“Good to go,” he informed them as he took a seat.
Vanessa began by telling how Derek contacted her for help with the sick dogs and her naivety in insisting she rush to help. Then she recounted everything that happened once Griff forced Kaiya outside. “He said the rest of his crew was either dead or in jail but wouldn’t be for long until he had them killed.”
“The phone call earlier was about Sherry Prichard,” Cayleigh acknowledged. “She was shivved to death on the way to the cafeteria. None of the other inmates admit to seeing it happen and no one’s taking credit. Newman could’ve arranged it, or it might be because Prichard was a cop. We don’t know for sure yet.”
Vanessa didn’t feel the least bit sorry for the woman who applied makeup and fixed the girls’ hair, so they looked pretty for the predators who purchased them. She turned to Kaiya. “How did you get away from Griff?”
“It wasn’t hard. He wasn’t very bright. I pretended to be into him, and I asked him questions. He echoed what you said about the rest of the crew being dead or in prison, and he bragged about killing Dean Lodge.”
“He was the sniper,” Cayleigh muttered. “Bastard almost got me, too.”
“He also said that Newman killed three of their four suppliers. Lodge killed the other one the night you were at the cabin, Vanessa.”
“The man in the van,” she murmured. She’d wondered who he was. Knowing he abducted children made accepting his death easier. Same with Reggie Garner. They weren’t good men, and they didn’t deserve to have her mourn their loss any longer.
“Ms. Lacroix?”
Vanessa scrambled to her feet. A nurse informed her that the doctor was ready to speak with her. She grabbed Gage’s hand. She couldn’t do it alone. The nurse guided them to a small room with barely enough space for three chairs.
“Vanessa, breathe,” Gage instructed, sounding like Quinn.
Air rushed out. She’d developed an inconvenient habit of holding her breath without realizing it.
A woman wearing a white lab coat with a stethoscope draped around her neck entered and shut the door. Her silky black hair was fastened into a bun, and she addressed Vanessa and Gage with shrewd brown eyes. Forgoing preliminaries, she cut straight to the chase.
“Mr. Billings has a traumatic brain injury.”
Spots danced before Vanessa’s eyes. That sounded serious.
“We’ve medically induced a coma and are keeping watch to see if a hematoma develops. If so, and if it significantly compresses the brain or causes pressure within the skull, we’ll operate. At this point, I don’t have any reason to believe there is any permanent damage, but we won’t know for sure until he wakes up. We’ll keep him for a few days to monitor his progress. Other than that, he has some bumps, bruises and a couple of cuts that required stitches, but no broken bones and no internal bleeding.”
That was good news, at least. “Can we see him?”
“Not yet. Once he’s settled in a room, we’ll let you know.”
#
Traumatic brain injury. Traumatic brain injury. Traumatic brain injury. The words kept playing through Vanessa’s head on an endless loop. She’d been tempted to Google it on Quinn’s phone, but she was afraid of what she’d read. She needed to trust that he was being properly cared for and pray that he fully recovered.
Several people from Cayleigh’s office arrived. Vanessa didn’t feel like dealing with them, so she turned to Kaiya. “I’m going to check on Todd. Will you please let me know if the doctor gives the okay to visit Quinn?”
“Absolutely. I’ll call you on his phone.”
“Thanks. I won’t be too long.”
She placed the no-longer icy pack on her seat and headed to the elevator, riding it to the fourth floor. Her cheek was numb from the cold pack, but that was a good thing since she didn’t feel the throbbing ache. She hadn’t filled the prescription for the painkillers and probably wouldn’t.
She’d been glad to discover Todd had been moved from ICU. A giant of a man blocked the door as she approached and held out a hand the size of a catcher’s mitt. “I’m sorry, ma’am. No visitors.”
She’d forgotten about the guard hired by the COBRA Securities’ bosses. “My name’s Vanessa Lacroix. I’m Todd’s family.”
“You are on the list, but before I let you pass, do you have identification, Ms. Lacroix?”
