16. Chapter 16
Chapter sixteen
Warlock
Where is Tallahassee?
She’s been gone a while, and I’m beginning to worry. Once again, my eyes travel to the corridor entrance, waiting for her to reappear. I’ve seen several people walk out from the restrooms. The last one, a man, came out several minutes ago.
The next time I glance up, I see her standing at the entrance of the hallway. Her hand against the wall may be the only thing keeping her upright. Her face is pale, ashen. Her eyes are unfocused and terrified. Even from here, I can see she’s trembling.
I jump to my feet and rush to her, gripping her biceps to help keep her steady and on her feet. “Tallahassee, what happened?” True concern tinges my voice. “What is it?”
Her eyes are wild, her fingers clawing at her throat. “I…can’t…breathe.”
I scoop her into my arms and move down the hall. She fights to pull air into her lungs, clutching my shirt in tight fists, her head dropping against my chest.
As luck would have it, Nash steps out of his office at that exact moment. The distress on his face is immediate. “What happened?”
“I don’t know, but she’s having a panic attack.”
He swings his office door open. “Bring her inside.”
I hurry toward the couch on the far wall of his large office, settling her on my lap like a fragile piece of glass.
“Tallahassee, look at me.” I grasp her face in my hands. “Look at me,” I order.
Her frightened eyes drift up to meet mine.
“Relax. Focus on me, honey. Breathe with me. I’ve got you. I’ve always got you. You’re safe. Breathe in.”
She takes a deep, stuttering, gasping breath.
“Good girl. Again.”
I slide my hand up and down her back in a slow, soothing motion as she drags in big, gulping lungfuls of air.
“You’re safe. In. Out. Good.”
Her chest rises and falls with each shaky breath. It takes several minutes, but her breathing finally settles into a normal rhythm.
Once it does, Nash sits beside us and grasps her calf. “Tally, what happened?”
She keeps her head down. “Vincent.” Her voice is so soft it’s not much more than a vibration.
Nash’s angry reaction is instant. He shoots back to his feet and starts pacing. “Vincent? He was here?”
She lifts her head, her eyes shadowed with bad memories. “He ambushed me outside the bathroom.” Her voice is broken, her grip on my shirt tightening. “He’s going to start up again with a whole new set of lies.” A sob shudders out of her.
“Motherfucker! I’m going to kill that bastard.”
A brief thought flashes through my mind. Was he the man I saw leaving the hallway?
“Who’s Vincent?” I ask Nash.
I’m pretty sure I know the answer. Vincent is the man who hurt her. The reason she spent years on the run and can’t trust anyone. The reason she’s in the throes of a panic attack.
When Nash turns my way, I see his uncertainty. “He doesn’t know?” he asks Tallahassee. “You didn’t tell him?” Genuine surprise edges into his tone.
She shakes her head against my chest.
Nash sits next to her again, his voice gentler now. “You have to tell him.”
She squeezes her eyes shut. “I know.”
He continues as though I’m not here, “Darren’s a good man. He’ll listen. He’ll believe you. He won’t judge you, Tally.”
As much as I want her to confide in me, Nash isn’t helping by pushing her into a confession. She doesn’t need to feel pressured. What she needs now is to feel safe.
“I’m taking her home.”
Nash nods.
“I can drive myself,” Tallahassee says as we make our way through the parking lot to her car. I’m not sure whether she’s trying to convince me or herself.
I’m conflicted. I don’t want to take away her power, but I’m not comfortable with her driving after what she’s been through.
“I’ll drive.” I hold out my hand for her keys.
“What about your car?” she asks, handing them over.
“The guys can pick it up. I’m not letting you out of my sight.”
By the time we arrive at Nash’s, her panic attack has passed. Her breathing is steady and she’s much calmer. But she’s lost in her own mind. Distant and far away.
I help her out of the car, but instead of heading for the house, she turns and leads me toward the motorhome. “If I’m going to tell you the story,” she says quietly. “I need to be in my safe place.”