Page 159 of Kiss of Deceit

“Uh—I think we need to look at your injuries,” she said, rounding the counter. “A few of those need stitches?—”

“That can wait. I need to see her now.” I paused, blowing out a breath. “Please.”

“Kole, calm down,” Harry huffed, finally catching up to me.

“I’ve been fucking calm,” I growled, turning my anger on him. “You all forced me to stay in Winterlake so Nolan could pop my shoulder back into place, and I downed some pain pills. I’m fine. I need to see Dani.”

“She’s sleeping.”

I whirled around to see Susan sitting in the waiting area. Her lips were set in a scowl, her tired eyes examining me as she stood up. She glanced at Harry, her frown deepening.

“Who gave you permission to leave Winterlake?” she asked in a low voice.

“Things were hectic there,” I replied, my impatience flaring. “They were trying to round up everyone who had left the factory. No one cared what I was doing.”

All the inmates roaming the streets of Winterlake would be back in the prison by morning. Harry had informed me about the mechanical failure at thefactory, and while he believed it was an accident, I knew the truth. Miles and Leo had done it to create chaos when they went after Dani.

“Both of you can’t just get on a helicopter and leave.” Susan met my stare again. “I expected you to show up, which was why I’m waiting.”

“Nolan didn’t want me traveling alone,” I told her, barely hanging onto my last thread of control. “There were officers on the helicopter too. They must not have cared much since they dropped us off here and then left. Tell me what room Dani is in.”

“203. I’ll take you.”

She led the way, and it took everything not to snap about how slowly she was walking. Harry trudged along next to me with his hands shoved into his pockets. This was the first time he’d been out of prison and Winterlake in over fifteen years. I was sure he would have chosen anywhere else to go other than a hospital during his slice of freedom.

We finally arrived at the room, and my heart rate sped up when I spotted two armed cops standing guard in front of her door.

“I thought Leo was found dead,” I breathed out.

“He was,” Susan answered, nodding at the policemen before opening the door.

“Then why does she need a detail?—”

My words faded when my eyes fell on Dani. She was laying in the hospital bed, a bandage covering her cheek where Leo had cut her. Her hair was still matted and red from dried blood.

But as she slept, I couldn’t stop the breath of relief that slipped out. She looked…peaceful. As if even while unconscious, she was aware her monster was gone.

“She has a few cuts that needed stitches, two ribs and her ankle are broken,” Susan listed out her injuries with no emotion. “It’ll take a while, but she should heal with no permanent issues.”

The relief I’d just felt fizzled out when my eyes stopped on her wrist. I took a step forward before facing Susan.

“Why the hell is she handcuffed to the bed?” I snapped.

She crossed her arms. “Do you know her history?”

I paused. “Yes. I also know Winterlake was supposed to be a fresh start for her.”

“That was before she murdered Miles.”

My jaw dropped. “He tried killing her?—”

“She deliberately killed him when he wasnota threat anymore. And… the search helicopter saw what she did to Leo.”

My heart stuttered. “What did she do?”

“She murdered him when she was specifically told to leave him alone.”

The only sound was the beeping of the machines that Dani was hooked up to as I processed her words. Harry muttered something about food before scurrying out of the room.