Page 10 of Twisted Trust

There’s no fucking way.

“Mommy!” The child suddenly jumps high and then sprints into the room I’ve been hovering around for the past five hours.

I see Chip look at me in my peripheral vision, but I can’t focus on him now.

My feet move with a will of their own and I follow the excited cry of that child right to Maeve’s room.

The nurse stands at the foot of her bed, checking the chart, while Maeve wraps her arms tightly around the child and buries her face in his shoulder.

His excited babbling gives way to happy tears, and Maeve’s arms tense with how tightly she hugs him.

“Can I help you, sir?” The nurse spots me, and her words shine an alarming spotlight on my presence.

Maeve lifts her head, and her vibrant blue eyes lock onto me as all color drains from her face, making the bruises and stitches stand out like blood on snow.

“Hello, Maeve.”

3

MAEVE

No.

He can’t be here.

There’s no way he’s here.

This can’t be happening!

My arms tighten instinctively around Scott as my heart begins to beat wildly in my chest.

Waking up in the hospital was scary enough after being beaten unconscious by the mugger in the parking lot, but now Levi is here, and nothing makes sense abouthowhe’s here.

I’ve been so careful.

I ran when I thought he was dead.

I ran further when they told me he wantedmedead.

I ran and I hid and I built a life for myself here.

How ishehere? How is this real?

“Do you know this man?” The nurse glances between us as Levi stiffly walks into the room.

Somehow, he looks exactly the same as he did the last time I saw him.

There are a few deeper wrinkles around his eyes and his shoulders look broader, but all in all, he looks the exact same.

Levi Gallo. The best and worst thing to ever happen to me.

“Yes.” The word escapes me in a hoarse whisper and I swallow hard around the dull pain in my throat. “I do.”

“Alright, then.” Her suspicious smile turns warm as she continues. “As I was saying, the doctor has you on some strong painkillers and I’ve filled out the prescription for you, so you can collect them when you leave. The most concerning damage is the bruising around your throat. You may experience difficulty speaking for the next week or so, so please be gentle. No yelling or shouting or anything exciting. The stitches in your temple and jaw will dissolve over time, so there’s no need to come back in to get them removed.”

I should be listening to her. I’m trying to, but I can’t take my eyes off Levi.

It’s like I’ve woken up in a nightmare and the man I’m terrified of the most is bearing down on me with murder in his eyes.