The Embrace Series: Romantic Suspense Box Set

by Dana Mason

  He nodded. “He’s awake, Jules, I gotta go.” Then he closed his phone and followed Sarah into the room, wearing a huge smile.

  “You got him, bro!”

  Mark put his hand over his face, and his head dropped back down to his pillow.

  “The uniforms showed up just in time to see you roll over the guy’s windshield. What the hell were you thinking?”

  Mark shook his head and looked over at Sarah. “I was thinking about killing the bastard.” He slowly sat up. “Did I?”

  “Yeah.”

  Mark stiffened. “He’s dead?”

  Brian nodded. “Yes, he’s dead. We need you two to come down and make a statement. I don’t want this murderer to become a victim. We need to start on the self-defense case ASAP.”

  When Brian’s cell phone rang, he held up one finger and left the room.

  Mark looked at Sarah and waved imperiously for her. “Come here, baby.”

  She laid her head on his chest. “I’m so glad you’re okay. I was so scared when I saw that car plow into you.”

  “It’s over, it’s finally over.” He kissed the top of her head and engulfed her in his arms.

  When the door was thrown open, they both turned.

  “We have a problem,” Brian said, carrying a newspaper in one hand and his phone in another. He held up the paper, showing the bold front page headline.

  Sarah’s Grandmother’s name stood out in huge, bold print. Under it was a picture of herself and the headline.

  Her breath came out in spurts as she snatched the paper from Brian’s hand. A second later he was shouting into the phone about a leak, investigations, and wrong information. Sarah couldn’t follow his words because her pulse was pounding in her head, filling her ears with a loud buzz. She scanned the first few lines.

  “Oh my God.” She whipped her head around to meet Mark’s wide eyes.

  He held up a finger. “I know what you’re thinking. Don’t!”

  She clutched her now turning stomach. “I have to...”

  “No, you don’t. We’ll work it out.”

  “Work what out? You can’t protect me from this. This won’t blow over for a long time. Reporters are like cockroaches, they multiply uncontrollably and they can’t be killed.”

  “Stop and think about this.”

  She covered her face in her hands, an overwhelming sense of loss forming a pit in her stomach. There was no way around this. “I have to leave, Mark.”

  “No, you don’t! You promised me, Sarah. You promised you wouldn’t do this again.”

  Her cell phone rang and she pulled it out.

  “Give it to me,” Mark said, reaching for the phone. He accepted the call on speaker and waved for Sarah to answer.

  “Hello,” she said.

  “Ms. Jennings?”

  “Yes. Who’s calling?”

  “This is Jasper Lovelund from KTVU news. We’d like your permission to report your information in our Santa Rosa Serial Rapist story. May we schedule an interview with you—”

  Mark closed the phone and pulled the battery. “Dammit. How did they find out?”

  “I haven’t figured out how they got your name.” Brian sighed and stuffed his phone in his pocket. “They don’t usually use names, but they’re not likely to hold off when the Perry name is involved. It only takes one sleazy paparazzo to start.” He looked over at Sarah. “I wish you would’ve told me.”

  “I thought the less people who knew, the safer.”

  He bowed his head and said, “Is there any possible way someone in your family leaked this information? I would hate to think someone in my department would give out a victim’s name.”

  “It’s doesn’t matter now, it’s out there, everyone knows.” Sarah couldn’t fight the trembling in her hands. Her quiet life, her privacy, her anonymity were all gone. She badly wanted to retreat, to run like hell and get out of town.

  She looked Mark up and down and her heart sank. He needed her, he had never left her side when she was injured, and here she was planning her way out. He’d nailed her on it too. He had told her she’d want to leave again at the first signs of trouble, and he was right. She bit her lip and thought about the consequences of staying...her mind couldn’t grasp anything beyond losing Mark. She couldn’t—wouldn’t lose him again.

  “Only locally, Sarah. This is a Santa Rosa paper,” Brian said.

  With her hand on her stomach, she nodded and said, “And that was just a San Francisco television station calling. It’s just a matter of time before it gets out further.”

