Page 60 of The Rough Ride

He dropped her things on the granite countertop, set a big mug with tea in the microwave, and pulled out a chair from the table where they’d eaten a few weeks ago, gesturing for her to sit. “Do you still have your phone?”

“In my purse.”

“Text your mother a list of things you want me to bring from your house for you and Ella. Enough for a few days. I can get secure deliveries here, so keep the list compact. I haven’t had time to order a real crib, but I did pick up one of those portable sleepover things and some bedding. Tell Arlene to pack the baby monitor. I don’t have one.”

He stirred a spoonful of honey into the tea and set it in front of Liz. “You want a shot of something stronger in that?”

She shook her head. “Maybe later when Ella and Mom get here.” She put her elbows on the table and pulled her ponytail holder out, allowing her hair to cascade across her face. “I just want to protect our daughter, Nick.”

He retrieved the phone from her purse and set it on the table next to her. “I promise to go get her in a few minutes. You’ve been through hell today, but I need you to send that list. I’ve got some things to show you before I leave.” He squatted next to her, took the phone, and peered into her eyes. She’d stopped trembling, but her eyes were glazed and huge. “Why don’t you dictate the list, and I’ll send it for you?”

She shook her head and grabbed the phone from his hand. “No. I’ve got this.”

He handed her a half-peeled banana after she’d sent the text. “Take a few bites. You’re probably starving. Eat some while we take the security tour, honey.” He held out a hand.

She stood and followed him, groaning every few steps.

“This building is a fortress. I bought it in case I ever needed to protect a client for a while. You already saw theprivate elevator. Every window and entrance on this level has triple deadbolts. With one swipe of my phone, I can lock and unlock everything. When I leave to get the girls, I’ll lock the place down tight. You’ll be safe.” Nick gave her an encouraging smile and continued.

“I’m shutting all the drapes on this level. You can see out, but no one can see in. They can’t even tell if a light is on. Let me show you the safe room.”

Liz coughed on a bite of banana. “Safe room?”

“Yeah, state of the art. I learned all about them when I led the security detail for assorted dignitaries and brass overseas.” He gave her a cursory lesson on the safe room buttons and protocols and headed towards the bathroom. He hung a fresh towel on the hook and set sweatpants and a t-shirt on the counter for her. He peered down the hallway. She was still standing in front of the safe room door.

“Let’s go, babe. I know the medics gave you a once-over, but let’s make sure the prosthetic and the rest of you are okay.”

She hobbled through the doorway of the huge bathroom. “You don’t need to stay. I’m really worried about Ella and Arlene. We’ve already been here for ten minutes.”

He looked up from the drawer he was searching for a new toothbrush. “Yup, got my eye on the clock. But I’m not leaving until we check out your leg.”

She bent down and struggled to untie her right shoe. “Dammit.” She clawed at the too-tight lace job.

“Let me help.” Nick leaned down and hauled her up to sit on the bathroom counter. He set the offending shoe on his thigh and poked at the wad of knots in the middle, found a loose one and pulled the jumbled mess free. He repeated the process on the other shoe.

“Thanks. My fingers aren’t working very well right now. Could you pull them off?”

He gave a gentle tug, set them on the floor, and raised an eyebrow. “Pants?”

“Oh yeah.” She slipped the tank over her head and unbuttoned the pants.

He gave a low whistle. “Those are some serious bruises on your left side, babe.”

“I know. The EMTs saw them. But I didn’t tell them I wear a prosthetic. The prosthetic area hurts more than my side. I didn’t want them to look at my leg and keep me from getting home to Ella.”

She was amazing.Always putting Ella ahead of herself. Nick helped remove her trousers and the layers of socks she wore under the prosthetic. The sock closest to her leg was soaked in blood.

“Oh, that’s not good.” She peeled the sock down, removed the prosthetic, and examined the stump. There were several large vertical gashes in her leg. Her eyes locked onto his. “I may need a doctor after all. I can’t risk infection in this leg, especially that close to the stump.”

Nick placed the socks in the sink and the prosthetic on the counter. “I’ve got a doctor on call. As soon as I get back with Ella and Arlene, she’ll come over and take a look at you.”

“Okay.” Liz’s hands shook as she brushed the hair away from her face. “I need to get in the tub and clean this leg.”

Her face was drawn and tight. “Are you going to be alright with me gone a little while?”

She gave him a tight nod. “Yeah, fine. The sooner you get the baby and my mother here, the better off we’ll be.”

“Remember the rules. The building’s impenetrable. Don’t open any doors. Only answer your phone if it’s me.”

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