Page 13 of Assassin's Heart
And she hadn’t told me, had in fact led me to believe her daughter’s kidnapper might not be able to find her if she left the house.
She’d lied. And I was about to find out why.
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Chapter Six
Leah —
I’d worked a twelve-hour shift, struggled through the destruction of the home I’d built for my daughter and me, Brooke’s kidnapping, the death of one of the only friends I had allowed myself to have. When the door closed behind Remi, leaving me alone in the silent room, all of that came flooding back. Suddenly I couldn’t stand the clothes touching my body, the sweat and dirt and memories. I’d taken a shower at the hospital after my shift, but after everything that had happened, I couldn’t get my clothes off fast enough.
After grabbing a fresh set from my suitcase, I hurried into the adjoining bathroom. The colors from the bedroom had been carried over, calming cream walls and deep blue tile. I set my clothes on the counter, stripped, and took advantage of the new toothbrush and toothpaste waiting on the counter before turning the water in the shower on to heat.
The tears hit when I stepped beneath the spray.
I tried to hold them back. Crying was a weakness I couldn’t afford. Hell, I had gone through my entire pregnancy, labor, and delivery with no one to hold my hand, share the burden, prop me up when I felt like I couldn’t take another step. I was strong. Crying didn’t make you strong, and it sure as hell didn’t help you fight.
But I couldn’t make them stop. Twice in one day, damn it.
I should be sitting beside Brooke on her bed, the two of us making slow progress on her latest chapter book, her warm body getting heavier as she drifted into sleep against my side. I should be tucking her in beneath the soft pink and yellow comforter she’d chosen when she turned five and moved from a toddler bed to her very own “big girl” twin-size. I should be watching her eyelids flutter, those long, long lashes she’d inherited from her father brushing her cheeks as she slept.
Would Ross tuck her in? Was she crying herself to sleep without her mommy to hold her in a strange place. He might not be hurting her, but what about her fear, her panic, her hunger, her need. What would he do to stop those?
Jesus, I wanted Brooke in my empty arms right now.
I leaned my forehead against the chilled tile and let go.Just let it all out.Clear the decks, my dad used to say. Get it over with, then get back to finding her.
The logical part of my brain was right. I cried until I gagged, cried until my tear ducts ran dry and the endorphins had run their course, and then I washed myself from head to toe, rinsing off the fear and grief. By the time I turned the never-ending stream of hot water off, I was ready for battle.
With Remi or Ross, I wasn’t sure. Whichever I had to, I guess.
My dirty clothes went into the trash can—never wearing those again—and my clean clothes went on my body one piece at a time. The only armor I had. I walked from the bathroom into the bedroom determined to find Remi and figure out what we could do to find Brooke right this minute—
Only to draw up short.
“Hello.”
Abby Roslyn was arranging a tray on the table in the corner. The scent of warm bread and cookies registered in my nose about the time my gaze settled on the thick sandwich, chips, and dessert she’d brought in. A rumble hit my stomach seconds later.
Abby smiled. “I thought you might need something to eat.” The smile collapsed into a frown as her gaze brushed my face, no doubt noting the redness and distress I couldn’t hide. “I understand it’s been a stressful evening. I’m sorry.”
Abby had never had children as far as I knew—and yes, I looked her up after Levi and Eli had released me. She had been my fellow captive, after all, though she’d seemed content to stay with the men by the time I’d met her. She couldn’t relate to missing her child, but she knew what it was like to be kidnapped, so I took the sympathy as genuine.
“I am sorry too.” So damn sorry my life had come back to haunt us, to harm Brooke. Moving toward the table, I settled a hand on my growling stomach. “The food is definitely appreciated. Thank you.”
Abby took the seat opposite me as I settled in to eat. “Levi said they’d be up shortly to talk. I thought I’d get you fueled up first.”
“For the interrogation?”
It was only partially a joke. With Remi, I’d believe we were just going to talk. With Levi?Interrogationmight be putting it mildly.
“We want to help you, Leah.”
I sighed. She probably did. Unfortunately I didn’t trust the man she was involved with one inch.
“You live here now?” I asked, hoping to take her focus off me.
“I do,” she said.
