Taking Connor(59)

“Demi—”

“Don’t.” I hold up my hand, stopping him. “Just . . . give me some space.” With that, I walk out of the garage just as Dusty pulls up on his motorcycle and parks.

“Hey there, Demi,” he calls as he cuts the engine off. I’ve just reached my steps, but not wanting to be rude to him, no matter how angry I am with Connor, I turn and muster up my friendliest smile for him.

“Hi, Dusty. Connor is in the garage.” I jab my thumb toward the garage and turn to take my first step when I hear Mary-Anne cry my name. “Demi!”

Whipping around, I follow her voice.

“Demi!”

She’s running up the driveway, her mouth covered in chocolate, her eyes brimming with tears. “What’s wrong?” I ask, frantic, searching her head to toe for injuries. “Are you hurt?”

“McKenzie and Mr. Jenson,” she cries, breathless, hiccupping with emotion. I have no idea what’s happened or what she means, but my heart catapults to my throat.

Grabbing her arm, I bend down and meet her gaze. “Stay right here. Do you understand?”

She nods yes and I sprint across the street, hoping to God McKenzie hasn’t done anything to poor Mr. Jenson.





When I was fifteen, I hit my head on a diving board and knocked myself unconscious. I was extremely lucky I didn’t break my neck. But I was unconscious for almost twenty-four hours. I remember when I woke up, in a haze of thick confusion, my mother explained to me what happened. But for the life of me, I couldn’t remember anything. It was like one minute, I was walking the length of the board, and the next, I was waking up in a hospital bed.

And that’s how it is right now. One minute I was walking toward the Jenson’s house and the next, I wake up, or come to rather, strapped to a gurney beside an ambulance. Immediately, I begin fighting the restraints, wincing at the throbbing pain on the right side of my head.

What the hell?

“Ma’am, please stay still,” someone says, but I can’t stop myself. I struggle, pulling my arms out from under the straps until one is free, then I release the restraints, fumbling.

“Ma’am,” the voice yells and hands grip my shoulders as I sit up and tear off the neck brace.

“Get off of me,” I growl, my eyes roaming the area. The chaotic scene hits me hard, and I can’t breathe for a moment.

Police cars are everywhere down my street. If my heart wasn’t already in panic mode just seeing so many in my neighborhood, it certainly is when I realize they’re all in front of the Jenson’s and my house. Nosey neighbors stand in the street whispering to one another, trying to find out what’s going on as their eyes glance at me and back to the Jenson’s house. I slide off of the ambulance bumper, but someone grabs my arm.

“Ma’am, please sit back down. You’re hurt, and you’re in shock.” The young paramedic tugs my arm, gently urging me to follow his orders. Jerking my arm free, I run as fast as I can, holding my head, and make it to the bottom of my driveway just in time to see Connor handcuffed and being led to one of the police vehicles. My heart drops to the pit of my stomach. What the hell is going on?

He’s wrestling them, yelling, “Just tell me if she’s awake goddammit!”

I have no idea what is going on, but I’m coherent enough to remember resisting arrest is a bad thing. I need to get Connor to calm down. Rushing up the driveway, I’m almost to Connor when a strong arm reaches out and grabs me by the waist, stopping me. It’s an officer, and lost in my panic, my fear for Connor, I shove him away and sneer, “Get off of me.” Then I move toward Connor again, only to be stopped by the same officer again.

“This is my house! Let me go!” I yell.

“Ma’am,” the officer drawls. “I need you to calm down.”

“Connor,” I yell, and when his gaze flicks up and meets mine, his dark eyes seem beyond relieved. He closes his eyes and mouths what I think is, “Thank God.” When he raises his gaze to mine again, he gives me a stern look. Then he mouths, “Say nothing.”

I want desperately to run to him, to cling to him, but the officer’s hold on me stops me.

“What happened Connor?” I shout.

His eyes narrow as he looks at me, his expression reading confusion. After a moment, he clenches his eyes closed.

“Connor,” I shout again. “What happened?”

But before he can answer, the large cop that’s been leading him to the car, shoves his head down and forces him in the backseat.

“Connor!” Looking at the cop that’s blocking me, I’m wild with worry. Then I notice my hands and stumble back.

Blood.

They’re covered in blood. My heart drops to the ground.

Whose blood is this?

Oh God. Where are McKenzie and Mary-Anne? Please don’t let this be their blood.

“There were two young girls staying with me,” I manage. “Where are the girls?”

“They’re fine, but as a precaution, they’ve been taken to the hospital to be checked out. Their mother and father have been notified.” The officer, Officer Morrell, as his nametag states, informs me.

Pressing a hand to my forehead, trying to make sense of everything, I yell to no one in particular, “What the hell is going on?”