Page 27 of Love Me Gently

Like I was going to stand around and wait.

I headed up to the fourth floor, and when I saw the signs for the hall that would take me to Trina’s room, my pulse slowed and all the rage I was feeling on the drive started to cool. I was here now and could see her. Since I didn’t quite know what I was walking into, I turned toward the waiting room and took a seat in a secluded corner, grabbing a magazine and ducked my head in case anyone Trina might know walked by. My ball cap was pulled low, and my clothes were bland. All the things I’d needed to be unrecognizable. Might have been overkill, but as far as I was concerned, her husband had deep pockets. Who knew who he had on his side in the hospital. Depending on what came next, no one would be able to describe my features. Or who the man was who snuck into his wife’s hospital room.

My phone buzzed and I opened the text.

Valerie: I’m with her. Convinced Jonathan to get me some coffee in the cafeteria.

Me: In waiting room. Be right there.

I stood and wandered close to the elevators.

I’d seen numerous photos of Jonathan Wolf. More in the last five weeks since my trip to Atlanta. Footsteps thumped on the floor, and I moved to the coffee and water station in the waiting room. It allowed me to peek at the elevator banks out of the corner of my eyes and there he was.

It was the middle of the night and the man was dressed like he was prepared to head to a boardroom. Dark, navy suit, so dark it was almost black, but the dark brown shoes on his feet gave it away. The man had a gold watch and perfectly styled hair.

He didn’t pay me any attention as he pressed the elevator button harder than necessary, and as he waited, he pulled out his phone. The screen lit up and then he was texting someone. He was completely at ease. No hint of distress tightening his eyes or features. No pursed lips or stressed jaw. Nothing to indicate he was the least bit upset about his wife being in the hospital.

Text sent, he slipped his phone back into his pocket and shook out his wrist, and that was when I saw it—a smear of something dark, staining his wrist beneath his watch, the outer edge of his hand.

Blood. Had to be.

I swallowed thickly, fighting down the urge to get some of his blood on my fists, and turned back to the water machine. Cup filled, I took a sip and slowly turned.

The elevators dinged, and as the doors opened, Jonathan strolled into them like absolutely nothing was wrong in his world.

And perhaps that was true. Who would go against him? Who could fight him?

People in Atlanta might not be able to…

But I sure as hell could.

I reachedthe door and turned the knob. I’d had hours to prepare myself to see Trina. Hours to imagine the worst and hours to imagine the swelling and whatever else I’d find. Considering I had no idea how much time I’d have with her, I didn’t hesitate.

As soon as the door opened, Valerie jumped to her feet, faced the door, and stood at Trina’s side. She moved to stand as Trina’s protector, and the way she stood barely gave me a glance at Trina.

But what I saw was enough. Her bottom half was covered beneath a blanket, one side much bulkier than it should have been. IVs were placed in the backs of both of her hands and an oxygen monitor was pinched to one finger. Both hands were visible and resting on her stomach.

“Hey,” I said to Valerie, and tipped my chin up.

“You’re here,” she breathed out, and it sounded like relief. “He’ll be back soon.”

I already knew that. I also knew she hadn’t moved.

“You going to let me see her?”

“It’s bad,” she whispered, and her chin trembled as she said it. She had mascara streaks beneath her eyes and a rumpled, deep red blouse. A thick collar hung down from her collarbones and I imagined it’d once been tied into a bow of some sort at her throat. “He hurt her. So bad.”

I swallowed the knot twisting my throat and nodded. “Move, Valerie. Let me see her.”

Her hand drifted off Trina’s arm as she stepped back and as I caught my first glimpse of Trina’s face, the world spun and came to an abrupt stop.

Her face wasmangled.

I closed my eyes, drew in a breath to keep me in that room and not racing down to the cafeteria and when I opened them again, Valerie’s gaze was frozen on me. “Damage. Tell me all of it.”

“Bruised ribs. Doctors don’tthinkthe cheekbone is fractured but won’t know for sure until the swelling goes down. He did something to her leg, it’s braced but I’m not completely sure if it’s the knee or what, but…”

“That’s enough,” I said, and forced my tone to gentle. “I get it.”

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