Page 62 of Canvas of Lies
“I will. Thank you.”
“And Ms. Willoughby?” Ford added, rising to his feet. When I looked up, he smiled gently. “I hope everything works out for Mr. Beaumont and the painting.”
I dropped my head into my hands as they left, drawing the curtain closed behind them. Was this the reality we were stepping into? Unfortunate incidents on deserted roadways, police investigations, constantly glancing over our shoulders?
How much more could we risk in this game of chicken?
Chapter Twenty-Four
Nico
WhenIslippedpastthe curtain half an hour later, having finished my own chat with both the police officers and the doctors, Kat stared blindly toward the window, looking pale and terribly lonesome.
My heart seized when I saw the shadow of bruising on her cheek, but I forced myself to relax as I moved to her side and said in a soft voice, “Hey, Kitten.”
Her face lit at the sight of me, then crumpled just as quickly. My arms were around her before the first tears even fell. Though my left wrist was wrapped in gauze, covering a spray of tiny cuts from the broken windshield, I ran both hands soothingly up and down her back as sobs wracked her body.
“Shh, we’re okay. We’re going to be just fine, I promise.”
As the tremors subsided, Kat uncurled her fingers from my shirt. “Do you think he found it?”
I knew she meant my father’s leverage over hers—it had been the first thing to cross my mind, too, once the terror of being run off the road faded.
“Maybe, but if it was him, maybe he’s just pissed about the leaked photos.”
“Are you allowed to be in here?” she asked, wiping at her eyes.
Laughter bubbled up in my throat when she peeked at me like I was sneaking around in her father’s house. Clearly, I needed to get her used to being close to me in public.
“Yeah, I’ve been discharged. Some cuts on my arm, but the airbag took most of the impact on my side.” I eyed her cheek, frowning. “You, on the other hand, managed to bash your beautiful face against the window.”
“I’ll live,” she said, then squeezed her eyes shut against another onslaught of tears at the simple statement.
I took her chin in my hand and waited until she looked at me again before I spoke. “We both will. The nurse said you already spoke to the police?” At her nod, I kissed the tip of her nose. “Then as soon as you’re discharged, we’ll get the hell out of here. I wish you’d reconsider some time at the cabin.”
“I already have, as a matter of fact. I’ll call Erin, tell her to take the week off. She was planning to go visit her sister’s new baby soon, maybe she can bump up the trip. I do have one condition, though,” she said, shooting a sideways glance at me.
“Oh?”
“We’re going to need some better grocery supplies this time around. Now that I know you can actually cook like a pro, frozen pizzas are definitely not going to cut it.” Her smile wobbled, but it was better than tears.
I laughed and kissed her temple. “I think that can be arranged.”
As we listened to the buzz of activity outside of our curtained little haven, we were content just to hold each other quietly. Every concern I’d had for her safety had been cast into stark, sober reality. It hadn’t happened how I’d imagined, but I would never forget her frantic cries as the cars collided.
Even amidst the squeal of tires and crunch of metal, I couldn’t stop hearing the echo of her scream when we finally went off the road, nor the terrifying thud of her head hitting the window. The smear of blood on her cheek when the police arrived was nothing compared to what I’d expected to see. I was still thanking our lucky stars for that.
Dr. Thorne returned after a short time, but Kat made no move to shift away from me. The doctor simply lifted a brow at finding us snuggled up together against the raised head of the bed, checked Kat’s vitals, and finally stepped back with a resigned sigh.
“Well, my preference would be for you to stay the night for observation, but I’m going to guess from the look on your face that you’re eager to get out of here.”
“You’d be right about that,” Kat replied.
The doctor smiled at her. “As long as you two promise to take care of each other, got it?” he asked, pointing a stern finger at us. “I’ll go finish up the paperwork and send the nurse in to walk you out.”
We both thanked him, then I bounced my eyebrows as soon as the curtain fell shut again. “While we’re waiting, wanna make out?”
Kat choked on a laugh. “Because I’m feeling so sexy right now. How about we cuddle until we’re allowed to blow this popsicle stand?”
