Page 16 of Romeo

“Jules Landers?”

“Alive.I’ve packed the wound, and I’m getting her to the hospital.”

“I’ll make a call and have it handled.”

“Great.We were seen by one witness.I don’t think he was sober enough to remember though.”

“I’ll get a cleanup team there and have Frank Loyotta talk to local authorities.”

“Thanks.”

“You okay?”

“I’m fine.So is Romeo.The attacker took off out of the bathroom window.So if you could?—”

“Already pulling up your location, brother.I’ll check all cameras in the surrounding area.”

“Fantastic.Jules managed to stab him, so we have blood to run.”

“Even better.Be safe.”

“Will do.”I end the call and shove my cell into my pocket.“You ready to move?”

“Where are you taking me?”

It amazes me that, even after I saved her life, she’s still so untrusting.What has this woman been through that she can’t take a lifeline when one is offered?

“I’m going to get you to a hospital.”It’s the truth.I just leave out the fact that I’m taking her on a two-hour flight back to the hospital in Pine Creek, Texas, where my sister can treat her and I can ensure no one can find us.

Chapter7

Jules

“You know, when you said you were taking me to a hospital, I assumed it would be in the same state,” I say as Riley walks into the hospital room, two paper cups in his hands.He sets one in front of me, keeping the other as he takes a seat.

“The man who attacked you got away.He knew he’d injured you and was likely counting on you heading to the nearest hospital.This way, we’re off of his radar for now.”

He’d done as he promised and not allowed anyone to give me medication for the pain, which I was incredibly grateful for.I hadn’t even been tempted because I know all too well how easy it is to slip back into that place where the darkness has a hold on me.

It’s not worth it.I’d rather pass out from the pain.Which I did, twice.

His sister, Lani, has been treating me, and I have to say she’s an absolute delight.A bundle of energy who has this fantastic way of putting a person at ease the second she walks into the room.

Though, I’m not crazy about the handcuff on my right hand, secured to the side of the bed.“So I’m a prisoner now?My nearly dying wasn’t enough to prove that I’m not a murderer?”

“The handcuff is only until I can be sure you’re no longer a flight risk.”

“And where am I going to go?You brought me to the middle of Nowhere, Texas.I have no money, no ID.How exactly do you think I’ll get away?”As I say it, I can’t help but wonder if that wasn’t part of his plan.

My chest tightens, panic at being trapped setting in.

But I’m not trapped, I remind myself.No matter how mad he is at me, one phone call to Odie, and he’ll send someone to come get me.

“I’ve done my digging into your background, Miss Landers.You’ve disappeared with less before.”

He’s talking about when I was a teenager.Little does he know, I wasn’t alone then.And the man who’d taken me had all the resources he needed to make me vanish.

That panic creeps up again, so I take a deep breath.