Page 70 of Dauntless

My heart jumped in my throat. “Where?”

“Los Angeles,” he said, then spoke into the phone. “I’m on my way.”

“Me too,” I said and pressed the call for the nurse and told her on the phone that I was leaving. “Could you pass me my clothes? I’m going to the bathroom to change.”

“You can’t leave yet,” Astrid complained. “You’re still sick.”

“The nurse said the doctor’s note didn’t have a hold on my stay and was going to sign me out tomorrow anyway. So I could sign myself out now, and I am,” I replied, ignoring her frowning face and collecting the pale blue tracksuit and shirt she had brought for me to wear. I shook my head. This would be my last stay in a hospital, I vowed.

“I’ve got cops all around, and most of the bad guys are in jail,” I told her once I came back in the room after changing out of my hospital gown. “Dane and Tove will be with me.”

“I will,” Dane spoke up in support. “I’ll look after her.”

He was against my speaking with Dimitri, but when it came to Elliott, we were on the same page. We would be there for him.

“Thank you, Dane,” I said softly, then turned to Astrid. “See? I’ll be all right, but I can’t just stay here when Elliott’s…hurt.” My voice cracked.

Dane rubbed my shoulders. “They’ll find him, and he’ll be alright.”

Astrid sighed. “Fine you go, but please try to rest.”

I finished up with the hospital and Astrid followed us out to where the nurse let me out of the wheelchair.

“I’ll call you when I get there,” I promised.

“You better,” she said and hugged me. “The two of you can stay in bed and recover together. I’ll even cook.”

I giggled. “Take-out Queen? No, thanks. Just come by.”

“I will, and you stay positive,” she said and hugged me again. “He’ll be fine, and things will work out. I believe it.”

I thanked her, and we left with the hope that Elliott would be found in time.

Our flight from Washington to Los Angeles on Dane’s private plane wasn’t long. However, when we arrived at the airport in LA, Dane was delayed by our pilot and airport safety because of an issue with his plane. So, he sent Tove and me ahead to check into the Beverly Wilshire Hotel. The traffic was bad. Bumper to bumper. I checked my phone for the fifth time in two minutes, hoping for news. The wait had me restless.

Then my phone buzzed with a call, which made my pulse jump in my throat.

“Elliott?” I gripped the phone tight.

“Trish,” Trish said. “We have him. He’s…” she sobbed, and my heart stopped. No. He can’t be.

“He’s alive but weak. He’s at Cedar Sinai Medical Center.”

Tears pricked my eyes, and I struggled to catch my breath as I fought to gain control of my emotions at the news. Elliott was alive. “Thank you. Thank you all.” I quickly told Tove the address, which he immediately entered into his GPS. Trish was still on the line, so I asked her. “Where was Elliott?”

“He was locked in a walled room,” she answered. “He had some food and water, but not much. Dimitri lied.”

“It wasn’t his endgame for Elliott,” I replied and sighed. “He probably wanted to use Elliott against us for a while.”

“I believe so,” she concurred. “Anyway, I know he’d want you to know first.”

“Thank you so much,” I said emphatically. I was about to hang up when she said. “Wait a minute, is that traffic I hear?”

“It is,” I answered. “I’ll be there as soon as the road clears.”

Trish laughed. “I misjudged you. You went through a lot, and you still jumped in to help Elliott. You’re tough. You don’t quit. I can see why he.... anyway, see you at the hospital.” We hung up.

Our car was moving again, and now I was nervous, but I wouldn’t let fears get in the way this time. Yes, the way we came together was unusual. I could blush forever that I met him at an orgy. Me a reluctant visitor, he an undercover agent. Our story hadn’t ended there, and fate gave us another chance at a new beginning. And I wasn’t going to pass on it.

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