“And that’s my queue to make those phone calls,” Kaleb said, standing up. “Just yell if you need me,Dawn.”
“Thanks, Kaleb,” I replied, taking a deep breath and letting go of hishand.
“Do you remember what happened?” Elijah asked once Kaleb had closed the door behindhim.
“Most of it. I remember the crash, then waking up wherever Morgan took me, and almost everything he did. He drugged me, trying to lessen my pain, but it backfired and made me sick. Then he got me high off pot smoke. He raped me, Elijah,” I answered in tears. “I was able to hide my phone but wasn’t able to call anyone until after I knew it was safe to do it. I was soscared.”
“Hey, it’s okay. You’re safe now, Dawn,” Elijah soothed me. He touched my face gently, and I let his warmth soak intome.
“Joan set the house on fire when she heard the sirens, and Kaleb got there just in time,” he went on. “You wouldn’t let the firefighters touch you, or even get near you. They were all trying to get you out first, knowing you weremissing.
“The house was a total loss, due to water and smoke damage. Of course, it wasn’t worth saving, anyway. Joan was high when she started the fire. She didn’t makeit.”
“Morgan?” I asked, needing to know what happened tohim.
“He’s in jail, without bail, on twenty-four-hour watch,” he answered. “The court date won’t be set for some time, but with all the evidence against him, he’ll never make it outalive.”
* * *
“Dawn Ellis, correct?”Said a woman as she entered the room. Her blond hair was neatly pulled back into a ponytail. Elijah slowly moved back, so it wouldn’t seem like he was overwhelmingme.
“Uh . . .” I said, drawing ablank.
“What can I help you with, Dr?” Elijah asked, sitting up straighter so he wasn’t lying near myarm.
“I’d like to talk to Dawn alone for a moment,’ sheanswered.
“No,” I said, instantly alert. No one was going to take him away again. They couldn’t. “Please,no.”
“Okay, he can stay, but I still need to talk to you. I’m Dr. Mai,” she said soothingly, taking the chair Kaleb had sat in and moving it away from the bed a few feet. “I only want totalk.”
At my nod, she began. “Anything you say is just between us, and will not leave this room. I understand you have been through a great deal, and it must have taken its toll on you and the ones you love. I am here to listen if you ever need totalk.”
“I have Elijah, and Kaleb, and our family,” I replied. Everyone who mattered knew what I had beenthrough.
“Well, this is what I do, so if you change your mind, just give me a call anytime. Here’s my card,” she said, laying it on the food tray before making her way out of theroom.
“Are you okay?” Elijah asked, scooting back as close as he possiblycould.
“I will be,” I said tiredly. “Holdme?”
“Always,” he said as I scooted over on the little bed, making enough room for him. I wrapped my body around him, not caring how much pain I wasin.
"Do you want to take a precaution against being pregnant from Morgan?” Elijahasked.
“There’s no point. He can’t have any kids,” I sighed, closing my eyes. “I love you, Elijah.Forever.”
