Brandon’s eyes darted past Justin. “What has he done for you? I saved you from a monster and gave you a home when you needed a place to hide. This is how you repay me?”
“I don’t owe you shit!” Ava screamed.
While Brandon continued his tirade against Ava, Justin continued to inch closer towards the back wall. All the while, Ava held a firm grip on the back of his shirt. Once they were a foot away, the sound of a bullet ricocheted against a metal beam which caused Brandon to crouch to the ground. Justin turned around and wrapped Ava in his arms. Brandon fired his gun in no particular direction. Justin pulled Ava close as more bullets swarm through the doors of the warehouse.
“Stay low,” he said to Ava. He led her out of the warehouse while Brandon fought against a hail of bullets. Once they were outside, they both ran for their lives until there was enough distance away from the warehouse. The sound of exchange shots played in the background as Justin lifted Ava into his arms. He held on tight as waves of tears flowed from his eyes.
“I love you,” he murmured. He kissed her soft lips.
She pulled away and met his eyes. “You scared me when you offered your life for mine.”
“We figured he would try something like that. It was part of the plan, and as expected, he lost more of his grip on reality, allowing the perfect distraction to get you away.”
“We? You mean the police?”
“No.” Justin looked over Ava’s shoulder. He turned her around. “He’s the reason I could save you.”
“Miss Sinclair,” he nodded. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m glad we could get you out safely.”
“Ava,” said Justin. “This is Blake Laredo. He and his brother, Cameron, worked day and night to bring you home.”
Blake rested the butt of his sniper rifle on the ground and extended his hand. “It was my pleasure.”
“His security team has worked for my family for several years.” Justin turned towards the door of the warehouse as he saw Cameron rushing out holding the duffel bag of money. “And this is Cameron.”
Ava placed a faint smile on her face. “Wow, twins! Nice to meet you both.”
“Same here.”
“Where’s Porter?” Blake asked Cameron.
“I searched the entire warehouse. He got away.”
“What?!” Ava placed her hand over her forehead as if she felt intense pain. “Find him. You can’t let him get away.”
“Sweetheart, are you okay?” asked Justin.
Seconds later, she passed out in his arms. “Ava!” He shook her. “Ava!”
“I’ll call an ambulance,” said Cameron.
“No!” blurted Justin. “I can’t let her out of my sight. I’ll drive her myself and you guys follow.”
Cameron helped Justin place Ava into his car, while Blake brought his car around. Once they laid Ava down in the back seat, Justin sped to the hospital.
Fifteen minutes later, Justin ran through the doors of the emergency room with Ava draped in his arms unconscious. “Help!” he yelled, as he rushed towards the check-in desk. “Can you please help her?” he asked a nurse who promptly stood and rushed from around the counter. Another nurse approached, pushing a stretcher towards him. “What happened?” “How long has she been unconscious?” “Is she on any medications?” “Does she have any allergies?” They both fired questions from every direction. He answered each one until they pushed her through the doors for treatment.
“How is she?” asked Blake when he arrived.
“They’re checking her out now. Where’s Cameron?”
“I have him watching the entrance.”
“How did that son of a bitch get away?” asked Justin.
Blake shook his head. “Don’t worry. He’ll come out of hiding and next time he won’t get away.”
“Until then, I need your best men guarding my family. I want someone on Ava, my parents, and the family home. Around the clock.”
Blake nodded his head. “I’m already a step ahead of you. I’ve deployed six men to Chris’ estate. I believe they’ll admit Ava, at least for observation, so I’ll have a man inside her room and one stationed at her door.”
“Great.” Justin retrieved his phone. He texted everyone to let them know Ava was safe and with him. He omitted the hospital visit until he had more information.
“You should notify the police?”
He shook his head and frowned. “Not wasting my time, Blake. That detective was more concerned with making me a suspect.”
“It’s his job to rule out the closest person to Ava.”
“And while he wasted his time ruling me out, we rescued her without his assistance.”
“Call him. Once you give him the details of what happened, he’ll put out an APB for Brandon’s arrest. It can’t hurt to have more eyes searching for him. He needs to be off the streets, pronto.”
Chapter Thirty-four
An hour later, the doctors transferred Ava into a private room. They said she fainted from severe dehydration and needed to remain in the hospital. After Justin visited his mother and brought her up to speed, he sat at Ava’s bedside and watched her sleep. He stroked her hand and recited a silent prayer thanking God he found her in time.
His eyes washed over her beautiful face before he rose to his feet. He leaned forward and kissed her forehead. Her eyelids fluttered twice, and her beautiful amber eyes stared back at him. Immediately, fear covered her face.
Justin squeezed her hand. “Shh!” He stroked her hair. “You’re safe and in the hospital.”
“Justin,” her voice croaked.
“What is it, sweetheart?”
“Brandon…”
“Don’t worry about him. Focus on getting better.”
She removed her hand from his and tried to sit up. Justin stepped back and watched as she tried to remove the IV from her hand.
“Wait! What are you doing?”
“We have to leave. He’ll find us!”
