Caged By Him

Chapter 36: Aftermath

Aurora's POV:

I managed to stop myself from crying so I can talk into the phone properly. It rang and rang. I impatiently waited for the call to come through and eventually, it did.

"Hello." My father in law's voice greets as I tighten my hold on the phone and sigh.

"M-Mr Black. It's Aurora." I inform him, my voice cracking much to my attempts to sound neutral.

"Yes, I know. How can I help you, darling?" He asks in his deep voice and I shut my eyes and swallow in disgust.

Darling.

Flashback.

"Resisting and crying will get you nowhere, darling."

"I bet you want your husband to be here so bad, yes?"

"Let's call him, shall we, darling?"

End of Flashback.

"Hello?" Mr Black's voice snaps me out of my disturbing flashback and I shake my head.

"I-I'm here." I reply, taking a brisk inhale of air.

"Aurora, is everything okay?" As soon as he said those words, I broke down. And instead of keeping it together like I had planned, I erupt into cries and put my palm on my face. I feel so weak and helpless.

"Aurora, what's going on?" He interrogates in a low tone and I try to quiet down my cries.

"I-I'm sorry. It's Tristan. H-He was badly hurt." Now sobbing heavily, my voice cracking between sentences and my cheeks flushed.

"WHAT? WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED?" His loud raging voice pierces into my ear, making me shut my eyes in discomfort.

"H-He was shot. I-I'm so sorry." I apologize, fully aware that it's my fault. I don't expect them to forgive me but I hope they find it in their heart to do so. I know they will hate me, they'll probably scold me for it but I won't talk back to them. I deserve every bad thing they'll say to me.

"Where is he?" He growls, anger noticeable in his tone.

"He's downstairs in the medic room." I inform him, wiping my eyes and moving a strand of hair that's stuck to my damp cheek.

"f**k, we're coming as soon as we can." He snaps, his voice dripping with frustration and worry. "Alberto, get the jet rea-" is all I heard before the line disconnected.

I set the phone down and lean my elbows on my knees, burying my face into my hands.

A few hours later.

Tristan's POV:

I open my eyes and they land on the ceiling, the design making it known that I'm at my house. What the f**k even happened?

I remember falling into unconsciousness in my wife's arms but other than that, everything else is a blur.

I attemp to sit up but a loud growl escapes from me as soon as I try. What the f**k? It hurts like a b***h.

"Boss, you're not supposed to move. You're still in critical condition. Your wounds were pretty severe." I slowly turn my head to see Elijah with his hands linked behind his back as he marches towards me. "The bullet hit important arteries so it's crucial that you not move around too much. Don't clench your stomach, don't rotate your shoulder and do not move your arm." He warns me and I lay back on the bed, panting.

Fuck, this s**t hurts.

"Where is she?" I ask, her being the first thing to cross my mind doesn't surprise me.

"Really? That's the first thing you're going to say? No 'Thank you for retracting the bullets and saving my life, Elijah.' Not even 'I'm glad you didn't get your f*****g head blown off, Elijah.'" He snaps, playfully and not seriously.

"Just answer the f*****g question." I order him to which he sighs and steps closer, standing at the edge of the bed.

"She's upstairs in the room."

"Is she okay? Did you check on her?" I ask, the image of her running through my head, feeling the urge to talk to her and touch her.

"f*****g hell, Tristan. She's not the one with three bullet wounds. You motherfucker could've been killed tonight. What the f**k were you thinking?" He scolds me as I continue to stare at the ceiling, not even bothered by his irrational fit.

Truthfully, I wasn't thinking. All I knew at that moment was that my wife's life was on the line, that she was in danger. And I was damned if I let them lay a hand on her. I did what I had to do. I'd rather I get hurt than her.

I know my family's going to be angry at me. Specifically my dad and Elijah. Recklessness was a big mistake and the game and I went ahead and did exactly that. I behaved carelessly but it doesn't even matter.

The important thing is that she's safe. She's in my hold again and no one hurt her. That's all that matters. Let them argue however they went. I always win.

"Shut the f**k up. You're giving me a damn headache. Now answer me, how is she?" I hiss, getting even more annoyed but the second. And the f*****g pain in my body is not helping.

"She's been crying ever since. It's because I wouldn't let her see you." He informs me and I inhale deeply.

"f**k me, Elijah. Why the f**k did you do that?" I sigh out, feeling the pain pulsate all across my upper body.

"So you would be okay if she saw you half dead, all bleeding and s**t while I was operating on you." He asks with a hint of playfulness in his voice. He makes a good point.

