Breaking The Silence (Fatally Flawed Book 3) (3 page)

Chapter 7

Izzy

              My phone rings in my pocket for the tenth time in a matter of minutes. I’m nearly finished with my shift at work so I justify answering with that logic. “Candice what is so important that you have…” She abruptly cuts me off, “Bethany and K.J. are in the Emergency Room at the same hospital Dalton’s dad works in. Someone attacked her when she was leaving work for home.”

              “I’m on my way.” I mumble before hanging up the phone without waiting for a reply. I walk over to Tracy, the other waitress on duty tonight, and give her a quick explanation to give our boss before leaving in a rush. This has to be the same person that has been after us for months. I just hope Bethany and the baby are alright.

              A short cab ride later, and I’m walking toward the emergency entrance. Candice and Jasper are outside waiting for me, “how are they?” I question walking up to them. I know it must be bad news when Candice looks down at her feet, leaving Jasper to answer my question. “They won’t tell us anything on Bethany.” He murmurs. “K.J. is getting stitched up right now. He got stabbed just above his right shoulder blade.”

              “Which room is he in?” I ask already starting to walk away. “I’m not sure.” He yells out, “he didn’t want any of us back there.” Like that would ever stop me. I march into the emergency room determined to get the information I want. Strolling up to the receptionist desk, I make eye contact with the woman in pink scrubs. “I’m here to see Kade Johnathan.” I announce.

              “And you are?” She asks.

              “Here to see Kade Johnathan.” I declare once again for the ignorant woman.

              “Yeah I got that part. What I need to know is how you are related to him?” She says starting to get an attitude. I look the heavy set woman over before stating, “I’m his wife.”

              “Listen, lady, we have actual family members here for other patients. You can take a seat and see him when he is released.” Just when I am about to let my loose tongue fly, and probably get thrown out of the hospital I hear his voice behind me, “Elizabeth.”

              Turning around, so fast that I nearly give myself whiplash, I throw myself into his arms. I just need him to hold me long enough to know he is alright. K.J. may be strong but the steel of a blade is stronger. “Are you alright?” I mumble into his chest.

              “Yes, so will you stop harassing the staff.” He replies back with a little bit of laughter in his tone. I give him one last squeeze before taking a step back. I immediately miss the warmth of his arms and the lingering smell of his cologne mixed with motorcycle oil. “What happened?” I ask. Hoping against all hope he will give me an answer.

              “Where are Candice and Jasper?” He asks instead. He always does this, never wanting to tell me anything. It frustrates me so much that I just walk away before I punch him in his now fucked up arm. I walk back up to the receptionist desk, “I wanna know which room Bethany Myers is in.” I tell her.

              “Let me guess, you’re her sister.” She responds in her snotty little voice, “she has been moved to the OB floor.” She says this like I should automatically know which floor that is. She must see the confusion in my eyes, because she takes pity on me, and changes her tone, “it’s the fourth floor.”

              “Thank you.” I say in my fake sweet voice that I usually save for K.J.

              I follow the signs to the elevators and eventually find them tucked away in a corner. K.J. is directly behind me, not touching, just close enough to feel his presence. We are standing at the elevator, waiting for the doors to open, when a gentleman walks up and pulls out a badge. “K.J.?” I whisper not at all trying to hide the concern in my voice. There is no way he could get into trouble for protecting a pregnant woman.

              K.J. grabs my waist, making sure I only pay attention to him, “I’m going to go answer some questions. Do not worry and do not cause a scene, Elizabeth.” I shake my head without replying because I know if I open my mouth now that detective, behind him, will get an ear full.  “That’s my girl.” He whispers before placing a kiss on my head. The happiness those words bring me is something I have tried to figure out countless times but gave up eventually. I just get a feeling of complete satisfaction.

              I step into the waiting elevator watching K. J’s retreating back as the doors slide closed. My stomach is in knots, not only for Bethany, because something about that detective seemed off. I’ve got a gut feeling there is more to this than him just wanting to question K.J. about tonight.

              I reach out and grab the door handle for room 425. The one the nurse told me I could find Bethany and Dalton in. I’m not the best person in these types of situations, so I have to remind myself to think before speaking. Anger and happiness I can deal with, but sadness and grief make me extremely uncomfortable. Which in turn makes me say all the wrong things. Taking a deep breath, I open the door, prepared to help my friends anyway I can.

              Bethany is staring at the wall, her eyes unfocused with tears streaming down her face, while Dalton is pacing the floor running his hands through his hair. When he finally registers that the door is open he looks up at me with, grief evident on his face, “she lost the baby Izzy.” The sorrow in his voice has me blinking away the tears that start to pool in my eyes. I’m struck speechless by the news, looking back and forth between Dalton and Bethany, I slowly make my way to the one that I can help. Wrapping my arms around Dalton’s waist, I squeeze him tight, trying to show my support the only way I know how. 

              “She won’t talk to me Izzy. She won’t look at me.” Dalton whispers into the silent room. I know he’s referring to Bethany who is lying in bed seemingly out of it.

              “You want me to try?” I offer. He steps back from me slowly walking toward the head of the bed she’s laying in. Leaning down into her line of sight he whispers, “Bethany, love, Izzy is here to see you.”

              I take a few steps closer to the bed, “Bethany sweetie, how are you doing?” The question really is stupid, but like I stated before, I don’t handle these situations well. She never gives any indication that she heard me or Dalton. She just lays there, with her hands on her stomach, crying for the baby she lost.

