Page 92 of Jack

“Lily sent an email from a new address to my hospital email. I didn’t open it, but I knew it was her when I saw the address. I deleted it, but Joel’s dad’s friends found it. He’s a dirty cop with less than legal connections. They figured out where she sent it from.”

“You sure about this?” Jay asks.

Nina nods and wipes more tears away.

“His dad’s buddies have been threatening her for weeks. A few of them like to brag. They wanted her to know it was her fault they found Lily. I took Nina from the hospital garage just like I did Lily. They’re hunting Nina. Figured sending her to your dad was best. We haven’t been able to move her across the country yet. Thought you boys wouldn’t mind escorting an angel tonight.” Drew doesn’t have to ask. He knows we will.

This woman saved Lily’s life. If it weren’t for her, Clark would still be hurting Lily. Without Nina, I wouldn’t have my angel.

“We got her.” I proudly shake Drew’s hand, even though he tried to kill us an hour ago.

My brothers and I surround Nina and climb into the van. Dean, one of Drew's helpers in the area, drives us to the airstrip, where Dobson is waiting for us. Hearing the word angel, he asks no further questions. We’ve kept radio silence with our families on this trip. We couldn’t risk being tracked. We’ll deliver this angel to Dad. Hopefully, my angel will be awake when I get to the hospital.

Chapter 43

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Lily

Beep

Beep

Beep

Oh my gosh. Will somebody turn that beeping off? It’s all I hear. Wait. No, that’s not true. I hear faint voices at times. Other times, I think I forgot to turn an audiobook off. I can’t seem to find the button to stop it, though.

“Morning, angel. You look beautiful today.”

The voice is back. I could listen to his deep voice for hours. He could talk me into anything.

I sigh deeply and lean into the palm against my cheek. It’s the first bit of warmth I’ve felt in a long time.

“Lily?” His voice is louder. It’s no longer soft like a lullaby. “Come on, angel. Open your eyes.”

I want to do as he asks. My eyelids feel so heavy. I try to blink, but my eyes feel glued shut.

“Oh, my gosh, Jack. She’s waking up.” A woman says.

Her voice seems familiar, but I can’t place it. Jack? I’ve heard that name before. Who’s waking up? Have they been asleep long?

“You can do it, Lily. Come back to me,” his deep voice coaxes.

Me? My name is Lily. He’s talking to me. My eyelids lift slightly. The first rays of light peek through. With each blink, more light comes and pushes the darkness away. Finally, the voice I’ve clung to in the dreams becomes a real person.

“Jack,” my voice cracks. My throat hurts.

“Hey, angel. Welcome back.” Jack presses his lips to the edge of mine.

The beeping grows louder.

“Shut that off, please.” I can’t take it anymore.

“Shut what off, love?”

“The beeps.”

“I can’t, but this lady probably can.”

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