by Dale Mayer
Chapter 8
“What do we do about Will?” she murmured in a low voice. “It’s going to get ugly.”
“No, it isn’t. Trust me, remember?” He hopped off the bed as an orderly walked in. The newcomer smiled at Trevor then at Hannah and said, “Time for a set of X-rays on those ribs. The doc’s not happy with the ones we took last night.”
“Oh.” She glanced up at Trevor in surprise, but reassured by his wink she let herself be helped into a wheelchair, a pink blanket around her knees, a chart placed in her hands before being wheeled out of the room.
The orderly said to Will, “We’ll have her back in about twenty minutes.” He took her down the hallway. She turned to look behind her, but Will was staring at her, a thunderous frown on his face. He pulled out his phone as they turned the corner.
Of Trevor there was no sign.
She was wheeled for another couple of minutes, around several corners and into an elevator then downstairs and down another hallway. A door opened and she was wheeled into…a small chapel. She gasped at the beautiful candles and the large bouquets of flowers. Stefan walked forward, a stunning woman at his side. She held a gentle bouquet of lilies.
“I’m Mina. Stefan has said so much about you. I’m so sorry for all this trouble.”
“I’m sorry,” Hannah said in a low voice. “I didn’t mean to cause such a fuss.”
Mina smiled and damn, it was as if the heavy air of the solemn occasion suddenly lit up. “Everything happens for a reason. But no one should be alone at a time like this.”
She handed the bouquet to Hannah and said, “If you are okay with it, Stefan and I will stand as your witnesses.”
Witnesses. Good Lord, she hadn’t thought about any of that. “Of course,” she said warmly. “And thank you so much for offering. And for the flowers,” she added hurriedly.
Stefan grabbed the back of the wheelchair and slowly wheeled her toward Trevor who somehow appeared at the front. “Our pleasure. And if you decide that this marriage stands, then we can redo this whole ceremony at my house at a later date.”
He meant as in making this a real marriage. Oh Lord. She couldn’t think of that right now. This was too big and at the same time, she knew secrecy was paramount. If her father burst in…
With Mina walking at their side, the trio approached the front where Trevor stood, looking resplendent in his suit. She was still in her hospital gown and…her hand reached up…dried blood in her hair.
“Don’t worry about it,” Mina said. “You look beautiful.”
There was such sincerity in her voice that even though it wasn’t true, it was a balm to Hannah’s soul.
At the end of the aisle, Stefan arranged her wheelchair so she was parked beside Trevor. He reached down and picked up her hand.
Outside, she could hear footsteps running down the hallway, not one set, but several.
She frowned but the minister in front of them was speaking. She glanced up at Trevor. He kept his gaze on the minister but squeezed her hand in reassurance.
The footsteps were followed by shouting.
She could hear someone shouting, “Where is it? Damn it. The room has to be here somewhere.”
And she realized they were likely looking for this chapel. She shuddered and gripped Trevor’s hand tightly.
But he held her firm and together they made it through the ceremony.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife,” the minister said. “You may kiss the bride.”
Damn. She’d actually done it. She grinned. She’d thwarted her father.
“Glad to see you’re smiling,” Trevor murmured just before he kissed her gently. Realizing what he’d done for her, she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him enthusiastically.
Everyone laughed.
When Trevor straightened again, the minister motioned at them to sign the paperwork so it would be legal and binding.
In a firm hand she signed the papers, then several others Trevor handed her. She didn’t even read them, but inside she knew she could trust him. She had no reason to, and the lawyer in him was probably rolling over in his grave, but she had no time. Her father was storming down the hallway, ready to destroy the building if they didn’t produce his daughter now.
“Let’s get you back to your room,” Trevor murmured.
“That would be good.” She thanked the minister. As she turned to thank Stefan and Mina it was to see them holding the door open for Trevor to wheel her out.
“Not too many brides get married in the hospital,” she muttered low enough only Trevor could hear her.
“You’re wrong. For many reasons hundreds of weddings are performed in hospitals every year.”
She thought about that and realized how many scenarios were likely a whole lot more serious and devastating than hers. “Thank you.”
He laughed. “Don’t thank me yet. We have some rough patches to get through first.”
“Maybe, but for the first time I don’t feel quite so alone.”
“While I’m here you won’t be.”
Out in the hallway he took her to a large elevator. “This is a different way than I was brought down.”
“We took you the back way to make sure no one saw you. Your father and his men have been tearing the place apart looking for you.”
“And why is it they didn’t find me?” she asked curiously. She couldn’t imagine something as simple as getting lost having stopped her father from doing what he wanted to do.
“He couldn’t find the chapel.”
“But why not? It’s on the signs.”
He chuckled. “Well, it was there, but apparently they couldn’t see what was right in front of their eyes.”
He exchanged a knowing look with Stefan that she really wanted to ask about, but he was already wheeling her into the room.
Her very full room.
“There she is,” her father cried. “What did you do with her?”
Stefan and Trevor stiffened, their glare locked on her father. Trevor was the first to speak. “Just what are you implying?”
