Page 17 of Awakening

“What the fuck are you doing?” I ask, shoving Nick in the back.

He turns to me and says under his breath, “We’re leaving. She’s not here anymore. They aren’t going to give you any information, and you’re going to end up with your ass thrown in jail.”

“As I said before, I suggest going to the police,” the nurse says before turning and walking away.

“Let’s go,” Nick says.

“It had to have been her,” I grumble on the way to the car. “It’s too big of a fucking coincidence.”

“Maybe, but they weren’t going to give you any information,” Nick says. “It also might not have been her. The nurse said she gave them a name and she was released. Maybe this woman was released to her family.”

“What if it was, though, Nick? Where the fuck is she now?”

“I don’t know, but I’m not going to let you get yourself thrown in jail for causing a scene at a fucking hospital. You aren’t doing Olivia any good whatsoever if you’re in a jail cell.”

I look at Chloe who’s been silent the entire time, but now has tears streaming down her cheeks. “I’m sorry, Chloe,” I say, placing my hand on her shoulder. “I didn’t mean to upset you in there.”

“It’s not you,” she says. “I just thought we were going to get her back.”

“Come here, baby,” Nick says, pulling her into his arms. “Do you want to go to the cops?” Nick asks me.

“Not directly. It opens up too many questions for the pack, and there’s no way they’d put as much effort into looking for her as we are right now.”

“True,” Nick says. “I’ll have Lance check with some of our friends at the department here in Denver to see if he can find anything off the record. Until then?—”

“We keep looking,” I say, getting in Nick’s car and slamming the door.

Five

Olivia

The drive back to Anthony’s apartment is quiet and a little awkward as we both try to make small talk through these strange circumstances. After parking in the underground garage we ride the elevator to the top floor of his building.

“I’m right this way.” Anthony gestures down the hall. He opens the door to reveal a large, stylish apartment. The floors are hardwood and there are high end finishes throughout. Anthony’s furniture is large and plush. It’s a very masculine, comfortable space. It’s no doubt nicer than most medical residents can afford in Denver. Anthony’s parents are very well off, and he’s never denied that they’ve always been very generous.

“So, the kitchen is right here,” he says, pointing to the right. “Then the living room is straight ahead. Your room is this way,” he says, leading me down a hallway. “My room is at the end of the hall, and this is your room right here.” He opens a door to reveal a room with beige walls and a king size bed with a white comforter. “Sorry, it’s a little bland.”

Touching his arm, I smile as I look into his kind eyes. “No, it’s great. Thank you.”

“You have a full bathroom right through that door,” he says as he gestures with one hand, and uses a remote control to raise the blinds, letting in some natural light.

“I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you taking me in, Anthony. I really can’t thank you enough.”

“You can thank me by letting me take you out to lunch and shopping to buy you some new clothes.”

“That’s hardly me thanking you, and you don’t need to buy me clothes.”

“Actually, I think I do. What you’re wearing is all you have now, and you had no purse or wallet on you when you arrived at the hospital.”

“God, I’m so sorry. I’m a pain in the ass right now.”

“No, you’re not,” he says with a laugh. “We don’t have to get a lot, but you need some things to get you through a few days until we can figure out what was going on in your life before you lost your memory.”

“Okay,” I say with a smile. “Again, thank you.”

“Getting to hang out with you again is thanks enough. Come on, let’s go.” He wraps his arm around my shoulders, giving me a squeeze.

Arriving at a busy little deli down the street, we settle into a booth for two. “This is one of my favorite lunch spots,” Anthony says.

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