Page 113 of Love Me Fierce

“I guess that’s fair.”

“I think a restraining order is a good idea,” he adds.

“Agreed.” It won’t guarantee Shawna never comes near me or the people I care about again, but it establishes a legal boundary, with consequences. Meanwhile, I will be discussing my suspicions about Shawna giving Logan’s email to Teresa with Vice Principal Cromwell.

“Vivian all right?” Sheriff Olson asks.

“Yeah.”

“That’s good to hear.”

We end the call, and I take a series of breaths, forcing air all the way into my lungs.

Jordy Clarke tried to kill Vivian tonight.

She’s going to be okay, but I won’t rest until I know she’s safe. Whatever it takes.

When I enter the waiting area, Sepp is just coming back from the triage nurse’s station.

“They’re sending her to CT, and then they’re going to X-ray her ankle, see if she needs surgery.”

“Can we be with her?” I ask.

He shakes his head. “Not until they bring her to a room.”

It’s so fucking bright in here, and the smell… it’s like starch and fake pine. “Then what are we supposed to do? Just sit here?”

My voice draws a sharp look from the receptionist.

Sepp puts his hand on my shoulder and levels me with a kind gaze. “Why don’t I wait. I’ll text you as soon as I know what room they’re bringing her to. I’m guessing you have things to take care of?”

“I want to take care ofher.”

If he’s surprised by the tremor in my voice, he doesn’t let on. “I know. But the first step is to nail the fucker who did this.”

“What about Matty?” I ask.

“Mom and Dad are going to bring him in the morning. He fell asleep on the couch with Dad before we knew what was going on.”

I release a shaky breath. “Promise you’ll let me know when I can see her.”

“I promise. Now go.”

Zach picksme up outside the hospital so I can get my truck from the side of road.

“Vivian doing okay?”

“Yeah. Mild concussion. Some bumps and bruises. She’s going to be all right.”

He pauses at the exit to glance both ways, then accelerates onto the road. “Wanna clue me in on this Jordy Clarke guy Rogue County is bringing us? All I’ve heard so far is he’s an ex con forklift operator from Idaho Falls.”

“I think Jordy works for Vivian’s ex—a dirty LAPD vice squad cop named Kent Hyek.”

Zach’s brows shoot up. “Fucking seriously?”

“Yeah. Maybe Clarke is a former C.I., or maybe even some kind of enforcer.”

“What does this have to do with Vivian?” He gives me a confused glance.

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