Page 52 of Mystery at Rescue Ridge

“That bitch played with my emotions,” Lawrence managed to get out through clenched teeth.“We were in love.”

“You paid money for a service.This was a transaction and nothing more.”Owen glanced over at Evie, praying she was still alive.

Ms.Bart cradled Evie’s head.“She’s breathing, but her pulse is weak.”

Lawrence tried to buck Owen off.He squeezed his thighs harder, pinning the man’s arms to his sides.Owen eased up enough to spin the bastard around so he could eat dirt.

Travis came running.He was almost out of breath as he doubled over and Mirandaized Lawrence before physically taking over for Owen.

“That bitch deserves to die for what she did to me,” Lawrence said.“She was supposed to love me, not make fun of me.We were in love, and she wrecked it.”

It took all of Owen’s willpower not to coldcock the bastard.Lawrence would get his just reward.Justice would be served.

“I hope you like prison,” Owen said.“I hear the inmates inside there don’t take too lightly to those who take advantage of others.You might want to start lifting weights.”

He ran over to Evie, whose eyelids were fluttering.She blinked a couple of times, and a weight equal to a ton of bricks lifted off his shoulders.She was alive and waking up.

Owen dropped down beside her and cradled her face in his hands.“Evie, sweetheart, you have to wake up for me.”Hot tears blurred his vision.“I need you.You’re my best friend, and whatever happened in the past doesn’t matter.My life means nothing without you.I loved you when we were nothing more than kids, and I love you even more now.Please…”

All hope she would wake up died when her body went slack again.

Owen pacedoutside Evie’s room, waiting for the doctor to finish up another exam and, hopefully, give Owen the green light to enter so he could stay with her until she woke up.Not being able to see that she was okay with his own eyes burned a hole in his chest.

The elevator dinged.The doors opened.A half-furious, half-scared Chloe immediately made a beeline toward him.Kade, a foot taller than their sister, came out right behind Chloe.The tension lines on his forehead said he’d been just as worried.

As it turned out, the elevator had been full of the Sturgess clan.After Kade, Conrad and Archer stepped out.Behind those two came Hudson.

For a half-second, Owen expected Beau to be next.It almost seemed natural for him to show up with the others at this point.Owen’s disappointment meant he was beginning to accept Beau as part of the family and not see their half-sibling as an outsider.

Chloe shook her finger at him before throwing her arms around him in a hug.“You should have told us what was going on.I shouldn’t have to hear details about my brother from my husband.”

“You’re right,” he said as she released him and then the others took turns embracing him in a bear hug.

“Don’t let it happen again,” Kade said.

When it was Archer’s turn, Owen had to cough to cover his emotions.

“Man, you know I wouldn’t survive a day without my twin.”Archer turned his face away and coughed, no doubt trying to hide his reaction.

“I’m here now and I’m not going anywhere.”Owen bear hugged his twin a second time.“You’re not getting rid of me that easy.”

Archer chuckled, breaking up some of the tension.

“You’re still not off the hook,” Chloe said.“But right now I’m just happy that you’re okay.”

Owen nodded.He appreciated the love and support more than his family would ever know.There were two things that could make this moment perfect.Having his half-sibling present, for one.The second had to do with Evie.

“How is she?”Archer asked, studying Owen.

He shrugged.“Still waiting for the doc’s word.”

The door opened, causing everyone’s attention to shift to the man in the white coat as he exited.

“Ms.Ashworth is going to be fine,” Dr.Warren said after introducing himself.“She’s resting now but you’re welcome to go into the room to wait for her to wake up.One at a time for right now.”

“Thank you,” Owen said before shifting his attention to his siblings.

“Go,” Archer said without hesitation.“We just stopped by to tell you how much we love you.”

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