Liam sighed in relief.
Since I was standing, Bubba looked at the leftover bruising around my eye and cheek. “Bastard really hit you hard.” He gently pushed around my eye and on my upper cheek. “Any pain?”
“A little soreness, but nothing too bad.”
Bubba took a few steps back and pulled off his gloves. “I’m so sorry this happened to you, Mallory.”
The genuine concern in his voice warmed my heart. “Thank you. Is your real name Bubba?”
He laughed, and the instant relief I felt at the unfamiliar sound was nearly overwhelming. My gut instinct about him was right. He wasn’t the man who’d kidnapped me.
“My real name is Leonard. I got the nickname of Bubba from my younger sister, who couldn’t for the life of her say Leonard. I will be forever grateful to her for that.”
It was my turn to let out a soft laugh. “Thank you for doing this, and for keeping it all a secret.”
He stole a quick look at Liam, then focused back on me. “We’ll find out who did this to you.”
Before I had a chance to reply, Liam’s phone rang. When he looked at the caller, he stood abruptly. “It’s Randy.”
I slowly sank to the couch again while Bubba closed his bag and sat down on a chair. We both watched Liam pace while he listened to his cousin.
He stopped and turned, looking at me. A small furrow appeared between his brows. “Yeah, I heard you. Okay. Let me know if you find anything else.”
Once the call was over, he slipped his phone into his pocket.
“What did he say?” Bubba and I asked at the same time.
“He hasn’t gotten any hits on your fingerprints or DNA yet, but he wants to run the DNA through a few other places. So far, he’s only searched Montana and the surrounding states.”
I slowly exhaled. “Is it strange I’m almost worried to find out who I am?”
Liam reached for my hand. “I can imagine this would be scary.”
“I hope I’m not married.”
The words were out of my mouth before I could stop them. Liam’s eyes went as round as saucers, and Bubba laughed.
“I mean, I like it here, even though thereisa madman somewhere out there who kidnapped me. I’m falling in love with the mountains and the crisp, clean air.”
Bubba and Liam both grinned.
I scrubbed my hands down my face. “Oh my gosh. I wish I could justremembersomething. Anything!”
Bubba approached and crouched in front of me, lightly placing his hand on my arm. “It’ll come back, Mallory. Just give it time and don’t force it.”
I nodded and wiped a tear away. “Will you stay for dinner? We have leftover lasagna.”
With a wide grin, he stood. “Show me where the food is!”
Liam stood and extended his hand for me. I took it, and he helped me up. “We’re going to get it all figured out. Just know you’re safe here in the meantime, and nothing and no one is going to hurt you.”
Forcing a smile, I tried so hard to believe him, but something deep inside of me was starting to grow wary. He wasn’t far away, the monster. I could feel it in the depths of my soul. He was searching for me…and the only truth I knew for sure was that I couldn’t hide in Liam’s house forever.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Liam
“Liam, what’s going on with you?”