Not only was she ID-less, but she had no idea what happened to her wallet. She couldn’t remember if she’d left it inside Gage and Kaiya’s SUV or if she carried it with her into the shelter. If so, it was little more than ashes now. She’d have to cancel her credit cards and obtain a new driver’s license, but those were problems for another day. “No.”
He took out his phone and punched buttons. Then he looked from the screen to her face, his eyes narrowing as he examined her.
She assumed he was looking at her picture. She gestured to her cheek. “You’ll have to pretend there’s no grotesque swelling.”
He slid the phone into his pocket and opened the door. “You’re good to go, Ms. Lacroix. He does have company right now.”
“I won’t stay long.”
Thanking him, she stepped inside, wondering who else was visiting. It might be one of the people who worked in her clinic, or maybe a school friend. She didn’t want to intrude if he was speaking with his doctor.
She was shocked to see a man and woman sitting on either side of his bed. Todd still looked battered, but he was awake and beaming.
“Vanessa! These are my parents.”
She recognized them from the pictures he kept in his room, even after they treated him horribly. Pasting on a smile, she greeted the people who threw Todd out into the streets when he was still a teenager as civilly as possible.
“It’s so nice to meet you, Vanessa.” Tears filled his mother’s eyes, and she looked away. “We can never thank you enough for all you’ve done for our Todd.”
His dad cleared his throat. “Yes, we’re very thankful he had you.”
Has, she almost corrected. “I’m glad I could be there for him.” And she was.
“It took a near-death experience for us to come to our senses.” His mom dabbed her eyes with a tissue. “We’ve missed him every day he was gone.”
Then why didn’t you come to get him? She didn’t speak the words out loud, though she wanted to. More questions crowded her head. He’s still going to be gay. Are you going to accept that about him now? What if he brings a boyfriend home? But Todd didn’t need her negativity, especially when he looked so happy.
Todd’s smile evaporated. “What happened to you?”
Her hand unconsciously strayed to her cheek. “It’s nothing. I’ll tell you about it sometime. I just wanted to check on you and let you know that the men responsible for your attack can never hurt you again.”
“Good. I’m assuming that means what I think it does.”
“You’re right. How are you feeling?”
“Better.”
“I’m glad. I’ll leave so you can catch up with your parents. I’ll check in again soon.”
With a wave, she departed, knowing she’d have to accept that his parents were going to be in his life now. If they deserted him again, they’d have to answer to her.
Her next stop was Detective Russo’s room. She wanted to thank him for believing in her and keeping her location a secret. He’d risked his job, his reputation, and his life. She owed him more than she could repay. When she told him that, he insisted that if she’d sneak him out of the hospital right now, they’d call it even. She was pretty sure he wasn’t kidding.
Someone had already filled him in on what went down at the shelter and the demise of Newman’s crew. He asked that she keep him posted on Quinn’s condition as soon as there was news.
Gage was on his phone when she returned to the waiting room. Kaiya and Cayleigh spoke with a group of people that looked like a mixture of FBI agents and local law enforcement. She didn’t have the energy to deal with peopl
e right now. Before she could make her escape, Cayleigh spotted her and called her over. With a resigned sigh, she trudged forward.
Chapter Thirty
Vanessa fought the urge to doze in the uncomfortable chairs in the waiting room. She’d given her statement to three different people, and she had a feeling it wouldn’t be the last time. Cayleigh’s boss asked her to recount the entire saga from the moment she arrived at the cabin until the point where the shelter exploded. She was so very tired of the whole ordeal.
Everyone had left except for Gage, Kaiya, and Cayleigh. She tried to talk them into going back to the safe house to rest, but they gently refused. She had to admit that she was glad they stayed. She didn’t want to be alone.
She glanced up, struck by the sheer beauty of a man and woman pushing through the doors. The woman was a foot shorter than the man and very fit, with long blond hair and blue eyes. The man was athletic with broad shoulders, short blond hair and aqua eyes. Vanessa scrambled upright. She’d recognize Reed “Abs of” Steele anywhere. That meant the woman was Quinn’s sister Hillary.
