by Dawn Brower
“I’m so sorry,” she said. He wanted to believe her. Hell, he did believe her. She was always remorseful when it was all said and done. “I’ve been trying to change. Being selfish...” She choked back a sob. “I thought I was doing what was right. In my head, it all seemed right, but now I see it wasn’t. You should’ve been able to make your own choices. I started to call you on the way to the hospital. When I was reaching for my phone, the accident happened.”
Preston closed his eyes and prayed for patience. He had been trying to forget how close he’d been to losing her. She could have died, and then where would he be? They had a chance to do things differently. If he gave up on her now, they wouldn’t be able to explore their relationship at all. Did he really want to take that path? No one had ever promised that life would be easy, but it could have patches of wonderful to help them through the hard times. This was a rough spot, and what kind of man would he be if he let that determine the rest of his life? He’d end up a bitter angry old man, alone in the world.
He leaned down and kissed the top of her head and answered the question she hadn’t asked. The one she probably was anxiously waiting for an answer to but didn’t want to bother him with. “Lana made it through the surgery. She’s in intensive care, but I expect she’ll make a full recovery.”
“Good,” she said. “I’ve been worried.”
A knock echoed through the room. They both turned to see Detective Carter Jackson and his partner Detective Dane Hunter standing in doorway. “I hate to interrupt,” Carter said. “But I have to ask Jessica a few questions.”
“Come in,” she said. “What can I do to help you?”
Carter and Dane walked into the room and stood at the foot of Jessica’s bed. Dane started to speak first. “It has to do with the accident earlier this morning. Ms. Kelly is still unconscious, so we’re hoping you can fill in some of the blanks.”
“I’ll certainly try,” Jessica said. “I don’t know how much help I’ll be though.”
Preston kept his hand resting on her back. He rubbed slow, soothing circles to let her know he was there for her. She sat upright and stiffly as she kept her attention on the detectives. He wished she’d pressed the green button and eased her pain.
“Can you tell us what happened?” Carter asked matter-of-factly.
Jessica frowned and scrunched her eyebrows together. “We were on our way here. I had a surgery scheduled and Lana picked me up since I wouldn’t be allowed to drive afterward.”
Preston held himself still. He could’ve taken her to the hospital if she’d told him about her procedure. It still hurt to realize she’d not trusted him with that secret. Would she always keep things from him?
“That’s good. It establishes a little bit of the time line on your end,” Dane said. “Did you see the car that hit you?”
Jessica frowned. “No, I didn’t. When we were hit, I was reaching for my phone to call Preston. I never had a chance to make the call as I passed out soon after we were hit. I woke up here and was told what happened.”
“All right,” Carter said. “Can you tell me if you’ve rented a car recently?”
Preston raised a brow. “Why would Jessica rent a car when she wouldn’t be able to drive it?”
His need to protect her raged through him. He didn’t like anything he was hearing, and the more the detectives talked, his anger grew. He wanted to punch something or someone for hurting the woman he loved.
Jessica placed a hand on his arm. “It’s fine. I’m all right answering his question.” She turned toward the detective and said. “No. I did not rent a car. I have a perfectly good working one sitting in my driveway, and as you know, my money is tied up in a mess made by my accountant. All of my funds and credit cards have been frozen until it is all sorted out.”
“That’s not entirely true,” Dane said. “The car that hit you and Lana was rented under your name, used by a credit card issued to you about a month ago.”
Jessica’s mouth fell open at the detective’s statement. Preston was a little surprised himself. What the hell was going on? What did that even mean? “When, exactly, was this car rented?”
“Yesterday evening,” Carter said. “The woman who filled out the paperwork bears a striking resemblance to Jessica. At least, what we could tell from the security cameras.”
“Don’t answer any more of his questions,” Olivia said as she breezed in. “You are under no obligation to be interrogated while you are recovering from surgery.” She turned toward Carter and glared at him. “Do you have no regard for what she’s been through?”
