“Yes, but I need to warn you, he isn’t well.”
She swallowed hard, biting back tears.
“The doctor believes he was poisoned. Injected with something.”
Madelene clapped a hand over her mouth. “May I see him?”
“I’ll take you to him, but he’s not conscious.”
“I don’t care.” She shook her head. “I need to see him.”
Brennan helped her to step down and the other large man held the door as they walked through. She followed Gwen inside and partway down a long hallway. Identical doors lined both sides of the corridor, reminding her of Auburn Ridge, and making it difficult to breathe. Gwen held a finger over her lips before quietly opening one of the doors.
Madene had never seen one before, but this was definitely not an office. It was a bedroom, and Simon lay on a small bed that jutted into the room, its head against the far wall. A man stood on the opposite side of the narrow bed, dressed in all black and radiating command and confidence. His gaze swept over her face before a sad smile turned up his lips. She knew, without a shadow of a doubt, he was Brennan’s boss. And he was powerful. But she still had no idea who he was.
“You must be Madelene,” he said softly.
She nodded. Speaking was still difficult for her, especially with someone as intimidating as this man. Who was he? What was this place? And why was Simon here?
“I’m Ash. Gwen’s husband.”
Madelene desperately wanted to get to Simon, but she wasn’t sure if she was allowed. She took a step nearer, and Ash nodded, giving the permission she’d been waiting for.
She rushed to the side of the bed, tears trickling down her face. Simon sucked in a sharp breath, but his eyes didn’t open. After that, he didn’t breathe again. Madelene’s stomach clenched and she reached for him, but then his chest moved slightly. A sheen of sweat covered his gaunt face.
“Is he going to be alright?” she asked desperately.
Ash looked down at Simon’s face and let out a long sigh. “I hope so.”
“He will be.” She reached under the blanket and took his cool hand in hers. “He will be.” He had to be. She needed him.
“I want you to know, Madelene, no matter what happens, you’ve nothing to worry about. You’ll be safe here. We’ll see you have everything you need.”
“Are you a friend of Simon’s?”
He tipped his head before answering. “Of sorts.”
He walked around the bed and pressed a kiss to Gwen’s forehead. “It’s about closing time. I’m going to head over and make sure everything is taken care of. Keep her in here until the others are all settled, please.”
“Of course,” she said with a nod.
Closing time for what? In the middle of the night? Who were the others? What was this place?
It didn’t really matter. The only thing that mattered right now was Simon.
Madelene stood there, staring down at him and holding his hand, silently begging him to wake up and look at her. He was so strong, but right now, he struggled to even breathe. Each time he stopped for more than a second or two, she squeezed his hand, willing him to keep going.
She didn’t move from that spot, even as the darkness faded and the glow of sunlight filled the room. She heard sounds around her; voices in the hall, the door opening and closing a few times, but her eyes never left Simon. The prospect of facing whatever this life was, without him, was too daunting. She didn’t even want to know what it might entail. He’d said she was strong, but what he failed to realize was that he gave her that strength.
Eventually, Gwen placed a hand on her shoulder. “Why don’t you sit for a few minutes? I’ve brought you some tea and scones.”
Madelene looked at the tray that sat across the room and burst into tears. She didn’t want scones without him.
Gwen wrapped her arms around her. “It’s alright, love.”
After a moment, she pulled herself back and wiped her tears. She didn’t even know this woman and was burdening her.
“Who are you? Why are you all being so kind to me?”
