Page 55 of Confined Space

"Thank you, sir." I shake his hand and turn back toward the room. I feel like my legs are going to collapse under me.

Chapter Fourteen

CORAL

"Paging Dr. Wilson. Dr. Wilson, please report to the ER stat."

I hear the overhead page as I come to. Warmth surrounds me, and it's such a stark contrast to the last time I woke up. I startle and arms gently hold me down.

"Easy, Mouse, I got you," Rowdy says quietly from behind me. I'm in a bed in the hospital and he's lying with me. His body wrapped around mine.

"I—" My throat constricts and my chest aches. "I love you," I whisper.

"I love you too, Coral." He chuckles as he holds me tighter. "I've got you, baby."

"Drink?" I ask, and he shifts, taking the warmth with him. He comes back with a cup and bends the straw toward my mouth. I take a sip and sigh as the coolness washes the dirt from my throat. "Did they get him?"

"Davis?"

"Yeah."

"Logan has him in custody. The DA is asking for no bail since he tried to flee the country and for your safety."

"Archer is safe?"

"Yes, baby, he's safe. Mom has him right now. She just left a bit ago because they've been here all day."

"What day is it?" I don't know how long I was buried or out.

"It's still Wednesday. We found you just in time. You’ve been unconscious for about eleven hours."

"Thank God. I thought you'd never find me. I thought I'd never get to tell you I love you. I've loved you for a long time. I was just so scared. I want to be with you. I want more babies with you. I want it all, Rowdy." I clutch his shirt so he can't pull away from me.

"Coral, they can't ever take me from you. No one ever will until death takes me. Then I'll haunt your life to be with you. You're everything. You are the breath in my body and the light in my soul. Only you, baby."

"I love you," I say again as I settle against him, my eyes closing. I fall asleep holding him close.

* * *

It’s day two in the hospital and I'm ready to be out of here. I want to go home and lie in a bed where they aren't waking me every few minutes to take my vitals. I want to be able to fall asleep with my man and my son. I can't stand that I'm lying here doing nothing. I can't stand feeling like anyone can walk in without warning. I'm scared of everything and pretty much everyone except Rowdy and our family. When Logan came in to question me, I startled and about jumped out of the bed. Then Ryker came to visit along with Rowdy’s aunt and uncle. I was so scared I trembled the whole time. The hospital brought in a psychiatrist to help me with the post-traumatic stress I'm going through.

Carefully, I slip from the bed and head for the bathroom. I sent Rowdy out when the psychiatrist came in to talk to me. I told him to go home and take a shower, then come back. He hates to leave my side and I hate for him to be far away, but I knew if he heard my fears, he'd never leave me alone again. When I step out of the bathroom, a man in a suit I've never seen before is standing in my room.

"Hello?"

He turns and I see the coldness in his eyes. I immediately recognize him for who he is. Those are eyes I'd never forget.

"Mr. Steingold, how can I help you?"

I slowly make my way to the bed where the call button is. I don't trust this man after what his son did to me. Logan found out that the Steingold family used to come here before Davis’s father got deep into politics in California. They had the vineyard and tried to compete with the Murphys but were never able to.

"Ms. Pierce, I've come by to apologize and see if there is any way we can make this all go away. My son was out of his mind. I'm going to get him help."

"Mr. Steingold, your son buried me alive. He threatened to kill my son and my fiancé and my family. He raped me, and I'm tired of hiding those facts. Your son isn't a little out of his mind. Your son is a sociopath." I stand tall in my fuzzy jammies that Rowdy brought me so I wouldn't have to wear a hospital gown. I watch as Davis’s father reaches into his breast pocket, and I flinch back worried he has a gun.

"I'm not going to hurt you." He pulls out his wallet. "I will write you a check for any amount."

"You need to leave right now," I say firmly.

---