Chapter Forty-seven
Madison, Wisconsin
Madison Memorial Hospital
He existed on a cloud. Muffled voices, anxious whispers, and tear-filled voices were distant and indistinct. There was pain, but it existed like a far-away entity, distant, but also threatening.
Hands touched him, some competent, others gentle and kind. A couple of times, he felt kisses on his brow. And once he felt soft lips on his mouth. That one had made him want to smile, because the lips belonged to someone he loved.
As long as he stayed here, cloaked in this puffy cloud, he didn’t have to face the pain. Didn’t—
The face of an angel appeared in his mind. Gabby. Beautiful, courageous, wise beyond her years. But tears pooled in her chocolate-brown eyes. She was crying. He didn’t know why or what. He knew only that he needed to do something to stop them. Seeing Gabby cry tore at his heart like nothing else could.
With Herculean effort, Jonah left his place of peace and returned to the pain-filled brightness of the living.
“Welcome back.”
A middle-aged woman with twinkling blue eyes beamed down at him. She was a stranger but seemed amazingly pleased to see him.
He opened his mouth to ask her what was going on and realized he couldn’t. Something was blocking his ability to speak. A wave of anger washed over him. What the hell was going on?
“Now, now. I can see you’re getting upset. Don’t you worry. The doctor is on the way, and we’ll get that tube out of you. Just relax.”
Wasn’t easy, but unless he wanted to pull the damn thing out himself, he would wait. But they needed to hurry. He had questions, and he wanted answers. Where was Gabby? Was she okay? How badly had she been hurt? Were Rudy Bianchi and Ivy Roane really dead? What had Gabby gone through before he arrived?
What happened after he collapsed was a blur of images and frantic voices. What happened before would be ingrained in his memory for all time. He was in love with a warrior woman. There was no other way to describe Gabriella Mendoza. She had faced her worst nightmare, the monster who’d taken her innocence and almost killed her, and won. Hell, she’d beat the shit out of him and then tied him up in a neat little bow.
Bianchi had surprised him, though. Jonah had eased open the door, expecting to find the bastard still tied up, hopefully unconscious. Instead he’d found an empty room. He had been about to back out and shout a warning to Gabby when he’d felt a presence behind him. He’d twisted around but not in time to avoid the knife going into his lower back. Lucky for Bianchi because it had just missed the protection of his Kevlar vest.
Jonah had managed to get in some good slugs but Bianchi had gotten in a few more stabs, too. And then his warrior woman had shown up.
She’d helped him with Ivy, too. Leaping toward the assassin like an avenging angel, Gabby had distracted the woman, allowing him to take the kill shot. That she had almost been shot, too, made him shudder. At such close range, it would have been instant death. Thank God he’d been able to stop that from happening.
His eyes roamed around the room. Where was she now? How long had he been here? His mouth felt as if he hadn’t had water in a year. His throat hurt as if he’d swallowed a truckload of gravel. And his chest…his chest felt as if a giant elephant was dancing a jig right in the center.
The doctor finally arrived. Not nearly as cheerful sounding as the nurse had been, he briefly explained that Jonah had undergone surgery for a knife wound that had nicked a kidney. He also explained he had a cracked rib, a slight concussion, and twenty or so stitches all over his body.
No wonder he felt like shit.
Jonah pointed at the tube in his mouth. He couldn’t say a damn thing until it was out of him. Giving gruff instructions to the nurse, he proceeded to remove the tube. Jonah cursed him in silence, telling himself the sooner he got this over with, the sooner he could find out what was going on.
But most important, where the hell was Gabby?
***
The driver eyed her warily as she stepped onto the bus. She likely looked like a victim of abuse. The bruises on her face and around her neck were obvious evidence of violence. If she told him she was no victim and had been the winner of the fight, she doubted he would believe her. Besides, she didn’t feel much like a winner right now.
Since the trip would take several hours, she went to a seat in the back and settled in for a long ride. A few passengers glanced her way, but she didn’t meet anyone’s eyes, so no one bothered her.
He would be angry with her when he woke. She was sure of that. But she couldn’t stay. She had waited until she was sure he was going to be all right, and then she’d slipped out of the hospital. Checking herself out when the doctor kept insisting she needed more rest hadn’t been easy, but she had persevered. The bullet wound in her arm throbbed like a toothache, an ugly reminder of what had happened. Her only other wounds were superficial. There was no need to stay longer. Her doctor had argued about emotional trauma but hadn’t been able to dissuade her. She had needed to leave. Staying would cause much more emotional trauma than she could handle.
Her phone buzzed, and she braced herself as she clicked to read the text message. Her breath hitched when she saw it was from Lacey.
Hey, where are you?
She quickly responded, Is Jonah okay?
Yes. He’s awake, asking for you. Where are you?
He was awake. He was going to be all right. Even though the doctor had reassured her repeatedly of that fact, she hadn’t been completely sure. But now…she closed her eyes. Now she could breathe so much easier.
