Page 133 of Valor

“I’m betting it’s not a ghost.” Between this equipment and the fact that the emails were sent from inside the hospital—someone there is after her. But who? We interviewed everyone, so either her abductor is a fantastic liar or somehow, we missed someone.

“That would be my guess too.” He shakes his head angrily. “I can’t believe someone would do such a thing to another person.”

“You and me both, Bill,” I reply as I continue staring at the place Lani was hidden. It’s only a few miles outside of town. She’d been so close, trapped here, terrified, and unsure anyone would ever find her.

And I can’t help but wonder…if she hadn’t escaped,wouldwe have found her?

LANI

“So you haveno idea how those emails were sent from your computer?” Tucker asks.

Since my parents went down to the cafeteria for dinner, Tucker’s been filling me in on everything I missed. Telling me about the investigation and how they traced forged emails back to my computer. “I have no clue,” I reply honestly. “I mean, all of our computers are password-protected to ensure patient confidentiality. The nursing staff may be able to get into the room, but they can’t access the computers.”

He leans back. “Which means that someone cracked your password.”

“I guess? I don’t know how though. I kept it exactly as you told me to.”

“You did,” he replies, a proud smile on his face. “I mean, I got in, but no one else should have been able to without the formula I gave you for putting it together.”

But they did get in. And not just that, they hacked into the email accounts of our potential doctors. How? Who is after me and why?

With Tucker and my parents here all day, I haven’t been able to really think about what happened to me over the last couple of days. It’s been too easy to distract myself. Which I can’t exactly complain about. The idea of reliving it all even for a moment?—

“You okay, sis?” Tucker asks, leaning forward and speaking softly.

I force a smile despite the emotion burning in my throat. The last thing I want is him to see the battle currently wreaking havoc in my mind. He’s literally been behind enemy lines, his twin, Dylan, tortured to within an inch of his life.

In comparison to everything my brothers have faced, the last three days don’t even come close. And look how strong they are. How they handle the demons in their past without so much as breaking a sweat.

I can only pretend to be that strong.

“I’m okay. Just really tired.”

His expression betrays the fact that he doesn’t believe a word I’m saying, but before he can press, the door opens and what’s left of my heart these days walks into the room, carrying a brown paper bag that smells suspiciously like delicious diner food. “Hey,” he greets.

“Hey.”

Tucker stands. “I’ll head down and join Mom and Dad.” He leans in and presses a kiss to my forehead. “I love you, Lani. You don’t have to pretend you’re not hurting. I see it in your eyes because I recognize the pain.” He whispers the words, which only make my eyes fill.

“Thank you, Tucker,” I manage.

He smiles, then pats Gibson on the shoulder as he leaves and closes the door behind him.

I clear my throat. “What’s that?”

“A French dip with extra fries and a cheeseburger with extra mustard and onion rings.”

“Both my favorites. There anything in that bag for you?”

He remains near the table, not coming any closer. “I wasn’t sure what you’d be in the mood for, and I wanted to make sure you got what you want.”

Something in his tone sets me on edge. “What is it?”

He shakes his head. “Let’s eat first, okay?”

Even as I’m desperate to know what’s on his mind, I nod. “Okay.”

With a single nod, he takes a seat beside the bed and opens the bag. A mouthwatering aroma fills the air. “What are you in the mood for?”

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