“You have to calm down, please,” my mom begged as a nurse flew in the room with a needle. She inserted whatever drug into my system through the IV, and I felt the effects almost immediately. They calmed me, relaxing me, making me fallasleep.
“Get Kaleb,” I managed to mumble out before darkness covered me once again. I tried to fight it, but it wasuseless.
* * *
Kaleb
I was seething. Beyond seething, if it was possible. I couldn’t believe that little dick got an up on us, yet again. He was going to meet my fist—and more—when I tracked the fucker down this time. I wasn’t the reasonable FBI Chief now; I should have killed that bastard on site. I still might, anyway—consequences bedamned.
I knew I should have moved Elijah and Dawn to a different location. It was plain as day that Morgan was watching their every move. I didn't know what he had planned, but I was pretty dang sure he was after the girl who was like a baby sister tome.
She had changed Elijah for the better. Elijah had always thrown himself into his work, even at such a young age. He wasn’t ever really happy with how his life was going, but he did the best he could. He was lonely and angry most of the time—until Dawn came back into hislife.
When I first met him, he was alone, sitting at the bar looking around. That had been a few years ago. I couldn’t help but reach out to him—in more than one way. I’ve always swung both ways, and I found him to be attractive, in a bad boy kind ofway.
He wore all black, including a leather jacket. He seemed lost, not sure of anything. His body was stiff, but he was searching for something, most likely a one-night stand. He was new to this area, or at least to thisbar.
“Hey, cowboy,” I greeted, as I walked up next to him, ordering a stiffdrink.
“Oh, uh, hey?” he said, confused. His bright blue eyes were clouded with indecision. His dark blond hair touched his chin. I couldn’t wait to run my fingers throughit.
“Come to let some steam off tonight?” I asked, letting my eyes roam up and down. He wasn’t the usual type I’d try to hit on, but I could see he wasn’t sure about what he liked. Why not give it shot,right?
Normally, I’d never go for someone who had no clue about my lifestyle. I liked the easy prey who seemed to always be lining up forme.
“I guess so,” he simply shrugged, turning back around to ask for a water. I looked him over, wondering his age. If I had to take a guess, I would say he was about twenty,maybe.
“Girl trouble?” I couldn’t help but ask, wanting to know what was going on inside that head of his. I had to make sure that he, in fact, wassingle.
“I wish,” he sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I can’t stand any of the girls I’ve metlately.”
“Then what has you so stressed?” I asked, leaning into his personal space just atad.
“Life,” hesighed.
“So, what are you planning to do here tonight, then?” I asked, indicating his water. “You not of drinkingage?”
“I can try to find a nice person older than me to order my drinks,” he winked with a laugh. “Then hope to getlaid.”
“Well, I can help you with both,” I winked back, watching as his face freeze before he turned brightred.
“What?” he stuttered, once he got his thoughts back in order. “I . . . I don’t. . . do guys,” he said, but I could hear and see the idea was almost appealing to him. His voice wasn’t as deep as some men I’d had relations with. Plus, I’m pretty sure he’d just tried to flirt withme.
“Are you sure about that?” I asked with a sweet smile his way. “You seem the type to be up for trying newthings.”
It didn’t take him long to find out what he wanted. I was easy on him that first time, giving him a wonderful blow job and getting one in return. That was the night we became good friends—and more. But what we had wasn’t love; it was a way for him to grow, to figure out what he wanted and needed out oflife.
I knew I should have been there with him in the hospital since he was so distraught after the crash, and with Dawn missing again for the second time in his life. I couldn’t blame him. She was the light of hislife.
I was at the station, trying to track her phone, but it didn’t seem to be giving us a signal. I knew time was not on our side, and I had no idea where Morgan had taken her. I just hoped she’d find a way to get a message to us, or to try to run. We had many of our guys out looking every single place we possiblycould.
Joslyn called later the next morning, saying that Elijah had woken up in a panic again and that I needed to be there the next time he did. She didn’t know what to do. He needed to be calm so I could get him out of there and to a safe house in case Morgan came back and tried to finish himoff.
When I had got to him, he had been covered in blood, with a few deep cuts from the glass. He had a good bruise across his forehead and down his face. I was sure Morgan would have taken him out if given the choice, but since Dawn was there, he took herinstead.
The car hit Dawn’s side—hard. It had been stolen, and the driver was nowhere to be found. I was worried about what sort of state she would be in, and hoped she could get away from Morgan sooner rather than later, or that we could figure out where hewas.
I was tired but knew I couldn’t go home. I called Kelly, letting her know I was going to wait for Elijah to wake up again at the hospital, since he was sedated. I hoped he wouldn't panic as much if I wasthere.
Once I got to the hospital, I nodded to the police officer standing outside his room before entering. Joslyn sat in what looked like the most uncomfortable white chair next to the bed, looking around the room as she tried to stayawake.
Elijah lay in the hospital bed, eyes closed as he slept. A white blanket covered him up to his armpits, with his arms laid out over the top. The blood had been cleaned off him, and the cuts were stitched. I’m sure he hurt like abitch.
“Go home,” I said, patting her shoulder. “Or at least go rest in Vence’s office and lie down. I’ll call you when hewakes.”
“Thanks, Kaleb,” she said, standing up and giving me a strong hug. She was worn out and worried. We allwere.
I took a seat in her chair and stretched out, waiting for my best friend, once lover, to wake up. I had once promised him I would take care of him no matter what. I wasn’t going to break my promisenow.
