Page 165 of Tied to You

I suck in air, my hands going to my knees. “Was she in the fire?”

I watch his feet enter my vision, staring at the ground. “No. But I found her before… before I lit the place up.”

Dean’s a man who fights for what’s right. Acts where and when he’s needed. More than anything, I know he’s a man who’s watched women get hurt under the hands of men. He wouldn’t jeopardise everything we’ve worked for lately if it wasn’t necessary. He would only react if… I stand straight. “Matthew.”

The chilling way his face turns down is all I need. Matthew hurt her. Did something to my girl. I barge past him; this time he doesn’t stop me. I charge, my feet heavily treading my way down a corridor, swinging back curtains, looking and desperately searching for her.

Ignoring the calls for me to stop from the nursing staff, I trudge on, coming to the last cubicle. I fling back the curtain, eyes wide, a lump in my throat. But it’s empty. My heart sinks like the last slither of hope I had that I was about to see her. See her face. That God damn face I stare at every morning before she wakes. The one that steals my breath when I see her eyes flicker whilst she dreams. The one that is beyond all things beautiful and calm. I could watch it forever.

Could.

Won’t.

“She’s not here.”

I swing around not instantly recognising the deep voice from behind me.

Dean comes running up, his feet steadying to a stop close by. They exchange a look, but my gaze is fixed firmly on the man stood still. “Travis,” Dean says. It sounds like a warning. I don’t look.

Mollie’s father is dressed in a suit. It’s crisp. Pristine. His power oozes from him.

When he scowls at me, I can see why Mollie hasn’t wanted to see him. He looks like a man who’s used to getting his own way. “Where is she?”

“In her own room as far away fromyouas possible.”

“Is she okay?” My voice is threatening, but my words show my intentions. I’m here to see Mollie. I will see her. Regardless of who stands in my way.

“She’s no longer your concern.”

I hum. “That right?”

Dark, deep, brown eyes hold mine the same way hers normally do. “You have,” he looks down at his Rolex, “thirty seconds before you’re escorted out of here.”

I flick a look to Dean. He gives me a subtle nod. I immediately know his warning is real. Dean must also know I don’t give a flying fuck. His face drops, and the corner of my mouth twitches in apology. “Best get moving then.”

Striding past him, Dean blocks his move to me, and I’m given the smallest of head starts. I run, not knowing where the fuck I’m headed or which room she’s in, but knowing I have to fucking try.

Catching a small window on one of the doors, I chance a look, getting fucking lucky when I see a head of brown hair. I halt. Step back. My heart’s racing. It’s her. She’s asleep. Laying on the bed, she’s unmoving, her chest rising and falling steadily. Apart from her wrist which is clearly injured, a sling holding it steady, I can’t see any other obvious injuries.

I send up a prayer, my hand lifting to the handle. I have no clue what I’m going to say. No idea how many apologies I’ll have to give for her to forgive me. But I’ll grovel. On my hands and fucking knees, I’ll claw my way back into her heart.

If she’ll let me.

I can feel my heart stopping. She has to.

My hand nudges the handle, making it rattle. I briefly see her eyes open and look my way before two sets of hands catch me off guard, and I’m dragged back before being slammed to the floor. “Don’t move!”

A knee’s pressed into my back as my face rebounds off the floor, the heavy weight being pressed between my shoulder blades, keeping me still. I can’t move as they grab my wrists, holding them behind my back. Immobilising me.

“Travis?” Dean shouts.

I look in his direction as best I can, only just catching sight of him being taken away.

“That was the one,” Mollie’s father says as my eyes land on him. He’s pointing at Dean who’s being escorted out. “He brought her in.”

Then he’s gone, shouting my name one last time as Mollie’s father looks at me. What kind of power does he have to know exactly when the police arecoming?

“And this one?” I’m hauled to my feet, my head swinging around to see through the window.