"Tell everyone that I'm fine and tell them to go home. I want the house emptied now. I need to be alone with her." I order, sitting up and scrunching my face as I do so.

"Sure, boss. She's in your room, probably sleeping, probably waiting for you to come in."

"Thank you for everything, Elijah. I mean it." I show my appreciation and he nods.

"No problem, Tristan. I'll be leaving now. Call me if there's anything wrong with your wounds. I'll call her here on my way out." He starts walking away but I stop him.

"No need. She's probably asleep so don't wake her. I'll go see her myself." I tell him, pulling the bed sheet away as Elijah crosses his arm over his chest.

"You're not supposed to get out of bed, Tristan." He defensively retorts, knitting his brows together.

"My legs are fine, aren't they? I'm going upstairs with or without your help, Elijah." I assure him amd he just rolls his eyes and rubs on his forehead in frustration. He knows by now that I do what I want.

"f*****g hell, boss. Why do you have to be so stubborn? Can't you see you were shot three times?"

"And I survived, didn't I? I've awaken in the matter of two hours. You don't have to worry about me. I'll f*****g deal with it." I state, hissing in pain as I try to get out of this goddamn bed.

"Try to relax, boss. Only move your legs." He advises as he gets me on my feet. s**t, I've been stabbed, knocked out. Hell, I've even been blew up. But f**k, this f*****g hurts so bad.

He guides me steadily up the stairs as a frown makes its way to my face. I'm so f*****g angry at Petrov. He'll pay for all of it.

He continues to walk me through the corridor and we finally stop in front of my and Aurora's bedroom.

"Good night, boss. I'll make sure to check in tomorrow. Don't wear yourself out. Take rest." Elijah states, pulling away.

"Thank you, Elijah." I grunt. "Remember, you're in charge of everything  now. Make sure everyone knows it." I tell him and he nods.

He starts walking away and goes down the stairs as I steadily push the door open.

I think she's sleeping and I don't want to wake her. She must be pretty tired. I just want to make sure she's at best.

I shut the door closed and as soon as I do, I hear her voice behind me.

"Tristan?" She mumbles and every single muscle in my body relaxes to that soothing soft voice of hers. I turn around to face her, she's not asleep, she's sat on the bed with tears streaming down her beautiful face.

As soon she says that, she pushes herself up and rushes over and throws herself at me.

She's crushing the f**k out of me and I'm not even mad.

"I was so scared." She sobs in my arms, "I-I thought something bad happened to you." She mumbles out, holding on tightly onto me.

"Hey, look at me. I'm not going anywhere." I pull her away and stare down at her as she looks up at me.

"I-I'm so sorry." She apologizes. I have no idea what for but I couldn't give a f**k. I'm too busy taking in her soft touch and her presence. She hugs me again and I place a kiss on her forehead.

"Shhh, it's okay. You're okay." I hush her heavy sobs, stroking her soft hair. Seeing her cry is more painful than the three bullets I just survived. She's done nothing wrong so she should not be feeling bad.

"Let's get you to bed, my angel. " I usher, holding her hand and marching towards the bed, feeling my self worn out.

"W-Wait, you're hurt. Is there something I can get you? P-Please lay down, I'll go ge-" she starts rushing away and I pull her back.

"I'm not hurt. Let's just get to bed." I assure her and she swallows, looking up at me.

Aurora's POV:

"O-Okay." I answer, walking Tristan to the bed where he slumps back and grunts.

I'm so happy he's okay. I'm relieved, content. I feel as if a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders.

I head over to the closet and grab him a pair of comfy grey sweatpants to sleep in.

I then sit beside him and my hands find his belt buckle. I undo his belt and slide it out, placing it on the side. I undo the button and unzip, starting to slide his slacks down his toned legs.

I bring them down to his thighs. His bulge prominent through his boxers, it doesn't go unnoticed. I feel redness creeping into my cheeks and I look up at Tristan who gazes at me with his lustful playful eyes.

This is the wrongest time to think these thoughts.

Shaking my head, I eventually get his pants off and so very slowly and cautiously help him slide on his sweatpants.

"Thank you, baby. Now let's get some sleep, hm?" He says as I bring the sheets over him and make sure his pillow is well adjusted.

"I'll go to the couch." I say, grabbing my pillow and walking towards the sofa in the bedroom.

"And why would you do that, hm?"He asks, his face screwing up in an obvious frown.

"I-I don't want to disturb your wounds." I say and he raises his brow then shakes his head.

