Page 76 of Forbidden Confessions: Vol. 2
“That makes two of us, Shadow.” I open her cage and gently scoop up the little black fur ball.
She cuddles up in my arms, nuzzling my neck and licking my cheek. Aww, she’s lonely.
Like me.
Her owner was supposed to pick her up days ago but never did—and never returned our calls. Dr. Robbins and I suspect the crazy woman who brought her in isn’t coming back.
I rub Shadow’s small head, and she looks up at me with sad green eyes. “I know how you feel, girlie. We’ll stick together, okay?”
If her owner doesn’t return soon, I’ll find some way to pay the doctor for the surgery and take this baby home with me. I could use the company—and a friend. My apartment doesn’t allow pets, but I can sneak her in. Just temporarily. I’ve been saving money to move out of the shithole I’ve called home since shortly after I left Ransom’s place. I’ll look for a new building that will accept Shadow, one where Ransom can’t find me—if he even bothers to try.
“We’ll make each other happy,” I promise her. “Girl power and all that.”
She meows at me again and starts to purr. I hear her loud and clear since the gunfire abruptly quiets.
At least I’ll get a little peace for my birthday. And I made a new friend. It’s not all bad…
But you were really hoping for Ransom.
And I have to stop. He’s not coming.
It’s probably for the best. What would our future look like anyway?
Suddenly, Shadow quits purring. I feel a shift in the air, followed by sounds I shouldn’t be hearing this time of night.
No. That couldn’t be the back door opening and closing, right? It was locked…
I don’t know the first thing about guns, and Dr. Robbins doesn’t “believe” in them. That seems naive to me. At least she keeps a baseball bat here, just in case.
“Be right back.” I ease Shadow into her cage, open the door of the surgical room, then creep down the hall, bat in hand. I have my phone in my pocket in case I need to call 911 about an intruder.
If he’s already inside, won’t it be too late?
My heart thuds as I head down the hall. Then I hear a deafening crash, like all the supplies in the storeroom I spent the day organizing have tumbled to the floor, along with their metal shelving.
I bite my lip to hold in a gasp. Definitely an intruder.
Shaking, I whip out my phone and start a one-handed dial back to emergency services while gripping the bat with the other. Before I can hit the button to complete the call, I hear a splat like something—or someone—hurtled into the wall. Then comes a distinctly male moan of pain. He’s hurt. Was he shot?
I can help.
This instinct may be the worst mistake of my life, but I darken my phone and tuck it away.
Before I can rush inside, the man on the other side wrests the portal open.
I look down at the familiar face, my name croaking from the firm, wide mouth I remember him slanting possessively over mine. My heart stops.
“Ransom! Oh, my… What happened?” I’ve seen him injured before, but this… It looks far bloodier. “I’ll call an ambulance.”
He must have gotten caught in the gunfire I heard outside. What was he doing in the parking lot? Now isn’t the time…
Jittery and stunned, I try to complete the call. My fingers are shaking too hard. I have to breathe. I can’t fall apart. Ransom needs me.
With a surprisingly strong grip, he grabs my wrist. “No. No police. No hospitals. Get to safety.”
And leave him here? Never. “Where are you hurt?”
“Go. Now.” His dark eyes slide shut, and he loses consciousness.
