“According to several of the members of your study group, you blew up about the news of her recent engagement.”
“How do you know that?”
“We have had a report of the incident.” I look over at Deputy Carnes. He was the undersheriff of Timothy Sunderland. He is the dick who is now married to Jennifer.
“Mrs. Jankowski, the librarian, told me when I canvased the scene. He started screaming at her.”
“The fuck?” I ask.
“He looks good for it.”
“Then where the fuck is she?” I ask him.
Zane continues his line of questioning but ultimately lets him go. His solid alibi of volunteering at the nursing home was all caught on camera. For being an unhinged fucker, he sure is good with older people.
I leave the station, but I don’t go home. I can’t. The memories are going to kill me. Her tinkling little laugh fills all the rooms, not to mention her perfume. Everywhere I fucked her tight little body.
???
Two of the longest days of my life passed slowly.
I’ve slept in my office at the fire station because I couldn’t face Victoria without Verity. She has been with Gage the entire time, but I’ve Facetimed her several times. I left the police scanner on, so I could have heard any updates. There were none.
At midnight, I was driving around town, looking for something. Anything.
I can almost swear that a voice is speaking to me. A divine voice. Telling me to pay attention. The radio in my truck makes the all alert tone. My sense of dread returns with vengeance.
“Fire at an abandoned warehouse. 1236 Fallon Industrial Blvd. All Units Respond.”
I listen in as my guys respond with their call signs.
“1110 responding. On Route.” I say into the radio and fire up the lights. I know she is there. I have to get to her.
Pulling up to the sight, I see that the fire is contained to the second floor for now. I grab my mask and run into the building. I can hear shouting coming from a room above me. The fire is a far enough away that I am unhindered by any debris. I burst into the room. I see my everything unconscious, tied to a chair that has been set on its side. Her face is already showing bruises. Before I can reach the screaming man, the flaming roof falls on him crushing him to the floor. I react, pulling my knife from my pocket, slicing her binds. Lifting her into my arms and sprinting out of the building. The rest of the scene is a blur but ask me if I care that I left that man behind to die.
Once at the hospital, she still hasn't gained consciousness. Ryder and Suzi come up to check on her as well. Matt comes in to give an update.
“Chief. There is no swelling on her brain. She will wake up when the GHB wears off.”
That motherfucker gave my girl a date rape drug, good riddance. If he wasn't already dead, I’d kill him. I breathe a sigh of relief. “Thanks, Doc,” I say, shaking his hand.
“Oh, and don't worry your baby is fine as well.”
“Good, thanks.” Wait. What?
Chapter Thirteen
Verity
“Verity, it’s time to get up.” I shake my head, not wanting to. Why am I so tired? What the fuck happened? Everything comes back to me like a freight train and I gasp. My eyes snapping open. Where is George? Did Kyle hurt him? I go to stand up and realize I am chained to something. My arms above my head, my legs free. I start to panic, tugging on the chain trying to see if there is anyway. I can get out of my bindings.
“You are only hurting yourself, Verity. Those cuffs aren't going anywhere.” I know that voice. I look up and see George standing over me with his lip split. His always perfect hair sticking up everywhere. His normally nice clothes are all rumpled and have a little bit of blood on them. I look up at him in relief.
“Oh, thank God! I thought that Kyle hurt you too. Help me get out of these.” I say shaking my arms.
?
?Now why would I do that after it took me so long to get you here.” What? I look up at him in confusion.