Anonymous(23)

“Sounds good, Detective,” I say, sliding his card into my pocket.

Owen looks down at my phone. “I’ve already looked into the numbers. With Snyder being undercover, he can use whatever numbers he wants, and they’re not traceable.”

Terry reluctantly nods in agreement. It’s clear he doesn’t believe Bryan’s capable of any of this. “You’re right. Hopefully, we’ll be able to find something.” Turning on his heel, he marches out of the waiting room.

Owen folds me in his arms. “Jake will be fine. I promise. He’s one tough motherfucker. When the police come to question you tomorrow, I want to be there.”

I bury my face against his chest. “If he even wakes up. No one will tell me anything. I have no clue if he’s okay, or if he’s about to die, or dead already.” Teeth clenched, I can feel the muscles in my jaw tense. “If Bryan’s the one who was out on the road, I’ll kill him myself. If he’s watched us, he’ll know that Jake and I take that road home. Not many people travel it. It’s the same road I . . .” Then it hits me.

Brows furrowed, Owen squeezes my arm. “You okay?”

“He’s been watching me,” I whisper. Spine-tingling chills run down my body. “The reason I stopped running outside was because it felt like someone was watching me. It was eerie.”

“I’m glad you listened to your gut. And I promise you this . . . he’ll fuck up. Somewhere along the way, we’re going to find a clue that convicts him. People who do this shit always leave a trace. We just have to find it.”

“Elizabeth,” my mother calls out, her voice thick with tears. Owen lets me go and I run into her arms. She runs her hands over my head while I cry. “He’ll be okay, sweetheart. I’ve been praying non-stop since you called. Do you know how it happened?”

I glance over her shoulder at Owen. “You need to tell them.”

My mother lets me go, her gaze concerned. “Tell us what?”

Taking her hand, we sit down and I take a deep breath. “It’s a long story . . . and you’re not going to like it.”





Ten





Ellie





A couple of hours pass, and during that time, our waiting room section has filled. My sister and her family have arrived, and so has Jake’s boss. He keeps asking about Jake, but I have no clue what to tell him. After speaking with Jake’s parents, they are taking the first flight they can get from Florida.

Once my parents were filled in on the situation, they said they want me and Jake to go under protective custody until Bryan is found, but I know Jake will never agree to it. He’ll want to stay and fight it on his own, like the alpha male he is. I’m his to protect. When he finds out about everything that’s happened, he’s going to be beyond livid. There’s no way he’ll run. At least, that’s what I keep telling myself. Not having any news on his health scares the shit out of me.

Everyone is silent. My body is numb, and my eyes feel like sandpaper. I don’t think I can cry anymore. It’s like my body is on the verge of a mental breakdown.

“Elizabeth,” my mother murmurs, nudging me in the side. “I think the doctor’s coming.”

I jump from my seat. A doctor in light blue scrubs and a chart in his hand walks toward us. His face is cleanly shaven, and he looks to be in his mid-thirties, with combed-over, light brown hair. He focuses on me and holds out his hand, his expression unreadable. “You must be Mrs. Kingston,” he states.

I nod and shake his hand. “Elizabeth.”

“I’m Dr. Scott Medlin. I just finished operating on your husband.”

“How is he?” I ask, blurting out the words.

His gaze roams around the waiting room, clearly sensing we’re on pins and needles. A slow smile spreads across his face when he meets my eyes. “He’s going to be just fine.”

It’s as if all the weight on my shoulders lifts in an instant. My mother hugs me from behind and I can finally breathe. If the doctor wasn’t standing in front of me, I’d have run up and down the halls rejoicing.

Tears stream down my cheeks and I hold onto my mother to keep from falling. “Thank God,” I cry. “What all did you have to do to him?”

His smile fades. “He has a couple of broken ribs, but those should heal in a few weeks. The main thing that had us concerned was the trauma to his head. He had some bleeding on the brain, but we were able to stop it. I’m surprised things aren’t worse. Jake’s a healthy, strong man and obviously, very resilient. You’ll be able to take him home the day after tomorrow.” He nods toward the exit. “If you come with me, I’ll take you to his room. Someone else can join you if you’d like. Only two people at a time.”

I look back and nod at Owen. He steps forward. “I’ll come with you.”

We follow the doctor through the halls and it feels like an eternity before we get to Jake’s room. Dr. Medlin stops at the door. “He’s not awake yet, and he’ll most likely be out for the next little bit with all the sedation.” He focuses on me. “I’ll have one of the nurses bring in some blankets for you, if you’d like to stay with him tonight.”

I nod. “Yes, please. I’m not leaving.”