Running her fingers through her hair to tame it, she grimaced when they caught in tangles she couldn’t unsnarl. Ugh. Wearing borrowed scrubs, no makeup and hair any nesting bird would be happy to call home, she was about to face the family of the man she loved.
They spotted Gage and Kaiya and hurried over. Familiar blue eyes turned to her. “Vanessa?”
She nodded.
“I’m Quinn’s sister, Hillary.” She was suddenly wrapped in a fierce hug. “Thank you for calling me.”
Before she could respond, all heads turned when four people entered the waiting room. They commanded attention. The three men were tall and striking, the woman attractive. She was shocked when the group headed in their direction.
Hillary took her arm. “Vanessa, these are our bosses and the founders of COBRA Securities, Logan Bradley and Luke Colton.”
She’d heard so much about them, she felt like she practically knew them already. Logan was mouth-wateringly magnificent with dark hair, magnetic brown eyes and to-die-for dimples. She knew he was married to Oscar winner Juliet LaRue. Luke was just as handsome, with black hair and piercing blue eyes. His wife was pop superstar Layla Brooks.
After she shook their hands, Hillary turned her towards the other two. “This is fellow agent and part-time pilot Wyatt Hollister. He dropped everything to fly us here.”
“Nice to meet you,” the blue-eyed blond said in a sexy Australian accent. Was every man who worked there gorgeous? His pearly white smile was infectious. He wrapped a muscular arm around the woman and tugged her closer, pressing a kiss against her cheek. “This is my amazing Sheila, Amelia.” He wasn’t kidding. The woman was tall with a curtain of blond hair and intelligent blue eyes.
“Amelia is also our company physician,” Hillary told her.
“And as such, I’m going to see what I can find out about Quinn. Excuse me.” She headed to the nurse’s station.
Kaiya introduced everyone to Cayleigh, and then Vanessa repeated what the doctor told her about Quinn’s condition. She’d just brought them up to speed when Amelia returned.
“They’re slowly bringing Quinn out of the medically induced coma, but he’s still unconscious. They’ve moved him to a private room, and we can visit him one at a time. I’m going in first to examine him.”
Though Vanessa wanted—no, needed—to be with him, she had no claim on him. His sister should be at his side.
Hillary turned to her. “When Amelia returns, you should go next. If he wakes up, call me.”
“Are you sure?”
Hillary smiled at her. “Yes. I think having you by his side will be the incentive he needs to wake up.”
#
Quinn existed in a murky haze, his mind too fuzzy to lock in on any one thought in particular. Something urgent tried to break through the fog. He sensed danger and death, but he couldn’t focus. Recognizing the desperate need to act—that lives depended on him—he struggled to the surface.
When he opened his eyes, the first thing he noticed was an unfamiliar, dimly lit room with industrial white walls. The second was the most precious sight in the world: Vanessa. He exhaled with relief that she was okay.
Her head jerked up. “Quinn! You’re awake.” She scrambled to her feet and rushed to his side to clasp his hand. “How do you feel.”
“Like my head’s being squeezed with a vice, but better now that I see you.” His eyes narrowed at the deep purple bruise that marred her exquisite face. “How are you?”
“Better now that you’re awake.”
“Kilo?” He was a horrible owner. He couldn’t remember where he left his best friend.
“He’s worried about you, but he’s safe.” She released him, and he mourned the loss of contact. She typed something into her phone and then slid it into her pocket before picking up his hand again. That was better. He knew it was crazy, but he breathed easier when he was touching her. It was as if her life force transferred to him, or vice versa. Whatever it was, he didn’t want to let her go. Ever.
“What happened? Why am I in the hospital?”
“Do you remember anything?”
He searched his cloudy memory, but there was a void. “The last thing I recall was fighting off the bad guy, I can’t think of his name at the moment, and Gage coming back for me.” His gaze shot to hers. “Gage?”
“He’s fine. Kaiya, too.”
His eyes closed in relief. “Thank goodness.” He opened them again. “What happened next?”
“The shelter exploded as you and Gage were exiting. You were catapulted through the air, but thankfully you don’t have any broken bones or internal bleeding.”