  “Let me try to put a lid on it. Most journalists won’t report a victim’s name unless they have a release form.”

  “I know...but most victims don’t come from a Connelly or a Perry.” She met Mark’s eyes. “We’ll work it out. I’m not leaving.”

  Mark’s expression relaxed and he closed his eyes. He looked utterly exhausted. “Brian, do you think you could give us a ride to Mark’s house. I rode with him in the ambulance and...well, I want to get him home to rest.”

  Brian lips moved into quirky smile. “Yeah, I’ll pull the car around.”

  “Thanks.”

  When he was out of the room, Mark reached for her and pulled her close. “We’ll deal with this together, okay?”

  “I love you and I am not leaving you.” She meant it too, even if staying meant losing a part of herself to the rest of the world. “I’m going home with you and taking care of you.”

  Chapter Thirty-One

  “It’s part of the game. You’ve been through this before—fucking red tape,” Brian said, facing down Mark at his angriest.

  “We’re victims here, we shouldn’t...especially Sarah. She shouldn’t have to continually face this questioning. We’ve spent more afternoons in the DA’s office over the last two weeks than I care to count.”

  “I agree, but Maylyn’s family is putting the pressure on the District Attorney, he’s up for reelection.”

  “Rupert Maylyn was a serial rapist! Fuck him and his family.”

  Sarah laid a hand on Mark’s shoulder, hoping the contact would help him calm down a little bit.

  He sat back and rolled his neck, fighting against the tension. “I’m sorry. I just don’t think she should have to face this again.”

  “It’s not that big a deal,” she said.

  “It is a big deal.” Mark stood and paced the room. “We’re getting a lawyer. Maybe even file our own suit against the DA.”

  That made Brian smile. “Good. I hope you nail the bastard’s ass. I’m sick of him shredding my cases and not fighting harder to get the right convictions.”

  “We’ll never get the press off our lawn if they don’t conclude their investigation.”

  “At least they stopped printing Sarah’s name,” Brian said.

  When Sarah’s cell phone rang, she looked at the caller ID and then excused herself.

  “Hello,” she answered, leaving the family room and turning into the kitchen.

  “Sarah?”

  “Yes, Dr. Davidson, is something wrong?”

  “You missed your follow-up appointment on Friday.”

  “Yeah, sorry, I’ve had several meetings with the District Attorney and the police department. I rescheduled for next week.”

  “I didn’t want to wait that long to give you the test results.”

  “Is something wrong?” she asked again, looking around to make sure she wasn’t being overheard.

  “That depends on how you feel about it.”

  “Excuse me?” she asked, ducking her chin to her chest trying to mask the conversation from Mark and Brian.

  “You’re pregnant, Sarah.”

  “What?” She jerked upright and spoke much louder than she intended. “What did you say?” she whispered this time.

  “You are pregnant.” When she didn’t respond, he said, “I’m sorry to give you this news over the phone. I thought you would be happy.” He sighed heavily. “I wasn’t expecting to have the altern
ative conversation with you.”

  “Ah, I’m not sure...no, of course...if I am pregnant...I want the baby. If that’s what you’re asking.” She tiptoed into the dining room to get more distance from the family room.

  “You are pregnant, I have no doubt. I want to schedule an ultrasound ASAP so we can determine your due date and check the overall health of the baby.”

  Sarah heard him talking, although she couldn’t take in all his words. When her stomach fluttered, she moved her hand down in an attempt to rub away the sickness. If only it was possible, but she knew it wasn’t.

  Her eyes fluttered down to her hand and hoped sparked, and the words what if echoed in her head. She took several deep breaths and swallowed hard to hold back her tears.

  “Are you sure?”

  “You have one good ovary, and when we do the ultrasound, we’ll be able to see what condition your uterus is in.” He sighed. “I think we can already label it high risk, but if you’re careful and take good care of yourself, everything should be fine.”

  “Will you do another test please?”