The corner of Carter’s lip tilted upward. “I can’t allow my feelings to get in the way of an investigation.”
“Right,” Olivia said. “Because then the world would know you have a heart?”
Preston stared at them, uncertain what to make of their exchange. Was there something going on between Carter Jackson and his sister? What the hell was Olivia even doing there? How had she heard about Jessica’s accident?
Carter lifted his hand and held it against his chest. “It’s there, and beating rather steady. I don’t have to prove anything to you. Besides, isn’t it lawyers that are generally heartless?”
“Is any of this necessary?” Jessica asked. “Clearly, I wasn’t the one driving the other car even if it was rented under my name. What is the point of all these questions?”
Carter continued to glare at Olivia. Dane was the one who finally answered Jessica’s inquiry. “We’re still working all of that out. You’ve been the victim of identity theft, and we believe the person who rented the car might be the one responsible for that and is, in fact, working with your former accountant.”
Jessica nibbled on her bottom lip. “I don’t know who it could be or why they are doing this to me.”
“We’ll figure it out,” Carter said. His gaze still locked in a battle of wills with Olivia. “Get some rest. When we know more, or if we have more questions, one of us will contact you.”
“Not without her lawyer present,” Olivia said.
“I look forward to it,” Carter said. “Good of you to make things more interesting.”
The two detectives exited the hospital room. Once they were gone, Olivia turned her attention to Jessica and him. “Sorry about that. I came over as soon as I heard what happened.”
“What’s going on, Liv?” Preston asked. “Should Jessica be worried?”
She shook her head. “They were fishing, but I don’t think they honestly believe she had anything to do with the accident. Why would she put herself in danger that way?” She turned toward Jessica and said, “But I have to ask if you’re sure you don’t have any idea who might be doing this?”
Jessica shook her head. “No, I don’t have any idea. I wasn’t being coy earlier. It hurts too much to breathe, let alone play that kind of game.”
“Good.” Olivia nodded. “I don’t mean that you’re in pain, but that you’re being honest. It will make things easier in the long run.”
Preston smiled. He didn’t think he’d ever see the day his sister would be helpful where Jessica was concerned. “I hope they catch the bastards soon.”
“Me too,” Olivia agreed. “Though I would’ve thought they’d be off on a tropical island basking in the glow of Jessica’s money. This points to something else, and that has me concerned. It isn’t as simple as her being conned; this screams revenge of some sort.” She turned her attention to Jessica. “As bitchy as you used to be, that could be a list a mile long, but I urge you to think of everyone you’ve wronged or might have hurt in the past. Someone is out to get you, and if we have a list of suspects, we can start checking people out.”
Jessica groaned. “Why was I so horrible before? If I could go back and change things...”
Preston hugged her close. “Don’t stress about things you can’t change.” As he’d stared at her sleeping earlier, he’d thought he would have to let her go. Thankfully, he hadn’t been that stupid. It had been a close c
all for a while there, but he wasn’t walking away from her anytime soon. He needed a little reminder that she was worth fighting for. Preston met his sister’s gaze and said, “I’ll work with her on making a list later. She needs to rest now.”
Olivia nodded. “I’ll come back later and check on her.”
She spun on her heels and left. He laid Jessica down and adjusted her blankets. “Press the button for some pain medicine. You need to rest, and I have to check on Lana.” He kissed her forehead and then her lips. “I promise I will be back later. I love you.”
She smiled at him and picked up the button to push it—soon after, her eyelids fluttered closed and she fell into a deep sleep. They had a lot to work through, but he was hopeful they’d come out of it all right. First, they had to figure out who was trying to destroy Jessica’s life, and then they could make plans for their future. Preston wasn’t giving up on her or the possibility of complete happiness.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Jessica woke up in slow degrees. She’d been having a nice dream. It had been so wonderful it hurt to wake up from it. The happiness that reflected back from it had seemed so real. She’d been wearing a simple white dress and Preston a dark suit as they said vows before a minister. The sun had shined over them basking them in its warmth. It was a life she wanted so bad and realized she’d fight to have. Preston was her future and it was time to accept it. He’d told her over and over again that he loved her. Pushing him away was one of the biggest mistakes of her life.