"You won't, just come here." I do as told, not wanting to bother him. We both lay under the sheets and he grabs my hand and places it on his chest.

"Tristan, it's going to hurt you. I might ruin your stitches." I whisper. I move around a ot in my sleep. I could do something I'd regret.

"It won't kill me." He hushes out, his voice so husky and low.

"Good night, angel. Sleep well." He hums as I nuzzle closer to him.

But it wasn't a good night. Not by a long shot. And I most definitely did not sleep well. For hours, I kept uncomfortably flopping around the bed, unable to sleep. I had a throbbing headache and I was feeling dizzy for whatever reason. The past events have really taken a toll of me.

I look up at Tristan who's peacefully asleep. It's good that he's asleep, I can't even begin to imagine the pain he's going through right  now.

My eyes take him in. The bandaids he has on his upper body, I feel so bad he got hurt. So guilty that I just want to scream out.

Frustrated, I huff and sit up on the bed quietly. Sleep is nowhere to be found no matter how hard I looked for it.

So I just sit up on the bed, watching my feet dangle from the bed like it's the most interesting thing ever.

"Aurora? What's wrong, my love?" I hear his voice behind me, deep enough to send shivers down my spine.

"I-I can't sleep. I'm sorry I woke you up."  I apologize, sadness clear in my voice as I feel him shift around behind me, letting out a low grunt.

"Hey, look at me." He ushers in a sleepy voice. I turn around and look at him. "Talk to me. Tell me what's wrong."

"I-I'm scared. What if someone gets in?"

"Listen to me, no one can hurt you anymore. Do you hear me?" He starts, looking me straight in the eye.

"I caught the man that tried to f**k with you. And I'll keep doing exactly that as long as I'm around, I'll always make sure you're safe. I promise you that" He assures me, moving his arm and reaching for my face as I nod. "You won't get hurt, my angel. I'll make sure of it."

"Just come closer and and shut your mind off for a bit, yes?" He asks, raising his brows and I nod. "Can you do that for me?" I nod again, bowing my head.

"Hm, good girl." He coos, latching onto my jaw. He grabs onto my hand and pulls me closer and I lay down on the bed, shutting my eyes.

He reassured me and it worked. Because I soon fell into a deep, well deserved slumber.

The next morning:

Even though I slept pretty late, I still woke up early. I have a lot of things to do today.

Yesterday, I realized something. Something my dread and worry prevented me from noticing. Tristan was shot, three times, he must've been in unbareable pain. Yet, when I was starting to get nervous, he calmed me down. I need to do the same for him. Not only because I feel like I owe him but because I want to. He's my husband and I'm going to nurse him back to health. No matter how long it takes.

So as I woke up, I went to take a shower quietly. I dried my hair and put on cleaner clothes before heading back into the room. I shut the blinds off so that Tristan doesn't get awaken by the sunlight.

I walk out of the room and shut the door behind him. I walk downstairs and start tidying up. Going all the way from the livingroom, to the lounge, to the guestroom. I vacuum and clean thoroughly through everywhere.

That's when I got a phone call from the landline downstairs. I pick it up and hold it against my ear.

"Hello?" I talk into the phone, wondering who it could be.

"Good morning, Aurora. This is Elijah." His voice comes through. What is he doing calling so early?

"Oh, good morning. Is everything okay?" I ask, my voice small and low.

"Yes, just checking in. Where's Tristan?" He asks in a blank tone as I gulp. I always get nervous talking to any of these men. They're so intimidating.

"He's still sleeping."

"Good. I want you to listen very carefully, Aurora. Make sure he does not get out of bed. Anything can happen to him since the bullets did a lot of internal damage." He informs me and I vigorously nod at his words. "He's on bed rest for now. And I know he listens to you so make sure he does not do anything."

"Okay. Is there anything I can do? Like to help him?" I question.

"Just change his bandaids and gauze everyday. And make sure he eats healthy." He continues to give me notes which I memorize. "He's going to be in a lot of pain too. I'm in charge and I don't have time so I'll be sending someone with medicine. Pain killers, supplements..."

"Okay, I'll make sure he's better. Thank you." I say with appreciation and I hear him hum through the phone.

"No problem. I'll check in with you later." Were his last words before he hung up.

I place the phone back in its place and head over to the kitchen. I whip out every single thing that I need and start preparing to make a healthy breakfast.

I began by turning on the coffeemaker and pouring the beans in, I headed over and turned the toaster too.

Then I heard a knock on the door.

I rush over to open it and I peer into the c***k-opened door.

"W-What are you doing here?"