Page 134 of Retribution

I pause.

“He’s… alive?” My voice is timid with disbelief as I shake my head.

“Oh, yes, absolutely. It was a nasty accident, but he was lucky to be wearing his seat belt. The storm really is treacherous at the moment. He has a few superficial cuts and bruises, a pretty nasty gash on his arm but other than that he’s fine.”

Squeezing my eyes shut, I let out a heavy exhale.

This doesn’t feel real, none of this does. It’s almost as if someone is making a story of my life and adding as much drama and trauma that they can to get a better shock factor for their reader.

I take his extended hand and stand up, as graceful as Bambi.

We walk around to the back of the ambulance and from the moment I see him, it is like every one of my prayers has been answered.

He is alive, he is sitting up, awake, talking, smiling even.

His gaze falls to me and he stands up immediately, pulling the blood pressure cuff with him as I run to him, wrapping my arms around his warmth, not caring if I get any blood or dirt on me.

“I love you, I love you so much.” I cry into his chest, fisting the material and then proceeding the check his face for the damage.

“I love you,” he croaks and kisses me, holding my cheeks and pulling me into him.

“Are you hurt?” I ask and he shakes his head.

He tells me about everything that happened and the police said they’re trying to track down the vehicle on the other side of the road with the lights, as his actions caused an accident, and he didn’t stop to help. After he told me he’d only just managed to get his seat belt on before the accident, I gave him a bit of a lecture.

We leave our contact details with the cops as Reed gets the all clear from EMT. We hold onto each other and walk to meet Harry back at his car.

Once we’re seated inside, I muster up the ability to tell them about the Lottie and the note.

“This is crazy, why would Lottie know that?” Harry says, staring at Reed.

“Why wouldn’t she say anything to either of us?” Reed responds.

“What was she even doing in town? In a small grocery store near your house?”

“None of this makes any sense.”

“Have you tried to get in touch with Willow?” Reed turns to me.

I shake my head and explain that I literally just found out.

He dials the phone that he gave her and it doesn’t connect, meaning it’s either turned off or… what Lottie said may be true.

“Wait, I have that app,” Reed says, his nose buried in his phone as he quickly scans through his phone.

I sit in the middle of the backseat. Harry’s eyes pour into mine when I glance up at the dash mirror, looking away quickly as the memory of the last time I seen him comes to the forefront my mind.

“Got it.” Reed says.

The dot that usually remains in the Florida region, suddenly jumps as the app updates. The map moves around to the other side of the world, her little icon pings in exactly where Lottie said, Dubai.

“The Dawson’s know she’s not allowed to leave the country during an active custody case.” Harry rubs his hand across his jaw, trying to figure out the game they’re playing.

I got so distracted with the conversation about Willow, that I’ve forgotten to show them the card.

“Guys, I got another envelope, whilst I was in the store.”

They both swivel around to look at me.

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