Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 58253 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 291(@200wpm)___ 233(@250wpm)___ 194(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58253 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 291(@200wpm)___ 233(@250wpm)___ 194(@300wpm)
Riley put a hand on his forearm. “Calm down. Today’s been stressful enough. I don’t need you having a heart attack on me.”
“I’m young and healthy,” he told her and she merely rolled her eyes.
Dex laughed, appreciating the lightness breaking up the painful mood of earlier. He glanced at Ian, his lips firming before he spoke, much more serious this time. “Once you have answers, I want in on that conversation with Jeremy,” Dex said and Ian nodded without an argument.
Progress with Samantha’s brother and his old friend, Dex assumed. Not that he thought the police would let them anywhere near Jeremy once they found him, but it was worth trying.
He escorted Brandy to her car downstairs, then joined the family as they all settled in to wait for permission to see Samantha.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Samantha’s entire body hurt. She came in and out of consciousness, the pain drawing her back under, an escape she was eager to give in to.
She woke to her mother’s voice, which seemed odd. Her mom was in Florida. The next time consciousness came, she heard Ian, too, but he hadn’t mentioned flying up anytime soon. Just as the thought occurred, she sunk back into the darkness calling her.
She wasn’t certain how much time had passed when she opened her eyes and felt more clearheaded. She blinked into the lights above her. A nurse was there to check her vitals and give her ice chips, and she fell back to sleep.
The next time she woke up, she was in her own hospital room and she felt a heavy weight at her side. She glanced down to see Dex had fallen asleep, his head on the mattress beside her.
She threaded her fingers through his hair and let her nails lightly scrape along his scalp. All the while, she searched her memory for what had brought her here. Her head hurt, not to mention her left side throbbed with pain.
She remembered being outside with Brandy, going back for her phone and… “Jeremy!” she exclaimed. “He shot me.”
“You’re awake. Thank God,” Dex said, relief in his tone, as he raised his head and her hand fell to her side. “You scared the hell out of me.” His eyes were bloodshot and a scruff of beard was on his face, telling her he’d been here all night.
She realized now her family probably had flown to New York and hearing their voices hadn’t been a dream. But it was Dex who stayed the night, his head beside her on the bed, and her heart swelled with emotion, her throat thick.
“You’ve been in and out of consciousness and I’m so relieved you’re awake.” His gaze took her in, his eyes softening.
“Must be the good drugs they’re giving me,” she said with a small smile, as she lifted her arm with the IV and needle in her hand. “I can’t imagine how much worse the pain would be without them.” Her eyelids were heavy but she forced herself to stay awake. “Am I okay?”
He clasped her hand and lifted it to his cheek. “You’re very okay. You got lucky. A small nick to your spleen that the doctor repaired and they retrieved the bullet, which should help when they find Jeremy.” His voice took in a deep, angry tone at her ex’s name. “Do you have any idea why he lost his mind and shot you?”
She nodded. “I think so. I met with Tim yesterday, my lawyer. The forensic accountants discovered Jeremy has been embezzling from the business for a long period of time.” She slid her tongue over her dry lips and Dex reached over to give her a cup filled with ice chips.
She tipped some into her mouth and sighed in relief.
“Good?” Dex asked.
She nodded and handed back the cup.
“So that bastard was stealing from you?” he asked, clenching his jaw in fury.
She nodded, then struggled to remember the details her lawyer had given her. “Those payments the accountants found had gone to shell corporations, and the money was then sent to an offshore account Jeremy opened in the Caymans.”
“That son of a bitch.” Dex met her gaze but did not release his tight grip on her hand, holding on as if she might disappear if he let go.
She couldn’t imagine what he’d been through last night, knowing if the situation had been reversed and he’d been shot, she would have been frantic.
Because she loved him.
The thought hit like a thunderbolt despite the feelings having been there all along. She’d been pushing them away, telling herself they were wrong since she’d recently been about to marry another man. Attempting to convince herself she needed to figure out her life. What a fool she’d been. Without Dex in it, she didn’t have a life, not the one she wanted, anyway.
“Are you okay?” he asked.