Max leveled his gaze on Nikki's mother. “Mrs. Prentice, please. There's so much I need to tell her.” He'd get down on his knees and beg if necessary.
“Well—” she said, obviously trying to torture him.
DiSilva cleared his throat. “I would suggest a very brief visit. Nothing to upset my patient, of course."
Jessie batted her eyes at DiSilva. “What ever you think is best, Doctor."
“Thank you,” Max murmured. Nerves and anticipation roiled in his stomach as if he'd eaten something spoiled. A brief visit was better than nothing at all. Certainly long enough to tell her he loved her.
Fifty-four
Lights ... too bright ... beeping ... would it never stop? Pain ... in every muscle. Mama's voice, gone. She was alone, again. Nikki groaned, tried to open her eyes once more, then squeezed them shut.
Someone was holding her hand, stroking it.
“Nikki? Darling, you're in the hospital."
“Max?” Darling? What did he mean by that? She took a deep ragged breath. “You're here?” She had to be hallucinating. Her eyelids were too heavy to open.
“Oui, chère. I am here. You're safe. He won't hurt you again."
“Dead?"
“No, but paralyzed when he fell down the basement stairs."
“I-I kicked him. He tried to—"
“Don't talk. Save your strength."
She attempted opening her eyes again. A very fuzzy Max Devereaux stood beside her bed. “You really are here. I thought I was dreaming."
“I am really here, and I will never leave you."
“Okay.” She sighed. Without a doubt, she was dreaming again, but it was a nice one.
“Sorry, Mr. Devereaux. Miss Prentice needs her rest,” a woman's voice warned.
“One more minute,” Nikki's dream man said. “I have to tell her something important."
Dream man's pressure on her hand increased. She even dreamt he kissed it.
“Nikki, Je t'aime," he murmured. “I love you."
“Love you too, Max. Love you.” The effort too much, she fell asleep.
~ * ~
Max left the ICU, his heart lighter and his step buoyant. Nikki would live, and she'd even told him she loved him. In all his life he couldn't remember a more supreme moment. He took in the scene in the waiting room. His daughter sat on one side of Mrs. Prentice, while Lorena sat on the other. Nikki's editor leaned nonchalantly against the wall. All of them looked exhausted. Of the three women, only Alexa had had any sleep in the last twenty-four hours.
Alexa jumped up. “Daddy?"
Max swept his daughter into his arms for a big hug. “She's going to be okay. I talked to her."
“I told you that, already,” Nikki's mother said with a huff.
“I didn't doubt your word. I-I just needed to see for myself.” He swallowed, his mouth dry as cotton. “Why don't we all go home and get some rest?” he suggested. “Nikki's gone to sleep again. The nurse said we can come back for evening visiting hours."
“Sounds like a plan.” McHugh said, turning to walk away.
Jessie shook her head. “No, I want to stay nearby. The doctor said she might be moved to a private room later today."
Lorena shook her head as well. “Can't. I have to interview her as soon as her doctor gives the okay."
“Alexa?” He asked, looking down at his daughter.
“Sure, Daddy, let's go home. You look like you're about to cave."
He shook his head and smiled. “No, little one, I've never felt better."
~ * ~
Nikki opened her eyes, just a tiny bit. The god-awful lights were dimmed. She yawned and wondered what time it was.
“Nikki, it's Mama."
“Mama?” she croaked, opening her eyes wider. “Where am I?"
“They moved you to a private room. There's a fold-out cot for me to sleep on. I won't leave you."
“Oh.” Just Mama, not Max. Well, it had been a lovely dream while it lasted.
“They kept you pretty sedated. Even the FBI agent gave up. She'll be back tomorrow morning."
“She?” Surely not, she thought.
“Agent Judson was very nice. She said you were very lucky Max got to you as soon as he did."
“Max? What do you mean?"
“Well, the FBI found the house where that awful man had taken you, but while the FBI was preparing for a full assault, Max broke into the basement and found you."
“He did?"
“Yes, he saved your life. He did that breath-of-life thing. The doctor said another minute and they wouldn't have been able to revive you."
