Page 45 of Bravo

“Cillian.”

He nods and crosses his arms. “Now, how about you tell me what’s going on so I can see just what I’ve gotten myself into?”

The tears come hot and fast, my shoulders shaking as the weight of everything comes crashing down on me. Gentle arms come around me, and Cillian offers me a firm hug, holding me close as I cry.

“Easy, girl,” he coos. “You’re safe now. We’ll get you help.”

“We can’t,” I tell him as I pull back, finally managing to get control.

His brow furrows. “You said no police, but what about the FBI? Surely someone?—”

“No. He has people everywhere. It’s how they found me. Anyone at the FBI that’s good is already doing everything they can. If I go to them, he’ll find me again.”

“Who? Who is after you, girl?”

I can’t tell him.

I know I can’t.

So I don’t.

“Then tell me your name. Your real name,” he adds. “You can tell me.”

The reward for me is likely going to be a high one.

For my own safety, I have to keep my mouth shut and hope that, if Cillian is truly a good man, he’ll understand my need for privacy.

“Just Sammy,” I say.

He doesn’t try to hide his frustration, but he doesn’t press, either. “What were you doing bleeding in my alley, girl?” He stands and reaches for his phone. Panic shoots through me, and I push to my feet, hopping over toward him.

“No. Please stop. Don’t call anyone. You can’t.”

“Someone is hurting you. We need to report it?—”

I close my eyes, my throat constricting. “I told you. You can’t call. No one can know I was here. Please. If they find me?—”

Slowly, he lowers the phone. “What will happen if they find you?”

I answer without hesitation. “They’ll kill me.”

I come awake slowlydespite the nightmare. Tears have dried and crusted to the sides of my eyes already, but it’s not anythingI’m not used to. The nightmare is one I’ve had nearly every night for the last two years, and it’s showing no chance of slowing down.

Truth is, I work myself so hard all day because, if I’m exhausted enough, sometimes I can manage a full night of uninterrupted sleep. Unfortunately, lying in bed all day is not conducive to exhaustion.

I reach over and turn the lamp on then swing my legs over the bed. After grabbing one of the crutches Lani left for me, I hop my way into the bathroom. Every movement hurts, but since it’s not quite as bad as yesterday, I’m taking it as a win.

After splashing some water on my face, I take a minute to study myself in the mirror. My eyes are red from crying and sleep, and my cheeks are streaked with dried tears. Unfortunately, it’s not an uncommon look for me.

After making my way back into the bed, I leave the crutch beside me and throw the comforter up over the top of my leg. I literally cannot sit in this bed all day today or I will go crazy.

Straight bonkers.

Closed spaces for long periods of time do that to me.

Someone knocks on the door.

“Come in,” I call out.

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