“I’m not implying anything,” her father roared. “I’m accusing you of kidnapping my daughter.”
“Kidnapping,” Hannah gasped. “What are you talking about?”
Her father glared at Trevor then turned his temper on her. “You weren’t here when you were supposed to be. We were told you were in the chapel but couldn’t find it either. Then when one of my men found the chapel, you weren’t there,” he shouted.
She stared at him. Had she ever seen him lose control like this? No. She wondered just what the hell he’d do when he found out the truth.
She wouldn’t have long to wait.
“Sorry if you had trouble finding the room. It’s a popular place, and being on the main floor, I was sure there’d be no trouble finding it,” Trevor said helpfully. “I’d have sent someone to show you the way if I thought you’d get lost.”
Her father’s face turned red, and it appeared he was ready to have a stroke.
“Daddy, calm down,” Hannah cried out. “You look like you’re going to have a heart attack or something. For heaven’s sake, I got married, that’s all.”
Silence.
As in not even a spider dared take a step.
And her father went from beet red to a pure icy white. In a very soft, very scary voice, he asked, “You what?”
Well, she was in the soup now. And she’d damn well better make this look good. “I got married,” she cried. “We wanted a simple ceremony first and thought that we could do a bigger celebration later for the families.”
She beamed up at him. “That’s why I was hoping you’d make it to the chapel. We were so short on time we couldn’t wait for you. But you’ll be there for the second one and can give me away then.”
“And the urgency?” Will asked in a deadly voice.
“You and Daddy of course,” she said smoothly. “Do you really think I’m going to be locked away in an asylum for the
rest of my life at your whim?”
“You were going to marry Will,” her father roared. “It was all planned out.”
“Did you also plan to ask my permission in that deal?” She gasped in shock. “Or was I going to be railroaded into that as well?”
Her father straightened his back. “Make no mistake,” he snapped, “you will regret your decision here today.”
And he strode out.
Will stopped in front of Hannah. “Nice try. It won’t last.” He bent down and whispered, “And you will be mine but will no longer hold a position of respect, bitch.”
He turned and walked out behind her father.
*
Trevor studied the man as he walked out the door. That he’d threatened Hannah was a given. Unfortunately, what he’d said to her had been uttered in too low a voice for him to hear.
Hannah’s already pale face had disappeared under a wave of fear. His heart ached for her. She’d lived like this for a long time. Considering the domineering father and terrifying blackouts, she was doing remarkably well. Somewhere along the line she’d learned some serious coping skills. Trevor could see the aura resonating around Will, but there was the hard shell protecting it. Usually seen in a man who liked to control his surroundings. Let only the people in he wanted in. A man who had been hurt early on and now that he was bigger, stronger and no longer a victim, he’d dish it out – and as often as he could. Someone with secrets. Someone who operated on the dark side of the light spectrum. The negative side. In the extreme – evil.
In the not so extreme, was the person who lashed out, causing a bigger slide to the dark side, then immediately regretted the action and tried to make up for it and ended up in the middle of dark and light.
Those people had the opportunity to go either way and could learn to deal with their anger issues and become happily adjusted. Whereas Will was firmly on the side of dark energy and gloried in it. His dark aura glowed with life. Shimmered in joy. He liked where and what he was right now, and given enough time there, he’d never be able to return to the light. Those were the serial killers who gloried in their work and lived long productive years enjoying their hobby, often never getting caught.
The wafflers in the middle might kill in passion, but unless something shifted they wouldn’t do it again. If, however, they got away with it then that lure was often too intoxicating to resist and they’d repeat the behavior and take a firm step onto the dark side.
He’d seen many like that. Unfortunately enough of those who sat on the dark side, wallowed there quite happily. Even after getting caught the men were usually content as if they had enough memories to see them through their prison years.
Will was an unknown. He liked to terrorize people. Hannah was evidence of that. But at the same time Trevor had to wonder if he hadn’t done so much more. Hannah seemed to think his own life was in danger from Will as of this moment. Yet, he wasn’t without defenses. And he had a team to call on if anything went wrong.
He squeezed Hannah’s shoulder reassuringly and turned to Stefan.
“Did you get everything set up?”
“I did.” Stefan glanced at his watch. “You’re expected any time now.”
“Right. We just have to make sure we aren’t being followed.” He reached out for the handles on Hannah’s wheelchair.
Stefan nodded. “Maddy has one bed opening up this afternoon. You can rest there overnight, then move out.”
“Are you sure it’s okay with Kali?”
“It is. She’s in Guatemala working the earthquake zone, and Grant is picking her up and taking her for a two-week holiday. Besides, you’re going to be at their rental property in town here.”
“A working holiday?” Trevor had met her several times. She and her dogs were dedicated SARs workers. One of her dogs she’d raised from a pup and another she’d adopted after a coworker had died. Both animals had saved countless lives. Yet it extracted a heavy toll, and rest and recuperation was necessary on a regular basis.
At Stefan’s nod, he grinned. “Understandable. The dogs are family.”
