“You don’t have to stay,” she whispered.
Disappointed, he shook his head. “I’m not going anywhere.” He kissed her forehead. His heart broke for her. Someone wanted her dead. But he’d found her. This time, he was able to get helpbeforeit was too late.
The nurse drew blood and left. After several minutes, Brigit fell asleep. When Dr. Hays returned, Brigit didn’t awaken, so the doctor spoke with Colton.
“My suspicions were right. Brigit was chloroformed, then injected with a sedative. That alone could have killed her. Memory loss is always a possibility with a head injury. I’ve ordered an X-ray of her ribs.” The doctor looked up from his tablet. “I’m sorry, but Brigit isn’t pregnant.” He left.
Pain punched Colton’s gut. The loss tore through him like someone had stomped his soul. If he ever got his hands on the motherfucker who did this, he’d rip out his heart and ask questions later.
45
NO MEMORY
During Brigit’s two-day hospitalstay, Colton remained by her side. The police questioned her about the attack but she remembered nothing. Her last memory was the weekend marathon meeting with Colton and Marjorie’s teams. Though confident Vinny Ray was responsible for the attack, she’d say nothing until her memory returned. By divulging his identity, she’d open the door to her secret past. And that door needed to stay shut until she was strong enough to leave.
As she became more lucid, a recurring image haunted her, like a scene from a horror movie stuck on replay.Alexandra Reed was nestled in Colton’s arms. They drove away and Colton never returned.She didn’t know if it was real or a dream so she said nothing.
On Sunday afternoon, Brigit was discharged. The nurse’s aide rolled her outside and she shielded her eyes from the streaming sunlight of the midafternoon sky. The cold temperature, along with her breath’s vapor, reminded her of the terrifying attack.I will get past this.
Vonn exited the Mercedes and opened the back door. “I’m relieved you’re okay, Brigit.”
“Thank you.”
With Colton’s help, she eased into the backseat. Instead of riding up front, he sat next to her. Vonn drove out of the hospital parking lot and the knot between Colton’s brows finally relaxed. As the car gained speed on the parkway, the strangest feeling of relief washed over her. If Ray presumed her dead, could she really stop looking over her shoulder?
When Vonn pulled up to the Mitus compound, an armed guard approached the vehicle. Colton rolled down his window. “Good afternoon, Mr. Mitus. Three of your staff have returned. They were cleared to enter.”
Her heart dropped. Because of her, precautionary measures were necessary to ensure the staff’s safety. She didn’t want to put them through this. The gates opened. “I should move out,” Brigit said as Vonn drove up the driveway.
“Theonlyplace you’re going is straight to bed,” Colton said.
As soon as Vonn parked at the fountain, Colton helped her out of the vehicle and into the house. Taylor and Ryan greeted her with big smiles. “Welcome home!”
A cherry-sized lump lodged in her throat. “Thank you.” The dog trotted over, his tail swooshing back and forth. “There’s my lifesaver. He’s so handsome. German Shepherd?”
“Purebred, according to the vet,” Ryan said.
“Thank you for cleaning him up. Did you name him?”
“We have a few ideas,” Ryan said.
“King, Lucky, Mojo, and LS for lifesaver.” Taylor gently hugged Brigit.
Not even the pain in Brigit’s rib cage could stop her from greeting her dog. Moving slowly and holding her injured side, she knelt and patted his thick, shiny coat. The dog licked her cheek. “Hello, Mojo. Thank you.”
As she stood, she groaned from the pinching pain.
“That’s enough excitement for one day,” Colton said. “Let’s get you settled.” With a tender hand on her arm, he guided her toward the elevator. Mojo heeled at Brigit’s side.
“I think the dog owns you.” Taylor smiled. “Can I bring you chamomile tea?”
“Yes, please,” she said and stepped into the elevator. The doors closed and they rode in silence to the second floor. Brigit couldn’t wait to get into bed.
Colton opened her bedroom door and Mojo plunked down in his doggie bed, tucked in the corner.
“Let’s dress you in something more comfortable,” he said.
“The clothes Taylor brought are fine.” She didn’t want Colton to see her bruised body. If her nightmarish memory was real, then so was his intimate relationship with Alexandra. She sat on the side of the bed and winced. Even breathing was painful.