He placed his hand over her IV and looked into her eyes. “Ava, calm down. Brandon can’t get to you.”
“He can and he will.” Tears formed in her eyes.
“Look.” He pointed to the security guard dressed in all black with an earpiece inserted into his ear near the door. “That’s your personal security. I have a man inside the room, and one stationed outside your door. I requested the staff place you in a secured location in the hospital. I let my guard down before, but never again. Brandon cannot get to you. You are a thousand percent safe.”
She wrapped her arms around him. He kissed the top of her head and pulled away. “You focus on healing and let me worry about Brandon.”
Ava nodded her head and leaned back onto the bed. Justin moved closer to readjust her bed cover when there was a knock on the door. Seconds later, the security guard moved aside, revealing Detective Gray in the doorway.
“Let him in,” said Justin.
The detective moved forward with his eyes on Ava. “Hello, Miss Sinclair, I’m Detective Gray.” He flashed his badge. “Are you up to answering a few questions?”
“No, she isn’t.” Justin moved from the side of the bed and faced the detective. “I asked you here to find out what you’re doing to find the asshole who did this to her, not bombard my fiancée with questions.”
“I understand your anger, Mr. Harrington.”
“Do you, really?”
“Yes, that’s why I would like to question her while the details are still fresh in her mind.”
“Justin, it’s okay,” said Ava.
“No! I tried to work with the police when you first went missing, but his focus was on our relationship and determining if I was responsible for your disappearance. There is no way in hell, I can trust he’ll find Brandon.”
“Mr. Harrington, I assure you…”
“Detective, excuse me, but can you give us a minute?” asked Ava.
He pinched his lips together and nodded. “Sure.” He moved near the door, while Ava gestured Justin
to her bedside.
“Ava, I won’t allow him to upset you with his questions.”
She reached for his hand. “Listen, I know how upsetting the police can be at a time like this. If you recall, I experienced the same thing when you were gone.”
Justin shook his head, disgusted that Brandon had upended their lives once again. “If it wasn’t for Blake’s team, Brandon would have you across the state line by now.”
“We still have to allow the police to do their job by not obstructing. Allow the detective a few minutes to question me.”
“Fine, but I’ll put an end to it if he gets out of line.”
“No. You should leave. Take the moment to visit your dad.”
He sighed and moved his gaze over at the detective. “I’ll allow you to question Ava in private. I’ll be in ICU visiting my father.”
“Thank you, Mr. Harrington.”
Justin leaned forward and kissed Ava’s forehead. “I won’t be gone long.”
“Okay.”
On Justin’s way over to the ICU, he texted Evelyn stating he’ll send a driver to pick her up to visit with
Ava. When he looked at her a light has gone missing from her eyes. Maybe a visit from her mother would lift her spirits. Justin then responded to text messages from Chase, Meg, and Tess. All wanting to know about Ava. He responded to each stating she was okay and recovering in the hospital, but suggested they waited a day before visiting or calling. He didn’t want to overwhelm her too soon.
He entered his father’s room, and the picture had not changed. Chris laid with a breathing tube down his throat, and Corrine laid on the recliner covered with a blanket. Justin walked over to his napping mother and shook her shoulder.
“Mother.” He shook her once more. “Mother.”
Corrine opened her eyes. “Justin, how’s Ava?”
“She’s on the mend. We had a visit from the do-nothing detective, so she kicked me out while he questioned her.”
“I see.” She moved the blanket aside. “I could stretch my legs. Do you feel like a walk to the cafeteria?”
“We can do better than that. Let’s go to the deli across the street.”
“Are you comfortable leaving the hospital?” asked Corrine.
“She’s surrounded by guards, and there’s an officer in the room with her.”
The cool evening air hit them the moment they exited the doors of the hospital. Justin removed his jacket and placed it around his mother’s bare arms. They rushed through the crosswalk and entered the busy deli.
“How long has it been since you’ve left the hospital?” he asked.
“I drive to the house once a day.”
Justin’s eyes narrowed. “You do?”
“Yes. I shower and change. Then I’m back at the hospital.”
His eyes darted to the overhead menu. “We will sit here and eat. A change of scenery will do you good.”
Corrine frowned. “I should be with your father.”
“If there’s a change, they’ll contact you.”
She nodded and dabbed the corner of her eyes with her finger. Justin wrapped his arm around her. “Go find us a table. I know what you like. I’ll place the order.”
Justin ordered for himself, Corrine, and something to-go for Ava. He then joined his mother at the window booth. It offered a direct view of the hospital. He placed the BLT in front of her, while he opted for a turkey wrap.
“What’s in the carton?” asked Corrine.
“Sandwich for Ava.” He bit into his wrap.
“How is she, really? I can only imagine how frightened she must’ve been.”
“She’s tough. It’s something I’ve always known and loved about her. When a person faces a life and death situation their true inner strength always emerges.”
“Has Evelyn seen her?”
“A driver will have her here within the hour. I’ve been meaning to talk to you about something?”
“Oh.” She wiped her mouth with a napkin.
“Once Ava’s release, I want her and Evelyn to stay at the family home until Brandon is dealt with.”
