Page 4 of Silent Threat
For this, she had to touch him.
His chest was silent, as if he’d stopped breathing. Or maybe she couldn’t hear him because the blood was once again roaring in her ears—a normal response to being in that small space with an enormous man. Who, a minute ago, had beenbleeding.
Don’t think about that.
She focused on how fast she could cover his injuries. “You know, there are less self-destructive ways to deal with frustration.”
When he didn’t so much as grunt in acknowledgment, she glanced up.Too big. Too close.Her throat constricted. Swallowing hurt.
The bathroom was tiny and airless. She needed air. But before she could scramble back out, he was past her and outside in a blur, without ever once touching her, which didn’t seem possible.
“Thanks.” That rough voice, a single word. Then he strode away, as fast as if he had a date with another brick wall and he was late.
She stared after him.
“Hey, what’s your name?”
His broad shoulders didn’t turn. He kept walking. Looked like he’d had enough of her.
Annie watched him for a few more seconds before she caught herself. She closed her first-aid kit, then picked up the paper towel she’d dropped earlier. As she tossed it into the overflowing garbage can, along with the little white Band-Aid tabs, her fingers trembled.
She shook the tension out of her hands, then tucked the kit under her arm and hurried off to return the bathroom key to Mac inside the gas station.
Joey was nowhere in sight. Yet, as Annie slid behind the wheel, an uncomfortable sensation washed over her, an odd prickling she’d been feeling a lot lately. Had Joey stuck around? Was he watching her from somewhere? Was he developing an unhealthy obsession that she was mistaking for temporary disappointment?
Not a good mistake to make.
Shewouldhave to talk to Joey again. And she would have to be firmer next time. She would have to tell him that if he didn’t stop stalking her, she was going to get a restraining order.
First things first.She had to get to work and her new patient.
Annie Murray smiled into the morning. No matter what else was skidding off the rails in her life, her job was great. She loved every single aspect of it. She got to help people. She made a difference.
She pushed everything else out of her mind. Her day was full of possibilities, and she would make the best of them.
Annie looked into the rearview mirror and beamed. She infused her words with the power of belief. “I’m going to have a wonderful day.”
Chapter Two
ON HER WAYto work, Annie passed the busted-knuckled stranger walking on the shoulder, going in her direction. Her foot moved from the gas pedal and hovered over the brake for a second before moving back to its original position.
There was helpful, and then there was reckless.
The man was in shape to walk, his stride determined, his long legs carrying him fast. She had no doubt that wherever he was going, he’d get there. Unlikely that anyone would give him any trouble.
After she passed him, she glanced into the rearview mirror. He was looking straight ahead, his face expressionless, his mind clearly a million miles away. She silently wished him luck and returned her attention to the road.
Leaves and other debris littered the blacktop. A nasty windstorm had blown through overnight. The ominous sky promised more violence, which did not bode well for her outdoor sessions today.
She could be in a rush for nothing.
Her cell phone rang in the cup holder. She glanced at the display.Kelly.Her cousin.
Annie tapped the Bluetooth, but not without a flash of reluctance. “Hey.”
“Are you ready for your big day tomorrow? You didn’t call this morning. We were supposed to have that last-second powwow.”
Annie pulled into the parking lot at Hope Hill, an alternative-therapy rehab center. “Sorry. Meant to call after I stopped for gas. Got distracted.”
