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“I’m not sure you get to do that anymore,” she said, taking the glass from him.
“I know you’re angry with me, Darci, but it’s Sean Atleigh you need to be pissed at. I need to explain everything to you, but I don’t want to overwhelm you right now, so I need you to promise that you’ll hear me out when you’ve gotten your strength back.”
“I guess I can do that,” Darci said.
The door opened a few seconds later, and a nurse came in.
“Miss Sanders. It’s good to see you’re awake. I’m going to check your vitals. We want to keep you for observation overnight, but you should be good to go home tomorrow.”
Darci smiled weakly. “Home sounds nice.” Her heart ached watching Bradley sit next to her. She was still in love with him, but how could she trust him? The nurse wrapped the blood pressure cuff around her uninjured arm, stuck a thermometer under her tongue, and noted the numbers. Finally, she left them alone after pushing pain medication into Darci’s IV.
“I should let you sleep, baby. But I need to say something before you do.” He held her hand and waited for her to look at him. She drew in a deep breath and met his eyes with her own. “I left the senator’s office. I had nothing to do with his statement last week. I didn’t even know he was planning to speak to the press.” Darci’s eyes drifted shut as the pain medication took its toll.
“Sorry,” she whispered. “Getting sleepy. I’m glad you told me.”
“Sleep, baby. I’ll be here when you wake up.” True to his word, Bradley stayed by her side. She drifted in and out of sleep over the course of the day and evening. Visitors flowed in and out, but she barely recalled who they were. Peter stopped by long enough to make sure she was OK. He had to get pick Carrie up from the airport. Before he left, he kissed her cheek and whispered, “Give him a chance, Kitten.”
Bradley helped her sip water, fed her when dinner arrived, and made sure she was comfortable, but he didn’t push her to talk about their relationship. Darci was grateful.
At noon the next day, the doctor released Darci. Bradley had stepped out to take a phone call when Michael walked in. “Hey, sweetheart. I hear they’re letting you out of here. Want me to take you back to my house, or are you going home with Bradley?”
“I’m not sure. Can’t I just go to my place?”
Michael hesitated. “What is it?” she asked.
“It’s just, well your apartment isn’t exactly ready. You know, since the break-in and Elise.” She closed her eyes, fighting back tears at the memory of her friend.
“Then I guess you can take me to your house.”
“Bullshit. You’re coming home with me.” Bradley’s voice came from just inside her door.
“I think that’s up to her, man,” Michael said in an even tone.
“Bradley please. I promise I heard what you told me, and I promise we’ll talk. Just give me some time.”
He sighed heavily. “I guess that’s fair, but if I think you’re ignoring me I’m going to come get you.”
“I won’t, I swear. Just let me have a couple of days please. I need to sleep, and I need to think.”
A hospital volunteer arrived with a wheelchair. “Ready to go, Miss Sanders?”
She smiled fondly at him. “Yes, please.”
Michael told him where he was parked, and Bradley followed them out. When she climbed into Michaels SUV, Bradley came to the door and gently touched her face. “I love you. Remember that. I’ll be waiting for you.” He leaned in and gently kissed her cheek and shut the door.
42
IT had been two days since Bradley kissed her cheek and let Michael drive her away. He knew she needed space. He understood she had been through yet another traumatic ordeal, but he hated not being able to see her. Michael was good about sending him text updates to let him know how she was doing, but he didn’t tell him if she was any closer to wanting to talk to him. He was going out of his mind with no work to do.
Kaden Larimore’s D.C. apartment had been searched and solid evidence that he was the killer was found. Tessa Heath, AKA Theresa Holden had also been found in the apartment and was arrested as an accomplice. The two had been living together, plotting revenge against Darci for the last two years. The day the woman had called Darci, posing as a rape victim, was just to get a feel for her schedule. Why she wanted to be with a man like Kaden was anybody’s guess. Bradley just hoped Darci wasn’t feeling too betrayed by the fake rape report. She was so passionate about what she did at work. He would hate for this to dampen her fire.
News that Senator Sean Atleigh’s nephew was a serial killer was not doing good things for his campaign numbers. Bradley’s own association with the whole thing kept him from getting any solid job offers. His dad still told him he was welcome to come work for him, but he didn’t want to bring his dad’s campaign down before it even got started.
No, he needed to figure out something else to do. But first, he had to figure out how to get Darci to talk to him. He considered giving some sort of statement to the press, but he wasn’t sure what to say, so he kept his head down and waited for word from Darci.
At ten o’clock at night, on day two of not seeing Darci, his e-mail alert sounded on his phone. It was from Adara.
Hey Boss,