Her phone buzzed again. She opened her eyes and read, Gabby, what’s going on?
She stared at the blinking cursor. Lacey was waiting for a reply, like I’m on my way, or Be there in a few minutes. No way would she expect what Gabby was doing. Nor would she understand why.
She glanced out the window and took a moment to compose the words in her head. Explaining why she had left without a word to anyone was going to be difficult. Especially since she had no good explanation other than she’d had to leave.
Giving a mental shrug, she texted, I left the hospital. I’m on my way home.
What??????!!!!!
The multiple exclamation and question marks almost made her smile. Lacey had a tendency to overuse punctuation to emphasize a point.
As she texted her answer, she imagined the exclamation marks were going to get another major workout soon.
I need to check on Chamo. And I need to go back to work.
There was no answer for the longest time, and Gabby didn’t think she’d ever felt lower. Lacey would be hurt and disappointed in her. But she had told the truth. She was worried for Chamo. He probably thought she had abandoned him. She knew he was healthy—she had called the clinic to make sure of that—but she wanted to get him out of there as soon as possible. He was her family.
And she did need to get back to work. Her employer knew what had happened and was understanding of her absence, but she had a business to run. Gabby had been gone for three days. She needed to return and do her job.
Finally, her phone buzzed again, with a two-word text: I see.
The mild response hurt worse because she could practically feel Lacey’s disappointment in her. And no, Lacey didn’t see. She couldn’t. Nor was there any way for Gabby to explain without spilling her guts and sounding like the pitiful person she was.
Gabby could think of nothing else to say. She powered off her phone and slid it into her backpack. Then, pushing her seat back into a reclining position, she closed her eyes and let the tears flow.
***
Jonah glared at his sister. They’d finally gotten the frigging tube out of his throat, and though he still felt like reconstituted dog crap, at least he was able to talk. “What the hell do you mean she left? How could she just leave? She’s injured. There’s no way in hell they’d release her.”
“Other than the wound on her arm, which just required a few stitches, she’s fine.”
“She sure as hell isn’t fine. She was attacked, drugged. She’s got bruises. Hell, there’s no telling what she went through with that bastard.”
“He didn’t rape her. She told me he barely put his hands on her before she was beating him to a pulp.”
Lacey sounded inordinately proud of that fact, and in spite of his anger, Jonah was, too.
“I still don’t get why she would leave.”
Lacey shrugged. “She signed herself out. She said she needed to get back home, to Chamo and her job.”
Just like that? While he’d been unconscious, she’d walked out on him? Why? What the hell had happened to make her abandon him this way?
He didn’t think he would have been more surprised if she’d come into the room and shot him point-blank. Her leaving made no sense. She was finally free. Finally out of danger. Why the hell would she leave?
He glared accusingly at his sister. “Did you say or do anything that would make her leave?”
Eyes flashing with temper, Lacey returned his glare with her own. “Did I do or say something? No, I did not. How about you, big brother?”
“I haven’t had a chance to talk to her. If you hadn’t noticed, I’ve been unconscious.”
“Which is about the only time you don’t piss someone off.”
“Thanks, Lacey. Your sympathy is so heartwarming.”
She huffed out a long sigh. “I know you’re a hero, Jonah. No one, especially me, would dispute that. But how many times have you hurt Gabby and she took it? Maybe she’s had enough.”
“I didn’t hurt her on purpose. I wanted her to have a chance to live.”
“What about what she wanted? All of her life, she’s been manipulated and told what to do, what to think. Maybe she’s tired of people telling her what she needs.”
“She knows why I did it.”
“Does she?” Lacey shook her head. “Jonah, she’s in love with you. How many times has she told you that and you rejected her? And before you interrupt to tell me she only thinks she’s in love with you, let me stop you there. Gabby isn’t a flighty, immature person. She knows her own mind, her own heart. She knows what she wants.
“For heaven’s sake, she instigated her own abduction, arranged for her brother to be brought to justice, and fought two killers, one of whom she beat the ever-living shit out of.”
Putting her hand on her hip in a pose she’d learned when she was just a little girl, she batted her lashes at him. “So what do you think, brother mine? Mightn’t you be a tad bit of a know-it-all, tight-ass, arrogant jerk?”
“You got a nasty mouth on you, Lacey Lou.”
“Like I’ve always said, I learned from the best.”
He rested his head on the pillow and thought about what he had done…and what Gabby had put up with from him. His intentions had been honorable, but Lacey was right. He had treated Gabby as if she didn’t know her own mind. The woman had proven herself over and over again. She was strong, brave, tenacious, and intelligent. A warrior woman with a gentle, loving heart.
“Hand me my phone.”
A smile of triumph lighting her face, she opened the cabinet beside his bed and handed him his phone. He glanced at it and groaned. “Battery’s dead.”
“Here. Use mine.” She handed her phone to him and stood there expectantly.
“A little privacy would be nice.”
“Fine. But you’d better say nice things, or I’ll have Wyatt kick your ass for me.”
