Out Of The Smoke

by Becca Jameson

  “Please…” she whimpered, pushing against the door as though she could possibly break her way out.

  * * * *

  “Liz! Wake up. Liz.” Someone called her name. She thrashed out and screamed in fear. How had she fallen asleep so soundly in the cold basement? Her back ached fiercely where she’d been whipped.

  She opened her eyes and stared into the brightness. The brightness? Why was it so light in the basement? It never had been before…

  Reality dawned. She wasn’t in the basement…or even in New York anymore. Where was she though? She struggled to remember.

  “Liz,” the soothing voice reached her ear at very close range. “Are you okay, hon?” A gentle hand caressed her arm. She turned to the voice and found a pleasant older woman in blue scrubs smiling down at her.

  “Where am I?” Liz winced at the dull pain still inflicting her back. That must have been what caused the horrific dream she’d just had. Had she woken screaming? Probably. Great. It had been a long time since she’d had one of those dreams.

  “You’re in the hospital. You have a bruised kidney.”

  “Ma’am, may I have a moment with her?” The new voice was deep and serious. Liz turned to find a cop standing in the doorway. Her heart rate increased in attempt to beat out of her chest. Sweat beaded on her forehead as she stared at the officer.

  Oh my God. They found me. Liz pushed back against the pillow and prayed the bed would swallow her whole. She gripped the sheets so tight with her fists her knuckles began to hurt. Why now? How? She’d given no one any information…except Alan. But even that little bit she’d spoken of had been vague, hadn’t it?

  “It’s okay, honey. I’ll be right outside if you need me.” The nurse smoothed the hair back from Liz’s forehead, but Liz still gazed at the policeman who slowly meandered toward her, his face turned down at the pad of paper he was scribbling on. Her worst nightmare had come to life and far worse than the actual dream she’d just had.

  What would they do to her? Could they send her to jail for essentially lying? Had anyone told Matthew of her deceit yet?

  Liz whipped her head toward the door behind the cop to assure herself her husband wasn’t already standing in the hall.

  Where was Alan? He must have brought her here. Did he just drop her and call the police? She couldn’t blame him after the crazy admission she remembered stammering at him. She’d been so hot, and dizzy. Had she passed out?

  “Miss, I need to ask you a few questions.” The serious tone made Liz cringe. Then he raised his face toward her. Was that sorrow she saw faintly in his eyes? “I’m Detective Brown. Can you tell me what happened today?”

  Liz stared at him, her mouth so dry and scratchy she couldn’t swallow. Where was her saliva?

  “Ma’am?”

  Liz cleared her throat. “What’s this all about?”

  “I just need to hear from you what happened today to cause the injury you sustained and then I’ll be on my way. Assuming your story matches that of your employer.” His expression didn’t falter from serious, brow furrowed like a man on a mission. He didn’t let his gaze waver from her face, even to blink it seemed.

  “I…um…” This is about Alan? Liz struggled to get her brain to jumpstart. “Alan?”

  “Yes. He is your employer, right?” His eyebrows scrunched even closer together and he glanced down to flip back a few pages in his notes. “He told me you work for him.” His head cocked to the side when he looked back up, he gazed at her suspiciously.

  “Oh, right. Yes, I do.” This has nothing to do with Matthew and my deception? With a huge inhale, Liz relaxed into the pillow and released her grip on the sheets. The officer had yet to mention even one word about Matthew, so why was he here?

  “Okay, can you tell me how you got injured today?”

  Realization dawned. Of all the times Liz had been beaten bloody, raped, and tortured, not once had she ever been faced with the police. Now, for the first time in her life, she’d let her guard down and allowed a man to get at least somewhat near her, and the cops think he abused her? It might have been comical…if she lived in a different dimension.

  “Ma’am?” He waited, his expression confused, although perhaps the tiniest bit more compassionate.

  “I was cleaning Mr. McCarthy’s house and a trophy fell from the top shelf when I reached up too high. It hit me on the lower back. Quite hard.”

