Page 9 of Fracture

Vinnie smiled, and something settled into place for Lorelei. Something she couldn’t define. “You’re welcome.” He squeezed her hand, giving her strength and courage to face the people who walked in the door.

More strangers who were supposed to be friends. One by one, they approached her. Having been told what was going on, they each moved to the edge of the bed and introduced themselves, then stepped away, not reaching for her or anything.

Lorelei didn’t realize she needed that until Karli was at her side again. Karli had her arm around a man Lorelei had zero memory of, even though she was sure she should know him. He was dating her cousin. Why wouldn’t she know him?

But he was a stranger.

“We’re just so happy you’re okay,” one woman said. Raina maybe? There were too many names.

“When the doctor says you can leave, Dawn said you can stay with her. Or at one of her houses. Unless you want to stay with one of us,” Jessica said. Lorelei was pretty sure that was Jessica.

“Okay,” Lorelei agreed. She had no idea who Dawn was or why she would stay with her, but maybe by the time she got out of the hospital, some of her memories would come back.

“We know this is a lot,” Adam said. “You will be able to decide everything when you’re ready.”

Lorelei nodded, looking for Vinnie. He’d moved out of the way while the others spoke. It was clear he wasn’t a part of the group. He didn’t speak when the others did. He didn’t add to the conversation. He didn’t even really seem to know them.

But he was the one Lorelei wanted to hear from. The one she wanted to know.

His presence made her feel safe. But he was the only one who hadn’t offered to let her stay. She’d have to change his mind about that.

3

Sweat dripped from Lorelei’s forehead. Fear swamped her. Anger, frustration, acceptance.

She was going to die.

Another punch landed on her ribs. Another crunch that told her a rib was broken.

Breathing was harder, like being held underwater. But different because there was plenty of air, it just hurt like a son-of-a-bitch to draw it into her lungs.

“What do you know about Trevor Davis?” the man barked.

Lorelei spit at him. She was not going to give up anything. She couldn’t. If she told them what she knew, they’d kill her source. Hell, they probably would anyway, but Lorelei couldn’t live with herself if she could have stopped any of it.

“Bitch!” He backhanded her, her cheek exploding with pain from the ring he wore on his pinky.

She was going to be sick. She shouldn’t have gone on her own to meet her informant, especially for the case she was on, but she’d done it before and didn’t want to pull anyone away from the reception.

“Lorelei!” a man shouted.

She looked up at the man who’d slapped her. His lips weren’t moving.

Who was calling her name?

Pain ricocheted through her body.

“Lorelei!” That voice. It was familiar. She knew who it was. Maybe? He was safe. He wouldn’t hurt her.

“Wake up, Lorelei. You’re safe. I’m not going to let anyone hurt you again. Come on. Open your eyes.”

She blinked her eyes, prying them apart. The vision in her head vanished the moment her eyes opened.

“What?” she tried to speak, but the word barely came out as a whisper.

“You’re safe, Lorelei. You’re okay. I got you.” He repeated the words over and over again.

His scent wrapped around her. His words calmed her.

---