by Alison Mello
He takes notes on every little word I say. “What happened after your meeting?”
“I went to lunch with Katie, but we had to take separate cars because she had a meeting after. There was a black car behind me. I remember trying to decide if he was following me.” I take a slow calming breath. “Couldn’t Katie tell you what happened?” I ask, frustrated.
“She could only tell us so much. What happened after you noticed the black car?” he encourages.
I’m starting to get frustrated and Stone senses it. He comes to my side and takes my hand. “Take your time, baby. Cooper is here until you’re done.”
A smile spreads across my face because I remember. “One of the cars came up on the side of me and pinned me against another one. I somehow got away, but they continued to follow me. I somehow got hit again, and then slid until I was pinned against something and could no longer move.”
“That’s great, Miranda. Do you remember anything else? Did you see anything after your car stopped moving? Did anyone approach your car?”
“I don’t remember.” A tear runs down my cheek. “Were there any witnesses?”
“We’re working on figuring that out,” he explains as Katie and Tanya come walking into the room.
“Hey Daddy. Do you have any news?”
“All we know is that the cars were stolen from a car service company, which is why they were both similar makes and both black. The company has cameras, but the thieves wore hooded sweatshirts so we weren’t able to get anything from the film. We’ve been to Vixen to question Higgins and ask if he knows anything, but he fed us some crap that he’s been busy getting the club ready for his big New Year’s Eve party.” Cooper turns back to me. “Get some rest and I’ll let you know if we come up with anything.” He gives me a tight smile.
Katie hugs her father goodbye and walks him to the door as Tanya asks, “How are you?”
“I’m doing okay. I’m a bit tired and I ache, but I’m going to be okay.”
“If there’s anything we can do, please let us know,” she says with sympathy.
“I will. Has anyone been in touch with my clients?”
“You’re lying in a hospital bed with a broken arm, bruised ribs, and a concussion, and you’re worried about your clients?” Katie questions agitated.
“Yes,” I state flatly, raising my brows at her. How am I not supposed to be concerned over my clients? I couldn’t give a shit about Higgins, but he wasn’t my only client.
I’m holding my stare, waiting for her response. She shakes her head at me. “Lila and I have been in touch with your clients. Higgins is the only one who didn’t return our call.”
“Actually, I emailed him too, and he hasn’t responded to that either.” Tanya looks at me with curiosity in her eyes.
“Really.” Stone looks at Tanya with his brows furrowed.
“I wonder if it has something to do with Cooper questioning his sorry ass.” I grab my water and take a sip. My throat is so dry from the tube that was down it.
“Well, wherever he is, I’m glad you have security outside your door. Do you know how long you’ll be here?” Tanya points to the two guys standing at my door.
I shake my head at her. “I haven’t even really spoken to the doctor yet. He was here briefly last night, but I fell back to sleep from the medication he gave me.” Her mention of security makes me realize that my normal security is gone. “Hey, where are Slade and Cole?” I look at Stone with my brows furrowed.
He gives me a smile. “They’ll be back, baby. They have to sleep at some point, but they are due back any time now.”
“Yeah, I guess they do, but I trust them.” They took care of Katie and they have been taking care of me since this all started. Slade comes walking in the door. “Were your ears ringing?”
He gives me a funny look. “No, why?”
“I was just asking about you.”
He gives me a warm smile. “I’m glad to see you’re awake to be talking about me. I was getting some sleep, but I got some news on the way here, and I thought you guys would like to know.”
“What’s up?” Stone walks over to shake his hand.
“Well, someone tried to screw with the club last night. They started to graffiti the door and they cracked a window, but security started to roll through, scaring them off. When they bolted, they dropped a can of spray paint. Cooper has it and is running it for prints.” Slade looks happy that we finally have a lead.
“Problem is that vandalism isn’t going to do much to get them off the street. We need proof that they tried to murder Miranda.” Stone runs his hands through his hair in frustration.
“The police are still looking for the two stolen cars. Hopefully, they will find them soon.” Slade points to the door. “I have to get out there so the other two guys can get some rest. I’ll let you know if I hear anything else.” He walks out to relieve the other two men at the door.
“Listen, we have to get back to the office, but we wanted to stop by and visit with you for a little bit. Keep us posted on how you’re doing and I’ll try to get back in to see you.” Tanya rubs my good arm.
“Okay, thank you both for the flowers. They are beautiful.” I wish I wasn’t choosing now to get emotional, but it’s hard when you realize you have so many great friends around to support you and help you through a tough time.
“I’ll see you a little later with Shane.” Katie squeezes my hand and walks out the door with Tanya.
“I’m hungry, Stone. Can you find out what I’m allowed to eat?”
“Sure.” He presses the button on my remote to call for the nurse.
“What can we do for you, Ms. Stevens?”
“I’m hungry,” I complain, since they never delivered me breakfast today and it’s probably because I didn’t wake until late last night.
“I’ll get you something to eat.”
