Page 7

7

T hane leaned against the wall and folded his arms across his chest. The smell of antiseptic tickled his nose. He hated hospitals, doctor’s offices, and anything having to do with waiting for a medical professional. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust those caring for Odessa because he did.

But over the course of the last couple of years, he’d spent more time in waiting rooms with his mama while some nurse or doctor told him the same thing.

It was frustrating as bloody fucking hell.

He glanced toward the ceiling and sighed. He hadn’t slept well. Tossed and turned most of the night when he wasn’t bothering Haven and Weston.

Or texting with Odessa when she messaged him first.

The latter he didn’t mind at all.

He found it sweet. Endearing. Especially when she’d recalled a few more memories involving him, even if they were slightly embarrassing.

But waking up to Stacey Burdett’s ridiculous news reporting had soured his mood. It was made worse when he’d learned that she’d secured an exclusive interview with fucking Grant for tomorrow morning.

What the fuck was that asshole up to? Whatever it was, it couldn’t be good.

“Hey, man,” Weston said as he strolled down the hospital corridor decked out in his police uniform. “Did they release her yet?” Weston was a good cop. The best. And an even better man. When Thane had returned to Fallport a few months after his father had died, he learned that Weston and Haven had been stopping by his mother’s house on a regular basis. Weston would mow her lawn and fix things around the house. Haven would cook with his mom.

And it wasn’t just this couple who helped out.

That had touched Thane in ways he couldn’t put into words.

“Nope.” Thane shook his head. “Jenna’s making me wait out here while she does some neurological test. As I’m sure you’ve heard, Odessa’s been having a few more memories.”

“One of the reasons I’m here, but are you sure you want to take this on considering your history?” Weston looped his fingers in his belt buckle and widened his stance.

Typical cop form.

“Where else is she supposed to go?” Thane cocked a brow. “And if you say with Grant, I’ll fucking deck you right here.”

Weston ran his fingers across his mouth and chin. “You can’t deny they were engaged. When all her memories come back, all that history will too.”

“Past tense is the operative term there,” Thane said. “Besides, Jenna told me Grant hasn’t even called to check on her. Not one fucking time. He visited once and that was it. He doesn’t care about her. Hell, he doesn’t even care about the optics. I’m sure you heard about the stupid interview with Stacey. I can only imagine what he plans on saying during that broadcast.”

“I can’t say that we’re thrilled he’s doing that and I’ve asked him to rethink it. I can’t stop him, but I’m hoping he heard me. I’m hoping he understands what he can and can’t say.” Weston glanced over his shoulder and furrowed his brow. Thane might not have known Weston all that long, but he knew that look. “Haven’s discussing it with Stacey and her producer. At least this won’t happen until tomorrow, but we don’t know what conversations Stacey and Grant have already had.”

“What aren’t you telling me?” Thane asked.

“This is a complicated case.” Weston held up his hand. “I have to look at all the physical and circumstantial evidence. I’ve interviewed everyone who saw Chrissy, Sylvia, and Odessa at the campgrounds. I’ve spoken to Leslie Anne as well as others at the car show with Grant.”

Thane raked his fingers through his hair. He’d spent his military career looking through a scope. He was a trained sniper. One of the best in the business. He had a quiet patience when it came to his role on his team and he performed his duties without hesitation. He was the man you wanted on your six. He was the overwatch. The one who had his finger on the trigger and would squeeze if he had to. While he was part of the planning of missions, he wasn’t a solver of mysteries. He executed missions. He didn’t put puzzle pieces together. “What does this have to do with Odessa coming back to my house and me keeping her safe?”

“Grant stopped by the station this morning.”

This should be good. “Why?”

“For the record, I shouldn’t be telling you anything, especially if she’s going to be staying with you.”

“Cut the crap, Weston, and get to the point.”

“Grant turned over text messages from Odessa from the night of the murders,” Weston said. “They are cryptic. Angry. And don’t paint her as a stable person.”

“That’s bullshit. Did you authenticate the messages? Was he willing to turn over his phone?” Thane didn’t bother to ask what the messages said because he didn’t believe for one second she sent him anything.

