Chapter 25

Once Catherine was gone Jenny moved closer to Devin and said, "You know we could put this time to use getting to know each other better."

"Yeah until you run off for a date with Maxwell!" he growled.

"I have cleared my work day to be here and have nothing planned all weekend other than to be here with you!" Jenny insisted.

At this Devin smiled for the first time since waking up and seeing that Rebecca's heart fell. She took a gulping breath and said, "Well since everything seems under control here I will go and check on my candles."

Mary and Vincent sent an understanding and sympathetic glances her way as she left the chamber.

Peter broke the silence in the room after that by suggesting, "Now that there is nothing to do but wait, why don't we all head down to the dining room if Ms. Aaronson wouldn't mind watching over Devin until we get back?"

"I would be glad to," Jenny told him.

As the group left, Vincent leaned over and whispered something in Jenny's ear. She gave him a hurt look and then nodded. After that confirmation Vincent followed the others.

"What was that all about, as if I didn't know?!" Devin demanded when they were alone.

"He asked me not to untie you no matter how you pleaded with me until the X-rays were taken," she admitted.

"Hey now, you aren't going to listen to that worry-wort of a brother of mine are you?!"

"He only has your best interest at heart Devin."

"I've been taking care of myself for the last twenty years! Don't you think I would know what is best for me?! Why would I do anything to hurt my chances of getting better?"

"I guess when you put it that way it makes sense," Jenny conceded. She reached out and untied one hand. Devin wisely waited until his other hand was free before he threw back the sheet and light blanket covering him.

They spoke at the same time:

"Devin what are you doing?!" Jenny exclaimed.

"So that is why I can't move the rest of me! They have me in a goddamn body cast!"

"Devin you promised you would be good!" she protested.

"Actually I didn't," he retorted with a smirk as he tried to find a way to move his body.

"In that case I am just going to tie you back up!"

"Like hell you are!" he snapped, as Jenny tried to do what she had said. When his words didn't stop her Devin gave her a none to gentle shove.

Just as she stumbled backwards Vincent came into the room and caught her before she could land on the floor. "I thought he might be giving you trouble Jenny, but I didn't think he would try and hurt you."

"I wasn't trying to hurt her! Only keeping her from tying me down again!"

Vincent made sure Jenny was steady on her feet before moving to Devin's bedside. "The restraints are for your own good Devin. Look at what you are already trying to do. You could end up paralyzed for the rest of your life if you keep this up." While he was speaking, Vincent with very little effort, retied the restraints even though Devin was struggling against it. "I won't say anything about what happened but if you can't resist his pleas Jenny I really don't think you should be alone with him."

"Hey!" Devin protested.

At the same time, Jenny tearfully promised, "I won't let it happen again Vincent. I really thought he could be trusted to behave himself."

"He was restrained because those of us who know him best knew he wouldn't."

"Stop talking about me as if I am not in the room!" Devin demanded.

"Stop behaving as if you are still six years old," Vincent advised, and took a seat against the wall. "Would you like me to read to you, or do you and Jenny have things to talk about?"

"Not with you in the room we don't!" Devin grumbled.

"Okay then I will read."

For the next two hours Vincent read to Devin. Jenny sat there on the other side of Devin's bed listening to Vincent's hypnotic voice. She had always laughed when someone said they knew of a person that had such a great voice that they could listen to them read a phone book. Jenny had never believed that could happen until Catherine had introduced her to Vincent. He had that kind of voice. She had almost dozed off listening to him read until she was startled by the entrance of several people.

To be continued…..