“H-has Max been here?"
“Of course he has. He saw you in intensive care, right after I did."
Nikki smiled, remembering her dream.
“Then he sat here all evening until visiting hours were over. He wouldn't let anyone disturb you. Said you needed your rest."
“Good."
“You know how I hate to admit when I'm wrong, but I think Max really loves you."
“Really?"
“Uh huh, I sure do. You better grab him now."
“Now Mama."
“Well, he did save you. That must mean something."
“Okay, I'm gonna go back to sleep now.” She stifled a yawn, smiled and rolled over on her side. Max loved her. That's what he'd said. It wasn't a dream..
~ * ~
The next time Nikki awakened, a nurse was taking her blood pressure. To keep from waking her mother, she whispered, “I'm starving. When's breakfast?"
“Not till seven and it's five now. By the way, I'm Betty, your nurse for the night shift."
“Good morning, Betty. Five? Any chance of getting rid of this contraption?” she asked, waving her arm with the intravenous line.
The nurse grinned. “Not until you've eaten."
“But that's two hours from now. I don't remember the last time I ate something."
Betty stopped to consider. “You need to go light at first. I happen to know there're some popsicles in the refrigerator. How's that sound?"
“Sounds great. Bring me two, please?"
The nurse grinned, showing deep dimples. “Two it is."
“Then can I take a shower? I feel god-awful grungy."
“Sure, but we'll need to protect the bandages on your wrists."
“Anything to feel clean again."
Nurse Betty waved and left the room. Nikki looked over at her mother, who was still asleep and snoring softly. With any luck at all, Nikki thought, I should get out of the hospital today.
Two popsicles and one shower later, she sat cross-legged on the bed. And she even felt human. Her hair, still damp, but clean. Nearly seven. Breakfast time. Now she knew how animals in the zoo must feel, waiting for their keepers to feed them. “Grr,” she roared like a rather feeble lion.
Mama sat straight up. “Nikki?"
She giggled. “Sorry, Mama. I'm hungry."
The door opened and the nurse walked in with a breakfast tray. “I grabbed yours off the cart first."
“Great. You're the best, Betty.” She swung her legs over the side of the bed, ready to dig into the tray full of heavenly food.
Betty positioned the over-bed stand. “It's a regular diet, but go easy on it. Small bites, chew them well. Stop when you feel full."
“Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say. Just let me at it."
Betty turned to Nikki's mother with a wide grin. “I think she's almost well."
Her mother giggled. “So do I."
The aroma of crisp bacon wafted up. Nikki's mouth started watering. Grabbing the small glass of orange juice, she drank it down without stopping, then gave a little burp. “Sorry, guess I went too fast."
“Slow down or it might come back up,” Betty warned.
She shook her head. “It wouldn't dare.” She reached for a strip of bacon, bit into it and savored her first bite of real food in two days. “I've died and gone to heaven. Thank you."
“You're welcome. Have to give report now.
My shift's ending."
“Thank you again. You've been wonderful."
“Yes, wonderful,” her mother piped in.
Nikki finished off the second piece of bacon, the boiled egg and two pieces of toast, barely stopping to take a breath. She pulled the top off the coffee and took a sip. “Ahh, this is fabulous. I don't know when I've had such good food."
“Nikki, this is just hospital food. It can't be that good."
“It is if you're just glad to be alive.” A new thought popped into her head. “I suppose all this has been on the news?"
“Why I guess so. To be honest, baby, I haven't even turned on the television. I've been so worried about you."
Nikki reached over and punched the TV button on the siderail. “Well, let's just see what CNN has to say. Think I'm important enough for CNN, Mama?” she joked. “If it bleeds, it leads. That's what television journalists say—even the prestigious CNN."
“Of course you are."
“Well, I'd just as soon not have my problems aired all over the TV, but somehow I have a feeling they will be.” She hit the power button a second time and the television flared to life.
Sure enough, there she was. Not a very flattering picture, either. And there he was. The Professor—no-good pervert pimp. The news anchor intoned, “Donald Stanley, the stalker..."
