think. How was I going to get home? I couldn’t face Ian right now. I felt so…dirty. That wasn’t even a right-enough word.

I pulled out my phone and dialed. The ringing seemed distant in my ear and when she picked up, I could barely speak. “Lana?” I didn’t reply. “Lana? What’s wrong?”

“Please come get me. Don’t tell Ian.” I mumbled into the phone.

“Where are you?” She asked and I let out a weak sob.

“I don’t know.” I answered back quietly, looking around. “I think I’m by Kim’s café…somewhere there. Please, come get me.” I begged. “Don’t tell Ian.” I reiterated and I heard a car starting. I guess she hadn’t been waiting to tell anyone. She was already on her way.

“Thank you.” I mumbled before letting the phone drop from my ear.

I woke up again when I felt my phone buzzing. I was in and out of consciousness, and it was hard to stay awake. “Lana, I’m by the café, where are you?”

“Down the street…some alleyway…I think.” I whispered. She stayed on the line and it wasn’t long before I heard running footsteps coming in my direction.

“Oh, Lana. Oh my god.” I looked up and saw Christine’s beautiful golden hair falling around me as she tried to pick me up. She was crying, I don’t know why I wasn’t. “Lana, what happened? Can you not stand up?” I shook my head and she braced my weight against her.

It must have been late, because not many people were out on the street as we shuffled to Christine’s car. She gently rested me in the backseat and started driving, but we were driving longer than I thought it took to get back to the palace.

“Where are we going?” I asked, my voice rough.

“The hospital, where do you think?” She answered. Her voice was shaky, and I felt a sudden panic come upon me.

“No, no I don’t want to go there.”

“Are you kidding me?” Christine snapped. “You were obviously drugged and raped. I’m sorry to be so straight with you right now, because I’m sure you’re in a state, but I’m not letting you talk me out of taking you to the hospital.” She rounded a corner fast and opened her door. The bright and flashing lights told me we were at the emergency pull up at the hospital. I heard someone gasp at seeing the princess here. “My friend’s just been drugged and raped. I suggest you help me right now or so help me god it will not be pretty.” She demanded. I heard mumbling and passed out again quickly.

When I woke, it was dark. I looked around and heard a beeping noise that was only familiar to me from movies. Why was I hooked up to a heart monitor? Was it really that serious? I felt sick to my stomach suddenly and leaned over. I was happy to see a bedpan, and vomited into it until dry heaves wracked my body.

“You’re awake. Good. You had us scared.” I looked up to see a nurse. She quickly cleaned me up and took the bedpan from me.

“What…why…” I couldn’t form my question. I was still too dizzy.

“I’ll let the doctor explain everything. I just came to check up on you. Everyone will be glad to know you’re awake.” I was still so confused, and felt so sick.

The doctor came in a moment later joined by the same nurse and they started taking vitals. “All right Miss Reed, I’m going to ask you a few questions. Is that okay?” I nodded and he took out a clipboard. The questions were random, I suppose he was checking my mental state. But then he asked me, “Were you raped last night, Miss Reed?”

I was tightlipped at first. Not because I wanted to keep it a secret, but because it wasn’t easy to say. I nodded and he wrote down something on his clipboard. “Can you tell me the name of who raped you, Miss Reed?”

I nodded again and he waited for me to answer, but I couldn’t. It was hard to say his name after what he’d done to me. It wasn’t even that I could remember what he’d done to me, it was that I had no idea, and I’d just woken up afterwards.

“I was unconscious.” I said quietly.

“We know. We found traces of triazolam in your bloodstream. It took a while for us to figure out exactly what it was. He gave you too much so we tried a blood transfusion because it was too late to pump your stomach or induce vomiting.”

“That explains the heart monitor.” I mumbled and he nodded.

“We needed to monitor your condition. Just to be sure. Now, can you tell us who it was that did this to you, Lana?”

“Logan Howard.” I answered in a small voice. I was still shaking and I tried to push the image of his evil smile out of my head, but it was too late. My heart was racing now and I felt sick.

“Panic attack.” The nurse suggested and the doctor nodded. He grabbed my shoulders and forced me to look in his eyes.

“Lana, look at me, it’s all right. He’s not here, you’re safe. You’re all right with us. Slow, deep breaths…” He soothed and I felt myself slowly starting to calm. “Do you want me to send your family in?”

