“Let him drive himself up–hurry.”
Sending a car back and forth would just waste time. It’d be faster if he came on his own.
Oliver turned, about to look at Patricia, but caught a flicker of pain on her face before she could hide
- it.
His heart jumped right into his throat.
He called out, “Johns, send the helicopter. Now.”
Patricia looked at him, surprised. “That’s not necessary. There’s really no need to rush.”
Oliver’s brow stayed furrowed. “You look like you’re in pain.”
“It’s just a little sore,” she tried to brush it off.
“I don’t want you to hurt at all.” His voice was stubborn, like he wouldn’t let her argue.
He just couldn’t stand to see her like this.
Half an hour later, the doctor arrived and asked a few questions.
“You’re just worn out,” the doctor finally said. “It’s aggravated an old injury. Some therapy should help a lot.”
Therapy again–same old story.
Three years ago, Patricia had tried every treatment under the sun.
She thought maybe she’d gotten used to the needles by now, maybe it wouldn’t hurt anymore.
But the second her eyes closed, all those years she’d spent unable to walk flashed through her
mind-
those endless days, dark and suffocating.
Even now, out of that nightmare, the shadows still followed her everywhere.
Lying flat on the bed, she let out a helpless sigh and draped her arm over her eyes.
She barely had time to catch her breath before someone gently took her hand.
She peeked out from under her arm.
Oliver was sitting right beside her, holding her hand so carefully, rubbing her palm with his thumb.
The guilt and worry on his face were impossible to hide.
He sounded almost afraid to ask, “Did shopping and unpacking wear you out?”
“No,” Patricia shook her head. “Don’t overthink it.”
She lowered her arm and squeezed his hand back.
Seeing him look so guilty made her chest ache.
1/2
20:38
Chapter 293
By eleven–thirty, the doctor had left.
Patricia shifted her leg. The pain wasn’t nearly as bad anymore.
“You should go wash up. You don’t need to stay with me.”
Oliver looked at her and nodded. “Okay.”
“If you’re tired, just go to sleep.”
She hummed in agreement.
She straightened the blanket, about to turn over and get comfortable, when her phone buzzed on the nightstand.
She picked it up and glanced at the screen. Five simple words: “Urgent. Save Jackson. Now.”
Patricia’s eyes widened instantly.
She knew this number–Aiden, Theo’s assistant, messaging from his private line.
Ever since she and Theo had teamed up a few months ago, she’d gotten urgent messages like this from time to time.
She immediately called Aiden, her voice tight and urgent. “Where’s Jackson? She’s not at Cloud Peak, is she?”
Aiden sounded confused. “She should be at Kelly’s tonight. Why? What’s wrong?”
Patricia’s stomach dropped. She’d told Jackson to keep an eye on Kelly tonight, but she’d forgotten all about it.
Her fingers were shaking. “Come get me now, and bring people. Something’s happened to Jackson.”
Water was still running in the bathroom, but Patricia was already limping out of bed, grabbing whatever clothes she could, hurrying downstairs.
She checked her phone’s GPS as she moved.
They’d set up trackers on each other’s phones and car keys ages ago.
“Ma’am.”
Patricia was in no mood for delays. “Just get in the car.”
Aiden glanced over her shoulder, worried. “Shouldn’t we tell Mr. Morgan?”
“I’ll call him on the way,” Patricia shot back. When Aiden still didn’t move, she lost patience, eyes flashing. “Are you getting in or not?”
Chapter 294
Chapter 294
