Page 99 of Her Dom's Secret Past

“Everything is fine. I’ve rearranged any bookings that need your special touch and I’m not taking any appointments for you until the beginning of next month. That’s only three weeks away, anyhow.”

“Thanks, Charlie. I honestly don’t know what I’d do without you.”

Charlie fluttered his eyelashes at Anabelle and went all gay. I just shook my head. It was very funny when he did it. It actually took a lot of people by surprise. They honestly didn’t think he was homosexual and assumed he was play-acting.

By eight-thirty, the visitors all left, promising to call into the house. I still had my fingers crossed she’d get out Sunday—nothing had been said to contradict it, but you never know.

Anabelle sighed. “You look tired, John.”

“I’m okay. I’ve had a few cat-naps.”

“Do you want to go home tonight and get a good rest?”

“No! I told you I’m not leaving you alone and I mean it.”

“Okay. I understand. Try and get some sleep here tonight.”

“I will, baby, I will.”

She closed her eyes and I thought she’d gone to sleep when suddenly she tried to sit up as she burst into tears.

“They took my bracelet!”

“Hush, the staff will have it.”

“No! No, it was missing when… No, they took it.”

I hadn’t realized. I thought the staff must have taken it off and had it somewhere for safe-keeping.

“Don’t cry, my darling. We can get another. It’s only a piece of jewelry.”

“No, it’s more than that.”

I knew better than to argue with her at the moment. Once I had her home, we could talk about it rationally. I patted her hand and told her I knew how much it meant. The night-duty nurse came and checked all Anabelle’s obs. She had her in tears when she applied the cream to the burn, but she did say it was healing up nicely. I tried to sleep but even though the chair was reasonably comfortable, after a while it certainly wasn’t. In the early hours of the morning, Anabelle started screaming. I jumped up and a nurse rushed in.

We both were surprised to discover Anabelle was asleep but obviously re-living some of her ordeal. The nurse gently woke her and together we reassured her she was safe. After giving her a couple of Tylenol, the nurse left. I held Anabelle’s hand until she drifted back to sleep.

It left me wondering exactly what had happened. She still hadn’t told me. Anabelle and I talked about everything but what had happened during her kidnapping. She was moving much easier now, although she limped badly because of the stitches in her foot. The swelling appeared to have reached its zenith and nothing was said about when she would be discharged, which meant Anabelle was convinced she would be going home tomorrow.

****

At one, Clemson strode into the room and dropped a bombshell.

“You’re to report to the Deputy Commissioner’s office this afternoon. There’s a full meeting with him, myself, and Cooper, as well as a representative from the UK. I’m to bring you back with me now.”

“What?”

“You heard. I also want your version of what happened.”

I pulled out the report I’d written for him and thrust it at him, seething that I was expected to be in the city instead of here with Anabelle.

“This is ridiculous. I need to be here with Ana.”

“You have no say in the matter. This has come from the top brass both here and in the UK.”

Anabelle looked as stunned as I was but did tell me she’d be okay.

“Miss Rowley, I need to get a statement from you. I need to know what happened.”