Page 66 of Healed Heart

My mind is racing now, thoughts spiraling out of control.Why would Ronny comment on Lindsay’s memorial page if he was somehow involved in her death?

Unless…

Unless it was all part of his plan.

A sense of dread washes over me as I consider this new possibility, followed by a wave of bitterness that lingers on my tongue like bile.If Ronny hurt Lindsay…

He will fucking pay.

ChapterTwenty-Five

Angie

He’s kidding, right?

Ralph seriously thinks I’m going to fuck him in his hospital room?With Tabitha right outside?Hell, with a whole staff of nurses and orderlies outside?

It’s not as if we can lock the door.

Though that’s the last reason why I’m not going to fuck Ralph.

“You’re delusional if you think that’s happening,” I reply, crossing my arms.“I’m not whoring myself to save anyone.Certainly not to someone like you.”

Ralph grins, a sick pleasure in his eyes at my obvious disgust.“Then I guess Dr.Lansing had better start preparing for prison.You might want to get him a butt plug—a big one—unless you’re already working his back door, like I said.”

God, he’s sick.The threat in his words is as tangible as the coldness in his voice.A chill curls at the back of my neck, but I stay steady.I refuse to let Ralph see that he’s getting to me.

“Last chance, Simpson,” he taunts, his gaze lingering on me with disgusting lust.

I grab the end of his hospital bed, fighting the urge to shake him until he sees sense.“You’re seriously underestimating Jason if you think he can’t handle a little jail time.”

A low chuckle escapes Ralph’s lips as he adjusts himself in his bed.“You underestimate me if you think I’m doing this for fun.We both have something at stake here.”

“Oh, really?”I sneer.“And what could you possibly lose?”

“More than you can imagine,” he replies.

“Try me,” I say, curiosity briefly overtaking my anger.

“Nothing that concerns you directly,” he says.“Let’s just say it involves a certain naïveté of yours about the true character of your beloved Jason.”

I huff at that.“You’ve already done your worst to taint my opinion of him, and it hasn’t worked.So either spit it out or shut up, Ralph.”

His mouth twists into a smirk.He seems to be measuring, calculating.Seeing how far he can push me before I break.

“I suppose there’s no harm in telling you,” he finally says.“After all, it won’t change the outcome of things.”

“What are you talking about?”I demand, the suspense gnawing at my nerves.

He leans back against his pillows, seemingly gathering his strength.His eyes lose focus for a moment before snapping back to me.

“Jason,” he begins, his voice barely a whisper, “isn’t who you think he is.”

I feel my eyebrows pull together in confusion.“What are you talking about?”

“He has a past,” Ralph continues.“A dark past.One that he’s kept hidden from everyone…including you.”

“I don’t believe you.”