Page 11 of Rhys

Those were just a few of the many qualities that had made her fall in love with him in the first place. They were also the very same reasons she’d had to walk away.

Not that any of that mattered. Not anymore.

No, what matters is that you get your ass out of this bed and away from this place before the people after you figure out that you’re here.

Chances were, they already had.

It was that realization that had Vanessa’s eyes flying open and her body rolling awkwardly to the side. Down to one good arm, she grabbed hold of the cool metal railing to her right. Steeling herself for the pain she knew was coming, she gritted her teeth and pulled herself up.

Swinging her bare legs over the edge of the thin mattress, Vanessa hung her head between her shoulders and rested. This wasn’t the first time she’d been shot, and knowing her luck, it probably wouldn’t be her last.

Didn’t make it hurt any less, though.

She scanned the room praying her clothes had been saved. Unfortunately for her, the only thing she found was an empty chair and a metal tray filled with sealed, sterile instruments.

Looking down at the paper-thin gown they’d dressed her in, she decided her first course of action would be to find a supply closet—and hopefully a set of scrubs.

Using the railing as leverage, Vanessa eased herself off the bed and onto the cold white tile. She sucked in a breath, the freezing floor a shock to the soles of her bare feet. Once she confirmed she could walk without falling flat on her face, she realized her bladder was about to burst.

Damn I.V. fluids.

Okay, so maybe the plan would go restroom first, scrubs second.

Making quick work of the heart monitor leads, she ignored the slight sting from the adhesive and pulled them off one-by-one. Careful not to go too fast too soon, she then wrapped her fingers around the metal pole on her right and made her way to the narrow door across from her.

With each step she took, the trembling in her legs subsided that much more, and by the time she was back in her room, Vanessa was standing straighter and walking with more confidence.

She eyed the small round clock on the wall, her heart rate skyrocketing when she realized how much time had passed since the shooting.

Oh, God! I have to get out of here. I have to leave…now!

Rushing her movements now, she started to take a step but remembered the tubes still connecting her to the I.V. pole. Though it wasn’t easy, she was able to use her slinged hand to peel away the thick white tape before yanking the small, clear tube free from her vein.

Pressing the palm of his left hand to the back of her right, Vanessa took a few steps toward the cabinets hoping to find a band aid so she didn’t bleed all over the place. She made it halfway to the sink when a wave of dizziness struck, and she started to lose her balance. Throwing her good arm out to her side, she grabbed hold of the first thing she came into contact with.

The metal tray.

It tipped over, the tray and the sterile instruments falling noisily to the floor. The loud clanging filled the small room, and Vanessa cringed knowing anyone walking nearby would have heard it.

Damn it!

Not wasting anymore time, she forgot all about the small puncture wound in her hand and headed for the door. She was at the foot of the bed when the door swung open, and Rhys appeared.

Vanessa froze, her eyes widening as she blinked up at him. “Rhys,” she rasped, her throat still sore and her lips desert dry. “I-I thought...I thought you left.”

“I’m not the one in the habit of taking off without a word. That’s you, remember?”

The sting from his words hurt, but she refused to let it show. “I thought maybe you changed your mind about helping me.”

“I’m not sure what I’m going to do yet.” Intense, nearly black eyes slid down to her good hand. “Where’s you’re I.V.?”

“I took it out.” She shuffled one step forward.

His handsome face twisted incredulously. “Why the hell would you do that?”

“Because I’m leaving.”

“Leaving?” Rhys let loose with a humorless laugh. “Oh, no, sweetheart. You’re not going anywhere.”

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