by Debra Sage
Amanda got up and pulled a long neck out of the fridge. She twisted the cap off and took a swig. “Can I get you another?”
“One more ought to do it, then I’ll switch to water. I want to stay alert, and too much brew will have me snoozing on your sofa sooner than I’d like.”
“That’s funny,” she said. “It takes me a while to come down after a busy night. I’m wired.”
“I can imagine. When do you usually go to sleep?”
“Depends if I’m on schedule or off. After a busy night, I might not crash until two. If I have trouble sleeping, I’ll read until my eyes are too tired to stay open. Days I’m off, I’m either sleeping half the day, or on somebody else’s schedule hanging out with friends or family, so I adapt to that.”
They cleaned up, tossing out their paper plates, and putting the leftover pizza in the fridge. He followed her out to the living room and pulled her into an embrace before she could settle down. “Come here, you.”
She spun into his arms and grinned. “Are you going to keep me safe and warm with those big strong arms?”
“All night long,” he said, then kissed her forehead. “You’re gorgeous. You know that, right, how stunning you are?”
“Aww, that’s so sweet of you to say. Thanks. You’re not so bad yourself.”
He brushed a strand of hair from her face, then tipped her chin up toward him. Alex closed his eyes and drew her into him.
Amanda parted her lips to let him in. Wrapped in his arms, feeling his hot breath against her, she melted into their kiss. A soft sigh escaped from her lips.
He didn’t want to let her go. She was soft and felt so good against him. And the way his heart raced when she kissed him told him more than words could say. He wasn’t one to give his heart away easily, but if she wanted it, it was all hers. There was no disguising the warmth that spread through him when he was close to her. He wanted to taste her sweet kisses all night long.
Bang! Crash!
The sound of a gun firing ripped through them. Glass shattered as a shot hit and ricocheted off the window frame.
“Get down!” he yelled. Alex covered her with his body. “Stay as low to the ground as you can. Call 9-1-1. Tell them shots were fired and we need back up.”
He jerked his weapon out from the holster tucked in the back of his jeans, then ran for the door.
“Be careful,” she called out behind him.
Chapter 17
Alex burst through the door, then took cover behind one of the cars. He looked around him, but nobody was there. No more shots were fired, and the only sound was a motorcycle tearing off in the background. Shit, they were gone.
He stood and kicked the tire of the car. Sirens blared in the distance as cops rushed to the scene. Once again, they went through the motions of looking for evidence. They found where the bullet landed and marked it as evidence, taking a picture. It looked to be a .380, something small and compact, easy to hide.
He’d had enough. She was staying at his place. There was no more second-guessing. Amanda was a target for some reason. Why? He didn’t know, but they’d get to the bottom of it soon enough.
What the hell was going on? This was the third incident aimed squarely at her. First the road rage incident, then the potential break-in, and now this. She was a sitting duck in her home, and somebody was either out to scare her, harm her, or maybe worse.
Back inside, he saw the twisted expression on her face. The color had drained from her usual rosy cheeks, and her eyes were blank. He went over and quietly asked her, “Hey, babe. Are you okay?”
“Why is this happening?” she asked. Her voice was no more than a whisper. She sounded like a frightened child.
Alex ran his fingers up through her hair and stroked her back as she clung to him. “We’re going to stay at my house. You’ll be safer there. Whoever is doing this won’t have easy access to you. I don’t trust you staying here until we sort this out.”
She nodded silently. She pressed her head to his chest and listened to the thumping of his heart. His adrenaline was high. He gently broke away to talk to the officers on the scene. They’d only done this a short bit ago for the break-in attempt, yet here they were again.
When it was all said and done, Alex helped Amanda pack a bag and brought her to his house. “You’ll stay with me until we figure this out. You’ll be safe here. Is there anybody you can think of that would want to hurt you? Somebody from your past? An old boyfriend? A disgruntled ex-patient? Has anybody contacted you that you weren’t expecting to hear from? If we can narrow it down, make a list, we might figure out what’s going on. It’s not like we’re getting random break-in calls from your neighbors. This is directed toward you.”