“Why Wyatt?”
An odd expression flickered across her face before she caught herself and gave a careless shrug. “Why not?”
“Something going on with you two?”
“Don’t be ridiculous.” She nodded toward the phone in his hand. “Get to calling. She had to get a new phone, but her number is the top one on my recent calls list.”
She scooted out the door before he could question her further. Wyatt and his baby sister? No way in hell.
Pushing aside that worry for now, he punched the call icon and waited for Gabby to answer. He told himself he knew what he was going to say, but when the call went immediately to her voice mail, he choked.
“Gabby. It’s Jonah. Where are you? Why’d you leave?” And then, because he apparently didn’t sound enough like an asshole, he added, “I can’t believe you just walked out without saying goodbye.”
Jonah ended the call before he could say more stupid things. Why did his vocabulary always turn caveman-style with her? Hell, was it any wonder she left?
Lacey stuck her head back inside the room. “Well?”
“Got her voice mail.”
“That’s not good. You suck at leaving messages.”
“You’re so good for my ego, Lacey.”
She grinned. “Thanks. I try.”
“Do me a favor?”
“What?”
“Tell Justice I need to see him.”
“What are you going to do about Gabby?”
“I’m going to let her make her own decision this time.”
“That’s it?”
“Well, I didn’t say I was going to play fair.”
Closing his eyes, he smiled, the plans already coming together in his mind.
The door squeaked open. Jonah sat up expectantly and then hissed out a pain-filled breath. Dammit, that hurt.
Eli stood at the open door. “Heard you were awake and causing an uproar.”
“It’s the Slater curse,” Lacey said.
“Ha. That’s the least of the Slater curses.” Jonah croaked the last word, wincing at the pain. Maybe he should rest his voice awhile. When Justice arrived, he planned to do a lot of talking.
“Mind if I talk to Jonah alone, Lace?” Eli asked.
“Not at all. It’ll save me from causing him more injury.” She glared at Jonah before she walked to the door. “Next time you call her, be nice.”
She walked out before he could say anything about her eavesdropping.
As Eli came closer, Jonah noted how relaxed and peaceful he looked. A little over a year ago, he’d looked like a completely different man, but then he’d met Kathleen and his entire life had changed.
“How’s Kathleen doing?”
“The bed rest is getting to her, but it won’t be too much longer. She insisted I come and check on you. We were both worried about you.”
“I’m fine. Could’ve been a lot worse.”
“Yeah, it could’ve. How are you feeling?”
“Like someone beat the hell out of me.”
“Well, there’s a reason for that.” He glanced down at his watch. “Mom’s flying in this afternoon. I’m going to pick her up at the airport.”
Jonah grimaced. “Guess I scared her a bit.”
“You scared all of us more than a bit.”
While he hated the reasons behind her coming, he would be happy to see his mother. It had been too long. And dammit, he wanted her to meet Gabby.
“Did you know Gabby left?”
“No, but based on what I’ve heard, I’m not surprised.”
“Apparently, I’m the only one who is.”
“You think she should’ve stuck around?”
Jonah dropped his head into the pillow with a sigh. “If you’re here to lecture me, save it. Lacey’s already laid into me.”
“Little sis does have a way with words, but I’m not here to lecture you.”
“Good.”
“I’m here to tell you I know exactly how you feel.”
“How’s that?”
Eli came closer. “We’ve skirted around this long enough. It’s time to bring out all the garbage in our family closet.”
Talking about his family’s dirty laundry was one of his least favorite pastimes.
“We’ve got some messed-up stuff.”
“Yes, we do. Question is, does it define us?”
Their oldest brother, Adam, was a reflection of Mathias, but the rest of his children were not. Eli was one of the most ethical people he had ever known. He’d worked his ass off trying to restore the Slater name and right the wrongs that had been done. Their sister, Lacey, was an intelligent, strong-willed person with a generous, giving heart.
And Jonah, despite his penchant for being an idiot about certain things, wanted to do the right thing.
“It’s time to let go of the past, Jonah.”
“I’m getting there.”
“It’s okay to be in love with another woman, too. Loving Gabriella doesn’t mean you loved Teri any less.”
“Thanks, but I’ve already come to that conclusion on my own.”
“Really? When?”
Hell if he knew. Maybe it was when he hadn’t known if Gabby was alive or dead. Or when he’d realized that Rudy Bianchi had taken her. And maybe it was the moment she’d passed out in his arms all those months ago. He’d just been too thickheaded to realize how damn lucky he’d gotten.
He had loved Teri, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t love Gabby, too. And he did love her. Every beautiful, stubborn, kindhearted, sweet inch of her. She had brought light back into his life and made him want to live again.
He felt a lightening of his chest and an easing of his spirit. Gabby deserved the best of everything, and Jonah was going to make sure she got it.
Whether she would include him in her plans was entirely up to her. He could only pray he hadn’t screwed up beyond her ability to forgive him.