Chapter 8
I had been pacing back and forth for the past twenty minutes and was starting to get worried. Why was Talla with Dodge for so long? It shouldn't take this long. I released my grip on my lip and stopped in front of Rosie. "Something's wrong."
The second the words left my mouth, Riley shot out the door. Rosie got to her feet and hesitated.
"I'll come with you." I didn't give her a choice, and we followed Riley out the door. We bumped into a distressed Riley on our way to Dodge's room. "No, Tallulah?”
Rosie moved toward Dodge, who was starting to wake, while I looked into Riley's worried eyes. "How the hell can she disappear in broad daylight?" he asked, running a hand through his hair.
"Can't you try talking to her or something?" I waved a trembling hand in front of him.
“We’ve not done it from a distance before."
"What if she's close?" I moved closer to him and whispered, "Please, Riley, try. I'm so scared right now. Aiden is unstable."
Riley nodded and left the room. I caught Rosie watching me, but I didn't know what to say. I didn't want to reveal Tallulah's secret, not even to Rosie. "He has an idea," I offered.
"Dodge is going to be out of it for a while. The nurse gave him a sedative because he needs to heal." She took my arm and led me out of the room. "I need to call Carlisle." She winced. "I'm not sure it's the right time, though, not when I know he's with Jane."
"What if Jane is leading him into a trap, and that's why Aiden has Tallulah?"
"I'd thought of that. Oliver had as well. He's on it." Rosie glanced back at Dodge and said, "I don't want to leave him alone."
"You won't have to." I pointed toward the two officers who were making their way toward us.
"Oliver sent backup." I smiled and watched as Rosie gave the officers instruction.
At least they didn't take offense, since Oliver was their boss, not Rosie.
They understood that she was worried about her friend.
Rosie glanced at her phone and grabbed my arm. "Jessop is on his way to get you."
I kept my mouth shut so I wouldn't say something I'd regret.
Yes, I am scared of Aiden and what he would do to me if he had the chance.
But I'm also tired of what he was doing and frustrated with the situation.
Why wouldn't he leave the area while he still could?
I wasn't worth him going back to jail. He would be caught.
Either that or he'd be dead. I winced. I wasn't the kind of person to wish death on anyone, but with Aiden, I wouldn't mind.
At this point, I figured it would be the only way to stop him.
So, I kept my thoughts to myself, along with my plan.
"I need to use the bathroom," I told Rosie.
She nodded, checked the bathroom, and stepped outside to answer a call.
I turned on the faucet and splashed cold water on my face.
It didn't calm my nerves, but it did ease my nausea.
I grabbed a couple of paper towels, dabbed my face, and stared into the mirror.
I knew what I was going to do, and I knew that I needed the strength to do it.
I needed to be quick, too. Rosie wouldn't be distracted for long.
After one last look in the mirror, I took a deep breath and moved toward the bathroom door.
I listened closely, but I couldn't hear anyone speaking.
I opened the door slightly and peered out through the crack.
I couldn't see Rosie, or anyone, for that matter.
I still couldn't hear Rosie on the phone.
I poked my head out a little more and went for it.
I quickly slipped out of the bathroom, making sure the door closed quietly behind me.
The stairwell beckoned, but I bypassed it.
If Rosie had gone anywhere for privacy, it would be there.
My heart jumped around in my chest, not only from fear but also from the thought of being caught before Aiden found me. I feared him. But he had Tallulah, so going to him was the only option. I wanted it to be over. I was stupid. I knew that. Jessop would be angry.
I grimaced. He would be really very angry with me.
As I hurried down the hallway, I saw a sign that said, "Staff Only" and pointed to a set of stairs.
I shoved through the door and leaned back against the door to hide.
The stairwell was quiet, except for the roar of blood rushing in my ears.
Once my breathing slowed, I pushed away from the door and tentatively started down the stairs.
If Aiden had Tallulah, then maybe he was still at the hospital.
That thought made me want to vomit. I was frightened by the prospect, but I refused to allow him to harm any of my friends. He needed to be stopped.
There were only three floors to go down, and as soon as I reached the ground floor, I didn't linger.
I quickly made my way out into the hallway and almost fainted when I spotted Oliver.
He had his back to me as he spoke to one of his officers.
What the heck was I doing, standing there staring?
The officer happened to look my way, and Oliver started to turn around.
That prompted me to move swiftly. As he called my name, I hurried through the main doors.
My escape route was cut off when an arm wrapped around my waist and a hand covered my mouth.
It took a few seconds for my survival instinct to kick in because, regardless of my intention to give myself up to Aiden, the fact that he had me was terrifying.
I was pinned down in the back of an SUV, Aiden's heavy body on top of me.
I regretted not looking for a knife or scalpel before leaving the safety of the hospital.
The vehicle didn't move. All I could hear was Aiden's heavy breathing and the blood rushing in my ears.
Was he hoping the cops wouldn't search the car?
He was a sitting duck, and I wanted Tallulah.
With that thought in mind, I poked him really hard with my elbow.
He grunted and shifted slightly. I took the opportunity to do it again, but he caught me.
"If you want to see Tallulah, you will behave, wife. "
A knee to his most prized possession would be good about now, if only I could get a leg free.
"That's better," he whispered. "Do you know what I'll do to Tallulah? She's stuck her nose into our business too many times."
"I'm thinking about what I'm going to do to you when you least expect it."
Footsteps approached. I opened my mouth to scream and found Aiden's hand preventing me. Whoever it was climbed inside and started the engine. The SUV moved slowly, and my heart raced. Why wasn't anyone stopping them? Aiden was right here.
The bastard started laughing, so I took the opportunity to elbow him in the stomach. He cursed as his breath left his body in a rush.
"What have you done with Talla?" I started shoving him and couldn't stop myself from hitting him repeatedly.
"Bitch," he snarled, drawing his fist back.
Pain exploded in my head, and then blackness drew me under.