Page 100 of Part of Me (The Seaside Chronicles 2)

Braxton and I exchanged a look.

Gannon sighed. “Guys, I get it. I do. If someone took Addie and drugged her, I would want to rip them limb from limb. But right now you have to think about Sutton. This wouldn’t be helping her, only the two of you.”

I scrubbed my hands down my face and groaned. “Fuck, you’re right. It’s just…every time I see her on that bed, knowing that he manhandled her, I just want to…” My voice trailed off.

Brax nodded. “I know. I feel the same way. And I’m sorry if I let my emotions get the better of me and dragged you into it. It’s just—”

I shook my head at him. “You don’t have to explain, Brax. I get it. Believe me.”

Gannon walked up and put his arm around our shoulders. “Let’s just focus on Sutton right now, okay?”

My stomach did a weird flopping thing whenever I thought about her. Despite the circumstances, I couldn’t help but smile. “Right. Sutton is who we need to focus on. I’m going to head back into her room. She might be awake now. They said she can have visitors, but I want to talk to her first.”

“Of course, dude,” Gannon said. “Go talk to your wife. Take your time.”

I hit my brother on the side of his arm. “Thanks, Gannon, for keeping our heads in the right place.”

Braxton smiled, but I could tell he still wanted to pay a visit to Jack. I’d leave that up to him, but I wouldn’t have any part in it. Gannon was right. I needed to focus on Sutton. Now more than ever.

“I’m going to head on back,” I said. “I’ll come out and let you guys know when you can see her.”

Gannon nodded and motioned for Braxton to follow him, and they headed back toward the waiting room.

Drawing in a deep breath, I returned to Sutton’s room. When I opened the door, she looked over at me sleepily and smiled.

“Hey, you’re awake,” I said, moving toward her. “How do you feel?”

She gifted me with a soft smile. “I feel better. Whatever they gave me is taking the headache away. Thank goodness.”

I sat down on the edge of the bed and took her hand in mine. “Do you want anything? Are you hungry or thirsty?”

“Maybe something to drink. A chocolate milkshake?”

Laughing, I lifted her hand to my mouth and kissed the back of it. “You’re craving a milkshake, huh?”

She nodded. “Oh, a cheeseburger sounds good, too, if you don’t mind.”

I pulled out my phone and sent Braxton a text asking if he could go get Sutton what she wanted. “Mind if I slide in next to you and hold you?”

Sutton scooted over some, and I lay down next to her. She reached for my hand, and we laced our fingers together.

“I’m so sorry this happened,” she said softly, resting her head on my chest.

“Sutton, none of this was your fault. I just wish we’d known for sure that he was still in town.”

“I don’t even know how this could’ve happened.”

I ran my thumb over her hand as I cleared my throat. “Earlier this afternoon, someone stole my phone. Turns out it was Jack. He pretended to be me and texted you. You replied, telling him you were going to the spa. I’m not sure if he already knew, or just got there before you did. There’s a back door, and we assume that’s how he got in. He snuck into the locker room and waited for you.”

She frowned. “Yes…I remember walking into the locker room and going over to a locker. Someone grabbed me from behind. I tried to fight them off, but they put something over my mouth, and the next thing I knew, I woke up in the fishing hut. I saw Jack sitting there at the table. He had a gun…and then I heard the doors crash open and saw you and Braxton. I don’t really remember much after that.”

I kissed the top of her head. “That about sums it up. The police are pretty sure Jack is the one who started the fire at the beach house. We were able to find video from some security cameras that show him walking away from the property after it was set on fire.”

She covered her mouth with her hand. “Why would he do that? And why would he take me?”

I shook my head. “That part, I don’t know.”

“And why bring me to the fishing hut?”

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