“I asked for it and he told me unless I had a court order, he wouldn’t do it. That he needed his phone for work and that the printout should be good enough,” Weston said. “He stated he only showed them to me because he felt he had to. That he’s been concerned about her state of mind for some time now. He went on about how she’s had anger issues. That she refused to seek help for her problems. That she’s hit him a few times and that while he was even worried she might unleash her wrath on him again, he was willing to give her a place to stay because it was the right thing to do, under the circumstances.”

“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.” Thane pushed from the wall. “That makes no sense at all.”

“I read the texts and there is one that I can’t ignore.”

“Are you going to tell me what it said, or am I going to have to guess?”

Weston blew out a puff of air. “This can’t be repeated.”

“I know the drill.”

“Odessa said if Grant didn’t take her back, he’d not only regret it, but she’d do something crazy. Something they wouldn’t be able to come back from.” Weston lowered his chin. “Before you jump up my ass, I’ve already gone to a judge for that warrant for his phone. We’re still searching for hers. Lincoln and Stormi were able to ping its last location, but it wasn’t there. And if I know Lincoln as well as I think I do, he’s already doing some shady hacking shit that I don’t want to know about, but you’re free to ask him.”

“I bet Grant has her phone,” Thane said under his breath and he would be calling Lincoln and his wife Stormi the first chance he got. They were the most brilliant ethical hackers he’d ever met. Not that he’d known many. “I’ve known Odessa my entire life. We had our share of struggles before we finally ended our relationship for good. The one thing she never did was give ultimatums. Not once did she tell me it was the Marines or her. Fallport or wherever I was living. It came down to her not taking to military life and me loving it way too much. At the end of the day, we let each other go because we were both too young and selfish.”

“Haven mentioned that Odessa wasn’t the kind of girl to threaten anyone, but she used to be more vocal. That she was the kind of person to stand up for herself and others. I can’t say I’ve seen her do that lately, and violent? That does seem to be a stretch, but I can’t ignore what he put in front of me. I’m a cop. I have to follow every lead.”

“Odessa used to have quite a mouth and she could use it to have a good argument with the best of them. But she wasn’t violent. She used to like to swear. The word fuck was like a piece of candy to her, but she was never mean. She didn’t hit below the belt. She did, however, change when she started dating that asshole. She became docile. The little woman. It was weird. He wanted her to be some high-society piece of arm dressing. I have no idea why he chose her. It makes no sense. She doesn’t come from money and the only women he dated, that I knew of, could give him something.”

“That might be true, but her parents did have a substantial life insurance policy. And she got about a million for their house.”

Thane swallowed. Hard. He hadn’t known that. “Where’s all that money now?”

“I couldn’t answer that question,” Weston said. “Odessa stopped being friends with anyone in her old circles. It got worse when she moved in with Grant.”

“Tell me something I don’t know.”

“All right.” Weston cocked his head. “Grant’s on his way here to take her home.”

“Over my fucking dead body.”

“I’m a little surprised he didn’t beat me here,” Weston said. “I had to drop the paperwork off at the courthouse for the warrant for his phone. I did call Jenna. I wanted her to know. Just in case there was an issue between you and him. Please don’t make me haul you into county.”

“All I can promise is I won’t swing first. That would break my mama’s heart.”

“I guess I can be grateful you’re such a mama’s boy.”

“There’s nothing wrong with that.” Thane smiled, but it quickly faded. “Motherfucker, here comes that asshole. And he brought Rufus with him. I don’t know who I hate more.” Luckily, Frick and Frack were stopped at the nurses’ station.

“You went to high school with both of them, right?”

“We all played football and lacrosse together. Also graduated the same year. Grant went off to some fancy college and Rufus joined the Army.” Thane wiggled his fingers and rolled his shoulders. The last thing Odessa needed was for him to get into it with Grant. But he wasn’t about to let her walk out of this hospital with that man. “I need to get to Odessa before he does.”

“I don’t know how that will work, but Jenna just stepped from Odessa’s room.” Weston jerked his chin.

Jenna walked briskly down the corridor.

Every muscle in Thane’s body tensed and twitched. While he would love to put his fist through Grant’s nose, it wouldn’t solve anything, except maybe get him tossed from the hospital. No. He couldn’t have that. He needed to be prepared to whisk Odessa out of this place and back to his house where he and his mother could take care of her while her memories continued to form.

And the cops figured this bullshit out.