The door to his room slammed open, and a force of nature whirled in like an F-5 tornado. Before he could process what was happening, he was engulfed in a crushing hug and enveloped in the familiar scents of lavender and something undefinable that meant home and family. Hillary.
“Big brother, you scared me to death.” She leaned back and wiped her fingers beneath her eyes.
“Oh, Hill, don’t cry. I’m okay. What are you doing here?”
She slapped his arm. “I came for you, genius.”
“But you shouldn’t be traveling.”
“I’m pregnant, Quinn, not incapacitated. And only two months at that.”
“Still, what was Reed thinking?”
“Um, maybe that although he might be my husband, he has no control over me and can’t tell me what I can and can’t do?”
There was the headstrong woman he knew and loved with his entire heart. “I’m sorry I worried you. And I’m happy to see you. Thank you for coming.”
The door opened again, this time in a more controlled manner. A woman in a white coat with a stethoscope around her neck entered, holding a chart in her hand. “I hear the patient is awake and talking. That’s a good sign.” She stopped at the end of his bed. “I’m Doctor Chang. I need everyone to leave so I can examine Mr. Billings.”
Hillary kissed his cheek, and Vanessa squeezed his hand before leaving. The doctor took his vitals and asked him many questions, from his name to the date to the current president. He tried to keep up, but his head ached and sleep beckoned.
The next time he woke up, Vanessa was gone, but Hillary was there with Reed. He greeted his brother-in-law and good friend.
“How are you feeling?” Reed asked.
“Ready to get out of here.”
Reed chuckled, but Hillary shushed him. “Don’t encourage him. He needs to stay until he’s cleared to travel.”
“You guys should go get some rest.”
“I don’t want to leave your side yet,” Hillary confessed. “I was so scared when Vanessa told me what happened.”
“She called you?”
“Yes. She wanted me to hear it from her since she was responsible for your injuries.”
“That’s ridiculous.”
“I know, and I told her so. Anyway, we like
her, Quinn. And she’s stunning.”
“She is.”
“You two are so perfect for each other.”
“Wait a second. How do you even know we’re together?”
“A sister knows,” she said smugly.
No sense in arguing with that statement. Besides, he couldn’t hide his feelings for Vanessa any longer. She was his life.
“What is it with you and veterinarians?” Reed teased.
He chuckled. “I don’t know. I guess I have a type.”
Hillary clutched his arm. “What are you going to do about her?”
“What do you mean?”
Hill rolled her eyes as only a little sister could at her dense older brother. “Are you going to ask her to marry you?”
“Woah, sis, put on the brakes, would you? We haven’t even dated. I’m not ready for that step.” But he’d thought about it, and it was what he wanted eventually. He loved Vanessa and hoped to spend the rest of his life with her. He just wasn’t sure she felt the same way. “Besides, there’s the distance issue.”
“Ask her to move in with you. She’ll love your house, and she’ll fit in with everyone perfectly.”
“Hill, she has an established veterinary practice here. She’s ensconced in the community.”
“Not everyone is so forgiving,” she said cryptically. “Talk to her.”
People couldn’t still believe she had anything to do with Reggie Garner’s murder or Todd’s attack. “She deserves praise for bringing a child trafficking ring down.”
Hillary held up a hand. “Preaching to the choir, bro.”
#
Though Quinn was still lying in a hospital bed, Vanessa felt relieved that he was awake with no signs of brain damage. She’d have never forgiven herself if he’d been hurt worse. If she had listened to Kaiya and stayed at the safe house, he wouldn’t have been harmed. When she pointed this out to Kaiya, the other woman vehemently objected, despite her attempts to stop Vanessa from leaving at the time.
“You can’t dwell on what-ifs. Newman might’ve skipped town and started his operation up somewhere else, putting hundreds of innocent children’s lives at risk. He could’ve waited until he thought it was safe and you didn’t have protection to harm you. There are so many possibilities. He’s been stopped, and that’s all that matters. Quinn knows the risks with the job, even if he doesn’t usually go out into the field.”
Worth the Risk (COBRA Securities Book 21) Page 23