My brows pulled together as I wondered what he meant. "Rosie has already told your boss."
"And Rhodes?"
"Yes."
He cursed. "Whatever." His eyes were closed, so I leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. "I'm relieved you're okay, Dodge. Stay that way."
"Rosie?”
"I'll send her in."
I became aware of a nurse keeping an eye on me just outside of Dodge's room. She smiled and moved closer.
"Don't worry. He will receive the highest quality treatment. I promise." She smiled.
"Thank you." I forced a grin as I pondered why I had a bad impression of the nurse. She seemed pleasant and encouraging while walking next to me, but there was something about her that I couldn't quite put my finger on. "You don't have to show me the way out. This place is familiar to me. Sadly." I scowled, praying that my words were compelling enough.
"I'm heading this way." After a brief pause, she gives me a tiny smile. "I'm sorry about this."
I felt as though I had been stung by an insect after experiencing a sharp pain in my neck. My vision became hazy, and then it was completely dark.
* * *
I had been pacing back and forth for the past twenty minutes and was starting to get worried. Why was Talla with Dodge for so long? It shouldn't take this long. I released my grip on my lip and stopped in front of Rosie. "Something's wrong."
The second the words left my mouth, Riley shot out the door. Rosie got to her feet and hesitated.
"I'll come with you." I didn't give her a choice, and we followed Riley out the door. We bumped into a distressed Riley on our way to Dodge's room. "No, Tallulah?”
Rosie moved toward Dodge, who was starting to wake, while I looked into Riley's worried eyes. "How the hell can she disappear in broad daylight?" he asked, running a hand through his hair.
"Can't you try talking to her or something?" I waved a trembling hand in front of him.
“We’ve not done it from a distance before."
"What if she's close?" I moved closer to him and whispered, "Please, Riley, try. I'm so scared right now. Aiden is unstable."
Riley nodded and left the room. I caught Rosie watching me, but I didn't know what to say. I didn't want to reveal Tallulah's secret, not even to Rosie. "He has an idea," I offered.
"Dodge is going to be out of it for a while. The nurse gave him a sedative because he needs to heal." She took my arm and led me out of the room. "I need to call Carlisle." She winced. "I'm not sure it's the right time, though, not when I know he's with Jane."
"What if Jane is leading him into a trap, and that's why Aiden has Tallulah?"
"I'd thought of that. Oliver had as well. He's on it." Rosie glanced back at Dodge and said, "I don't want to leave him alone."
"You won't have to." I pointed toward the two officers who were making their way toward us. "Oliver sent backup." I smiled and watched as Rosie gave the officers instruction. At least they didn't take offense, since Oliver was their boss, not Rosie. They understood that she was worried about her friend.
Rosie glanced at her phone and grabbed my arm. "Jessop is on his way to get you."
I kept my mouth shut so I wouldn't say something I'd regret. Yes, I am scared of Aiden and what he would do to me if he had the chance. But I'm also tired of what he was doing and frustrated with the situation. Why wouldn't he leave the area while he still could? I wasn't worth him going back to jail. He would be caught. Either that or he'd be dead. I winced. I wasn't the kind of person to wish death on anyone, but with Aiden, I wouldn't mind. At this point, I figured it would be the only way to stop him. So, I kept my thoughts to myself, along with my plan.
"I need to use the bathroom," I told Rosie.
She nodded, checked the bathroom, and stepped outside to answer a call. I turned on the faucet and splashed cold water on my face. It didn't calm my nerves, but it did ease my nausea. I grabbed a couple of paper towels, dabbed my face, and stared into the mirror. I knew what I was going to do, and I knew that I needed the strength to do it. I needed to be quick, too. Rosie wouldn't be distracted for long.
After one last look in the mirror, I took a deep breath and moved toward the bathroom door. I listened closely, but I couldn't hear anyone speaking. I opened the door slightly and peered out through the crack. I couldn't see Rosie, or anyone, for that matter. I still couldn't hear Rosie on the phone. I poked my head out a little more and went for it. I quickly slipped out of the bathroom, making sure the door closed quietly behind me. The stairwell beckoned, but I bypassed it. If Rosie had gone anywhere for privacy, it would be there.
My heart jumped around in my chest, not only from fear but also from the thought of being caught before Aiden found me. I feared him. But he had Tallulah, so going to him was the only option. I wanted it to be over. I was stupid. I knew that. Jessop would be angry.