Amanda’s heart was still aflutter from everything that had happened. Her hands trembled, and her voice shook. “I can’t think of a single person that would do this kind of stuff. I’m dumbfounded. Obviously, I pissed off somebody somewhere, but who? And why now? What do they want from me?”
“Let’s start with a list. I want you to write down the names of people you’re associated with on a regular basis. Coworkers, family, friends, and we’ll start looking at the hospital files to see if there have been any recent complaints. You’re going to stay with me for a bit, and when I can’t be here, I’ll have somebody stand guard at the door. You won’t be alone. Your safety is my top priority.”
Amanda tucked her head into Alex’s chest. “Why is this happening to me?”
He pulled her close. “You’re safe here. Everything is going to be okay. We’re going to get to the bottom of this and find out who it is.”
She nodded, but felt out of place. Home was where she’d always felt the safest, and now she’d been pushed out and left to wonder if she’d ever feel comfortable at home again. Amanda whispered, “Don’t let me go.”
***
Lee scrambled and sped away. He’d lined up his shot, but was startled to see Alex Ramsey there with her. He hadn’t anticipated that. His hand jerked at the last second, and the shot ricocheted off the window frame. It must have directly hit the ledge, because glass shattered, but the bullet bounced.
He should have squeezed the trigger again, but turned and ran. He thought there would be more time. He’d planned things carefully, or so he thought. How that damn cop ended up on her sofa the very night he’d made his move…
Lee was angry and frustrated. Another waste of his time, and now there was a chance they’d be on him faster. He was pretty sure he was out of view by the time anyone could spot him. At least his quick reaction kept him in the dark. Things were getting too dicey. He should have been able to take her out from that distance. It would have wrapped things up in a neat package and he’d be done with the nonsense. Now, he’d be forced to figure things out again. He didn’t want to touch her at work; it was too close to his home base. He needed it to either look like an accident, or leave them scratching their heads with another unsolved mystery.
By the time he pulled his bike into the storage facility and rolled it into the locked garage, his heart had finally calmed down. It thundered in his chest as he made his getaway. Speaking of getting away, maybe it was time to make a change. Things weren’t going quite as planned, and if he wasn’t careful, they might figure out his connection.
Lee shook his head. No. Running wasn’t the answer. He had a wife and kids, a home, a solid job. He didn’t want to throw it all away and start over. He’d figure it out and take care of things once and for all…even if it meant taking out Amanda at the hospital. It could look like an accident given the right circumstances.
He had a lot to think about. A lot to plan. There was a new urgency pulsing through his veins. Amanda had to die. She was the only one that might be able to identify him given the right circumstances. Of all the stupid luck, it was Dawn’s necklace that went missing. If only he’d thought to snatch it off her. Hell, he was surprised it stayed in place after he…it must have been secure and lodged beneath her shirt.
Lee climbed into his new car and headed for the nearest convenience store. He wanted to use the bathroom facilities to scrub his hands of any possible residue that stayed with him. He’d tucked the gun into a box in the storage facility not far from his bike. The motorcycle had been his little secret. A pleasure ride that his wife would have bitched about…the easiest answer was to buy it, tuck it away, and enjoy it whenever he damn well pleased.
Chapter 18
Amanda paced when they first arrived at Alex’s place. It was clean and neat, simple in design. Sparse, but not barren. The lack of pictures on the wall didn’t hinder the décor, but instead told her he was utilitarian. He liked basics, and didn’t linger in extra details.
“Make yourself at home,” he said, showing her where everything was. “Bathroom is over here, kitchen there, snacks are in the cabinets, drinks in the fridge, take whatever you want. Upstairs, there’s a spare bedroom to the right. I use it as an office, but there’s a sofa bed in there. On the other side of the hallway is the master bedroom and bathroom. I’ll sleep on the sofa bed. You can crash in my room. You’ll be more comfortable. The sofa bed is lumpy, but it does the job.”