  “My medical assistant, Jenny, will call with the ultrasound appointment. If this is a mistake, we’ll know after that.”

  “I would rather get it over with sooner than later. I have an appointment with my boss tomorrow for lunch. Can we set it up for the afternoon?”

  “What time?”

  “Around one?”

  “I’m sure that’s fine. If that time isn’t available, I’ll have her give you a call. You should consider bringing the father with you. He might enjoy seeing the ultrasound too.”

  She smiled, wiping at the stray tear that fell from her eyes. “Thank you for taking the time to call me.”

  “Take care of yourself, Sarah. Please don’t do anything risky in an attempt to deny this.”

  “Okay,” she said as Mark’s hand slip around her waist from behind. “Thank you.”

  “Goodbye, Sarah.”

  She closed her phone and turned to Mark.

  “What’s wrong, baby?” Mark asked.

  The word baby repeated in her head, and she bit her lip at the lie she was about to tell him. “That was the doctor. He wanted to know why I missed my follow-up.”

  “Is something wrong? Did your tests come back?”

  “I’m anemic. I’ll pick up some iron supplements when I meet with Nancy tomorrow.”

  “Anemic? That wouldn’t make you sick.” He looked at her closer. “Why are you crying?”

  “I’m not.” She smiled, trying to put him at ease. “Anemia causes fatigue.”

  Mark’s eyebrows drew together. “Fatigue, but not vomiting. Did he reschedule the follow-up?”

  “Yes, next week.”

  “I’m going with you this time. I want to talk to him.”

  “Okay,” she said, smiling again.

  When Mark went back to the family room, Sarah snuck upstairs to have a few minutes alone. She stood in front of the mirror and looked at herself.

  “This is a cruel joke,” she whispered. “Dammit...” Why couldn’t this be happening? Why couldn’t life be this simple? Why couldn’t she tell Mark the good news?

  Because life doesn’t work out like that for you, Sarah.

  She put one hand over her mouth, struck suddenly with a wave of nausea, and then ran into the bathroom.

  “Sarah.” Mark startled her when he said her name. She didn’t realize he’d come upstairs. “What else did the doctor tell you?”

  “I told you,” she said, looking at him through the bathroom mirror as she finished brushing her teeth. “There isn’t anything else.”

  When she finished washing her face, she turned to leave the room.

  Mark grabbed her arm and turned her around. “I’m scared, you’re worrying me.”

  “Don’t you think if there were something to worry about, I would tell you?” She shrugged out of his grip and walked away from him and then stopped, turned and walked back.

  “I’m sorry.” She rubbed her forehead, staring at the floor. Lying to Mark about this was cruel, but what if the doctor was wrong? Getting his hopes up for nothing would be worse. “I’m just tired and grumpy.”

  “Lie down, take a nap.” He brushed his fingers across her cheekbone. “I’ll come wake you up in a little while.”

  She walked to the bed and lay down, letting Mark toss a throw blanket over her.

  He kissed her cheek and muttered, “Get some rest.”

  Then he left her alone in the room.

  God, what if she were pregnant? Admitting she wanted a baby meant living with the disappointment of losing a baby. What if I am pregnant? She thought again, and her hands moved to her stomach. She actually felt bigger. Her defined abs felt softer, but she could attribute that to her lack of exercise. She’d spent the last several weeks stuck in the house avoiding the press.

  What about Mark? And another what if echoed in her head...what if he wasn’t ready to be a father again?

  He’d talked about more kids...he’d also said he was happy just having Jamie. All these questions swam in her head as she caressed her stomach, the memories of her last pregnancy still fresh. Last time, as her stomach had grown, so did her excitement. Until she’d had to give birth to a lifeless baby.

  What if that happened again?

  She suddenly felt so vulnerable—almost breakable. She shook the thoughts from her head and closed her eyes.

  When Mark shook her awake, she jerked up. “Sarah, wake up.”

  “What’s wrong,” she slurred, still half asleep.