  More of her current reality dawned. Ahhh…the welt mark. The doctors must have seen the welt and assumed Alan was responsible for both injuries.

  “Are you sure?”

  “Of course. If you’re concerned about the previous mark on my back, I got that from my ex-husband about three years ago. Not from Alan.” Liz rolled to her side to take the pressure off the achy wound.

  “Okay, then. That’s it.” Detective Brown closed his notebook with a sharp snap and nodded to Liz. “Thank you for your time, miss.”

  Liz exhaled a huge breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding while the cop walked out of the room. She could hear the precise cadence of his footsteps as they grew more faint down the hall. Each step allowed her the smallest measure of relaxation.

  No sooner had her heart rate slowed to a reasonable pace, than the door eased open once again. Liz nearly jumped out of the bed at the new intrusion before she saw that the next visitor was in fact Alan, who quickly made his way across the room to her side. He stayed.

  “I’m so sorry about that. There was no convincing them otherwise.” He smiled down at her and grabbed her hand. “Do you feel better? You scared the hell out of me. And then you woke up screaming. I could hear you from the hall.”

  “Nightmare. Can’t remember the details.” She didn’t need to remember the details. It was always the same dream. Furthermore, it wasn’t even a dream at all. It was a memory that haunted her laughingly in her sleep. Though Lord only knew what she’d done in a past life to deserve it.

  “Would you like a drink?” Alan reached for some water and held the straw to her lips without waiting for a reply.

  She hated that he was so damn nice. It was going to make it even harder on him when she left.

  She had to leave. Quickly. She’d managed to stay off the radar for more than two years here. Now the police had seen her. The risk was too great. Her paranoia was perhaps unfounded, but she couldn’t help it. If she had to live on the run her entire life, she would. Anything to avoid seeing Matthew ever again.

  “I have to go.” Liz started to sit up.

  “Whoa there. Slow down.” Alan assisted her to sit, but pressed on her shoulders. “Take it easy. You’ve had a high fever that just broke.” He glanced at the IV at the back of her hand. “They’re giving you antibiotics to prevent an infection. Besides, we aren’t in a hurry here. I want to make sure you’re given a clean bill of health before I take you home.”

  That didn’t sound fast enough for Liz. What if the police officer returned to the station and suddenly remembered some missing person poster or saw one when he walked into the station?

  She needed to be tactical here. “I can sleep at home and I have to work tomorrow. I’ll be fine.”

  Alan’s worried expression tugged at her heart. “First of all,” he said with a deep breath, “you can’t go home alone. You’ll have to come home with me. Someone needs to keep an eye on you for a few days.”

  Liz opened her mouth to protest but stopped when he put a finger to her lips.

  “And second of all, you can’t work for about a week while your kidney heals. No heavy lifting.”

  “That’s not possible. People are counting on me.” Never mind that she planned to run and let them down anyway. He didn’t need to know that.

  “Their houses will just have to be dirty this week, hon.” She couldn’t stand it when he leaned into her for a gentle hug. Her cheek felt so right against his chest. He smelled so fresh. So safe. Thank God she’d never met him before she’d left New York. His proximity would have driven her mad. She woul
d have fallen for him, even married.

  “Fine.” Now was not a good time to argue. She’d save it for later.

  A nurse came into the room. “Ma’am, I need you to fill out these forms. You can have someone do it for you if you want, but you need to answer the questions.”

  Panic clutched at Liz’s chest. Papers? Shit.

  The nurse smiled sweetly and walked out, leaving the forms with Alan.

  “Liz?” He stared into her eyes.

  “I can’t do it,” she stated flatly.

  “Do what? Fill out forms? I’ll do it for you.”

  “No. You don’t understand. I won’t do it. I don’t want anyone to have a record of me anywhere. It’s too risky.” She pushed away from Alan’s arms and lay back on the bed in exhaustion.

  Maybe he’s right. Maybe I’ll need a few days before I can leave town.

  “Okay, calm down. I’ll see what I can do. Just hang tight.” Alan leaned over and kissed Liz lightly on the lips. With his face just scant inches from her, he said, “Don’t go anywhere. I’ll be right back.” He forced a smile, but his gaze was extremely worried.

