On top of the injuries, the court case for the theft went nowhere because they can’t find Allen or who he sold the program to. I never got paid for the program I spent six months writing and all my clients went elsewhere while I recovered.
More than a year of surgeries and rehab. I’ve been in limbo for what feels like forever. The injuries and learning how to live with them consumed most of my energy. My health is as about as good as can be expected, but I’ve still been laying low to ease my brother’s fears.
Finally, I was able to go back to work but Frank insisted that I do something different until he finds Allen. My original niche of programming for new start-up companies could lead Allenback to me. It doesn’t really matter, since I can no longer sit at a computer for hours and hours due to the injuries.
Now I’m a virtual personal assistant doing a little bit of everything from graphics and covers for authors, then edits for the same people and online marketing for other types of small businesses. Small little gigs that allow me to move around as I need. All under a limited liability corporation that my brother created. My clients know me as Rose.
Allen was smarter than any of us knew. He played his professor and me. He watched me do all the work and then stole it. One of my fears is he’s doing the same thing to some other unsuspecting person. Or he’s looking for me again since he didn’t get the whole payout he planned from the stolen program.
Foolishly, I’d thought I was safe. He’d already stollen my business and my savings. There was nothing left for him to take from me.
I fist my hand on the window frame and lean my forehead against the cool glass. Damn it, I just wanted a life back, even if it won’t ever be my old life. I wanted to go to a movie or out to dinner, walk in a park without being afraid.
I was so tired of being hidden away and alone. I begged my caregiver, Hazel, to take me out. Just a simple lunch. It was my birthday, I pleaded. She finally relented and we went to my favorite restaurant. Lunch was amazing, I felt so free and strong and a little bit like me. We laughed and the waitress even brought me a mini flan with a candle.
I was waiting by the elevator which was close to the stairs while Hazel went to the bathroom. I looked up when the elevator doors opened and a flood of fresh-faced teenagers poured out laughing and joking. Then I glanced into the eyes of the last man exiting. Allen.
Too late I remembered he knew my favorite birthday lunch spot. He shouldered into me hard. I lost my balance andstumbled. There was nothing to grab onto as I fell backward down the stairs. I don’t remember anything until I woke in the hospital four days later.
CHAPTER 3
Elias Hawke
My meeting with Vance goes better than I had hoped. He’d read through all the information on Delaney again and gotten all the police reports from her first attack. He’s also talked with Evie, his chief operations officer, and I think she had my back for this assignment.
He’s also gone through the little I’ve found working with his staff. He promises to prioritize the case and their involvement. In the meantime, he’s having an unregistered safe house prepared and stocked. Once our doctors have evaluated Delaney’s condition and cleared her for travel, she and I will be relocated to the safe house.
“When you find Riven, he’s mine. He doesn’t get another chance to harm her.”
Vance studies me and I swear I see his own demons flash in his gaze before he nods. “I’ll keep your request in mind. She’s in the guest room on the fourteenth floor.”
I hesitate before knocking. Does she hate me? Will she ever forgive me the pain she’s suffered? The losses she’s had? Will she kick me out before I can even apologize?
I swear I will end this for her. Even if it takes my last breath.
I tap on the door. “Laney it’s me, Hawke. Can I come in?”
“Elias? Elias Hawke? Is it really you?”
“Yes, Laney. It’s really me.”
“Come in. Please.”
The tremble in her voice nearly sends me to my knees. She’s been through so much. Been so strong, mostly on her own.
The blinds are open to the night sky. The only light is the cracked door to the bathroom. She’s struggling to sit up in bed.
“Wait. I’ll help you.” Slipping one arm behind her back, I stack the pillows against the headboard before lifting and settling her in a sitting position. “Did I wake you?”
She shakes her head. “Can’t sleep.”
“What can I get you?”
“A rum and coke?”
I chuckle. “Don’t think that’s on your doctor approved list right now. How about a water and I’ll order you some flavored seltzer water for later.”
“You’re no fun.”
