Chapter 4 - Uncertainty

Tatum's P.O.V.

I can't believe I have my mate in the car with me going to my apartment. I talked to her the entire time I sat with her in the hospital, hoping she could hear me and would get used to my voice. When she woke up and said I made her feel safe, I almost started crying with happiness. After everything she's been through, my presence comforted her. I'm sure it's because of the mate bond, but I find it encouraging and hope that means she'll accept me.

When we pull up to my building she looks out the window with widened eyes. The building is one of the nicest in the city, but just because I'm a billionaire doesn't mean I want the penthouse. I'm just renting a two-bedroom.

"You live here?" Sasha asks, turning to look at me.

"Yeah, in one of the smaller apartments," I don't go around flashing my money, and I don't like to waste it on frivolous things. I prefer to help others with the money I make.

"Mr. Grant." The driver opens my door, and I see Sasha freeze.

"Tatum Grant? You're Tatum Grant?" She's almost whispering.

"Yes." I watch her expression and wonder which way this is going to go. Is she turned off by rich people or a gold digger? Right now, I'm not sure because she's not moving.

"Uh, why don't you just take me home?" She says, sitting back in her seat. I know she has to be in pain, but right now, the hurt in her eyes is from something else.

"Why?" I ask with concern. I pull the car door shut so we can talk privately.

"I'm a woman with two jobs and no money. I live in an apartment about the size of one of your closets. People like you don't socialize with people like me. People in your class step on people like me to get what they want." Sasha looks like she's going to cry, while at the same time, I can tell she's angry. I reach over and take her hand.

"Yes, I have money, but I'm not like that. I spend a lot of money helping others. I would never step on anyone to make myself better. Please come upstairs with me and I'll prove it to you." My heart breaks when she turns toward me with tears running down her face.

"I have nothing. When I say nothing, I mean nothing. I'm one paycheck away from losing my apartment. I've had my electricity turned off more times than I can count because I can't afford to pay the bill. Why would you want to help someone like me? I'm nothing compared to you." She turns away and starts sobbing. I have a feeling there's more behind this story than just me having money. I can't stand seeing her cry, so I carefully lift her off the seat and sit her across my lap. Sasha doesn't try to stop me and lays her head on my shoulder.

"Don't say you're nothing. Sasha, I want to help you because I've felt a connection with you from the minute I found you in the alley. I would have helped anyone I found, but with you, it was different. When the ambulance took you away, I ran to the hospital so I could be with you after talking with the police. I held your hand and talked to you the entire time I was there. Please come upstairs with me. I have some things I want to talk to you about, and I want to make sure you're okay." I know I'm begging, but I can't let her leave. She looks up at me with her big brown eyes.

"Okay. For now." I'm not going to give her time to change her mind, so I open the door and get out of the car with Sasha in my arms. She tries to get down, but I hold her tight.

"You have a concussion. I don't want you to get dizzy, so I'll carry you." I walk to the door, and the doorman opens it, looking at the woman in my arms in surprise.

"Hello, Mr. Grant." I nod and continue through the lobby to the elevators. Sasha feels so light in my arms. She probably hasn't been eating right.

"Are you hungry?" I ask as we ride up to the twelfth floor.

"I'm fine." That's code for she's hungry but doesn't want to put me out. We exit the elevator, and I carry her down the hall to my apartment. It's at the end of the hall. Sasha again tries to get down, but I don't let her. I push the code on the door, and it slides open. For once, I'm thankful for their modern technology when it comes to the doors. I carry her inside and sit her on the black leather couch.  I feel like I can breathe now that I have her inside, and it’s just the two of us.  I have my mate.