Page 105 of Preying Heart
Police cruisers with their flashing lights surround us, and armed officers emerge from their vehicles.
Justin is at my side, shouting into his communicator. “Officer down. Call an ambulance.”
“Slade. Where’s Slade? Did you find Remi?” I’m blanking in and out, unable to focus on anything other than Glock, who licks me with his bloody tongue. “Find Remi. Find Lucy.”
Glock takes off running. I command my body to follow him, but I can’t feel a thing as the world goes dark.
Remi
“Hide. Hide,” my mom orders me. She drags me to the closet and pushes me inside. “Be very quiet. Or they’re going to get you. Don’t make a sound.”
“What about you?” I cower in the dark, musty space, panic bubbling up my throat.
“I won’t let them in.”
Too late. The door opens with a slam, bouncing off the wall next to it, and a giant dog leaps over my mom. It comes straight for me.
“Glock!” I cry and he’s all over me, licking my face. I hug him tight. “You came. Heath came. I’m going to be okay.”
Only later, after my mind partially clears and I’m sitting in a hospital with Lucy being checked, do I realize Heath is in surgery, getting a bullet removed from his thigh.
I must have blanked out because I frankly don’t remember anything until we’re in the recovery room, watching Heath come out of anesthesia.
“What happened?” I ask Lucy. “Why are we here?”
“I don’t remember,” she says. “The doctor said we were roofied. I thought we were watching movies at your place. They say we were brought here to the Farm to be new residents.”
“I heard of this Farm. My mother told me.” It’s all very hazy. “It’s like a dream. Bits and pieces.”
“You remember Detective Quon, don’t you?” Lucy asks. “He found us. He says he’s not going to tell us more until we give our interviews because he doesn’t want us influenced.”
“What can we tell him if we don’t remember?”
“Whatever comes to you. Bits and pieces,” Lucy says. “I know I’m a doctor, and I know the effects of Rohypnol. We may never recover our memories. But right now, let’s wait for Heath to wake up.”
I stare at the man lying so still. He’s never looked as calm as he does now, lying there as if he doesn’t have a care in the world. Of course, he’s covered with thick bandages and has tubes and wires all over him.
“Heath. I thought I lost him. I didn’t get a chance to tell him how I feel.” I cling on to Lucy. “I love him. Is he truly okay?”
“He’ll be fine,” the nurse says. “The gunshot missed the femoral artery, and his buddy got to him in time. His shoulder will heal and so will his broken arm.”
“Oh, Heath.” I gingerly wipe his forehead. The monitors show a steady heartbeat and blood pressure. “Heath, I never forgot you. I want to tell you now while I still have a chance. I love you with everything I have. It might not be much, but I love you, and all I want is to be with you. No matter where we have to go or what we have to do. I only want to be with you—and Glock and Lucy. You guys are my family. Please wake up and be okay.”
I lay my head down on his pillow and close my eyes, praying, not that I truly know how.Once this is done, I’m heading to that Baptist church in Divine, Idaho, and I’m going to know God. I’m going to join in their mission to help abused women and I’ll volunteer at the shelter. I’ll work alongside Lucy to be her assistant and help her patients. I’ll live with Heath and make the Fortress my home—our home.
“It will be your home, Remi. Yours and Heath’s, and of course I’ll be a welcome guest.” Lucy puts her arm over my shoulders. “I love you, too, sister.”
“He’s coming out of it,” the nurse says. “Wake up, handsome. You have two beautiful women who are very worried about you.”
Heath’s hand closes over mine, squeezing it tight. “I heard everything, Remi. I am your home and you are mine. Marry me. You’ll find a diamond ring in my pants.”
“I will, Heath, except you’re not wearing anything.” I can’t help but giggle as I lean over and kiss him. “I love you, darling, and I’m not going to stop saying it.”
ChapterForty
Remi
It took another day for Heath to leave the hospital. Lucy and I went to the police station and they took our statements, as far as we could remember. Justin brought all of us back to my penthouse. My housekeeper came by and cleaned, and my cook prepared food in takeout containers, ready for the microwave. There are fresh flowers on the counters and aromatherapy infusers in the living room. The pillows have been fluffed and the floors mopped. Windows cleaned and draperies drawn back.