“My family?” I asked, confused.

“I’ll go get them.” The nurse said, leaving the room.

I was glad I had a large private room, otherwise everyone wouldn’t have fit. I supposed they usually didn’t let this many people in to visit, but who would say no to the royal family? Walking into the room a moment later was Cassie, Henry, Christine, Chad, Aunt Patty, my mother, and last, but not least, Ian. The expression on his face was the worst. I could already tell he was blaming himself. But it wasn’t his fault. It was mine.

“Oh ma fifille!” My mother cried, throwing herself over me. “We will get zat stupid boy, I promise you.” She pushed my hair from my face, tears running down her cheeks.

“We will get him.” Henry assured me and I didn’t say anything.

“Why hasn’t anyone gotten him yet?” My mother asked and everyone looked uncomfortable.

“Well, you see, nobody can find him.” Cassie explained and I gulped. I hadn’t thought much of Logan, and thought that he was an asshole yes. However, I would have never guessed he was truly this evil. I still had a hard time believing he had done this. I hadn’t thought he had it in him.

“After going over Logan’s profile with his doctor, it’s no wonder this happened. He’s been unstable for a little under a year now according to his psychiatrist.” The doctor explained and I gave him a shocked look.

“What? Unstable?” I asked and he nodded solemnly.

“That’s probably why he had the triazolam. It was prescribed to him for his insomnia which they assumed was the main cause for a lot of his problems. Lack of sleep can make you go crazy.” He continued. “I guess there was more to it though. His psychiatrist believes it may have been deeper, maybe bi-polar disorder or schizophrenia. However, Logan stopped showing up for treatment months ago.”

This was more than I could take right now. I let out a ragged breath. “I don’t want to talk about this right now.” I mumbled, my voice weak.

“Right. If you all need anything, just let me know. She seems to be doing a lot better now.” He assured everyone before leaving the room.

“We probably shouldn’t be crowding her right now anyway.” Cassie said. “Lana, before we go, I want to tell you something. I’m sending you away. No, wait, I said that wrong…” She quickly covered, seeing my horrified expression. “I’m sending you, Ian, Chad, and Christine to one of our estates in the country. I don’t want you here while that psycho’s on the loose. It’s too dangerous. I think a little time away would be good for all of you anyway. You can reconnect, and the little town out there is very nice and it’s a calming atmosphere. You’ll be going once you get discharged from here, okay?”

After everything that I had just found out, getting away from here seemed like a good idea. Besides, could I really say no? I was just as terrified, if not more, of Logan on the loose in the city. I nodded and she smiled.

“We’ll come back to visit you a little later.” She leaned down, and kissed my forehead. My mother and Aunt Patty did the same. Christine looked so torn, and that she didn’t want to leave. She took my hand and I squeezed it back. I don’t know what I would have done without her.

“Thank you.” I whispered and she nodded before squeezing me into a tight hug. Chad also hugged me before following Christine out the door.

“Are you coming, Ian?” Chad asked and Ian shook his head. Ian pulled up a chair next to my bed and sat, staring at the heart monitor.

“Ian…” I started and he held up a hand, before taking mine and holding it to his chest. He was concentrating on breathing slowly and I watched him carefully for a moment before he brought his eyes to mine. They were red as tears trailed down his face and I felt as if my heart broke into two.

“I was so afraid I’d lost you.” His voice was barely a whisper and I didn’t know what to say. “I’m so sorry Lana. I wasn’t there to protect you. When the doctor said that you were responding badly to a drug overdose I thought my heart had stopped. I don’t know what I’d do if I lost you Lana. This is all my fault. I shouldn’t have let you go. I should’ve protected you better.” His head fell on the bed beside me and I rested my hand on his head, pushing my fingers through his hair.

“I’m okay…” I said softly and he shook his head, looking back up to me.

“Don’t lie to me. I can see it in your face, Lana. You’re not okay.” I didn’t answer and he nodded.

“It’s not your fault Ian.” I started. “You tried to stop me, and I didn’t listen.”

“I should’ve tried harder.”

“Let’s not play this, my fault your fault game. It doesn’t matter. It happened. That’s what matters.” I snapped. I was so angry, and embarrassed, and disgusted. He nodded and just took my hand in his, soothingly rubbing his finger on my wrist. I fell asleep again, hoping to god that this was all just a terrible nightmare.

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