“Good morning, gentlemen.” Jenna rubbed the back of her neck. “I was hoping to have a little more time with Thane before that one showed up, if he showed up at all.” She grabbed Thane by the arm. “Weston, please see if you can run interference with Grant. I don’t want him going in Odessa’s room just yet. If at all. Feel free to inform him that she does not want to go home with him. She’s made that perfectly clear.”

“I might enjoy doing that.” Weston nodded.

Thank God for small fucking favors.

Jenna waved to a nurse. “Tell the officer at Odessa’s door that no one is to disturb the patient until I return. If anyone balks, instruct the officer that it has to do with some testing.” She dragged Thane around the corner, behind a big desk.

“Care to tell me what the hell is going on?” Thane asked.

“Odessa’s had a few more memories.”

“I know. We’ve been texting throughout the night and morning. She’s told me about the nightmare. About a few other random things regarding that night. She’s also had a few other memories about her childhood, but—and these are her words—everything is like a flat black-and-white vintage image.”

“It’s very frustrating for her,” Jenna said. “She told me your knowledge of her life is helpful. But her mind is starting to flood with more memories. She’s struggling to categorize them. Most of them are either from when she was a small child through her early twenties or a few from that night. What concerns me is the drug we found in her system and the fact she seems to be remembering what could have been an injection into her skin.”

“Shouldn’t you be telling this to the cops?”

“I already called Haven and I’m sure she’s told her husband.” Jenna nodded. “I doubt they would appreciate me telling you, but since you’ll be taking care of her, I want to strap you with some information.”

“Thanks, Jenna.”

She rubbed the back of her neck. “It’s possible, because of the amount of alcohol in her system, the way this date rape drug works, and depending on when it was given to her, that she might not ever remember what happened after the injection.”

“Which means even if she did witness someone murder her friends, she might not be able to recall those details,” Thane said as a statement, not a question. “What about hypnosis?”

“She’s agreed, but I need her to have more of a sense of self. That’s where you come in.”

“Name it. I’ll do anything to help her.”

“You’re not going to like it.” She cocked her head and kept talking. “I want you to come with her to counseling. I want you to be involved in her recovery. Outside of Grant, whom she has too many negative feelings toward, you’re the only person she has. I believe you can push her faster into remembering.”

“Wait a second.” Thane pinched the bridge of his nose. “Just yesterday you wanted to ease her into all this.”

“I know. But she’s struggling and two women are dead. While Odessa’s recovery is my main focus, she’s getting herself worked up over it all. She knows she’s the key. She wants to open that door no matter the consequences to herself. I need to do it in a safe environment. That means I need your help. Are you willing to do it?”

“If Odessa wants me there, then yeah, I’ll come with her.” He lowered his chin. “I’ll do what I can to help her outside of therapy, but she’s in the driver’s seat. I will not be a controlling asshole like her ex.”

“You’re a lot of things, Thane, but controlling is not one of them.” She squeezed his biceps. “Now come on. Let’s get you to her room. Maybe Weston can make?—”

“You can’t keep me from seeing her,” Grant yelled.

Thane stuck his head around the corner and groaned.

“What the fuck is he doing here?” Grant waggled his finger in Thane’s direction.

“Don’t start anything,” Jenna whispered.

“I never do.” But he did finish things. That was always his problem. He inched closer toward Odessa’s room.

The officer had positioned himself directly in front of her door. He placed one hand on the butt of his weapon, the other at his side, while his stance widened, and he puffed out his chest.

Thane would think twice about taking down that man without backup.

“Get out of my way.” Grant tried to sidestep Weston.

“You need to first lower your voice.” Weston continued to block his path. “Odessa is in the middle of some test, so no one is going in her room right now. When those tests are completed, I will be the only one going in to have a second interview.”

Nicely played.

Only, that meant he, Grant, and Rufus would be left out here with only the cop at the door. That might not be good.

“And I believe I made it clear that Odessa doesn’t want to?—”

“How would you know what Odessa wants,” Grant interrupted Weston. “Odessa can’t even remember who she is. If she’s asking to go home with that piece of shit over there, then she’s being brainwashed. I demand to see her before she’s discharged.”

“Maybe you should have considered calling and checking in on her throughout the evening,” Thane said. “Or visiting her more than once.”