  All Liz could think about was how normal his kiss had been, how much she wanted to feel it again. How nice it would be to fall asleep in his arms and wake up each day to his gaze filled with love and acceptance. She shook her head to clear the thought. It wasn’t going to happen. “Could I borrow your cell to call my neighbor? At least then she won’t worry and she can cancel some of my appointments.”

  “Of course.” Alan handed her the sleek little phone and stepped out of the room.

  With shaky hands, Liz dialed Dory’s number from memory. Unfortunately, she got her machine. Just as well. She didn’t feel up to explaining herself. As soon as she finished listening to Dory’s scratchy voice advising her what to do at the beep, it was Liz’s turn to speak. “Dory, hey, this is Liz. I had a little accident. I’m okay, but I need a few days off. Can you possibly call my Tuesday and Wednesday clients and let them know? I’m hoping you still have their numbers since you originally passed them my way. It’s the Harris’s on Tuesday and the Wilson’s on Wednesday. And Dory, thanks. I’ll call you in a few days.” Liz pressed the button to disconnect the call and breathed a long sigh.

  Just when she closed her eyes, yet another person entered the room.

  “Hey, Liz,” the feminine voice reaching her this time belonged to Alan’s friend, Renae, and another man she’d never met was behind her. “Are you feeling better?” She grabbed the tall man, who looked about the same age as Alan, by the shirt and pulled him forward. “This oaf is Jake. He’s Alan’s best friend and also an attorney. I don’t know if Alan told you, but I’m his sister.”

  When Liz stared at them, Renae continued. “Alan called us while you were asleep. He was worried. The police—”

  “Oh, I get it.” Lord, he’d gone to a lot of trouble for her.

  “Well, I just wanted you to know we were here for you. You look really tired. Why don’t you try to get some more rest? We’ll see you later. Okay?”

  “Thank you.” Tears pooled in the corners of Liz’s eyes, which she didn’t reach to wipe away. Maybe no one would notice her emotional state when faced with such nice people. As they left her to her own thoughts, she nearly choked on a sob while she tried to adjust her position onto her uninjured side and force her body to relax. She would never forget the kindness and generosity of Alan and his sister.

  Liz closed her eyes and let sleep overtake her once again. She was so tired.

  * * * *

  “Alan?” Soft fingers rubbed his scalp to accompany the sweet voice. Liz.

  He lifted his head. “I must have fallen asleep.” God she was pretty, even in a hospital bed. Her thick brown hair spread out around her on the pillow. Her eyes smiled serenely at him.

  Alan sat up and winced at the crick in his neck from the angle his head laid across the sheet next to Liz’s hand.

  “You were boring,” he stated. “I guess I nodded off.”

  “It would seem.” Liz looked around. “What time is it? Can we go now?”

  “Yes. I took care of everything. We can go any time you’re ready.” Alan got up, but warned, “Take it slow. You’ll be weak for a while.”

  Her smile could knock the socks off anyone. “I’m sorry to cause so much trouble.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous. I’ve taken numerous cleaning ladies to the emergency room and been questioned for throwing objects at them.” He tried to make light of the situation.

  “Ha ha.” Liz swung her legs over the side of the bed and waited a beat before standing gingerly. “I think I’m good. Let’s get out of here.”

  “My pleasure.” The quicker he got her back to his place and into bed the better. Not that he intended to ravish her any time soon in her current state. He just wanted to know with absolute certainty she was safe and…his.

  With great haste, Alan gathered up their few belongings and grabbed the bag with Liz’s antibiotic and pain meds in it. He held out his arm for her to grab and she just stood there staring at him. Tears running down her face.

  “It’s gonna be okay. I promise.” Alan folded her hand in the crook of his arm and headed for the door, with a quick thank you to the staff in the front. He could handle almost anything but tears again. It broke his heart. He almost wished he hadn’t sent Renae and Jake home. Renae was much better with tears than he was.