“How are you feeling?”
Jessica opened her eyes fully and stared at Imogen’s face leaning over hers. What the hell was she doing in her room? She really didn’t like her, and it made her uneasy to have her looming over her. “I’m fine,” she replied. Maybe if she fell back asleep, or at least pretended to, Imogen would leave her alone.
“I was looking at your chart a moment ago to get an update. You’ve been through a lot today.” She patted Jessica’s hand. “You poor thing, having to deal with all of that. Lana should’ve been paying more attention while she was driving. What was she thinking, being so careless with your life?”
Imogen didn’t have a clue what she’d been through. How dare she blame it all on Lana! She wasn’t the one at fault for the accident. The little she’d understood from her exchange with the two detectives, it appeared to be a premeditated accident. Why else would someone rent a car in Jessica’s name and then run it into Lana’s? She still wasn’t sure what their goal had been, but she was certain it wasn’t a real accident. It killed her to lay in her hospital bed helpless while a lunatic was wrecking havoc on her life and her friends were caught in the crossfire. There had to be a way to figure out who was out to destroy her and end it once and for all.
“Don’t talk about Lana that way,” Jessica practically hissed out the words. “She is the best friend I’ve ever had.”
Imogen’s face became contorted at Jessica’s words. “She’s not your friend. I am.”
Was the woman psycho? Had she taken too many knocks to the head? They’d never been friends. Belonging to the same sorority in college did not make them anything more than former acquaintances. Jessica hadn’t even recognized her when she saw her again for the first time. She glanced up and met Imogen’s gaze. “Sure,” she replied evenly, uncertain what Imogen was capable of. “But not in the same way.”
As in not at all...
“I knew you’d understand,” Imogen replied. Her whole face lit up into a maniacal smile. “I’ve done everything for you.”
What the hell was she talking about? Why had she listened to Preston and pushed the button for pain killers? Her brain was so fuzzy, and she was having trouble following Imogen’s thought process. What had she done for her, and why did that statement terrify her?
“Right,” Jessica agreed reluctantly. Maybe if she got her talking she’d be able to unravel what Imogen was talking about. “It was all for me.”
Imogen beamed as if Jessica had basked her with praise. “I’m so glad you see it. Now we can be the friends we were always meant to be.”
Jessica was growing more and more confused with each thing Imogen uttered. “I thought we were already friends.” Hadn’t Imogen claimed so earlier?
“Of course we were, but now that you see Lana for the person she is, you can push her out of your life and spend more time with me. I’ve missed you so much, and I’ve been working toward being the type of person you would want in your life.”
“You—missed me?” Imogen was unbelievable. Why would she have attached herself to her? Jessica was not a person anyone would or should want to emulate. She’d been a veritable bitch for years.
“Oh, yes,” Imogen said. “I’ve always admired you. You’re so beautiful, and you have everything. Ren didn’t deserve you. It was good that you pushed him out of your life. Preston is sooo much better suited for you. It’s clear to see how much he loves us.”
“Us?” Terror filled her at Imogen’s insertion. She stared at Imogen and tried to focus on her. Something was starting to click, but she couldn’t quite grasp what it was. She shook her head trying to brush the fogginess from her mind. The drugs were making it hard to think clearly.
“Of course, silly,” Imogen replied. “He will make us both so happy.”
Jessica pulled herself up into a sitting position. She focused all her attention on Imogen and took in her appearance. Her newly dyed blonde hair and bright blue eyes—she looked remarkably similar to Jessica. What had Carter and Dane said earlier? That whoever rented the car had resembled her?
