Page 37 of The Secrets We Keep

“You know Eleanor crying is not a good look for you. I had all intentions of bringing you to a business associate and letting him do as he wished with you however, I think you stabbing yourself will be less of a hassle for me.”

Chet grips my hand tighter and tries to make me stab myself in the thigh area. It takes a lot of strength but I resist hard and this pisses him off because he takes his other hand, the one that was pulling my hair and slides it down to my neck squeezing.

Shit! The burning pain I start to feel as he continues to squeeze tighter and tighter. I try to spit in his face but it is useless. He’s not letting up and I’m not sure how much more I can handle.

Squeezing my eyes shut, Sarah, Landon, and Jessy all flash through my mind. They pass by quickly before the darkness takes over.

Chapter 18

What the hell is that sound? It makes my head pound more with each beep. Beep… beep… beep. I slowly open my eyes. However, there’s so much excruciating pain that I instantly close them. My head is throbbing. What is going on? I try to think through that annoying beeping sound. I remember Chet, he was choking me. That’s the last thing I can remember. Opening my eyes again, it’s so bright that I try to put my hand over my face to block the light, but there’s wires attached preventing me from reaching all the way up. What is going on?

“She’s stirring! Get a doctor.” Someone says.

I can’t make out who. Beep… beep… beep. Fuck! That’s so annoying and painful, I just want it to stop.

“Evie, can you hear me?” A deep voice from somewhere in the room asks. It’s a man’s voice, that much I can tell. I blink a few more times before squinting enough to see.

“Evie, I’m right here.” That deep voice tells me as he squeezes my hand. At least I think that’s who is touching me.

I look in the direction of my hand and can just make out someone’s arm. I follow the arm upward until I can make out the shape of a face, then dark hair. I know that hair. Opening my eyes a little further I see the face of a gorgeous man. I close my eyes. Landon. Is he really here, wherever I am?

“La..Landon?”

“Yes, baby it’s me. I’m right here.”

I blink a few more times, it’s just there’s so much pain. My head feels like someone is taking a hammer to it.

“The doctor is here, he is going to look you over.” Landon tells me. A doctor, what doctor?

“Wait what doctor?”

I try to sit up but I’m unsuccessful, everything hurts so much.

“Stay calm Ms. Ross. I’m Dr. Wright. You’ve been brought in for observation. You took quite the spill after passing out. You hit your head pretty hard on the tile.”

I try to think back, being choked. I must have passed out. I remember the fury in Chet’s eyes and then the darkness taking over. What happened after I passed out? Where is Chet? Panic starts to set in.

“Where is Chet?” My voice is so hoarse and I’d be lying if I said it didn’t hurt to talk.

“Here, take a drink of water. Your throat may ache for a while. The man who attacked you was taken into custody. Now I don’t want you worrying about that right now. I have a few questions I need to ask you.” Dr. Wright says flatly.

I have my own set of questions but I guess they will need to wait. The doctor goes on to ask about my injury and how I’m feeling. He shines some unbelievably bright light in my eyes and it makes me want to punch him. I don’t of course, you know wires and all. Apparently, I have a slight concussion but should recover just fine. My throat will ache but that too will be okay in time. There’s no permanent damage, thank goodness.

Only after telling me he will be sending the nurse in to give me something for the pain, does he finally leave. I’m glad he goes because I don’t think my head can take much more. I look over to Landon who is still sitting in the chair allotted for visitors. Anguish and concern is written all over his face. There’s worry lines etched along his forehead and he looks exhausted. All because of me.

“What are you thinking?” Landon asks.

“I was thinking of how tired you must be.” I whisper to him.

“I could have lost you. What were you thinking going there alone?” Landon trails off his voice breaking slightly.

I can’t tell if his eyes are holding back tears, it hurts too much to focus and my vision keeps blurring slightly.

“What happened?” I need for him to fill in the blanks.

He takes a deep breath and then exhales, “Sarah sent me a text with her address asking me to call the cops and give them her address. Little did she know that I already knew where you were. I had your location pinged off your cell.”

How was he able to get that information?

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