I shook my head. “I don’t know his name. He punched me. I…I woke up in…a car.”
Burying my face in my hands, I started to cry. “Oh my God! I was in the backseat, scared. I was tied up and…”
Liam wrapped me up into his arms. All at once everything came back to me. My head pounded, the room spun and soon darkness took over.
##
The sound of voices woke me from what felt like a deep sleep. I sat up in bed so quickly I got dizzy. I looked around and panicked for a moment, until I realized I was in Liam’s bedroom.
My hand went to my racing heart as I closed my eyes and exhaled. “You’re safe. You’re okay.”
Swinging my legs to the side of the bed, I glanced over to see Piper looking up at me from where she was lying on the end of the bed.
“Hey, girl,” I said softly, petting her under the chin. “Thank you for staying with me.”
She whimpered and inched closer, placing her head on my lap. “I know, girl. I feel the same way.”
Looking out the window, I took a few more deep breaths and steeled myself to be strong. A light knock on the door caused me to look up.
“Hey,” Liam said quietly as he walked into the room. “Are you okay?”
Shrugging, I forced myself to smile. “It feels like my head has been hit by a cement truck. Did I pass out or something?”
“More like I think you were overcome with exhaustion. Both mental and physical.”
“It all just came rushing back to me. The guy in the photo.”
“Who is he?” Liam asked.
I slowly shook my head. “I don’t know.”
He nodded and sat down next to me. “Randy and Jonathon are here. MaryAnne and Billy are as well. She’s making tacos fordinner. I hope it’s okay I called them. I wasn’t sure if you would want anyone else here, but I thought maybe having a friend would help.”
Placing my hand on the side of his face, I felt my entire body warm. “That’s sweet of you, and of MaryAnne. I’m glad you called them.”
“How much do you remember?” he asked.
“I think everything, there might be a missing spot or two, but I remember how I got to Montana now.”
When his eyes met mine, I could feel all the emotions swimming around inside him. “I’m okay, Liam.”
He lifted my hand and kissed the back. “I hate this for you, but at the same time, it brought you to me.”
“You’re the only good thing that has come out of this whole nightmare.”
“Are you ready to talk to Randy and Jonathon, or should I tell them to give you some time?”
“No,” I said, shaking my head. “Now that I can remember what happened, I think it will be helpful. I can see the guy’s face clear as day in my mind.”
“Is he the one who kept you in the basement?” Liam asked.
“He has to be, but why would he bring me here? Back to Montana? And don’t you find it strange it’s back to the same area Chad lives in?”
Liam nodded. “I’ve already been thinking about that. I can’t let go of the fact that Chad might have something to do with this. And with Emily.”
I closed my eyes. “I hope he doesn’t, Liam. I really do.”
Liam stood and reached for my hand. “We’re in this together.”