A short time later the nurse delivers me some broth, crackers, jello, and tea. “Please go slow with it so you don’t get sick.” I nod my agreement. While I eat, Stone has a conversation with her about my food limitations, and I’m really happy when she tells him that I don’t have any. Once she knows I keep this food down, I can have whatever I want. This makes me quite happy, since the food she gave me was fine, but I’m still hungry.
“Sky, Sadie, and Katie are bringing dinner later. Is there something special you want?”
“No. Whatever they bring is fine, babe.” He smiles at me and then grabs his phone to respond to a text. A yawn escapes me. Who would’ve thought doing something simple like talking with Cooper and some friends would make me feel tired?
***
Stone
“How is she?” Sky walks into the room with Katie and Sadie.
“She’s been sleeping for a few hours now, but she’s doing okay.” I stand up to help them with the bags they’re carrying.
Katie hands me her bag. “We stopped at the deli and picked up a variety of sandwiches and grabbed some soup for Miranda.”
“Good, I’m starving.” Miranda chuckles from her bed. “Stone, can you help me adjust the pillows behind me?”
“Sure, baby.” Rushing to her side, I wrap my arm around her, and try to lift her without hurting her, but she winces from the pain. I manage to adjust the pillows, getting her into a better position, and then press the button to call for the nurse.
I open her soup and set it down on the table in front of her with the crackers that the girls brought for her. “Mmm, this is so good.”
“Look at you eating some soup. It smells really good.” With a warm smile, the nurse picks up my chart. “What can I get you?” She’s made some notes and put it back at the foot of my bed.
“Is she due for some pain meds?” I ask, since Miranda’s mouth is full of soup.
“Are you in a lot of pain?” The nurse looks at me with a look of concern.
“Not a lot. It was really painful to get into this position, but now that I’m settled, it’s not so bad.”
“Okay, good. It’s almost time. I’ll be back with it shortly. For now, try to relax and enjoy that yummy soup.” The nurse leaves us to our dinner.
“Did you guys hear about the can of spray paint?” I feel bad because I’m about to bust Sky’s bubble because we already know.
“Yeah, Slade told us, but what we really need is for them to find the cars and hope there’s evidence of who stole them.”
Sky nods her agreement. “Yeah, but remember whoever left the paint can be questioned about the cars, because they threatened you.”
“That’s right.” Sadie gets excited.
“Well, they would have to be able to link the can to the same paint that was used to threaten Stone, and even then it’s probably your run of the mill spray paint. Anyone could have bought it.” Leave it to Katie, a detective’s daughter, to find reasonable doubt.
Everyone is really quiet as we all enjoy the food that the girls brought. I don’t know about them, but I know my mind is swirling with thoughts of how we’re going to find out who did this. “That was really good.” Miranda puts the cover on the Styrofoam container and tosses it in the bag that the girls brought it in.
“Did you have enough? I have a sandwich for Kara, who was actually supposed to be here by now, but I brought some extras in case you were really hungry or someone else was here.” Katie lifts the bag to show me what she has.
“I’ve had enough.” Miranda pats her belly.
The nurse walks back in a minute later with a fresh bouquet of flowers. It’s the biggest bouquet yet. It’s so big we all look a bit shocked as the nurse places it on the table by her side. She plucks the card from its holder and opens it. I can see her eyes scanning the words and her jaw drops. She hands me the card.
Sweetheart,
I’m so sorry to hear of your accident. I want you to know that I never wanted anything bad to happen to you, but your man has to learn he can’t get in my way. All I wanted was some alone time with you so we could see where things went between us, and he’s preventing that from happening. I had to teach him a lesson. He has to know who he’s fucking with and that no one, I mean no one, gets in my way. Unfortunately, you were my only means of getting to him. Since you survived your injuries, I wish you a speedy recovery.
I’ll see you soon.
Xoxo
“Hey, everyone.” Kara comes in walking straight to her sister. She hugs her Katie, and then gently hugs Miranda.
“How are you feeling?” Her words trail off when she realizes she’s just walked in on something big. “What’s going on?”
“I’m doing okay.” Miranda’s words are barely above a whisper as she adjusts her blanket and rests her arm on a piece of square foam they gave her.
Grabbing my phone from its clip, I call Cooper and the girls get the update as I fill him in on the flower delivery and the note. “Cooper is on his way.” I clip the phone back to my belt and the room goes quiet.
“Here.” Katie hands Kara a sandwich. “You’re late.” She teases her sister, trying to break the tension in the room.
“I know. I met up with Noah before coming here.” Kara opens her sandwich and starts eating.
“How is he doing?” Katie rolls her eyes.
There is way too much hormone in here for me. I take a seat on the other side of the room to give the girls some space.
“He’s good. I just wish he weren’t working so many hours.” Kara shoves her sandwich into her mouth. They continue having girl talk for about the next thirty minutes and that’s when Miranda finally starts to yawn again. It’s not all that late, but Miranda needs her rest, and I need a shower, so I kick them all out and tell them they can come back tomorrow.
Chapter 21
Stone
Miranda has been out of the hospital for a week now and today she has a follow up appointment to see how her arm is healing, and then we have three apartments to go look at. We have both been praying that her arm is healing okay because the swelling has gone down. The doctor told her that she may need surgery, but he wouldn’t know until he got another x-ray done and could see how the healing process is going.