She nodded. She truly appreciated him doing this, but it wasn’t home. She’d been forced out after another attack. First somebody tried to break-in, but this…this was downright scary. Why was she being shot at? It couldn’t be random two times in a row. Something ominous was going on.
She couldn’t think of anyone she’d angered or been in a feud with recently. What triggered the attack? Was it tied into what happened with Dawn? That wouldn’t make sense. She had nothing to do with that, and didn’t know any of the details. Was it somebody with a grudge against St. Mercy Mead or nurses? Why now?
She racked her brain, trying to sort the pieces, but nothing made sense.
Thank goodness Alex was there. She wasn’t sure she’d be able to keep it together otherwise. And what if she’d been hit? Her mortality slapped her across the face hard. She could have been killed earlier. Her life would have ended.
Amanda pulled her arms tightly around herself. It overwhelmed her. This wasn’t a game.
***
Alex noticed the expression on Amanda’s face. She looked like a lost little girl. He wanted to make things better, but until they got to the bottom of this mess, there were no promises or guarantees. He was grateful the outcome wasn’t worse.
“Hey,” he said quietly.
She looked up at him.
He stepped in closer and pulled her into a hug. “It’s going to be okay. You’re safe here.”
She nodded. He was right. Nobody would know she was there. What about when she had to go to work? Or had to run errands? Or had to do anything besides hide under the blankets? Would they be back? Or had they been spooked after fleeing? Was she safe to go about her normal routine?
“Why don’t you take a day or two off from work and take it easy. All of this craziness is going to wear you down. You can stay here as long as you need.”
“Why me? Why now?”
He leaned his forehead to hers. “I don’t know. We’ll figure this out.”
“I don’t know whether I’m more angry or frightened. I’m scared, sure, but somebody is destroying my peace of mind. I’m going to be looking over my shoulder everywhere I go.”
“Rightfully so. But in time, those feelings will subside and when we have the perpetrator behind bars, you’ll be able to breathe again and not worry. I promise you, I’ll do everything in my power to keep you safe.”
“How am I supposed to help others, be good at my job, when I’m in a state of wondering if my next patient is the one who wants me dead?”
He rocked her in his arms, swaying gently.
She held fast, clinging to his body, certain if he let go she’d break down and cry. It was too much. Too big. Too scary.
“I’ll bring your bag to my room. Do you want something to drink?”
She shook her head. “I’m good, thanks. I don’t mind sleeping on the sofa bed. No reason you should be out because of me.”
“Nonsense. I want you to be comfortable.”
“What if I don’t want to be alone? Maybe you could join me. I’m not sure I’ll be able to sleep anyway. My mind will be playing tricks on me, wondering when the next window will break.”
He took her hand and led her upstairs.
Maybe it was the adrenaline rush. Maybe the fear. Maybe they bonded too quickly from being thrust into dire circumstances. He knew that if he took her in his arms, he’d never let her go. There’d be no going back. He’d fall hook, line, and sinker.
She trailed behind him, climbing the steps. Neither said much when they got to the top. He turned to go into his room and placed her bag on the floor by the dresser.
Amanda reached for his hand. “Hold me.”
He turned and pulled her close. “It’s going to be okay.”
“I know you keep saying it, but it doesn’t feel that way. I’m scared.”
“Rightfully so.”
“What do I do now? I can’t simply stop living.”
“You don’t. You keep going forward. Take a day or two for yourself, then you get back on the horse and live your life.”
“What if…?”
He lifted a finger to her lips. “Shh.”
A soft, tender kiss.
Amanda opened up and let him in. Their gentle kiss slowly turned heated. The heightened emotions from the evening fired their passion. For a few moments in time, they could forget that she’d been shot at.
