The Mafia's Contract

Chapter 14

JOAN'S POV

I woke up to the sound of soft murmuring. Slowly, my eyes fluttered open, adjusting to the morning light coming through the windows. A figure stood by my bedside, and as my vision cleared, I saw that it was a man.

"Good morning, Joan," the man said with a smile. "How are you feeling?"

I tried to sit up, but a wave of dizziness washed over me, and I sank back into the pillows.

"A bit lightheaded," I admitted. "And sore"

"That's to be expected. You went through quite an ordeal. Your body needs time to recover from the shock. I recommend you rest as much as possible for the next few days."

"Are you a doctor?" I asked him.

"Yes, I am. If you don't mind, I'd like to check your vitals"

"Okay"

The doctor used his stethoscope to check my heartbeat. He proceeded to check my pulse and examining the bruises that were on my skin. After a few minutes, he stepped back and gave me a nod of approval.

"You'll be fine with rest and care," he assured me. "I'll check on you again tomorrow. In the meantime, try to take it easy."

"Thank you," I murmured.

As the doctor left, Miss Sullivan entered the room. Her expression was one of concern, but also relief.

"Joan, dear," she said, taking a seat beside my bed. "How are you feeling?"

"A bit better," I replied, managing a weak smile. "Thank you for being here."

"Of course," she said, patting my hand gently. "We were all so worried about you. Sir Derrick especially."

At the mention of Sir Derrick, my heart skipped a beat. Flashes of my memory began to surface—memories of my ride on the horse, the wind whipping through my hair as I got scared for my life, and the feeling of his strong arms around me as we neared the cliff.

"Sir Derrick?" I spoke "What happened? How did I get here?"

"Sir Derrick helped you just in time. He saved you, brought you back here and made sure you received the best care."

As she spoke, more memories began to surface. I remembered the sensation of being held by Sir Derrick, the solid warmth of his body against mine. And then, an image that made my cheeks flush with heat—I recalled a hardness pressed against me, and I couldn't help but wonder if it had been his erection.

I shook my head, trying to clear the thought. It couldn't be. I must be mistaken.

How could he have had an erection in that situation? My mind was playing tricks on me.

"Joan?" Miss Sullivan's voice brought me back to reality. "Are you alright?"

"Yes, just... trying to piece everything together," I said

"It's natural to feel disoriented after such a traumatic experience. But know that you're safe now. Sir Derrick made sure of that."

I felt grateful towards Sir Derrick. He risked his life to save mine and I wondered why. I'd forever be in his debt.

"Can you tell me more about what happened?" I asked

"As soon as I noticed you were in danger, I rushed to Sir Derrick to tell him. I knew he was the only one who could help you. As soon as I told him, he didn't hesitate for a moment. He went outside, mounted his horse and rode out to find you."

As she spoke, I could almost feel the horse beneath me and the way my body was being violently thrown in the air. I remembered how scared I was. Even now, just thinking about it made my heart race with fear.

"He stayed by your side all night," Miss Sullivan continued. "He refused to leave until he was sure you were safe."

"I don't know how to thank him," I whispered.

"He's just glad you're safe," she said with a smile. "We all are."

Miss Sullivan and I spoke for a while. I struggled to keep my eyes open as we spoke. I was exhausted. Miss Sullivan suggested I laid down to rest.

"Get some sleep, Joan," she said softly. "I'll be here if you need anything."

"Thank you," I murmured

As I slept off, I couldn't help but think of Sir Derrick. I remembered the way his body felt against mine, even in a moment of terror. That split moment of our bodies pressed together brought me comfort. I'd do anything to have that feeling with him again.

He had protected me, even while risking his life. I was grateful to him for that. In the quiet moments before sleep claimed me, I wondered if there was more to my feelings for him than just gratitude.

*

That night, I couldn't sleep. My mind filled with so many thoughts and emotions, all centered around Sir Derrick. The memory of his strong arms around me, his presence, and the way he risked everything to save me—all of it played on a loop in my head. I felt flattered, confused, and a little overwhelmed. Why had he risked so much for me?

I tossed and turned in bed. The sheets tangled around me as I struggled to find a comfortable position. The more I tried to push the thoughts away, the more persistent they became. Finally, I gave up on the idea of sleep and decided to get a glass of milk, hoping it would help calm my restless mind.

The house was quiet as I slipped out of bed and made my way to the kitchen. I wrapped my robe tighter around me, feeling a shiver of cold air against my skin.

When I got to the kitchen, I poured myself a glass of milk. I took a sip, trying to let the warm liquid soothe me. After I was done, I set the glass down then decided to take a walk around the house. That way, I could tire myself out enough to finally sleep. I walked down the familiar hallways. I was careful not to lose my way. This house was so huge that someone could actually get lost.

I passed the library. As I approached the stairway, a strange noise caught my attention. It was faint, but there. It was a series of muffled sounds. It came fromthe direction of the off-limits stairway that Sarah and Emily had warned me about.

I was curious. What's down there anyway? I walked towards the stairway and the sounds grew louder. I remembered Emily's warning about this place being off-limits, but my curiosity got the best of me.

Just as I was about to take a step forward, a hand clamped over my mouth, stifling my scream.