Page 177 of Savage Bosses

Her vague response left an emptiness inside me, but now wasn’t the time to rush into anything. We had to get to know each other, though I was certain I would only grow to admire Madison more than I did.

When her stomach grumbled, I ordered food, as the house hadn’t been stocked in months. Even as we ate, I couldn’t stomach too much distance between us and sat beside her, our legs pressed against each other.

As we packed away the containers, my phone rang. Omar’s name on the screen prompted me to respond. Although I was taking the day off, I didn’t have the luxury to ignore Omar’s calls. He knew to disturb me for emergencies only when I played hooky.

“Kent?” he asked before I said a word. His frantic voice and the sirens in the background put me on alert.

Madison paused. A concerning frown pulled at her lips.

I motioned her over. “What’s wrong?”

“It’s Elsie. God!” The typically even-tempered Omar had disappeared. His distraught response alarmed me.

“What happened to Elsie?” I put the call on speakerphone.

Madison gripped my arm and sat down heavily beside me.

“Someone attacked her. We’re on the way to Douglas General in an ambulance right now, but I think you should meet us there.”

Voices calling out dosages and statuses sounded in the background as EMTs worked on Elsie.

“Madison and I’ll be there soon. Did you call the police?”

“Not yet.” Omar’s shuddered breath shook me.

“Don’t worry, I’ll take care of it.” Madison pulled out her phone to place the call.

“Omar, hang in there.”

The ride to the hospital was fraught with worry and tension. Although I tried not to think about it, I wondered if the person murdering my past dates was at fault. The police had heard nothing new and no new bodies had been found. Was Elsie a victim of the person targeting me?

We pulled into the parking area and rushed to the emergency room. Omar spotted us before we spotted him. He appeared aged and haggard compared to when I saw him yesterday.

“She’s still in surgery but should be in intensive care soon. They won’t tell me much else because I’m not family,” he said.

“Tell us what happened. I’ll need to contact Elsie’s parents, her agency, her—”

“Madison, take a breath.” I glanced around the crowded waiting room. “Let’s find a quiet place to talk.”

“The cafeteria’s pretty empty. Follow me.” Omar sped through the halls until we reached the dining area.

From the sparsely populated tables, we’d missed the lunch rush. After choosing a table away from everyone else, Omar spoke.

“Elsie and I were supposed to go on a lunch date. She told me to pick her up in her building’s garage. When I pulled up, I saw a man standing over someone on the ground. All I could see were her crumpled legs.”

“Did you get a good look at him?” I asked.

Omar shook his head. “I wish. I don’t even know if I did the right thing by not going after him, but Elsie wasn’t responding. There was so much blood around her head and she wasn’t conscious.” He slammed his fist against the table.

Madison cupped his hand. “Listen, we have to believe she’ll pull through.”

Omar sobbed. “Even if she does, she may never be the same. The asshole cut her face!”

Madison and I shared a glance, knowing what damage to Elsie’s face could do to her career.

“There’s no use staying here since we won’t hear when she’ll be up for visitors.”

Omar silently agreed, and we headed toward the ICU’s waiting room. When we entered, Detectives Glass and Salinas were arguing with a nurse to let them in to see Elsie. Glass noticed me first.

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