“Hello?” she answers her cell phone. I watch as her brows furrow. Whoever she’s talking to, she’s listening intently, trying to take it all in. I take a seat by her side, waiting for her to hang up and tell me what’s happening. “Thanks, Cooper.” She cuts the call.
“They found the cars. Someone reported two men climbing out of a ditch and jumping into another car before speeding off. The guy called the police, informing them of what he witnessed, and told them it looked suspicious. It’s good for us he did, because they were trying to get rid of the cars.”
“Nice.” I can’t believe we may finally be getting somewhere with this.
“Right. Cooper says that the cars are being towed to their forensics lab to be checked over, but it could be at least a week before we hear anything more.” She sighs. The thought of waiting an entire week to hear anymore news is pretty shitty, but at least we’ve heard something.
“Come on. This is a step in the right direction, and maybe we’re in for more good news with your arm.” She turns her head to me and smiles.
“You’re always so positive.” She sits up to kiss me. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, now let’s get going so we’re not late.” I take her good arm and help her up from the couch. Her ribs are almost fully healed, and she says her arm hurts a lot less, but is still a little sore.
After waiting almost thirty minutes to be seen, we’re finally walking out of the doctor’s office with more good news. Miranda still needs the cast, but her arm is healing nicely. In the next few weeks, the cast will come off and she’ll have to do some physical therapy, but she’ll be back to using her arm just after Thanksgiving. “We have just enough time to grab some lunch. Are you hungry?” I open the door to the truck and help her in.
“Sure, where do you want to eat?” She puts her seatbelt on and waits for me to get in.
“Well. Let’s find something that’s next to the first apartment we’re scheduled to see.” I turn on my truck and start up the GPS system, punching in the address. I ask it to list some restaurants in the area and it brings up a bunch. We decide to split a pizza at a little joint up the street.
“I hope this place is good. It’ll be nice to know we have someplace good to grab food if we choose this apartment.” She’s scrolling through the radio stations as I drive along. We’ve looked at pictures for three different places, this one isn’t far from us and it’s our favorite of the three apartments, so to have a good restaurant nearby would be a definite plus.
We pull up to the pizza place and it’s literally up the street from the apartment. The place isn’t huge, but when we step through the door, we take in all the wonderful smells from the kitchen. We walk up to the counter and order a medium pizza with green peppers, onions, and black olives. It’s our favorite. The gentleman behind the counter tells us to pick a table and he’ll bring it out when it’s ready.
I grab our bottles of water and we take a seat. “This place is cute.” Miranda is amazed as she looks around the room, looking at the different pictures on the wall. “Oh, I almost forgot I have a doctor’s appointment next week for the baby.” She looks so excited.
“Okay, just remind me. I’ll pick you up at work and drive you there.” I smile at her, thrilled to be getting more news on our baby. “Do we get to see pictures yet?”
“We do. They are going to do an ultrasound to make sure the baby is still doing okay after the accident. I feel like we’ll be fine at this point, but I’ll be happy to hear it from the doctor.”
“I know, I agree.” I grab her hand and squeeze it from across the table. “We also need to get you a new car so you can get back to work. You start on Monday, right?”
“Yeah, I just don’t know if I’m ready to drive again.”
“How do you feel about going back to work?” I’m concerned that her fears are more than jus
t driving, but she needs to start getting out of the house more.
She lets out an exaggerated sigh. “I’m okay with it. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I’m tired of being cooped up, but it’ll be hard to function even with the new cast.”
I’m trying to be understanding, but I also know I have to push her to get behind the wheel again. “Listen, baby. I understand and really you probably shouldn’t be driving just yet anyway, but eventually you need to get behind the wheel. Would you feel safer if we got you something a bit bigger, like an SUV?”
“I think that would help. My car was so small and it was really old, but I couldn’t afford a new one, so I had been trying to stick it out.”
We both look up at the man delivering our pizza and thank him. Miranda grabs a slice to put on the paper plates he left us. “What kind of car do you think I should get?”
“Maybe a Jeep, like a Grand Cherokee or something like that,” I suggest, grabbing my pizza. She continues to eat, but I can tell she’s thinking about it. When I’m done eating, I push my plate away and ask for a box for the rest of the pizza. “Baby, stop stressing over it. Why don’t we go look at a few cars this weekend and we’ll see what you like?”
“Okay.” She agrees a lot easier than I thought she would. I stand from the table, taking her hand and leading her to the car so we can head off to see the first apartment. When we step outside, she takes a deep breath of the crisp air. It’s a gorgeous day out, the sun is shining, and there’s not a cloud in the sky.
When I climb into the truck, she turns to me. “Thanks for being so patient with me. I’m scared.”
“I know you are, and I want you to know that neither of us will be alone going forward. Even today there is security not far behind us. I just asked them to keep some distance so we can enjoy the day.”
“You’re the best.” She turns to look out the window as I drive over to what may be our new home. We pull up and her eyes go wide. “Wow, this place is huge.”
