This isn’t a burglary.
It’s Erik.
I blink the tears away, rushing back to the front door. Maybe Chuckie’s escaped outside.
Then a small whimper comes from the bedroom. Ryker’s by my side as we find Chuckie shivering underneath a pile of clothes in the walk-in wardrobe.
‘Chuckie!’
Ryker attempts to pull him out, but Chuckie’s high-pitched yelp ties my stomach in knots. Ryker leans forward to attempt again.
‘Wait!’ I reach for his arm. ‘He might be badly hurt.’
I pull out my phone and swipe, smearing blood across the screen. I hit the call button and she answers on the third ring.
‘Dr Aimee?’ My voice shakes. ‘It’s urgent.’
Chapter 30
Gianna
PRESENT
‘He has a fractured rib. We’ll keep him comfortable, but he has to heal on his own.’ Dr Aimee zooms into the X-ray image before glancing over her shoulder, looking at me through her glasses. ‘His bloods are normal otherwise.’
I breathe a small sigh of relief. ‘Do you need me to stay and help?’
Chuckie lies on the surgery table in the next room, drowsy from the pain medications. Ryker hasn’t left my side.
‘No, you go on home,’ Dr Aimee says. ‘There’s no surgery needed. He just needs watchful eyes. The Deputy’s daughter is in town, she’s not a stranger to the clinic, she used to help out years ago. She’ll be here any minute. We’ll give him constant care.’
‘I’m here now,’ a voice calls from behind us.
I turn to take in flawless skin, high cheekbones and blonde hair that’s styled in a chic bob. Tall and slender, like a model.
‘Chloe Dellenty.’ The woman offers a small smile, removing her scarf. ‘We’ll look after him, I promise.’
She sets her backpack down on the steel bench, a notebook and laptop almost falling out.
‘Dellenty, as in Deputy Dellenty’s daughter?’ I ask.
She opens a glasses case and places the black frames over her eyes. ‘Don’t hold it against me.’
Ryker pipes up behind me, ‘Did you go to ECU?’
Chloe sets up the rest of her things. ‘Don’t hold that against me either.’
‘Go home and get some rest, Gia.’ Dr Aimee squeezes my elbow. ‘We’ll text you as soon as he’s awake.’
I nod, feeling Ryker slip his hand around my waist. I try to resist, but end up taking one more anguished look at Chuckie. Then the door jingles behind us as we step out into the blue-lit town.
‘I didn’t think …’ I start, but don’t know how to finish my own thoughts. ‘I didn’t think Erik would come back. I didn’t think anything would ever happen to Chuckie.’
‘It’s okay, baby.’ Ryker folds his arms around me, completely encasing me in him. ‘I’ll sort it. But for now, we need to get you into bed.’
I’m on autopilot as I head toward the Mustang. Ryker’s hand stops mine as I reach for the handle.
‘We’ll go to mine,’ he says. ‘Get in the truck.’