  “Carl called, Ali’s having her baby.” His eyes were bright with excitement. “I have to go pick up Jamie at the hospital.”

  “That’s great,” Sarah said. “Are you bringing Jamie back here?”

  “Yeah, well, we are,” he said, his smile fading. “You’ll go with me, right?”

  “No, Mark...” Sarah didn’t know how to verbalize her excuse for not going. She stared at him, hoping he would understand without an explanation.

  “Jamie’s going to be a big brother.” His eyes looked right through her, as if he had no idea what she was feeling, all he could think about was being with Jamie and the excitement of a new baby.

  “Okay...of course I’ll go,” she said, trying to get her bearings.

  When they arrived at the hospital, they found Carl in the waiting room with Jamie.

  “Daddy,” Jamie said, running at Mark.

  “Hey, buddy. What’s going on?”

  Jamie jumped up and down. “Mommy is having a baby.”

  “I know. That’s why I’m here to pick you up.”

  He stopped jumping and his shoulders slumped. “I have to leave?”

  “It could take a long time for her to have the baby and you can’t sit out here by yourself. Carl has to go help Mommy.”

  Mark squatted to be eye-to-eye with his son. “I’ll bring you back after Mommy has the baby, okay?”

  “Well, okay...” He looked around at Sarah, and then at Carl, trying to hold in his tears.

  “Your dad can take you in to say goodbye to Mommy. I’ll wait out here,” Carl said.

  Jamie nodded his head and took the hand Mark offered.

  Mark and Jamie left Sarah in the waiting room with Carl. She ignored him as she sat in the nearest chair.

  “So, Sarah, how are you?” he asked.

  She looked up at his smug smile. “I’m fine.”

  He sat next to her and leaned toward her.

  “You ready to have that drink yet?” He leaned further over the arm of the chair to make eye contact.

  “Nope, not interested,” she said, squeezing past him to get out of her chair. What did it take for this jerk to get the hint? She walked over and leaned against the wall next to the entrance of the waiting room, keeping Carl within view, but pretending to be interested in the news show blasting from the TV mounted in the corner of the room.

  He stepped in front of her, still wearing his Carl, The Pig smile. “You kn
ow, Mark may be awhile. We could just,” he paused, as he brushed the tips of his fingers across her jawbone, “sneak away.”

  Sarah smacked his hand away and glared at him. “I am truly not interested.”

  He leaned closer and Sarah held her hand up.

  “Back off, Carl.” The breath caught in her throat when he lifted his hand to touch her again. She inhaled, fighting for air.

  When the tips of his fingers touched her collarbone, she laid both hands on his chest and pushed him hard, and then she pulled back her fist and punched him before he could step toward her again.

  Carl grabbed his face. “Bitch!”

  Sarah’s heart pounded in her chest as she rushed out of the waiting room and directly into Mark’s chest, just as she had the first time she’d been attack by Maylyn.

  She yelped and stumbled before meeting his eyes. “I’ll meet you in the truck.”

  She huffed out between heavy breaths as she skirted around him and down the hall.

  Mark called out to her, but she rushed into the open elevator. As she punched the button for the ground floor, she inhaled deeply trying not to hyperventilate and telling herself to breathe.

  By the time she reached Mark’s truck, her face was covered in sweat. Not having the keys, she paced as she waited for him, shaking away the pain in her right hand.

  When Mark and Jamie walked up, the look on Mark’s face had her recoiling. He unlocked the door, helped Jamie in, and then he closed the door.

  He pulled her into a fierce embrace. “Are you okay?” he asked.

  She nodded into his shoulder. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to...”

  “Why are you apologizing?” Mark pulled back to look at her.

  She shook her head and lowered her eyes, unable to look at him.

  “Do you think I’m blaming you? Dammit, Sarah. I’m not Kevin Lewis.”

  She closed her eyes and rested her forehead on his chest.

  “I’m sorry I left you alone with him. I had no idea he would do that.”

  Sarah lifted her head to meet his eyes. “Let’s go home.”