Everything fell away.
Alex gazed into Amanda’s blue eyes. She looked back at him, willing him to continue. There were no words. Words wouldn’t say what he needed to say or what she needed to hear.
He slipped his hand lower and settled it on the soft, gentle curve of her back. He needed her, needed to claim her for his own, to comfort her and show her he intended to be there every step of the way.
He dropped his other arm away from her shoulder and traced the side of her face, drawing lazy circles at the arch of her neck. She tilted her head to the side, an invitation to the sweet spot that left her vulnerable.
Alex leaned forward and nuzzled her, then dotted soft kisses along her delicate, creamy skin. She could think of nothing else but the velvety sensation of his lips feathering kisses across her neck.
Their bodies came together.
As his hands wandered, they slowly shed their clothes and inhibitions. One thing led to another, and by the end of the night they found themselves wrapped under the blankets in a heated bliss.
***
Amanda woke with a smile. She was buried in the white goose-down comforter, drifting in the memory of the night before. Alex woke her just before he left to let her know he’d check on her during his lunch break.
She’d taken the moment to call into the hospital and tell them she wouldn’t be making it in. She didn’t tell them the circumstances, just that she needed the day off. She hated giving them such short notice, but given the situation it was for the best.
After making the call, she fell back asleep. She hadn’t expected to sleep so well considering what had happened at her place, but Alex put her fears to rest and comforted her through the night.
She wasn’t looking for a relationship, but something was happening between them. There was more than a simple attraction. She could see a future, a chance at happiness. They were good together. Okay, so maybe it was only a date and a few chance encounters, but she’d known him for a while. It’s not like he was a total stranger.
And now…well, after last night, they were certainly closer than she’d expected by this point. Things moved fast, but she wasn’t complaining. When she’d first arrived at his place, her heart was lodged in her throat. Anxiety left her wanting to climb the walls. But this morning everything was different. The sun was shining, birds were chirping outside, and she saw an entirely new world.
She was afraid she’d live in fear, but instead s
he simply wanted to live. She refused to let fear drive her from a blissful future. She’d win. She’d fight back. She’d do whatever it took.
Feeling safer in the light of day, knowing that she had a sense of anonymity staying with Alex, she decided she’d go out for a little bit, maybe head to the market and get a few things. She’d make a nice dinner for Alex, a thank you for taking her in, keeping her close, and giving her a sense of well-being. A prime rib, maybe some Yukon Gold potatoes, a nice bottle of wine…
Amanda climbed out of bed and stretched. She padded into the master bathroom and turned the water on. The shower sprang to life. She breathed in deeply. She could smell the hint of his cologne in the bathroom. She picked up the bottle and inhaled. A smile slid over her lips.
Getting into the shower, she daydreamed, remembering his delicate kisses, the way he held her, and the way she felt when their bodies melted together in a heated passion. She closed her eyes and got lost in the memories and the hot water.
It was as if the previous night hadn’t happened at her house. When she thought back on it, she knew it was real, but being in Alex’s arms was by and far the larger thing on her mind. After drying off and pulling clothes from her overnight bag, she dressed and went in search of something to eat. She’d go to the market a little later. Maybe grab a cup of coffee while she was out, hit the grocery store and pick up a new book to read while she was there.
She was more relaxed than she expected and couldn’t wipe the smile from her face. Amanda went downstairs and sorted through the cabinets. She settled on a toasted bagel and a glass of juice.
If she ran to the market after breakfast, she’d easily be back by lunch when he said he’d stop by. Maybe she’d pick up a hoagie at the sandwich shop in case he needed a bite to eat. She wasn’t sure if he’d brought something with him, but it wouldn’t hurt to get something just in case. Besides, she’d need something for later as well. Okay, grocery store for the makings for dinner, a new book to read, stop at the hoagie shop and pick up sandwiches. Anything else? No. That should be it.