“Mister Markland, I’m Dr. Bobovich. How are you feeling?”
“Groggy.”
“That’s normal after anesthesia. Do you remember what happened?”
“Some.”
“You have been in a car accident. You have suffered a rib fracture, a concussion, and a broken leg, among other things.We did a closed reduction, and your leg is in a cast. It’s a clean fracture, which means it should heal without complications. Pain and soreness are expected, but your medication should keep you comfortable. Do you have any questions?”
Adam barely looked at him before speaking. “I just want to go home.”
“Do you live alone?”
“Yes.”
“Then I’m afraid it’s not possible,” Dr. Bobovich said. “You have the use of one leg and one arm because you’ve got a mild elbow injury. It means you need care and daily support. Do you have someone who can help you?”
“I don’t need help,” Adam said when I cut in, “He has me. I’m his partner. I mean, his work partner. We’re cops. I’ll take care of him.”
My verbal vomit made Maddox chuckle.
“No way in hell,” Adam bit out. “I would rather die.”
The anger seeping out of him was palpable, but I wanted to help him... Ineededto help him.
“I’ll stay out of your way,” I said in a low voice so only Adam could hear me. “I swear. I’ll be there for you as much as you need me, but I won’t be a bother. I just want to help you. Please, let me help you.”
“What will it be, gentlemen?” Dr. Bobovich said, sounding impatient. “I have other patients waiting for me.”
“I agree,” Adam said, his voice barely audible. “Can I have a moment alone?”
So, we left. I took the small win, but it hardly made me feel better. The last thing I could see was Adam staring at the pigeon traipsing on the windowsill outside the hospital room. A knot of unease formed in my chest because he looked as if he was standing on that ledge, and not the pigeon. I knew exactly howhe felt because the look in his eyes was the one I saw every time I faced a prisoner behind bars.
Entrapped.
Adam
The entire situation made me think of the movie Misery. A man with an injured leg, ending up in the care of a psycho, was exactly how I felt when I left the hospital. It was the first thought that crossed my mind after they wheeled me into Jordan’s apartment, and the door closed behind me. On a brighter note, my hospital stay was a short one. They monitored me for a few days because of the concussion, but otherwise, I was healing nicely. Cracked ribs and broken bones could be treated with painkillers and patience. Broken hearts, though? No therapy or rehabilitation could heal that one.
I discouraged everyone from visiting me because I didn’t want anyone’s pity, but the LD guys were relentless. Chief Bibb was the worst because every time he came, he gave me this reassuring, fatherly look that made me choke up.
“Missus sends this,” he said the last time he came. “It’s a gluten-free granola bar good for immunity. Just what you need, my boy.”
It was probably the most disgusting, healthy piece of food I ever ate, but I ate it anyway.
Maddox kept bringing me beer and snacks, while the nurse pretended not to see it, because he was fucking her. John Smith dropped by every day at exactly four p.m. because, apparently, he had OCD. Maria came only once because Jordan was jealous of her, which was ridiculous on all accounts. Buck brought me porn magazines, forgetting that I could find that stuff online these days. He kept mentioning his wife’s magic hands and massages, creeping me out. Verna Bulut visited me a few times as well, but she didn’t charge me. She said it was on the house. Itold her she was a traitor for telling Jordan about the blues bar, but she just waved me off. Speaking of Jordan, he came every day with a fresh bouquet of roses, rubbing salt to the wound. I didn’t know why he bothered since we barely talked on those occasions, but he came every day without exception. I knew it would only get worse once I came to his place, and I was right.
“The bedroom is ready,” Jordan mumbled, pointing at the door. “It’s there. I mean, you know where it is, so…” His cheeks turned pink, and he lowered his gaze before continuing. “I mean, I don’t have a guest bedroom, so I gave you mine. I cleaned it up and made the bed. Everything you need is in there. The LD guys helped me move some of your things like clothes and… stuff.”
When I said nothing, he rubbed the back of his neck before glancing at me.
“I’ll… um… I’ll sleep on the sofa in the living room.”
“Thank you,” I said, reaching for my crutches. “I’m tired. I’m going to bed.”
And that was that. My future was set. My fate was sealed. My caretaker was close by, which meant feeling sorry for himself in the adjoining room. He acted as if he hadn’t brought it on himself, which was damn annoying.
The worst thing was that I desperately wished none of this had happened. I wished Agent Corcoran had never come, and that I never found out the truth. It was pitiful how I would rather live a lie than feel how I felt since I realized that Jordan had deceived me. Double-crossed me. Betrayed me. I didn’t blame him for keeping a secret, because it was the job. I understood that. I blamed him for getting close to me under a pretense. For making me like him. For making me think he liked me back, because now… I didn’t know anymore. I didn’t know where the lie ended, and the truth began. Speaking of pain, Skull Crusher was a dead man. The entire LD was after him, but I hoped theywouldn’t find him. I hoped I would be the one to find him, but to do that, I had to heal first.
