Finding Us

by Debra Presley

  * * *

  “How long does it take for test results to come back?” Sophie demanded. “I’m going to find someone to tell me something.”

  Danny let her go. He knew there was no point trying to stop her. She was nervous and wanted answers. He was frustrated too, but Abby was sleeping soundly and her vitals looked good, so he wasn’t as nervous as Sophie. He had bigger things to focus on.

  Like the fact that Vivien had graced them all with her presence about an hour ago, and since then she hadn’t stopped bitching. Concern for her daughter’s well-being was quite low on the list.

  “Have you seen the chaos that has ensued since I got here?” Vivien glared at him. “All because she needed to get her way.”

  Danny cracked the tension out of his neck and forced himself to ignore her. She was partially right, though. Since Vivien had made her overly dramatic entrance into the hospital, it had caused a huge spectacle and the place had been crawling with paparazzi and fans. NYPD had sent a few officers to help keep them from running around loose all over the hospital, which was helpful, but he was still tired and pissed and Vivien was the last person he wanted to deal with.

  Thankfully, she shut up when Sophie came in with the doctor following her. Danny hid his smile. Leave it to Sophie to get a doctor to hurry his ass up.

  “Okay, let’s wake up our patient. I’m going to have to ask anyone that isn’t family to leave, though.”

  Danny heard Vivien laughing, and he shot her a look.

  “Sorry, Vivien,” he said mildly. “The doctor is aware of the situation and has granted me a family pass.”

  “We’ll be outside if you need us.” Sophie said softly.

  “I’ll let you know ASAP,” Danny said with an encouraging smile. He continued to ignore Vivien who muttered all the way to Abby’s bedside.

  “Ms. Murphy?” The doctor gently called.

  Danny moved closer when he didn’t see her move or react in any way.

  The doctor pulled a small flashlight from his pocket and checked Abby’s pupils. Danny took another step. In an instant, all the possible reasons for someone not waking up ran through Danny’s head, and he clenched his teeth again.

  Abby reacted. She turned away from the light and moaned.

  “It seems our patient is being stubborn and doesn’t want to wake up yet.”

  “Figures,” muttered Vivien.

  Danny glared at her and took another step closer to Abby’s bed. “Abby?” He leaned over the bed rail and moved her bangs from her face. “You need to wake up. Come on. Rise and shine.”

  She groaned, but after a few long seconds, her eyes fluttered opened.

  “Hey, you,” he said, his chest flooded with relief, and his muscles relaxed. “Thanks for joining us.”

  “Oh, you know me,” she said. “I need to make an entrance.” She tried to laugh but winced instead.

  “Be careful,” he warned.

  “Ms. Murphy? I’m Doctor Phillips, and I have the results of some your tests. I’m still waiting on your blood work.” He looked down at the chart then back at her. “Everything looks good. All your tests came back negative. No concussion, no internal bleeding, no broken bones.” He cleared his throat. “No physical evidence of…ah…sexual trauma.”

  “Why would she need to be checked for that?”

  The doctor looked at Vivien. “It was necessary under the circumstances.”

  He closed the file and looked at Abby. “You’re very lucky. As a precaution, I’d like to keep you for twenty-four hours. Pending anything odd on your blood work, I think you can go home tomorrow.”

  “Well, then,” Vivien announced. “Drama over. Be ready for the tour in two weeks. I’m going to see if I can salvage the rest of my vacation.” Vivien grabbed her things and swept out of the room, leaving an awkward silence behind her.

  How could you explain that to a stranger? Danny glanced at the doctor, who pursed his lips. Danny caught his eye in a shared moment of “what the fuck.”

  “Ms. Murphy do you remember what happened?” the doctor asked, breaking the tension.

  “Um. I left my apartment with John and Aaron to meet Kelly at the club.” The doctor looked to Danny to confirm and he nodded. “Kelly and I were having fun and dancing and then—then—I don’t know. Everything is fuzzy.”