“Fuck off,” Grant mumbled. “You don’t know shit.”

“I will not have that kind of language in my hospital.” Jenna stood between Grant and Weston, while Thane hung closer to the uniformed police officer. “I’m sorry, Grant, but Odessa has made her wishes clear. You need to respect them.”

“I want to speak with her,” Grant said.

Thane’s cell vibrated in his back pocket. He pulled it out and stared at the screen.

Odessa: Tell Jenna I’ll speak to him.

Thane: That’s not necessary.

Odessa: It’s the only way he’ll leave. Let me do this, without you in the room.

Thane: I’ll tell her.

He squared his shoulders and inched closer. “She wants to see him.” He showed Jenna his cell.

“How on earth would you know that?” Grant glared.

“Doesn’t matter. You get your wish,” Thane said. “But Rufus stays out here. You go in with Jenna and the rest of us stay out here.”

“Fine.” Grant lunged forward, bumping into Thane’s shoulder.

Fucking jerk.

“And when I come out, Odessa will have realized she made a mistake,” Grant said.

Thane curled his fingers around Jenna’s biceps. “Do I need to ask Weston to go in there with you?”

“We’ll be okay.” Jenna smiled. “I know how to handle men like Grant,” she whispered. “Don’t get yourself in trouble out here.”

“I’ll behave. I promise.” He held Rufus’ stare. Back in the day, they’d co-existed well enough. They had to. Thane was the starting quarterback, and Rufus was his star running back. On the field, they did their jobs. Off the field, they couldn’t stand the sight of each other. It had more to do with Grant and the division between the haves and the have-nots.

None of that mattered to Thane, but it mattered to Grant and his groupies.

But what really brothered Grant during those four years of high school was that Thane was the starting QB and Grant wasn’t much of a wide receiver. He didn’t go on to play college ball.

Not that Rufus or Thane had—but both could have.

A sour subject with Grant.

Thane had always hoped the Army would do Rufus a world of good. He’d been a rich rebel without a cause. His story was cliché. A product of divorce. A kid who had been born with a silver spoon in his mouth. He had everything money could buy.

But he never had his parents’ love.

His mother was the whore who ran off with an insurance salesman.

And his dad was a high-powered lawyer who didn’t have time to parent, but demanded his kid be the best. When Rufus wasn’t, his dad decided it was either the military or he would cut him off.

Rumor had it that eventually his father did pull the purse strings. However, six years into Rufus’ military career, his old man passed away. Dropped dead of a massive heart attack.

A widow maker.

Thane truly felt bad for Rufus.

But it didn’t soften him. Not one bit.

He struggled to find his way and then came back to Fallport and became Grant’s bitch boy.

Rufus casually leaned against the wall. “I heard you’re going to be the offensive coordinator for the high school football team next fall.”

Thane jerked his head. This was not a conversation he thought he’d ever have with Rufus. “I am.”

“That’s cool.” Rufus nodded. “Did you play at all after high school?”

“My unit in the Marines put together scrimmages, but nothing big.” This had to be the weirdest chat Thane ever experienced. “What about you?”

“Not really.” Rufus lifted his chin toward the door. “For the record, I don’t think it’s a good idea if she comes home with him.”

“Oh yeah. And why’s that?” Thane shifted his weight. This could be the part in the discussion that tossed him over the edge, forcing him to break his promise to Jenna. Something he didn’t want to do.

Rufus closed the gap, standing two paces away. He was an impressive man. Not your typical running back at nearly six foot. He was broad, and currently, Thane figured he was close to two hundred pounds of solid, lean muscle.

Thane was six-four and two forty.

But that didn’t mean he could take Rufus.

“I know what you think of me. Hell, there’s never been any love lost between the two of us,” Rufus said. “Although, I’m not exactly sure why that is.”

“I do and it’s got a name. Grant Mercer.”

Rufus chuckled. “Fair enough. But I’m only here because he’s paying me to be. Not for any other reason. I know everyone in this town thinks he owns me because it’s my security firm that handles his dealerships and right now, I’m his personal bodyguard.”

“Why does he need one?”

“When it comes to Grant, I’ve learned over the years not to ask too many questions, but it’s not because of her; however, that’s the spin he’ll put on it.”

