Page 76 of Found By Him

“Hi, Ella. It’s good to see you awake.” Carlos steps forward and sits gently on the end of my bed. I smile weakly, and he continues. “I would like to ask you a few questions. Do you feel up for that?”

“Sure,” I answer softly.

“Can you tell us what happened to the best of your ability?”

I recount what I can recall, expanding on what I told the doctor about being in and out of consciousness. Halfway through my talking through the events, the door opens once again. Relief floods me when Jack returns. He closes the door behind him and leans against the wall so he doesn’t interrupt. Carlos nods at him in greeting and continues with his questioning.

I’m surprised I was only held for a couple of hours. It felt like much longer when it was happening.

Carlos explains that, with the help of the CEO of my old company, Mark, they were able to uncover all of Craig’scrimes going back many years. He was creating invoices and making payments to his own bank accounts. He even created a phony contract with a consulting firm that was just him paying himself. I was shocked when Carlos said that, so far, what he stole was in the multimillions, and they aren’t done investigating. He also confirms what Craig said about Steven being the one who tried to shoot Tyler, in hopes of causing enough confusion within the group that taking me would be easier. I feel the same consuming guilt today as I did when Craig said it. Carlos also tells me that they arrested the cop who Steven paid to fake-arrest me. I can’t imagine how hard that is for Carlos and the other cops to know someone who worked alongside these people who could have killed me.

As the conversation winds down, exhaustion sets in. Jack must recognize I’m becoming more tired and dazed because he tells Carlos that’s enough for today. Carlos acquiesces and explains that, as of right now, they don’t have any further questions for me, but he’ll be in touch with more information as things progress with the cases against Steven and Craig. The two other cops exit the room as Carlos and Jack shake hands and have a quiet conversation before Carlos follows the other two out.

Jack approaches the hospital bed cautiously. “Are you feeling okay? You look tired.”

“I am,” I confirm with a lazy nod. “Considering how much I have slept, I didn’t think that would be possible so soon after waking up.” My attempt to give him a reassuring smile fails.

He leans down and presses a chaste kiss to my lips. Without removing his lips from my skin, he whispers, “Get some rest, Gisella. I’ll be right here if you need me.”

He steps away from the bed and pivots to reclaim hisseat. An unexpected bolt of anxious energy bolts in my chest. “Jack?”

Facing me again, his features pinch in concern, and he takes a step back toward me. “Do you need something? I can get the nurse back in here?”

I shake my head and immediately regret it when pain radiates behind my eyes. “No, not the nurse.” Reaching out, I grasp his hand. “I need you, Jack. Please sleep in the bed with me. I need you to hold me.” My last few words break with emotion.

His face crumbles as he toes off his shoes and motions me to move over so he can slide in behind me, his arm wrapping around my stomach. “I don’t want to hurt you. Tell me immediately if you’re uncomfortable.”

I press my lips together to try to keep the tears at bay. Even his commandeering tone is an incredible reminder that I’m alive and back with him. Exactly as I should be. “You won’t hurt me. I promise.” I wiggle back so our bodies are pressed together from shoulders to feet.

The medicine and his body heat are all I need. As the world goes dark, I can’t be sure, but I swear I can hear him whisper three little words against my hair.

I love you.

41

Jack

The last few days have been the most challenging of my life. Every day, I’m filled with worry about Gisella’s health and anger at what happened to her, partly at the men who did this and partly at myself.

All while dealing with my own injury. Breaking both bones in my forearm and bruising a few ribs has made everything significantly harder.

I’ve hated leaving her for even a moment, but she’s getting stronger every day. Unfortunately, work doesn’t stop just because I’m preoccupied. Nate and Ian have been doing everything they can to handle business, but I know they can’t do it forever. We were stretched thin even before this.

I’ve only had to leave Gisella for a few hours at a time over the last couple of days, but any time away is excruciating.

I called reinforcements and asked Tyler and Maggie tostay with her today so she wasn’t alone. And she’s been begging to see Tyler so she can apologize, even though I have told her numerous times that no one blames her for what happened. She also told me she wants to send Matt baked goods as an apology once she’s out of the hospital. I hate that she feels even an ounce of guilt in this situation.

On the way back to the hospital, I stopped at a local florist for a fresh bouquet. I had already taken the bouquets I had brought to her room earlier in the week to my house, disposing of the ones that were starting to wilt.

I know it’s ridiculous to get so many, but she loves flowers, and I wanted something beautiful to be there waiting for her when she finally woke up.

As I approach her room, the door is cracked. Slightly raised voices filter into the hall.

“Tyler, stop being ridiculous. I want to leave. I’m sick of being here.”

“I get that. But can you wait until Jack gets back?” Tyler sounds exasperated, as if they have been having this conversation for a while.

“But they discharged me! Take me home.”

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