Page 161 of Kiss of Deceit
CHAPTER SIXTY-ONE
dani
Something warm was squeezingmy hand, slowly waking me up. I kept my eyes closed as everything rushed back to my head. My heart pattered faster when Leo’s last moments replayed in my mind. Did that all happen or was it a dream?
There was hushed voices surrounding me, and it sounded like tense bickering. But I wasn’t focused on that. I was trying to figure out if my monster was actually dead.
I couldn’t feel any pain. I remembered getting hurt. My ankle, my ribs. I should feel everything if it all really happened. My mind was still hazy and sluggish, making it hard to concentrate.
“I don’t care what you had to do. As long as it’s done.”
Kole’s irritated voice snapped through my daze. My chest swelled, relief filling me. I shifted, realizing the warmth I felt was a hand on mine. The talking stopped, and silence filled the air as I blinked my eyes open. The harsh lights revealed a small hospital room.
“Hey,” Kole said softly, a tight smile forming on his lips. His right arm was in a sling, and his face was black and blue, scattered with stitched up cuts. “How are you feeling?”
My mouth was dry, and I cleared my throat, glancing down to see an IV on the inside of my elbow. I went still when my gaze drifted farther down my arm, where a handcuff encircled my wrist. My mind swam with this, and I came to two conclusions.
I was so doped up on drugs, I couldn’t feel any of my injuries.
And Susan was right. I was going right back to prison.
“He’s going to take it off,” Kole said gruffly, squeezing my hand. “Everything is going to be fine.”
I frowned.He?It was then I realized Kole and I weren’t alone. A man I didn’t recognize was leaning against the wall, holding a thick file. He gave me an unsure smile before striding closer.
“I’m Sean,” he introduced himself. “Kole said he’s mentioned me?”
I licked my cracked lips, nodding slowly. This was the man who helped Kole get his life together. What the hell was he doing in my hospital room?
I turned my attention back to Kole. “Is he dead?” I asked, my voice hoarse and cracking.
His grip on my hand tightened. “He’s gone, Dani.”
I sagged against the pillow, closing my eyes. Emotions were threatening to rip me apart, and the medication was not helping. I couldn’t think clearly. Prison was a hellish time when I was thrown into solitary. But if I had to do it over again, I’d do it all the same. Knowing my monster was dead was worth it. He would never hurt anyone I cared about, especially Kole.
But right now, the sadness was crushing. I squeezed Kole’s hand, inhaling a breath, relishing in his leather and fresh soap scent. I didn’t want to say goodbye to him.
“Leo Hall.” Sean spoke up as I opened my eyes. He gently set the file beside me on the bed. “This is everything we could find on him. I thought you’d want to look at it.”
I stared at the file, my heart thudding. “Was Miles really his son?”
“Yes,” Sean answered. “Records show he and a girlfriend had a baby when they were fifteen. Miles grew up in the system until Leo gained custody when he was nine years old. After that…we don’t know much. Miles was never enrolled in school, and they disappeared until Leo was arrested for armed burglary.”
Once I was off the strong pain meds, I’d read the file. Right now, I couldn’t focus enough to think about it. The important thing was they were both gone.
“How long can I stay in the hospital?” I whispered, meeting Kole’s gaze. “I want to spend a couple days before I get transferred.”
“You’re not going to jail, Dani,” Kole replied, shooting Sean a look. “Have them unlock the handcuffs.”
Sean sighed. “Not yet. She needs to sign the paperwork first.”
My eyes darted between them. “What paperwork?”
Kole reached down, grabbing a stack of papers from his lap. His small grin reassured me. “Ready to sign your life away?”
“What’s going on?” I breathed out.
“Kole wanted you to walk out of here a free woman,” Sean said, nerves in his voice. “But after you killed two men with witnesses?—”