“Yes, of course. They’re family and welcomed to stay as long as necessary.”
“Thank you, mother. I can rest easy knowing they’re both safe.”
“I’ll call James and have him prepare the guest house for Evelyn tonight. No need to wait until Ava’s release.”
“You’re right. I have a guard at my home, but I need to move her right away.”
Corrine placed her hand over Justin’s. “How are you, dear? How are you dealing with the stress between Ava, your father, and work?”
“Day by day.” He shrugged. “With dad, I know there isn’t much I can do. There’s no one to chase down who has the power to heal him. Ava’s situation gave me a glimpse of what she had gone through when Brandon struck the first time. Instead, I was out of her life for an entire two months. We found Ava in seven days. That’s nothing compared to what she has been through.”
“Fear is fear, Justin. It doesn’t matter if it’s days, months, or years. As you said, it’s the person’s inner strength on how they carry through.”
“Ready? We should get back.”
Justin threw away their wrappings and walked Corrine back to the ICU. Before she entered the doors to his father’s room, he turned to her. “Does he know?”
“Know what?” She furrowed her brow.
“How much you love him?”
Corrine shook her head as her cheeks flushed. “Justin… I”
“Mother, it’s okay. I’m not a young kid hoping my parents will reunite.”
She patted the side of his face. “I didn’t plan it, you know.”
“You can’t plan love.”
“I guess between working closely with him concerning the company, and helping with his needs, those feelings from once upon time snuck up on me.”
“No need to explain.” He kissed her cheek. “I should get back to Ava.”
Chapter Thirty-five
Ava fluffed the pillow behind her back and took in her surroundings. Who knew there was a special VIP wing in the hospital for wealthy and important patients? She had never heard of such a thing. The room favored the Presidential suite of an exclusive hotel. Cafeteria food is not offered to VIP patients, instead, there is a personal chef who prepared each meal. The floor to ceiling windows provided a picturesque view of the mountains. Justin didn’t have her placed on the luxurious floor because he felt privileged. It was because Brandon had zero chance of finding her.
After she’d requested Justin to leave her alone with Detective Gray, the detective fired questions at her one after another. When did Brandon first make contact with you? Where did he hold you captive? What did he talk about? Where did he go when he wasn’t with you? Did he mention an accomplice? What vehicle did he drive? Most questions she couldn’t answer. The questions she could answer, the detective’s disappointed expression, led her to believe the information was insignificant. By the time he fired off his last question, she’d told him she was too tired to continue. He’d asked if he could contact her again. She’d said yes, and he left.
“Miss me?” asked Justin. He entered holding a brown carton in his hand.
Ava’s lips curled into a smile. “What do you have there?”
He handed her the carton from Bayside Deli that had the words Made from 100% recyclable products stamped on it. Ava released the lid and the aroma of grilled chicken and roasted red peppers made her stomach growl. “Grilled chicken wrap? You didn’t have to buy me anything when I have a chef to cater to my every whim.” She laughed.
Justin moved a chair closer to her bed. “Who needs a private chef when you can indulge in a delicious Italian grilled chicken wrap made with the best organic ingredients?”
“Say no more.” Ava bit into one half of the wrap and closed her eyes as she chewed. “This has hit the spot.”
“You look much better. How do you feel?”
“I have waves o
f fatigue that come and go. The detective’s questions tired me out, so I napped for twenty minutes. Then my nurse came in to check my vitals. How is your father?”
“No change.” His eyes moved towards his phone. “One second.” He stood. “I have a surprise for you.”
“You do?” Her eyes followed him towards the guarded door. Justin whispered something to the guard who followed him out into the hall. Moments later, her mother entered the room. A smile grew on Ava’s face.
Evelyn rushed towards her and drew her into a tight embrace. Tears flowed from Ava’s eyes as her mother hugged and stroked her hair. “My baby,” Evelyn said through loud sobs. Her mother released her and made herself comfortable in the chair where Justin sat. She held onto Ava’s hand as tears continued to fall.
Ava darted her eyes towards Justin. “Brandon said you were with my mother, but I didn’t know for sure if it was true.”
“It’s because of her I’ve remained sane. She talked me off the ledge several times.”
“Thank you for bringing her here.”
Justin moved closer to Ava’s bed and pecked her lips. “I’ll give you time alone with your mother.”
Evelyn stood. “Before you go, I owe you a hug.” She moved to the other side of the bed and wrapped her arms around Justin. “Thank you for finding her.”
“You’re welcome. I’ll be in the business center on the far side of the floor if either of you need anything.”
Ava nodded and smiled as Justin exited the room.
“He’s a good man,” said Evelyn, returning to her seat.
“The best,” said Ava.
“I don’t understand how any of this happened. Brandon was once a kind and decent man.”
Ava shook her head and frowned. “I believe he always had a dark side. He revealed it the moment he saw I had moved on without him.”
“When you were together, he always treated you with kindness.”
“I had time to think about it, and I realized my issues fed into Brandon’s controlling behavior.”
“How so?”
Conned by You Page 15