Nikki didn't hear the rest. Her mother gasped, “No, no,” and grabbed her chest.
Nikki scooted off the bed and rushed to her mother's side, pulling the IV pump with her. “Mama, what's wrong?"
“I—I, no, no...” She sank back on the fold-out bed.
Her mother's face, so pale and drawn, scared Nikki. She jerked the I.V. pump back so she could reach the call button.
“Yes?"
“Come quickly, I think my mother's having a heart attack."
~ * ~
Thirty minutes later, the house physician gave Nikki the news. “Your mother just hyperventilated. She's fine."
“Thank you. I'm sorry. I panicked. I've never seen her like that before."
“It's no problem, Miss Prentice. Hyperventilation is quite dramatic, both for the victim and anyone around. Let me know if I can be of assistance again."
“I will. Thank you."
The house officer nodded, turned and left Nikki and her mother, who still appeared drawn and pale. At least Mama wasn't dying.
Nikki walked over and sat down on the fold-out cot. “Okay, let's have it. What upset you?"
Her mother gave a weak shake of her head. “Oh, baby. I-I'm so sorry. Oh, God."
Nikki wanted to scream, but held it back. “What? There's something you're not telling me."
“I-I don't know how to tell you. You'll hate me."
Baffled, she pressed her mother. “You have to tell me. I don't care what it is. Nothing can be as bad as what I've already been through."
Her mother hid her face in her hands. “Oh, baby, the stalker—I knew him."
“How? He was a pimp. Tried to recruit me when I was a runaway, but don't worry. I never did anything like that."
“No, no. That's not what I mean.” Her mother shook her head furiously. “He—he's your step-father."
Her mother's words didn't register right away. “What?"
“Donald Stanley is your step-father, Nikki."
A sick numbness spread through Nikki's body. She swallowed. “M-my step-father? The Professor...?” As much as she tried to process it, she couldn't. “Did he know?"
“I don't know. I mean I took back my maiden name after he left. Oh baby, I'm so sorry. I've blamed you all these years."
“Blamed me? What are you talking about? Yes, you always blamed me for his leaving. Told me what a burden I was. I remember.” Anger flashed through Nikki, replacing the numb disbelief.
Her mother started sobbing. “No, no. It's much worse. I-I kicked him out b-because I found him trying to—"
“What?"
“Trying to m-molest you."
“What?"
“No, I stopped him in time. At least I think..."
A wave of nausea hit Nikki without warning. She clapped her hand over her mouth and barely made it to the waste basket. Her stomach clenched in enormous cramps. She doubled over and heaved.
After losing her breakfast, she collapsed on the floor. Her mother stood over her, wringing her hands. “I'm so sorry."
She looked up at her mother, unable to disguise the hatred raging through her. “All these years, you told me I was the reason he left us. Now you tell me you kicked him out because he was molesting me. How could you treat me that way—all those years. I thought it was my fault we had it so rough. Why you had to work so hard."
“I know it was stupid. I couldn't help it. I—really loved him—'til that night.” Tears ran down her mother's. “But every time I looked at you, I saw him."
Nikki stood up, ripped the tape off her arm and pulled out the needle, ignoring the blood that oozed from the site.
“Baby, stop it! You'll hurt yourself."
“I'm getting out of here. All those years. All those lies. You make me sick. You're a pathetic excuse for a human being."
“Oh, baby...” her mother wailed.
Nikki walked over to the cupboard and jerked it open. Good thing her mother—no she'd never think of the woman like that again—had brought her something to wear.
Once dressed, she turned to Jessie. “I never want to see you again.” Legs trembling, Nikki walked to the door. “I'll never forgive you. Never."
She ran.
Fifty-five
Max strode through the hospital lobby, looking neither left nor right. Stopping at the elevator, he jabbed the UP button ... and waited. He jabbed it again. Finally, the doors opened. Mrs. Prentice stepped toward him. “Is she being discharged?” he asked.