  On the way to the car, Liz wiped her face with a tissue and smiled at him. He breathed a sigh of relief as he helped her into the car.

  In no time Alan had Liz right where he wanted her. Tucked into his guest room wearing one of his T-shirts.

  “This is truly too much for me to ask of you.” Huge green eyes gazed up at him in embarrassment.

  “You didn’t ask,” he stated firmly for the third time in as many minutes. “And stop acting like you’re such a burden.” He sat on the edge of the bed, trying not to cross any boundaries too quickly.

  Liz reached for him with a slender hand and brushed a lock of stray hair away from his eye as though he were the patient. “Thank you. Have I said that yet?”

  “About a dozen times.” Alan grabbed her hand from his cheek and pulled the fingertips around to his mouth to kiss each one gently on the end. He wanted to suck each digit into his warmth and pull them out with a pop, but now wasn’t the time. God he was one lucky bastard.

  “I’m so tired.”

  “It’s the pain meds they gave you. You were moaning.”

  “No, you’re teasing.” She was hopeful and adorable when she scrunched up her nose like that.

  “Not teasing. Don’t worry, only the first floor heard you,” he joked. “Get some rest. I’ll make you some soup.” Alan stood and backed away from Liz with her hand still in his own until the distance forced him to let go. Her eyes drooped shut at the same moment.

  Alan heated up some chicken noodle soup, but it seemed to have been in vain, because the slender woman asleep in his guestroom showed no signs of waking again that evening.

  In the end, he decided to just lie down next to her on top of the comforter and close his eyes. If she awoke during the night, she might be confused, but at least he’d be close enough to quell her fears.

  It seemed like he had just drifted into sleep when the once peaceful beauty next to him began thrashing around.

  “No! Please! Stop!” Her arms flailed in front of her face as he sat up and witnessed her battle against an imaginary assailant. For the second time today.

  “Liz.” Alan reached for her wrists to avoid being clocked in the head and instead managed to fall victim to her fingernails on his forearm. “Ouch.” He flinched, but didn’t let go.

  His automatic burst must have startled Liz out of her sleep, because she suddenly went still. When he raised his face to stare into her frightened eyes, he saw a combination of sorrow and fear.

  “I did it again, didn’t I?” she muttered softly.

  “Do you do this often?” He r
eleased his grip on her wrists but didn’t let go completely.

  “Perhaps. I’m not sure. I thought I’d gotten better lately. But it could be that I don’t always realize it happens.” She swallowed. “I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be. It’s just a nightmare. Not your fault.” Alan lay his head back down on the pillow next to Liz and moved his hand to graze his fingers over her cheek. “I’m sorry. Sorry someone treated you so badly in your past that you can’t even sleep at night. Sorry I didn’t meet you years ago and marry you myself instead of him. Sorry these nightmares are still haunting your dreams.”

  “They aren’t nightmares, Alan.” Her voice was grave. “They’re memories. That’s my reality.”

  Shit. She was right. “What can I do? I’m here now.”

  “Hold me until I fall back asleep? No one’s ever held me, just held me, while I slept.”

  “Absolutely. I can do that.” He spoke the words semi jokingly, but his actions didn’t match them. He leaned forward and took her mouth in a kiss that set him on fire.

  Her kisses were so passionate, once she got past the initial moments of timidity. This was their third kiss today, and each one had left Alan breathless and wanting more.

  His hand wandered seemingly of its own accord behind her head to get a better grip. When he angled his mouth to the side and licked a line along her bottom lip, she moaned, a subconscious sound he was growing to realize would drive him crazy around her. So pure and uninhibited.

  His intentions to remain gentle were thwarted when Liz herself pressed her tongue along his lips and then dipped it inside to graze against his teeth. Heaven opened up and rained down on him. She was minty and spicy and all Liz. Alan let his own tongue enter the dance and then spent an eternity exploring the inside of Liz’s sweet mouth.

  Liz unexpectedly gripped his biceps tightly, pulling him closer.

  Alan had to use his big head to get a grip on his little head before the fella took over and won.

  She’s in pain and doped up. Don’t let this go further.