  “What’s the next thing you remember?”

  “Waking up a few minutes ago to Danny’s voice.”

  “What about at the club? Do you remember anything from there?”

  “No.”

  “Do you remember how you got here?”

  They waited for Abby to answer. Danny could tell she was really trying to recall something.

  “I can’t remember. It’s all sort of blank right now.”

  Danny took her hand. He waited for her to look at him. “From what John told me, and from what I know, Sean was at the club, and he was able to grab you.”

  “Sean was there?” She stared at him. “At the club?”

  “Yes. There was a fight. Do you remember anything about that?”

  “No. Was I in it?”

  “No, not at all. It was a diversion, and it allowed Sean a window of opportunity to grab you without John or Aaron noticing until you were gone.”

  “I don’t understand. How did he know I was there?” She gripped his hand.

  Danny squeezed back, gently. “I don’t know that yet, but I promise you I’m going to find out.”

  “Where is he?” There was fear in her voice.

  “I don’t know. The police and my men are looking for him.”

  “Ms. Murphy,” the doctor cut in. “Is it correct to say you don’t remember anything Mr. Nucci is telling you? None of this seems familiar to you?”

  “No. But my head is pounding, so that could be why.”

  “What else are you feeling right now?”

  “Just a bit dizzy.”

  “It could be lingering results of the trauma you suffered. The hit to your face would cause the headache and some dizziness. I’m a bit worried about the memory loss. Hopefully, that will fade. The brain sometimes protects us from traumatic memories. I’ll be back with the results of your blood tests, and you’ll let me know if you remember anything else. Sound good?”

  “Yes, doctor. Thank you.”

  “Yes, thank you doctor for all your help.”

  “I’ll ask the nurse to bring you something for your headache. Mr. Nucci, could I see you outside for a moment?”

  Danny followed him into the hallway, anxiety in his gut.

  “Since she can’t remember what happened, I’d like to call someone in to do a more thorough examination and administer a rape kit.”

  Danny sucked his breath between his teeth. “You said you didn’t find any evidence of that sort of trauma.”

  “Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean a rape couldn’t have occurred. Especially if any kind of drug was placed in her drink. I’m going to send someone to talk with her about it. It is, after all, a decision that she ultimately makes.”

  He nodded.

  “I’ll be in touch.”

  “Thank you.”

  Danny went back into Abby’s room, and not long after, there was a knock on the door.

  “Is it okay to come back in?” Sophie poked her head in.

  “Sure.” Abby smiled.

  “How are you feeling?”

  “Crappy. And I have a headache.”

  “Everything came back negative,” Danny said. “He wants to keep her until tomorrow. Blood work is still pending, though.” He didn’t mention the rape kit.

  “Negative is excellent news. Thank God.” Sophie took Abby’s hand. “What happened?”

  “I don’t know. I can’t remember right now.”

  “Well, that’s to be expected, I suppose, with the hit to your face.”

  The door opened slightly, and Connor peeked in. “Nurse,” he announced. He opened the door wider so the nurse could enter.

  “Hi, there,” she sai
d. “I’m just going to give you something for your pain. In a few minutes you should feel some relief. You really should try to rest some more, Ms. Murphy.”

  “Don’t worry. I don’t think my eyes are giving me a choice right now.”

  “Sleep. I’ll be back to check on you in a little bit.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Well, I won’t stay,” Sophie said. “Listen to the nurse and sleep. I’ll go do some damage control, and I’m thinking your two-week break will need to be a bit longer, so I have some rescheduling to do as well. I’ll come back later. Love ya, girl and glad you’re okay.”

  “Love you, too.”

  Sophie left, and it was Danny and Abby.

  “Danny?”

  “Sleep,” he said sternly.

  “I will.” She paused. “You’re staying, right?”

  “I’m not moving. Don’t worry about anything. Sleep. I’ve got you covered.”

  “Okay.”