Nikki's mother looked down, then answered, “Nikki's gone."
“Already? Why didn't she wait? Surely she didn't take a cab by herself?” An uneasy sensation in the pit of his stomach told him something wasn't right.
“She ran out Max. It was awful. I had no idea it would upset her so."
Dammit. He to shake the stupid woman until her teeth rattled. “What?” Why couldn't the woman just spit it out?
“Let me sit down a minute. This has been a very difficult morning."
Max reined in his frustration, barely, then led her to a comfortable sofa in the main lobby. She settled on the sofa, smoothing the wrinkles from her slacks. He took a deep breath. Five more seconds of her delaying tactics and he would strangle her.
“It's like this,” she said, her gaze averted.
He took another deep breath. Clenching his fists at his sides, he sat down beside her. “Go on."
“Nikki and I were watching the news when they flashed a picture of the man who kidnapped her, the pimp, you know?"
“Yes, I do know. Please continue."
“Well, I nearly choked on my coffee. I mean, I couldn't have been more shocked."
“Please, Mrs. Prentice, tell me."
“Well. If you'd stop interrupting me, I would. He's Nikki's step-father. After Nikki's real father ran out on us, I moved in with Donnie, then we got married as soon as my divorce went through."
“Nikki's step-father?"
“The kidnapper, the pimp—he's my ex-husband. Nikki was so young. She never knew her real daddy."
“Donald Stanley ... is ... Nikki's step-father?” Somehow he couldn't quite wrap his brain around the idea.
She nodded.
Max jumped up and faced the woman. “Let me get this straight. Does Nikki know? What did you tell her?"
“Yes, I told her. I mean she knew something was wrong when I saw his picture. I had to tell her, besides—oh, it's just so sordid.” She wrung her hands, gazing up at the ceiling.
Sickened, he asked, “What else?” He forced himself to sit down again. No matter how distasteful, he had to hear the rest.
“I'd always told Nikki that her Daddy run out on us, because he didn
't want the responsibility of a child, but that wasn't quite the truth. I kicked him out."
“You blamed Nikki for her step-father's leaving, but you kicked him out?” The woman should be executed for stupidity, but not until she told him everything.
“Well—uh, I,” she stammered, then the horrible words came in a rush. “I found him fondling her. She was only two—a baby. And he had the nerve to tell me she asked him to touch her, but I knew better. I kicked him out, divorced him and took back my maiden name. Nikki never remembered any of it."
“But you blamed her for his leaving all this time? Do you have any idea what you've done to her? Any idea?” Repressing the rage shout collecting in the back of his throat, he forced himself to remain calm.
“I-I know you can't understand. I was in love with him back then. He was very handsome, charming, such wonderful manners. He was a professor at the junior college. I heard he got into trouble later with one of his students and the college sacked him. I lost track of him after that. You know, Nikki and I moved around a lot trying to keep ahead of the bill collectors.
“I see."
“No, I know you don't. I don't understand it myself. There were times when I'd look at Nikki and see how she'd ruined my life. I tried to love her. I mean, I do love her, but there were times when I couldn't stand the sight of her. After all, if it hadn't been for her—I wouldn't have had to work so hard."
Unable to listen to another word, he jumped up again. “Where was she going? I have to find her."
“I don't know. She wouldn't talk to me. She just threw on her clothes and ran out.
“Her computer. She won't go anywhere without it. I'll go to the Alden's first."
Desperate, he dashed from the hospital. He had to stop Nikki before she ran away from him forever.
Fifty-six
Max shoved his way past the doorman of the Alden's luxurious co-op. “They're expecting me. There's an emergency.” The elevator door had just opened and Max ran for it, repeatedly punching the button for the twenty-fifth floor. He swore softly, willing the car to move faster. Missing Nikki wasn't an option.
The elevator stopped. He bounded out as soon as the door opened. “Twenty-five A, twenty-five B,” he called off the numbers as he strode past them. He needn't have worried. Marti Alden stood at the door, waiting for him. “Is she...?"
See You In My Dreams Page 40
