“Fuck!” Rush shouts again, shooting me a pained look and storms out of the room.
Iyla’s eyes are wide and troubled as she glances at me. “I’m so sorry. He’s having trouble processing everything.”
He’s having trouble. He isn’t the one stuck in a hospital bed, with crippling pain.
I don’t even know him.
“Dr. Stone will be right in,” Iyla assures me as she slips out into the hallway to find Rush. I’m left even more confused and consumed by the shock of reality—a reality that I’m not familiar with. Rush is somehow connected to my life, but I can’t place him.
My thoughts are interrupted as another unknown visitor walks into my room. A red-haired woman smiles at me brightly. “Hi, Jaslyn,” she says softly when she reaches the side of my bed. “I’m Dr. Stone. How are you feeling?”
Like I’ve just been pulverized by a Mack truck.
“Sore,” I admit quietly. “Why am I here? What happened to me?”
“There’s a detective here to see you,” she explains quietly as she evades my questions. “Do you mind if he comes in while we talk?”
Why the fuck is there a detective here?
Sighing in defeat, I shrug lightly and a sharp pain shoots through my shoulder, radiating up my neck. Biting the inside of my cheek, I stifle a cry and wince from the sensation.
A soft knock sounds on the door and Dr. Stone turns around as the door opens. An older man walks in, adjusting his glasses and he smiles at me warmly when he sees me.
“Jaslyn, this is Detective Reynolds,” Dr. Stone explains as she faces me. “We can do this another time if this is too much too soon.”
Too much too soon?
My brain is mush, my body is the epitome of pain, and I still have no idea why I’m in this position. Being awake is too much right now, but it isn’t too soon to get the answers that I need. If Detective Reynolds can help with that, then none of this is too much or too soon.
I force a small smile, one that is pained from struggling to move my battered face. “Now is fine,” I assure her quietly.
I can do this. I can handle this.
Dr. Stone moves to the head of the bed, standing beside me as Reynolds pulls a chair up. Pulling out a notepad and a pen, he smiles at me and leans forward.
“I know you need your rest, but I just have a few questions, okay?”
Keeping my eyes trained on his, my face remains impassive as I give him a curt nod. He’s not the only one with questions, but I’ll get my answers after he gets his.
Clearing his throat, Reynolds clicks his pen and swallows. “Jaslyn, can you tell me anything about what happened on August second?”
The date is completely insignificant, especially because I have no clue what month we’re currently in. “No. I don’t remember.”
Reynolds’ brow furrows as he glances over at Dr. Stone and looks back at me with his expression softer. “I understand that you’re scared, but you’re safe and he can’t hurt you again.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I confess, feeling the confusion growing deeper.
“Axel Reed will be behind bars for a very long time.”
Axel…
My head tilts slightly as I raise an eyebrow at a very perplexed Detective Reynolds.
“Who is Axel?”
Coming Fall 2020
Clarity
(The Veiled Love Duet, Book Two)
Acknowledgments
Husband- I will forever love you for loving my dumbass.
Demon children-Everything I do is for you two. Just don’t ever do the shit I write about… (I’m looking at you, Roman)
Mariela- I could never thank you enough for everything you do. Love your face.
Cassie- Love you, no hugs, just drugs, always.
Michelle- My dark hooker, you’re the fucking breast!
My betas: I wouldn’t trade you guys for the world. You’re fucking awesome. Love you, my homies!
Ellie- you already know, you’re the shit for everything you do. And I don’t mean that LIGHTLY.
My loyal Psycho Squad of the Psycho Kingdom- YOU ARE ALL THE SHIT!! Need I say anymore? Read the first sentence again, because that’s what’s the most important.
All of my author friends- I’m not gonna list names because you all know who you are. You guys are all so amazing and have helped me so much along the way, with my endless questions and your undying support. I love you all!!
Also by C.M. Radcliff
Darkness Duet
Chaos (Book One)
When Darkness Consumes
Returned to the Light
Traces of Her
The Life and Death of Curtis Matthews
About the Author
C.M. Radcliff lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and two demon children. Known as the Psycho Queen, she speaks fluent sarcasm, dark humor, and has the mouth of a sailor. If she isn't reading or writing, she's probably on an adventure with her little family.
Stalking is welcomed:
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https://cmradcliffbooks.weebly.com
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Mirage: Veiled Love Duet: Book One Page 14