“Tell me what you’ve done for me,” Jessica urged. She had to know if her suspicions were correct. “I want to know what I should properly thank you for.”
Where was her cell phone when she needed it? She needed help if Imogen had done what she believed she had. Wait—she could call for a nurse. It might take a minute for two for one to arrive, but it was her only option. She wasn’t sure when Preston would check in on her again.
“I’ve always wanted to be you, and now I can be.” Her voice was saccharine sweet and her expression—that was the most terrifying. She looked almost serene. Her pupils were dilated and appeared almost black.
Jessica’s heart froze in her chest. She patted the bed trying to locate the call button, trying to keep her movements slow. Anything sudden might tip Imogen off. Where the hell was the damn thing? She had to keep her talking until she located it. “How so?”
“Lana had to go. I don’t like her, and she wouldn’t accept me in your place.”
Shit. Was she going to kill her? Her crazy was more advanced than Jessica had suspected. How was she going to extricate herself from her current situation? After surgery, she was too weak to properly defend herself. She reached across the blanket and silently breathed a sigh of relief. She slid her hand over to the remote and clicked the nurse symbol, praying someone would come to help her soon.
She should keep her talking. It might distract her long enough for help to arrive. “How do you know my accountant?” They had to be connected.
“Vinny was a former boyfriend of mine,” Imogen said as she wandered around Jessica’s room. “We dated in high school. He would do anything for me, and it didn’t take a lot to convince him to help me. Afterward, he started to get demanding, and I couldn’t have that. He wanted to turn himself in because his conscience was getting the better of him. So I handled it. You don’t need to concern yourself with him. He won’t bother us.”
Jessica stared at her and frowned. “What do you mean?” Then she understood perfectly what Imogen had done to Vincent. “Is he dead?”
“He might be. I didn’t stick around to check.”
Imogen was batshit crazy and, lucky Jessica, she’d set her sights on her. Where the hell was the nurse? She glanced down at the remote and noticed the nurse symbol still lit brightly. Why were they not coming?
“If you’re wondering where the nurse is, I should probably explain,” Imogen said. Her smile growing o
n her face. “I’m the head nurse on this floor tonight. I’m covering for poor Stella. Her little boy is so sick, and she had to stay home. I’m a good co-worker and volunteered to take her place. Wasn’t that nice of me?”
Imogen made her way over to Jessica’s side. She held a syringe in her hand and eased it toward her. The crazy bitch was going to kill her. Jessica screamed as loud as she could. It was all she could do. Help wasn’t coming...
PRESTON STROLLED DOWN the hall and started on the path toward Jessica’s hospital room. They had a lot to talk about, and he decided it was time to lay it all on the table. He had to understand why she’d been afraid to tell him about her condition. What did she think he’d have done? Did she push him away because of the cancer? Had she believed he would no longer want her? Fears could be irrational, and he couldn’t blame her for reacting adversely because of them. After he understood what had been bothering her, they could work through them and move forward. He wanted to spend the rest of his life with her, and one day he wanted to ask her to marry him.
He would not give up on her on them. They had something worth fighting for and he would fight for her until his last breath. She was his everything, and she would understand that before the day was done. They’d come so far to arrive at the place they were always meant to be. Their past didn’t define them but shaped them into better people. Everyone made mistakes, and they’d both made their fair share.
A scream echoed through the hallway, and at first it didn’t register. Then he realized it came from Jessica’s room and he set out on a dead run. What was going on, and where the hell was the floor nurse? He halted in front of her door and stared in horror as she struggled with a blonde nurse. At first, he didn’t recognize her, and then it clicked who she was. It was the blonde nurse Lana had once believed Preston was interested in. He couldn’t remember her name though... What the heck was it?
He rushed over to the bed and yanked the woman off of Jessica. She had been holding a syringe in her hand, but it cluttered to the floor when Preston had pulled her away from Jessica. “What’s going on here?”