  By the time Danny moved to the corner of the room to sit down, Abby was asleep.

  “I know what I’d like to do, but my mom is never going to allow it.” Abby informed Danny and Sophie. It was the next day, and Abby was patiently waiting to be released from the hospital.

  “I could make it work,” Danny said. “I’d call in more men and cancel all backstage passes and events. No one would get to you, but I agree with you. I don’t like the idea of being on the road, and Sean knowing your entire itinerary. It makes for a security nightmare.”

  “This is all too much for me to think about right now.”

  “So don’t think about it. I’ve got it under control. I’ll call your mom’s assistant and tell her your canceling the tour, and by the time Vivien finds out, you’ll be out of here, and I’ll tell her how it will be. After how she acted yesterday, it’ll be fun.” Sophie winked.

  Abby picked at a spot on her hospital gown.

  There was a knock at the door, and the doctor walked in.

  “Good morning Ms. Murphy. How are you feeling today?”

  “Good morning Dr. Phillips. I still have a headache, and I’m sore, but other than that, I feel okay.”

  “I wanted to discuss your blood work with you before I release you.”

  “Okay.” Abby didn’t like his tone.

  “Would you like everyone to stay?”

  “Yes please.”

  “All right. You tested positive for gamma hydroxybutyrate acid or GHB. Better known as “the date rape” drug.

  “What?” Abby, Danny, and Sophie said nearly in unison.

  “That explains why you were nauseous, the headaches, and most importantly, your memory loss.”

  “But how? I don’t understand.”

  “It’s most commonly administered through liquids. The drug is odorless and colorless so it is very easy to hide in drinks.”

  “So someone drugged me?”

  “It would appear so.”

  “Who would do that?” she asked but didn’t really expect an answer.

  “Will her memories return?” Sophie asked the doctor.

  “It’s hard to say. For some, they remember everything within a few days, and for others, maybe they remember certain parts. But there is a chance you won’t remember anything.”

  “Great,” Abby mumbled.

  “I’m going to fill out the paperwork for your release. I’ll prescribe something for your headaches. They should go away within another day or two. If they don’t please let me know.” The doctor handed Abby his business card.

  “Thank you, Dr. Phillips, for everything.”

  “Don’t hesitate to call if you have any questions. I’ll fill out your release papers, and then you’re free to go home.” The doctor left the room.

  “Drugged?”

  “Who would drug you? And how did they drug you?” Sophie asked.

  “I don’t know. I wish I could remember. This is so frustrating.”

  “Don’t force it. Stressing out about it surely won’t help,” Sophie tried to assure her, but Abby could see Sophie was just as freaked out as she was. Someone had drugged, her and she couldn’t remember anything.

  “I guess.”

  Danny hadn’t said a word since the doctor left. She looked over to him, “Please say something. You’re making me nervous.”

  “Sophie’s right. You can’t force yourself to remember. We’ll go upstate, and you’ll get some distance and hopefully that will help.”

  Something was off with him, but Abby wasn’t going to push it.

  “Okay, I guess I’ll get dressed.”

  “That’s my cue. Connor should be at my cabin soon, and King is outside on guard. I’m going to make sure everyone is in place. I don’t want that mob out there to get wind that we’re leaving. Dress comfortable, we have a long drive.”

  Abby nodded, relieved. “Sounds good. I’m done with this place. I need quiet and calm right about now.”

  “I can guarantee you’ll have that.”

  “Really?” Sophie asked, skeptical. “With Abby Murphy around? Is there ever anything calm?”

  Danny snorted a laugh and left. Sophie looked back at Abby and studied her for so long that Abby squirmed.

  “What?” Abby said after a few uncomfortable moments.

  “I need the truth. How are you really doing?”

  “I’m good.” But she knew she wasn’t going to convince her.

  “Don’t tell me what you think I want to know. I’m worried, and Danny’s worried, and he doesn’t know how to approach the subject.”

  “He’s worried?” Maybe that’s why he was so quiet?

