The Masseuse
Page 18
Sarah smiled. “I’m glad. I sometimes worry about you.”
His brows furrowed as he looked down at her. “Why?”
“You need a family.”
“I have a family,” he reminded.
She nodded, but continued, “A wife and children, oppa. I’m glad you found her.”
They continued walking and Ramsey remembered his promise to Lily. “Sarah, how do you feel about a puppy?”
Instantly, Sarah looked confused. “A puppy?”
“Yes. I was thinking of getting Lily a pup—”
Tires screeched loudly in the distance and Ramsey heard a scream—a child’s scream—before it cut off abruptly. Ice snaked down his spine as he jerked his head up and looked for his niece. Around him, people were screaming and yelling. As if in slow motion, a black sedan sped past, almost hitting people in its haste to get away. Dropping the stuffed animals, Ramsey ran in the direction of the growing crowd, pushing through screaming and weeping bodies to the center.
The first thing he saw was her dress. He’d teased her about the white dress when he arrived at her condo to pick her up, and she’d confided that Sarah had made her wear it. Lily didn’t wear white because she always got it dirty, but she’d managed to keep it clean for Sarah’s sake. The pristine dress was now streaked with red and black—blood and tire marks. Her body was contorted at an impossible angle, and she was too still.
“Somebody call 911!”
“Is there a doctor in the crowd?”
“…just ran over that little girl!”
The sounds faded in and out as Ramsey stared down at his niece, willing her tiny body to move, to breathe. As seconds passed and it didn’t—she didn’t—Ramsey tossed his head back and released an anguished cry. Falling to his knees beside her, he brushed her matted, bloodied hair from her face. His hand trembled, but he placed two fingers to her neck, praying for a pulse, just a pulse no matter how faint.
And then he was being dragged away and paramedics were surrounding her. Ramsey stared at them in shock and confusion. At that moment, sound came back to him, almost deafening him. He heard a cry—a cry more anguished than any he could release—and looked in the direction. Sarah was on her hands and knees wailing as Otis stood by, watchful and ready. Ramsey went to her, lifting her into his arms, and burying her face against his neck.
“Nooooooo!” she moaned, fighting him. “Nooooooo!”
Ramsey held her tighter, and began a brisk walk to his truck. After depositing her into the backseat—she’d fainted at some point and Ramsey knew that was merciful—he turned to the shadow who watched him gravelly.
“Otis, take Sarah home and stay with her.” He handed the man his car keys. “No one comes in or goes out of the condo.”
He turned back to Grant, who was jogging back to him. “Anything?”
“He was too fast,” Grant muttered, visibly winded from chasing the car, and holding something up. Ramsey looked closer. White flowers? “He threw this out of the car.” Despite his clenched jaw, Ramsey managed to say, “I’m getting into the ambulance with Lily. Follow us.”
The man nodded once.
As Ramsey moved back to his niece, who was now wearing a neck-brace and an oxygen mask, he whipped out his cellular phone and called Vince. Someone had run over his niece and he wanted answers. He wanted to know who’d ordered it, because there was little doubt in Ramsey’s mind that this was no accident. The driver had tossed a bouquet of lilies out of his window. He wanted to know everything about the events that had just unfolded, but more than that, much more than knowing anything: Kang Jae Ramsey Stone wanted blood.
Author’s Note
Well, I certainly hope you enjoyed this tale. I know many of you are screaming, “What? That’s it? Is it really over?” and the answer is, “Yes, this story is over, but there’s more to come!” The next story in this saga is called “The Dragon” and should be out shortly. Thank you all for reading and I’ll be back!
Author’s Biography
Violette Dubrinsky is the author of the Dark God, Warrior, Crescent Moon, and Moonlight Sagas. She is currently a full time graduate student and part-time writer. She enjoys creating stories with strong heroines and the leading heroes who “tame” them…and by tame, she means, learns to accept their stubborn, unchangeable ways. Violette is currently working on the sequel to The Masseuse, sequel(s) to Taken By Moonlight, sequel(s) to Warrior, and a host of standalone stories.
Violette can be reached at violettedubrinsky@gmail.com, on her website (below) or on Facebook (below). She loves feedback so feel free to email her, leave comments on her blog, or Facebook her (the quickest way to get a response). And be sure to check out the free reads of her website.
Website: violettedubrinsky.wordpress.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/violette.dubrinsky
The Fantasyland: https://www.facebook.com/groups/violettedubrinskyfantasyland
Author’s Other Works
Colorblind (Amazon Bestseller)
Taken By Moonlight (Amazon Bestseller)
Under a Crescent Moon (Amazon/All Romance Bestseller)
Warrior
Bound
Fallen
Table of Contents
Foreword
Dedication
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Author’s Note
Author’s Biography
Author’s Other Works