The dogs and Kali’s husband, Grant, were part of Stefan’s extended family and that they’d offered their house as a refuge while he got the paperwork locked down in the courts was invaluable. Still Trevor had pets too. If he wasn’t there then he had to get someone else to look after them. But, he had friends who would help out without question. He added that task to his list.
“Kali?” Hannah asked. “Who is that?”
“Another friend,” Trevor answered. He pushed her wheelchair to the side of the bed. “The doctor will be here shortly. I have clothing for you I will retrieve from the car. When he’s done and you’re ready, we’ll be leaving the hospital.”
“Right, to stay overnight with Maddy.” Her tone was dry. She was not fighting his plans, but she wasn’t sure exactly what they entailed. He couldn’t blame her. She had no idea who these people were, but she’d placed her trust in him. And had no idea how lucky she was for having done so.
She’d find out. And have her eyes opened at the same time.
Don’t push her, Stefan said in Trevor’s head. There is a lot going on inside her head she needs to deal with. It must happen in its own time.
I remember, Trevor insisted. Still, she doesn’t understand the trouble she’s in yet.
On some level she already does, Stefan said. But there’s a lot of blocks in there. Releasing too many too fast will cause her brain damage.
Right – slow and steady.
You took on a lot, Stefan said. Are you sure you’re okay with this?
Trevor shot him a hooded gaze. It’s a little too late for second thoughts. She’s hurt and in deep trouble. We’re in a unique position to help. How can any of us not help?
On that note, the doctor walked in and the men stepped out.
Chapter 9
The doctor stood in front of her bed checking on his tablet. While he did his thing, Hannah’s thoughts returned to Stefan and Trevor. What had she missed? There’d been something in the air, like a static buzzing going on around her head. She studied the almost empty room. Now that they’d left, the buzz had stopped. So damn weird. Then there was nothing normal about her world anymore. She was married for God’s sake. And to a stranger. How the hell had she gone from waking up on the highway lost and alone and injured to being married the next day? Talk about not being able to assess threats.
If she believed in fate, she’d have said that fate had taken a hand in her future. She’d woken up lost and alone and injured many times before, and it had never stepped in to help. What had changed this time?
A part of her worried she’d end up locked in a prison cell of some madman’s basement. Except then there was the sense of wellbeing she encountered whenever she was with Trevor. And that made her question her own mental state even more.
After seeing specialist after specialist throughout her life, she wondered at the cosmic joke that had her now married to a psychologist. Or was he a psychiatrist? Was there a difference?
Not right now. He was her husband. Her life was entwined with his – for better or for worse.
The doctor smiled at her. “I’m a little late today. Sorry about that. Let’s take a look.”
She murmured a polite response while he poked and prodded her head. It had been fine a little while ago but was back to booming. Not because of him, but more likely because of Will. That the man had left didn’t mean he was gone. He’d been a threat held over her since forever.
She could only hope her lawyer had put things into place that would give them an edge.
Then again her father’s lawyers were hardly honorable players.
And if there was something slightly less honorable they could do to nail the job down, they’d do it.
“Your head will be sore for a while. Be sure to fill the prescription I gave your husband. No need to suffer while your body heals. And go see your doctor in a week or so to take the stitches out.” He moved
around the front of her and flashed his little light into her eyes. The bloody one closed immediately. “Don’t leave it too late or the stitches will grow over. The eye is healing but slowly and will be sensitive to light for a while. Minimize the computer work and generally just listen to your body. It will always tell you when you’re doing too much.”
Then he had her lie down so he could check her ribs and collarbone. That latter surprised her. She hadn’t even realized that part of her body had been injured until he checked it. Then shards of pain had her gasping.
“That’s going to take a little longer than the head wound. No heavy lifting. Bed rest is what you need right now.”
She stared up at him mutely. There was no way in hell she’d have been able to run off on her own with these injuries. What would she have done without Trevor’s help?
He removed the bandage on her leg and muttered to himself. “This is not looking very good. I do wish you were staying here longer.”
“We’re heading to Maddy’s Floor,” Trevor said from the doorway.
The doctor looked up in pleased surprise. “Really? In that case…” he carefully re-bandaged the leg for traveling. “I expect she’ll be as right as rain tomorrow. Lucky woman.”
He patted her on her shoulder, made a few notes on his tablet, and headed to the doorway. “Take care of yourself. As you married this guy, and we work together, I’m sure I’ll see you around.”
And with that he slapped Trevor on the shoulder and walked out.
He plunked a plastic bag down on her bed. As she opened it and pulled out the jeans, t-shirts and other clothes, she looked mystified.
“These aren’t mine?” She held up the last item, a warm cardigan in rusty brown colors. “But they are beautiful.”
“They are yours.” Trevor grinned at her look of surprise. “Mina shopped for you. A wedding gift from her and Stefan. I’m hoping everything fits.”
“Wow, that’s so nice of them. She has great taste.” She looked at the pile then down at her hospital gown. “I guess the clothes I came with are not salvageable?”