Thane threaded his fingers through his hair and glanced down the corridor. It had been a long while since he spent any significant time with Rufus. He didn’t pay much attention to his life. He knew he spent twelve years in the military and then returned to Fallport, creating his security firm, which appeared to be successful.

One of his bigger clients was Grant and his dozen dealerships.

But that was the IT aspect of the business and Leslie Anne ran that internally.

Thane had only been back for a little over a year and he’d seen Grant more times than he cared to admit. However, he’d only seen Rufus a handful of times. But what disturbed him was each time Grant had been at his side.

“What is he going to say about it and why the hell are you telling me?”

“I owe Grant.” Rufus arched a brow. “It’s a long story and no one knows the details. It’s no one’s business. But let’s just say I’m getting tired of being his lapdog and I’m looking for a way out.”

“I’m not that ticket and I sure as shit don’t trust you,” Thane said. “And you haven’t told me anything.”

“I’ve been trying to distance myself from Grant for the last few years, but it’s not been easy. For whatever reason—and I don’t know what that reason is—he’s pushing this agenda that Odessa has been abusing him.” Rufus held up his hand. “He’s going to go on television tomorrow and tell that juicy piece of gossip to Stacey.”

“Then why does he want to bring her home?”

“I only know so much and I’m only willing to give you so much while we’re standing here with him so close. Not to mention you haven’t agreed to help me.”

“I’m going to need to know why you owe him,” Thane said.

“We’ll need to have that conversation when we have more time and in private,” Rufus said. “Understand that Grant never intended to let Odessa go. I don’t believe for one second he’s the one who ended it with her. Just last week he forced her event planning business on me for a party I wasn’t even going to have. The key here is that Grant wants something. Or needs something, and she’s a pawn.”

“Let me ask you this.” Thane wondered if he was playing with fire, if Rufus would go back to Grant with this conversation, but it was worth the risk. “Do you think Grant could be responsible for what happened to Sylvia and Chrissy?”

“Are you asking me if I think he could have murdered them?” Rufus asked with wide eyes.

Thane nodded.

“Jesus,” Rufus muttered. “Grant’s a lot of things. Shady when it comes to business and he and Leslie Anne have been screwing each other for months, but murder? I don’t know.”

“What about hiring someone?”

Rufus narrowed his stare. “I’m not a killer for hire, if that’s where you’re going with this.”

“We’ve both done and seen shit in the military.” Thane pursed his lips. “People of this town have a certain perception of you. Most of it isn’t good.”

“I’m aware.” Rufus nodded. “Let’s set up a time to chat. I think we can help each other out.”

“How do I know you won’t throw me and Odessa under the bus?”

“Because I’m going to feed you intel as I get it and it’s going to be spot-on,” Rufus said. “And once you hear why I owe him, you’ll understand.” He waved his finger toward the door. “Now let’s go back to pounding our chests, or Grant might think we’ve both gone soft.”

Odessa sucked in a deep breath and let it out slowly. Her mind flowed like a raging river. It was as if she were in a raft, bumping across from one shore to the next, hurling over rocks while she tried to snag branches to slow the flood of memories.

Her first kiss.

Winning the volleyball state championship.

High school graduation.

Watching the bus roll away with Thane on it when he joined the Marines.

The tears when they broke up and her trip to Europe. That had only made her want to get back together.

But it didn’t last.

The crushing pain when Thane came home one Christmas with her.

Her parents’ deaths.

She clutched her chest.

And Grant. That entire relationship flashed before her eyes like the shower scene in Psycho. It was brutal. Painful. Horrifying.

Grant’s angry words vibrated through the hospital walls. All she needed was to hear Grant’s raised voice to revive her life.

Go figure. Had she known that, she would have begged him to visit and then picked a fight.

His voice grated on her nerves like cheese being aggressively shredded on a metal grate, even though it was muffled.

The memories filled her brain like an exploding fire hydrant. There was no shutting it off. No turning down the pressure. It would stop when the last memory was uploaded.

It was strange. The earlier visions were hazy—barely a faint recollection.

These weren’t like that at all. But they couldn’t be called memories either. They were her life in living color and it rejuvenated—and angered—her.