              I hear the door open before seeing Candice and Jasper walk in with cups of coffee. Jasper strides over to Dalton and hands him the cup he was carrying in his left hand. Dalton takes the coffee sitting it off to the side, on a rolling tray in the corner. “Bethany we brought you some coffee.” Candice says, trying to get her to engage.

              “I think it’s best if you guys just go home. She wouldn’t want everyone seeing her like this.” Dalton mummers, before sitting on the bed next to Bethany. “Call me if you need me brother.” Jasper says, patting Dalton on the back. Dalton simply shakes his head still staring down at Bethany with eyes full of sorrow. Together we say our goodbyes before walking out of the room.

              “I’m going to stay here in the hospital’s waiting room. I don’t feel right leaving Dalton alone.” Jasper declares, giving Candice a kiss on the cheek. “I called all the security guards and told them they needed to stay within ten feet of you guys now. We aren’t taking any more chances.”

              We offer to stay and keep him company tonight, but he is adamant we go home to get some rest. When it’s agreed we will come back first thing in the morning Candice and I share an elevator ride back to the first floor. For the first time, since me and her have become friends, we sit in silence each lost in our own thoughts. Bethany was twenty-one weeks pregnant, and had just found out it was a boy. We were all planning a big shopping trip to buy all the things a new baby would need. I remember Dalton constantly reminding us to get him a baseball hat, no matter the cost.

              The ding of the elevator, breaks me from my thoughts, before the doors open and Candice leads the way out. We walk, side by side, down the corridors until finally making it out of the hospital. “I’ll drive you home,” Candice says, walking me to the new car Jasper just bought her. “Do you think you could come get me in the morning?” I ask, hoping she agrees. This entire situation is screwing with my head. They are no closer to finding who is doing this, and with him still out there none of us are safe.

              “You can spend the night if you’d like.” She offers, probably feeling the same way I do. I normally would jump at that opportunity but Kiersten is still at my apartment, “my sister is staying with me.” I state, rolling my eyes. “But you can stay too. I’ll share my bed with you.”

              “No thanks, I’ll just go to my aunt’s tonight. She has been complaining about me not visiting.”

              “Bitch.” I mumble knowing damn good and well she would stay if not for my sister. I can’t blame her though. Kiersten is my blood, but I still rather sleep at Stacy’s house.

              We get into the car and make small talk, about nothing of importance, until we arrive at my apartment complex. It’s a tactic to keep our minds off our current situation. There is a maniac on the loose with everyone we love in his sights. Jasper nearly lost his life, K.J. is disappearing more, and now Bethany and Dalton have lost their baby. There is no end in sight, so talking about crazy fans and grabby customers is what we do to help keep us sane.

Chapter 8

Izzy

              To my surprise when I arrive at my apartment Gunner is sitting in the hall by my door, leaning on the wall. His hair is messy and his tie is hanging loosely around his neck. “Gunner what are you doing here?” I ask, not sure how he knew where I lived.

              “I went by the club to see you and one of the waitresses told me what happened. I thought I would come by to check on you.” He says while standing up to his full height.

              “How did you know where I lived?”

              “You mentioned it over coffee,” he declares, tilting his head to the side. “You don’t think I’m some sort of stalker do you?”

              Thinking back to the night we had coffee I remember being nervous. Usually when I’m nervous I ramble more than usual, but even if I did mention the name of the building, why would I tell him my apartment number?

              “I don’t recall giving you my apartment number. Why don’t you stop with the bullshit and tell me the truth?” I shout. He quickly places his hands in the air, gesturing for me to stay calm.

              “You didn’t. I saw one of your neighbors down stairs and she gave me it. I think she said her name was Margret. We can walk down there together and ask her if you’d like?”

              I know Margret is on the first floor and she is a nosey old woman, so his story is most likely truthful. “Sorry, I’ve just had a bad night.” I state blowing some of my hair out of my face. “Why didn’t you wait inside?”

              “I was in there but your roommate is a little overbearing and somewhat crazy.” He states giving me a small smile.

              “She’s not my roommate. She’s my sister.” Just like that his smile falters and I can see he is thinking of a way to remove his foot from his mouth. Taking pity on him, since he did sit out here for God knows how long, I start laughing. “You forgot to say she was bitchy and needy.” I walk to the door, twist the nob, and notice it’s not locked. When will Kiersten learn that it is not safe to keep the door unlocked?

              “Thanks for stopping by, but I’m afraid I’m not going to be very good company tonight. I’m beyond tired and I have to be back at the hospital early in the morning.”  

              “Have you eaten?” He asks.

              As soon as he mentions food my stomach makes a loud grumbling noise. “I could eat.” I declare while trying to remember if there is anything in the kitchen worth cooking.

              “Do you like Chinese?” He asks, taking out his cell phone.

              “That would be a definite NO. They take stray cats and dogs off the streets to serve them with sweet and sour sauce. That is disgusting. I may not be a vegetarian, but I draw the line on eating house hold pets.” I shout, immediately regretting my outburst. A simple no would have sufficed.

              “Pizza it is then.” He reaches his hand out and pulls me to him, “I think it’s cute you are fighting for the ones that can’t fight for themselves.”

              “Cute is the same thing as adorable. Didn’t we already go over this?”

              “You’re right. That little pout you do is not adorable or cute. It’s sexy as hell and makes it hard to concentrate on anything else other than your lips.”  I can see the desire in his eyes while he rubs the pad of his thumb over my lips.

              “Why don’t you go get in the shower and change into something more comfortable while I call the pizza place.” With a nod of my head I agree before he releases me from his grip. Walking to the bathroom I can feel his eyes on me the entire way until I turn the corner for the hall. I need to take a cold shower before I go against my better judgment, and beg him to do whatever he wants to me.