Page 95 of Dark Roads

“What do you mean?”

“Before you got there, he searched the house.” She thought about how Vaughn had gone straight down the hall. Like he knew where to go. He’d asked those strange questions too, about whether she’d gone into the other rooms. Maybe she was remembering wrong.

“How long was he there alone?”

“I don’t know. It’s all hazy. He burst in and didn’t even stop to see if I was okay. Then he was sitting there when I woke up.” She pointed at the chair. “He was saying horrible things, asking about how I killed Mason, and about my sister. I don’t want to talk to him again.”

“You don’t have to. But I’m a good listener. Can you take me through everything?”

This time she had better answers prepared.

Beth blinked a few times, waking from a nap, and then let her eyelids drift closed again. She’d go back to sleep where no memories could chase her down. A noise, someone in the room on her right side. She jerked her eyes open, turned to look. Jonny standing by her window, his face pensive as he gazed out at the mountains. The purple bruises on his jaw had turneda soft yellow. She cleared her throat and his head snapped around. They met eyes, then his gaze drifted from the bandages around her throat to the cuts on her arms, then back up to her puffy eyes and lips. The nurses had washed the blood out of her hair, but the stitches were an ugly reminder.

“How did you get past the cops?”

“Thompson let me through. A lot of reporters are hanging around.”

“Guess I’m famous. Yay, me.” She pumped a fist in the air and regretted it when the IV tugged at her skin. She dropped her hand back down.

“You didn’t eat breakfast.”

Hadn’t she? What time was it? She glanced at her breakfast tray. The oatmeal had congealed, the brown sugar a murky puddle. It looked like she had managed a few sips of coffee, but she only remembered the exhaustion, the way her body sank backward into the pillow.

“You were right about the food. A burnt hot dog would be better.”

“I should’ve brought you something.”

“I’m just happy to see you.”

Their eyes held for a moment, then he moved to sit in the chair beside her bed, sliding it closer. He entwined his fingers with hers and rested his forehead against her arm. “When I heard what happened…” His lips grazed her skin as he spoke, a warm sensation that traveled up her body. “If you hadn’t killed him, I’d have hunted him down myself.”

She tensed, and he must have felt the motion, because he lifted his head and met her eyes, his blue ones almost black in the hospital lighting. “I’m sorry. We don’t have to talk about it.”

She glanced at the door, then whispered, “Hailey,” and his mouth parted. She pressed her fingers to his soft lips so that he wouldn’t ask questions. “She saved my life.” She didn’t knowwho might be in the hall. She didn’t need a doctor or a gossipy nurse overhearing.

“She okay?”

“Think so. I made her leave before the cops came.” Beth reached up and touched the bandage around her throat. “When I get out, I’ll tell you more.”

“Aren’t you going back to Vancouver?”

“Do youwantme to leave?”

“I don’t want you caught up in all the lies. This vendetta that Vaughn has against me. He’s pulled my brothers over, and my dad,” Jonny said. “He’s looking for anything.”

That wasn’t really an answer. She stared at him, and he flushed, dropped his gaze to their clasped hands.

“Let me get this straight,” she said. “You’re worried that if we started dating, he might give me a speeding ticket?”

“I don’t knowwhathe’ll do. That’s the point.”

“You don’t need an excuse to tell me that you aren’t interested in a relationship, Jonny.”

“That’s bullshit—it’s not about that.”

“I’m not going to talk you into something you obviously don’t want.” She tried to tug her hand loose, but he wasn’t letting go. “Don’t worry. We had our fun. I get it.”

“Youdon’tget it. You’re free. You can leave this town, but I can’t.”