She texted Thane. She needed to speak with Grant. To see him. To tell him that she was done—with him. It would help her reclaim her life. Her heart pounded in her ears. Fear prickled her skin. She knew what kind of man Grant was. She knew how easily manipulated she could be by him.

But she still needed to lay that hammer down.

Then she’d deal with Thane. It wasn’t the same with him because he was a decent and kind person. However, boundaries needed to be made clear. Those memories had smacked her chest too. There was also pain when it came to Thane. Judgment. Anger. Resentment.

But—if she was being honest—there was so much more, and not just coming from Thane. She felt it too.

She choked on a sob. She had no idea what happened to her friends—other than they were dead. Those memories were locked in some dark corner of her brain. Hidden in a cave. Protected by some barrier as if reaching them might destroy her. But she’d find them. She had to. No matter what. She didn’t care what she had to do—she needed the truth.

The door squeaked open. Jenna walked in first, followed by Grant. God, she couldn’t wait to lay into him. When she’d left her ring… instinctively, she covered her left hand.

No ring.

She’d given it back. But she hadn’t done it with gusto. That was about to change. Grant Mercer would see the real Odessa Hayes. Not the weak, scared woman he’d created.

He puffed out his chest and rubbed his temple right near the black eye she supposedly gave him, but that never happened. She remembered exactly what transpired Thursday evening.

However, she couldn’t prove it.

It would be her word against his and he was a powerful man in the community.

Her resolve to confront him weakened. The hair on the back of her neck stood on end.

You can run, but you can’t hide.

Those were the words she heard in the woods in the dark of night. It was like the wind sang them to her in a familiar timbre. That was the only part of her life that hadn’t come back.

Bits and pieces of the night with her girlfriends shuffled around in her brain like a puzzle, but nothing fit. Nothing made sense. There was laughter. Drinking.

And then tension with terse words.

Did someone give her an ultimatum?

“Good morning, Odessa.” Grant dared to smile that fake, sweet grin that had most playing out of the palms of his hands. “I hope you slept well.” Thankfully, he stood at the end of the bed.

If he had sat on the edge, she might have shoved him off with force.

He held her stare with a crinkled brow, as if to gauge the situation. He could be a calculating man. He was smart. Intimidating. And he almost always got his way. When he didn’t, he found the weak spot, exploited it, and made sure he got what he wanted in the end.

He always did.

“I’m surprised to see you,” she said behind gritted teeth. One thing she knew about her feelings for Grant was that at this point, she loathed him for what he’d done.

He cocked his head. “I’m here to bring you home.”

“I don’t want to go with you.” In defiance, she folded her arms. He hated that and she knew it.

“I understand how confusing this all must be for you. But I’m sure you will recover faster if you come back to the only home you’ve known for the last six months.” He shifted his gaze toward Jenna. “Don’t you agree, Doctor?”

“I’m sorry, but this is her decision.” Jenna leaned against the side of the bed, holding her hand. “What’s important is how she feels about her recovery, and wherever she wants to go, I’ll support.”

It was nice to have someone in her corner.

Odessa wondered what Jenna was going to say when she found out that Odessa remembered most events in her life.

“Listen, you’re the doctor and I agree with you that Odessa should feel a certain way, but I don’t think sending her home with someone who is essentially a stranger to her isn’t what’s best,” Grant said. “We might have fought and needed a break, but I’m her fiancé. She barely knows Thane anymore. They aren’t friends and she’s made it perfectly clear to him over the last few months that she doesn’t appreciate his advances.” He leaned over and squeezed her ankle.

She cringed.

“You’ve told him that so many times. I wish you could remember the frustration he’s caused you. The fights it’s caused us,” Grant said.

That was absolutely not true and she wanted to correct Grant, but something told her it was best if he didn’t know she had her memories back. It wasn’t the right time to confront him with anything. The only thing she needed to do was make sure she didn’t go anywhere with him, ever.

“Whether that’s true or not, I do not wish to go home with you.” She lifted her chin. “That’s final and I need you to respect that.”

“Come on, sweetheart.” He inched around to the side of the bed and reached for her hand.

She jerked it away.

“No,” she said, shaking her head. “I’d like you to leave now.”

“Honey, I know you’re scared. I get it. But there are things about Thane you?—”

“Excuse me,” Jenna said. “It’s important that we don’t taint the process and this is putting ideas in her head.”

