Page 5 of Shattered Dreams
He frowned. “Why would he be getting clothes at…. ”
“Redemption?” She shrugged. “He lives on the premises. He has agoraphobia.”
“Agoraphobia?” His pen hovered over the paper.
“Yeah. He has a fear of open spaces and crowds, so Mast…I mean Max let him convert a room at the club for his own private space, and in turn Rainy does the books for him. He also gets paid a generous wage.”
His shrewd green eyes narrowed. “I see.”
She shifted, her nerves suddenly jumping. Had she revealed too much? She wasn’t ashamed of her lifestyle choices, but that didn’t mean the attractive cop would understand that what she shared with Master wasn’t abuse but born of love and lust. “Do you have any other questions for me, Detective?”
He studied her carefully. “Just one. Do you know anyone who would wish ill will on your husband?”
She shook her head. “He’s a respected member of the community. And he’s never mentioned anything.”
He slowly straightened. “Thank you for your time, Mrs. Rodkin. Here’s my card. Please contact me if you remember anything else.”
She took it with trembling fingers. “I will.”
“Have a good day.” He pivoted and headed out the door. Just before he exited, he stopped and looked over his shoulder. “And Lizzie?”
“Yes.” Butterflies fluttered in her belly as she met his intense gaze.
“If you need anything, call me. Any time.” Then he was gone with a flap of his jacket.
“I…” She shut her mouth. She had no idea how to process his order. Because there was no doubt in her mind that it was just that. Detective Landon had been dead serious in his request. And she didn’t feel offended by his offer. Instead, she felt…safe?
“What the hell?” She dropped the card on the table and cradled her head between her hands. What was she doing? Her husband was in surgery, fighting for his life, and here she was being drawn to a man, who in minor ways, reminded her of the very man who held her heart. What the hell was going on with her? Panic tried to edge close, but she shoved it back. She couldn’t fall apart now. She had to keep it together – at least until Master could take over once more.
Chapter Two
“Mr. Rodkin, can you hear me?”
Max groaned softly. Every part of his body ached – particularly his chest. Had Lizzie fallen asleep on top of him again? But he didn’t feel her warmth, so that couldn’t be it. What the hell had happened? Everything was fuzzy and the last thing he remembered was…eating brunch with Storm.Brunch?It came rushing back, all of it. Happiness for his friend, who finally pushed aside all the shit that fame had brought him, to reveal the man that Max had remembered from before he’d made it big.And what makes him perfect for Raine.Then shots, pain and…shit!
“Storm!” He opened his eyes, worry ratcheting up. The hospital room blinked into focus. The white walls, yellow privacy curtain, and rolling tray table came into view, then the doctor at his bedside. He was wearing blue scrubs, while he consulted the chart in his hands.
“Is fine, Mr. Rodkin. I’m Dr. Sanders, and I performed your surgery.”
“Surgery?” he whispered, his mouth full of cotton as he tried to focus on the words.
“Yes. You were caught in the crossfire of a drive-by shooting. We had to remove three bullets from your spine.”
He tried to process what the man was saying. “Bullets?”
“Yes.” The doctor hung the chart from the foot of the bed before fiddling with the controls at the bottom. “I’m going to sit you up for a minute, so I can listen to your lungs, okay?”
“I…” he groaned as the bed moved under him. Obviously, he didn’t have a choice in the matter.
“I know, every part of you probably hurts like hell. You’re lucky to be alive, young man.” The doctor soothed, as he pressed the stethoscope to Max’s chest.
“I’m not young,” Max protested, as he tried to breathe shallowly to counteract the pain talking caused.
“I’m nearly sixty.” The doctor straightened up. “So, forty is very young. And your lungs sound great.”
“And that’s good?” he gritted out.
“Yes, considering how close the bullets came to your lungs.” Dr. Sanders made a notation on his chart. “Your left lung collapsed during surgery. We had to re-inflate it.”
