Page 66 of Master Cole

“Hey, Alicia, what’s up?”

“Cole, thank God. You’ve got to get to the Whitfield Women’s Clinic right now.”

“What?” Alicia’s words were said so fast he missed half of them.

“I’m breaking my word here, Cole. Whitfield Women’s Clinic. Janie’s there.” The phone went dead.

Cole stared at the blank screen. He’d never heard Alicia so frantic.

“Now that’s a damn mess,” Rick said.

“What is?”

Rick gestured to the TV set as he turned up the volume.

“We’re at the Whitfield Women’s Clinic, where we have a hostage situation. From what information we’ve been able to obtain, a disgruntled husband has taken his wife and a worker at the clinic hostage.”

Cole’s blood turned to ice. Whitfield Women’s Clinic. Janie. No, he couldn’t lose Janie too. Without a word, he sprinted out of Whips and to his vehicle. He had to get to Janie, he had to protect her, to get her safe. To tell her that he loved her.

Janie hung up the phone.The shelter in Portland would take Liz. It would be a drive, but Janie was more than willing to make it. She wanted Liz to feel safe. Standing up, Janie stretched and then went to find Liz.

She wasn’t two steps out of her office when a hand encircled her throat from behind and something sharp touched her side. Janie froze.

“Well, if it isn’t the bitch trying to take my wife away from me.”

Just then Liz walked out with one of the doctors. “Harold, what are you doing?” The doctor started to edge away.

“Get over here, Liz.”

“Don’t, Liz,” Janie warned. The hand around her throat tightened.

“Shut up, bitch.” Harold brandished the knife in the air. “Over here, now, Liz.”

Liz scurried over to them, tears in her eyes. “I’m so sorry, Janie.”

“You’ll both be sorry.” Harold waved the knife again. “Get out of here and take everyone with you.”

The doctor looked at Janie, and she gave a nod, or at least as much as she could with the way she was being held.

“Okay everyone, outside right now, this is not a drill.” Several people filed out of the building, the doctor last.

“Now that they’re gone ... ”

The pressure on Janie’s neck released, but before she could take a breath, her back was against the wall.

“So, now, cunt, what are you going to do?”

“Harold, please, please stop it. I’ll do whatever you want,” Liz said, grabbing his arm.

“I’ll deal with you in a minute.” He tried to shake her off, but Liz held on.

Harold loosened his hold on Janie.

On pure instinct, Janie brought up her knee and caught Harold right in the crotch. She grabbed Liz’s hand and sprinted for the door.

Harold roared as Janie pushed Liz out the door. A hand on her shoulder stopped Janie, and she was spun around. “Stupid cunt.” The slap caused her ears to ring.

Tears sprang in her eyes, but she forced them back. She wouldn’t give this asshole the satisfaction. But she kept her chin tucked down as if she were afraid. This would buy her some time if he thought she was frightened of him.

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