Grant arched a brow. “And he’s not—you’re not—putting… never mind.” He shifted his gaze. “I’m not going to push this right now, but when you change your mind, I’ll be here for you. I’m always here for you.” He tapped the side of his head, near the bruise. “No matter what happens.” He leaned closer. “Or what you’ve done. I always take care of you.”

She swallowed. Hard.

He strolled out the door. “Come on, Rufus. I’ve got work to do,” he said with authority.

Thane ducked his head inside. “Everything?—”

“I need a moment with Jenna.” Odessa rubbed her temples.

“Okay. I’ll be right out here.” Thane gently tugged the door closed.

Odessa sat up taller. “I remember. Almost everything. I remember.”

“I got that impression.” Jenna folded her arms. “What I want to know is why didn’t you tell Grant? Why did you kick Thane out? And should I be asking the police to come in?”

“Last question first.” Odessa sighed. “I don’t remember what happened to my friends. That night is a blur. I was drunk. I do remember fighting with my friends. But it’s like I blacked out.”

“You’re going to need to make a statement.”

“And I will.” Odessa nodded. “I had every intention of telling Grant off. I did not give him that black eye. That I remember. But something tells me it was best he does not know I remember anything. I dumped him. But I don’t know why he’s chosen to lie about it.”

“I don’t know, but these are all things you need to discuss with the police.”

“Again, agreed. But now I have something I want to discuss with you.” She narrowed her stare, reeling in her frustration. Her entire world landed in the pit of her stomach. Everyone was suspect. Not in the murder of her friends. She hadn’t a clue about that. She couldn’t fathom who would want to kill them. Or for what reason. However, whoever did it left one person alive, which meant she was still in danger.

Grant was a lot of things, but a protector, he was not. Rufus might have a stable of bodyguards, but she did want that man guarding her? No, she’d take her chances with Thane. At least she knew what she was in for when it came to him.

However, that didn’t change the fact that she felt manipulated by every person who had walked into this hospital room, including her doctor.

“In the last twenty-four hours we chatted—in passing—about the fact that I used to date Thane. That he took you out a couple of times. But you neglected to tell me that you hate me.”

“Hate is a strong word and it’s not true.”

Thane wanted her to have her voice back. Well, maybe this was what he meant. “Really? Then explain to me why a few months ago, when I’d broken up with Grant for a couple of weeks, and you saw me out with Thane, you got in my face and told me that I either needed to commit to him or release him, but that I couldn’t have it both ways.”

Jenna opened her mouth, but Odessa just kept talking. She was going to get this out, especially when she hadn’t the balls to do it when it happened.

“A few short weeks later, I saw you again. This time I was with Grant. You had the nerve to corner me in the bathroom. You called me a coward. Told me I didn’t deserve a man like Thane. You told me to stay away from him. That I was causing him psychological harm. What gives you the right to say that shit to me?”

Jenna turned, pulled up a chair, and planted her ass in it. She sighed. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said it.”

“Then why did you?”

“Because at the time, I thought I cared about Thane a certain way.” Jenna arched a brow. “However, he and I have jack shit in common. I took out my hurt feelings on you and for that I am sorry. Anything else?”

“Yeah.” This was not exactly how Odessa expected this to go down, but it felt damn fucking good to get it off her chest.

Finally.

She’d held it so close to the cuff for months. Like she did everything else, because Grant controlled her world.

“Wasn’t it a conflict of interest to take me on as a patient?”

“I don’t believe so,” Jenna said. “I have not tried to control the outcome of your memory recovery process. I’ve only tried to help you regain them. I also don’t have any feelings for Thane romantically. I do consider him sort of a friend, in a weird way.”

“I have one last question,” Odessa said. “Do you believe, as your patient, that I’m making the right decision about where I will stay? Or could I get a hotel?”

“I would not recommend staying alone.” Jenna pushed to a standing position. “You need support and Thane and his mother used to be that for you. I do believe they are a good choice. I also think you should stay away from Grant.”

“That, we both agree on.” Odessa sighed. “You can send Thane in and get Haven or Weston back down here. I might as well get that statement over with.”

“I bet Weston is still out in the hallway.” Jenna took her hand. “I’m on your side. Remember that.”

Odessa actually believed that.