  “Of course he’s worried. I’ve never seen him act so nervous.”

  “Nervous?”

  “Yes. He’s very good at hiding his emotions, but trust me, he was nervous when we went in that exam room.” Abby had granted the hospital permission to run the rape kit, and Sophie had held Abby’s hand through the experience. “I keep trying to tell you that he’s crazy for you, but you won’t listen to me.”

  Abby rubbed her forehead. “No, not true.”

  “Oh, my God. You’re blind and possibly stupid if you can’t see how he is with you. You’ve had other bodyguards, so you know how it goes. They escort you from point A to point B and then back again, but they don’t hang out with you, get to know you and your friends, or stand up for you. And they definitely don’t bring you up to their cabin in the mountains. Are you really this clueless?”

  “Whatever.”

  Sophie threw her hands up in mock despair. “You’re so frustrating. Don’t believe me. Fine.”

  “Go away,” Abby said, but she was teasing. She knew their relationship was different. They were definitely friends. But Danny had feelings for her? That thought put little heat waves into her chest.

  “And then where would you be?”

  “Okay, okay. You’re right. I’d be lost without you. And maybe I’m not fine. Maybe I don’t want to think about things right now. I want to get out of here and go somewhere that has nothing to do with anything that’s happened.”

  “I know.” You could hear the sympathy in Sophie’s voice. “Let me help you get changed.”

  “Thanks.” Abby was grateful for the help. She was bruised nearly everywhere and quite sore.

  “Okay, I have to go. I’ll get up there as soon as I can. I have a lot of shit to do. Call me if you need me or want to talk. Take this time to heal and relax. Don’t worry about anything else.” She bent down and gave Abby a quick kiss and left. Abby sat on the bed and thought about what Sophie said. She leaned back and closed her eyes. If only she wasn’t such a wreck with all these issues. But if it were true, what could she do? She had too much to work through, and Sean was out there, somewhere. The thought chilled her. She turned on the TV to distract herself, but the little heat waves she’d experienced earlier had been replaced with unease.

  * * *

  “I’m good. I promise.” Abby shooed Danny away. They were getting ready to leave the hospit
al, and she had changed out of her hospital gown and into something warm and comfortable.

  “I want you to be careful,” he said.

  “I’m feeling much better. Dizziness is gone, and the headache is just a dull ache. I don’t think I’ll keel over. We’re good.” She patted his arm. He’d been kind of cute the past hour, like a mother hen or something. He seemed a bit nervous, which was so out of character for him. It made Abby think of what Sophie said earlier, but the last thing she needed right now was to complicate things between them. She needed to heal and get her life in order. Everything was coming at her from all angles. Her career, her love life, her mother, and adding Danny to the mix right now would not be smart. She needed him too much to add a bunch of crazy emotional stuff. Besides, what if Sophie had read the whole thing wrong? That would really be awful, to come on to him only to find out he didn’t feel the same.

  “Ready, Ms. Murphy?” the nursed asked.

  “As I’ll ever be.”

  “Let’s get you in the wheel chair.”

  “Thank you.” She situated herself in the chair, and the nurse wheeled her out onto the floor, and Danny along with four of his guards surrounded them. They traveled to the freight elevators and down to the basement without incident. Danny had explained the plan to her before, and it seemed things were going the way he wanted. There were four black Range Rovers waiting in the alley. She was thankful it was daytime because the idea of entering an alley made her anxious.

  They arrived at the door that would take them outside.

  “Thank you,” Abby said to the nurse.

  “Make sure you follow the doctor’s instructions, and if the dizziness returns or the headaches start to get bad, please call us.

  “Will do. Thanks again for everything.”

  “Anytime and thank you for the autograph. My daughter is going to flip.”

  Abby smiled. “Glad I could provide it.”

  Danny helped her out of the chair, and his hands were warm and strong around hers. She reveled in it for a moment before he let go.

  “We’re the second car.”