The Auction House Deal: Bought by A Billionaire

Chapter 162: Doubling Down: Hannah

"Do you see that car?" I asked Nick.

I peered up at him and he made a quick glance over to the car. "What about it?"

"Have you not noticed it around the building since we started here?" I asked him.

He shrugged and made a face that I didn’t know how to describe, but it pissed me off. It was like he was dismissing my question before even fully considering it.

"I don’t know. Maybe? They probably just work somewhere nearby."

"Isn’t it your job to be observant?" I snapped at him.

At that point, I knew that I couldn’t trust his opinion of the situation. I was tired of feeling paranoid, and my bodyguard couldn’t even help calm my nerves. At that point, I was going to trust my gut.

Pulling out my cellphone, I called Roman. He picked up almost immediately. "Is everything okay?"

"I don’t know," I answered honestly. "There’s this black car that’s been around the building and something about it just doesn’t feel right. They are back again today."

"I’ll be right there. I’m calling the police. Stick with Nick," Roman instructed before hanging up.

I looked up to the bodyguard, and he looked annoyed by it all. I wanted to slap that look off his face, it was annoying me so bad. How could he be giving me so much attitude? Wasn’t it his job to look into anything suspicious? I held in my frustration, not wanting to explode at him. If Roman found issue with his behavior as well, then we would do something about it.

Emotions were running high, and I didn’t want to take it out on him. Not without sure cause.

Much to my dismay, the car took off. I internally screamed and tried to take note of what direction the car went. Once it turned around the corner, it was out of sight, and there was no telling where they were going.

And of course, just moments later, the cops were pulling up. I felt ready to cry, my hands trembling.

Thankfully, Roman pulled up too and hurried to my side. I leaned into him and did my best to take deep breaths so I didn’t pass out. The cops ask for my statement and I gave it to them, explaining I had been seeing the car around, but hadn’t been able to get a good enough look to notice the license plate until that morning. They asked what way the car headed in and I told them. They hopped in their car and hurried off in the direction.

Roman asked me what was going on, but I shook my head. If I talked right then, I knew I was going to cry.

My nerves were raw. I was placed right back in the place I had been months ago, when every move had to be accounted for or else I risked being kidnapped, raped, and sold off as a sex slave.

He sighed and looked to Nick. "What is going on?"

"I think she’s just anxious," I heard him reply, his tone tender and sad. "She’s been a bit jumpy, but I haven’t noticed anything out of the ordinary. I’m fairly certain that car works in the building across the street. I see them coming and going all the time. I don’t blame her, though. You guys have been through a lot."

"That we have," Roman sighed.

There was a nonverbal exchange, and I heard Nick walk off a bit.

Roman held me out and looked me in the eye. "I have some things to wrap up at work, okay? Stay with Nick, and I’ll be here at four just like we planned."

I felt a bit gutted, but I nodded. If Roman didn’t see a cause for concern, then I knew that I was just being dramatic.

Maybe I was just anxious. I didn’t even have to question it, really. I knew if Roman was worried, he wouldn’t have gotten back to work like that. We hugged and kissed goodbye. It felt weird for him to leave while I was still so upset, but I knew he was busy.

Life couldn’t stop just because I was anxious.

With shaking hands, I headed back inside and made way to the office. I was in no position to interview someone right then, and I knew if they came, it would turn into an impromptu therapy session. I wasn’t in the mood to unload onto a stranger. I sent the applicant a text, apologizing but we would have to reschedule due to an emergency. I hit send and then tucked my phone away.

I had probably just ruined someone’s day because I was anxious. It wasn’t an emergency, I was just being dramatic, wasn’t I? My head was just spinning, and I couldn’t hold back the tears anymore.

I let myself have a good cry, but the thing was, the crying wouldn’t stop. Panic and anxiety were mounting in my chest to new heights.

All of the feelings I had been holding in since the end of the FBI investigation. All of the constant fear and anxiety. I had never left that state of living in danger. The danger was still living on, in my head.

I tried to tell myself it wasn’t the case, that the morning with the counselors had just gotten me in an emotional headspace, but I knew that wasn’t true. I had been feeling like this for a while.

I had to talk to someone. If I sat in there on my own, I would just cry until Roman came back over.

Without knowing who else to call on, I pulled out my phone and told Lori I needed her. I kept it brief, knowing she would know something was up. She almost immediately sent back that she was on her way.

I let myself cry a little more, thinking, if I let it out, I would reach the bottom of the anxiety and I would feel better. But it was bottomless. I cried for what felt like far too long.

I worried that Armando or one of his guys would walk in and find me like that. I didn’t want that to happen. I would be mortified.

Thankfully, when I heard footsteps, they were very clearly the determined, high-heeled strut of Lori.

She walked into the office. I glanced up and locked gazes with her through my puffy, red eyes.

In a flash, she was by my side and putting her arms around me. "Tell me what happened," she whispered.

We moved over to the small couch in the office and I cried for a while longer. Once I managed to compose myself, I explained everything to her. The scuba diver, the suspicion of Nick, the car, and how it felt as though no one believed me. That I felt as though I was losing my mind. I rambled on and on, letting in every little thought that I had been holding to myself. That I thought it would get better, but it was only getting worse.

"I have so much going for me," I cried. "My marriage is happy; I finally found a purpose and it’s going so smoothly. I’m getting in my own way. I can’t just calm down and enjoy things. Everything terrifies me and I’m sick of it. I’m questioning my own sanity at the time I’m meant to be the happiest. It doesn’t make any sense, Lori. Why can’t I just let myself be happy?"

She cradled my face and got me to look her in the eye. "You can’t be happy if you are suffering in silence, Hannah. It doesn’t matter if no one else sees the suspicious things. If it’s real to you, then it’s a problem. If Roman and Nick are both saying they don’t see concern, then that just means you’re still battling that trauma. You gotta let yourself get help."

"I don’t need help," I stubborn said, waving away the suggestion. "I didn’t have it bad like Kristen. I’m not still in it like the rest of the girls. I didn’t get sold off to some horrible man. I have Roman. I’m lucky."

"Just because you managed to marry Roman and are happy within your marriage," Lori started softly, "And just because you didn’t have it as bad as the others, doesn’t mean your pain isn’t valid. You went through something so traumatic. I’m honestly surprised you held it together this long," Lori stated softly. "Don’t deny your own pain, Hannah. It’s only going to make it worse."

My lip quivered. I knew she was right.

I couldn’t believe it took me that long and three people in the same day telling me the same thing, for it to get through to me. Even if I was lucky considering the situation, it didn’t mean I wasn’t left with wounds that needed mending. I needed help, and I shouldn’t feel shame in that.

I nodded at her and leaned into her, thankful she had come to be with me.