“It’s not too late, Hannah. But first, you need to rest and bond with Robert.”
It was after five in the morning when Hannah and Robert were moved to their private room. After Robert’s first feeding, he fell asleep, and Hannah laid him gently in the newbie bed beside her.
That’s when Evangeline stepped into the hall to phone Sin. She had placed her phone in “Do Not Disturb” mode when she got to the hospital. The second she tapped it off, it buzzed with texts. All from Sanchez.
“We got a hit on Joey,” Sanchez had texted.
“Sin isn’t responding to my texts. Is he with you?”
“I don’t know what hospital you’re in. Text or call me ASAP.”
Sanchez had called at four in the morning, but left no message. Evangeline’s stomach dropped. Pushing down the mounting concern, she called her back.
Sanchez picked up on the first ring. “Hey, have you heard from Sinclair?”
“No.” Her palms grew clammy.
“We got a match from your photos. Sin told us he was going to the hospital to warn you.”
Fear froze her. She couldn’t speak; couldn’t breathe.
“Evangeline, are you there?”
“Yes.” Steeling her spine, she raked her fingers through her hair. “Sin’s not out riding?”
“No. He and Jacoby have been missing for hours.”
God, no.Panic made her blood pump harder. “Tell me about Joey.”
“His real name is Thomas Monty. He’s a fugitive, a murderer, and someone from Sin’s past. For the last fourteen years, he’s been living in Florida. Looks like he’s been making one helluva living scamming women.”
“I want to help you find them, but I can’t leave my sister. She’s too vulnerable here alone.”
“I’ll keep looking for them,” Sanchez said before hanging up.
Evangeline’s fingers trembled as she slid her phone into her back pocket.Joey is a fugitive and someone from Sin’s past.Her guts were in knots as she entered Hannah’s room.
“Okay, Mom,” Hannah said into her cell phone. “I love you, too. See you later this morning.” Hannah hung up and smiled at Evangeline. Then, her brow furrowed. “What’s wrong?”
Evangeline couldn’t collect her jumbled thoughts. “I, I—”
“Let’s have it.”
“You first. How are you feeling?”
“Evangeline, stop. I’m fine. Elated, terrified, grateful Robert is healthy. But you,” Hannah shook her head, “you aren’t okay. Please, talk to me.” Her sister patted the edge of the mattress.
Easing down, Evangeline held her sister’s hand. “I did a little digging on Joey.”
“What for?”
“I didn’t trust him.”
As if silently scolding, Hannah shook her head. “And, what? You found nothing, right?”
“Hannah, I’m sorry, but he’s a fugitive and a con man. His real name is Thomas Monty. I don’t have all the details, but he murdered someone.”
The color drained from Hannah’s cheeks.
