Curtis thumbed through my clothes and because I felt assaulted enough as it was I just sat there on my bed watching him look through them. He watched me closely though and at that moment I was too defeated to do anything. I’d been forced to let him touch me everywhere and see all of me. The only thing that was left for him to be inside me and I honestly wasn’t sure how the hell I could get out of that. I looked over at Laura and just watched her breath. I’d hoped she'd come too soon or I could do something for her. Finally, “Could I just roll her on her side?” Curtis looked up from what he was doing and over towards Laura. He did not look at her with any kind of concern and more like trash, he had to deal with. It pained me to see him look at my friend that way especially because I knew up until last night she’d been falling for this fake jerk just like Susan. I felt so sorry for these women in falling into this smug slimy asshole’s trap and there was

The ambulance seemed like it was slow but it wasn’t. The police did come first which was good because even though I stayed by Kate. I could see Russ pacing and talking in Russian and knew he could kill Curtis if they didn’t come sooner. Russ had also brought Laura from somewhere in the apartment and laid her on the couch. She was unconscious and I started putting some of it together because if Laura was inside either Curtis was the new boyfriend and we hadn’t realized it or her boyfriend was dead somewhere. In those first few minutes, I managed to think clearly enough to get Chad to go check Laura’s apartment and make sure there was nobody else inside while Mrs. Flora went to each apartment ensuring everyone else’s safety. There was nobody else injured but Kate and Laura. They both looked terrible and it killed me that I wasn’t there for either of them. Kate especially, if I’d only gone to her apartment as soon as I thought there was a chance but I had no idea. I watched her breat

I was surprised when Blake was so willing to give me Kate’s keys to her apartment but I was happy for the distraction. Kate was still in surgery and it was taking a bit longer than we’d all thought and I couldn’t stand being in that cold waiting room for one more minute. It gave me a different perspective to be in a waiting room desperate for information on a loved one's surgery and I made a note in my mind to not do that to anyone else. The whole situation with Kate was maddening and my guilt was almost unbearable so I ended up practically begging Blake to allow me to go clean up Kate’s apartment. Blake tried to refuse but I told him it was more than most could bare to see the blood of their loved ones and nobody else should be in her apartment without her permission, plus I finally admitted I had to get out of there. I could not handle anymore the face of my parents or Mel. I know they weren’t purposely trying to give me faces but we all knew deep inside no matter ho

It has been two days since and I was recovering nicely. I was being pumped full of antibiotics to ensure my body did not get an infection from the bullet. I also was doing physical therapy and was able to do most everything easily at this point despite the pain. I was determined to not allow Curtis Montgomery to have any more of me and with any luck, I’d be out by Sunday is what the doctors told me. Blake had been amazing and so supportive. He brought me everything I could use for work and even though the doctors wanted me to rest I still took plenty of opportunities to respond to e-mails, approve projects and set up meetings for next week. I know the doctors frowned on it but even Blake tried to tell them that it would stress me out more if I was too behind at work. I was grateful for how great he was even though part of me felt guilty for how much time I was taking away from his work. He wouldn’t even listen to me though about being alone and he refused to leave from more than t

We pulled up to 1500 Lakeshore Drive and I was in shock at how large the building was. I hadn’t even realized that the penthouse was on the 21st Floor and although it didn’t seem as high as some buildings it was pretty large because most of the apartments had vaulted ceilings. We walked up to the door and were greeted instantly by a very well-dressed doorman. He was very polite and asked to guide us to our new home. Second, later the building manager was there greeting us and extending his invitation to come with us as well. We were also already extended a co-op invitation by the board members who make the decisions on who officially gets to live in said building. It was a bit much but I had to admit it seemed like everyone wanted to cater to us rather than upset us and I knew they were all pleased that Blake Sutton of Sutton Enterprises was living in their building. I felt a bit underdressed for the door greeting as I’d just gotten out of the hospital and was weari