Page 34 of Love Me Gently

“I convinced him I could take care of her. Played up the home invasion part of his story and insisted he needed to ensure it was cleaned up for when Katrina returned home.”

“He believe you?”

“We’ve worked hard to ensure he trusts us,” Kip cut in. “And I assure you, he does.”

“So how do we get her out of there, ‘cause what I saw last night, that’s not going to be easy.”

“Easy is a matter of opinion,” Kip said.

I scowled at him. How dare he trivialize my comment or talk down to me. My chest expanded with a heavy, calming breath.

“I assume you know who my father is, as well as my great-grandfather.”

“I do.” It was Kip’s great-grandfather that started Sutton Community Bank in Savannah decades ago.

“If you do, then you may know that many years ago, my grandmother had a stroke. Her rehabilitation needs at that time forced her to go to Tennessee and my grandfather didn’t like that very much. He also didn’t like that people without the means he had wouldn’t be able to send their loved ones all the way there, so he and my father donated money so Atlanta Community Hospital could create and build their own stroke rehabilitation center.”

I’d known that. Read about it at least but hadn’t made the connection.

“I’m following.”

“Good.” Kip nodded and continued. “There are a lot of people at that hospital who know us. Know my family. My mother has been a frequent volunteer there and it’s a cause that’s important to my family.”

“Which means you know people inside who can help.”

“Precisely. As soon as I heard what happened, and I’m not only incredibly sorry it did, but furious I haven’t been able to help sooner, I made calls. In previous instances, Jonathan has sent Katrina away, more than once to Greece. He’s had the decency to wait until she’s healthy enough to travel, but considering the damage he’s done to her, I doubt he currently sees it as a requirement.”

“He needs her gone before she can talk.”

“Exactly. Which is why, at nine o’clock this morning, there will be a hospital lockdown training exercise. Two orderlies from the rehab facility will be there to get Katrina’s bed downstairs and into a van along with a nurse and everything she could possibly need. That vehicle will take her to my private jet, already waiting to go, and will take her wherever she needs to go to land somewhere safe.”

I glanced at my truck. I hadn’t considered how I’d get my truck back home because however Trina was getting to Deer Creek, I was going with her.

“You already have a place in mind?” I asked him.

“My brother has a mountain home in Colorado. Was planning to send her there. He’d take care of her and his land is gated. Plus, Valerie and I go there often.”

Worry pinched Kip’s brows together, and I worked my jaw back and forth as I considered this option.

It’d be the best for her. Somewhere difficult to get to, nowhere near anyone she knew to give her time to heal. Maybe, if I was a better man, I’d let her do that.

But I wasn’t, and I knew exactly who to call.

“Give me two minutes,” I told him.

I grabbed my phone and shot off a quick text to my mom.

Things are fine. Will give you an update soon. Need the number of Philip Scranton.

The seconds ticked by with every moment I had to wait. Time was ticking down. It was barely past seven, and in two hours Trina would be leaving the hospital. I still had no idea what was happening with Jonathan, or where he’d be. My gut said to trust the man in front of me, who was glancing at his phone, tapping on it. Valerie chewed her lip, nervous, and stared at my phone like it’d jump out and bite her.

My phone dinged, and I grinned as I saw the number.

I instantly dialed it and two rings later a sleepy and very unhappy voice came through the phone.

“Told you you don’t have any trouble with me.”

“Mornin’ Philip. Nice of you to have my name programmed.”

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