Chapter 9

 

Ethan racked his brain, trying to remember making love with Kristen. The images from his fantasy surfaced but quickly faded. He walked to the mantle and stared into the unlit fireplace.

Andrew did this? How? Why?

The answers he needed could only come from Kristen and she had taken off without a word. A tingling sensation presented in his chest as cold fingers crawled over his neck.

“Kristen,” he breathed, his heart going at a sluggishly heavy beat.

What just came over him was something he’d developed over the years he’d been in the Navy. Call it a sixth sense, but he knew the feeling well enough to know that something was wrong. Without delay, he picked up the house phone, not wanting to waste time to get his cell phone. The tightness in his chest gripped him as he dialed her number with stiff fingers. The line was busy. With a growl, he hung up, waited a minute, and dialed again. The same results came back as before.

Ethan traipsed across the living and back. For several minutes, he trampled the rug, then stopped, dialed, and listened as the phone beeped rapidly. After an hour of dialing and getting a busy signal, he was certain his gut was right. He didn’t give up and finally got through.

“You have reached the mailbox of Kristen, please leave a message after the tone,” her voice came back to him.

He hung up in frustration without leaving a message. Just as he hung up the phone, it rang. Ethan picked up before the second ring. “Kristen?”

“Hello,” a woman’s voice returned.

That was not Kristen’s voice, Ethan silently observed. “Hello?” he answered.

“This is the administrative department of Boston General Hospital,” she said. “Are you related to Kristen Broderick?”

Something punched him in the gut. “I’m her bro… her fiancé,” he informed the woman, trying to keep his voice level. “Is she all right?”

“I’m afraid Miss Broderick has been involved in a motor vehicle accident. She is now in emergency surgery.”

Ethan was a Navy seal, trained to handle any situation that may arise. He’d been on many dangerous Missions, been abducted, tortured, and faced death numerous times. However, nothing prepared him for the shock of being informed him that Kristen had been in an accident.

He took the details from the woman who said her name was Miss Myles from the hospital administrative office. Five minutes later, Ethan was clamping on his helmet, astride his bike and ready to leave the house when a silver car blocked his path.

“What the fuck?” he swore aloud. Dragging off the helmet he shouted to a man emerging from the vehicle. “You’re blocking my fucking path. Move your damn car!”

“I’m sorry, I need to talk with Kristen, it’s urgent.”

Ethan stared at the man for five seconds before he realized he was the lawyer. What the fuck does he want now? was what popped into his head.

 

Mark pulled up to Kristen’s house and emerged from the car into a barrage of expletives. This brother-in-law of hers was a real tool. Mark swallowed hard and walked up the drive.

He didn’t handle bad situations well on a good day, and today was not a good day. Just about an hour ago, he witnessed a horrific accident on the freeway and that gave him the chills. He’d had to stop at a nearby bar to down a few drinks.

“Is Kristen there? It’s urgent I see her,” he politely re-stated.

“Move your fucking car. I need to leave.”

“Okay, but first let me just ring the bell.”

As Mark tried to pass, Ethan grabbed his arm and dragged him back. He was immediately reminded of the scuffle between Kristen and Ethan on the day of the hearing.

“If you don’t mind, I’d rather you not touch me,” he told Ethan, brushing off his hand. “I’m here to see my client and I will move the car once I have seen her.”

“Suit yourself,” Ethan returned, jumping from the motorcycle.

Mark watched open-mouthed as Ethan trotted to his car. He could not believe when Ethan placed his hand on the trunk and started pushing the car forward.

Finally finding his voice, Mark rushed forward. “What are you doing?”

“Clearing my path,” Ethan grunted.

The car moved a few feet forward, giving enough room for the motorbike to pass. Ethan returned to his Harley, clamped his helmet in place and sped away.

Mark hurried to the door and pressed the button. He heard the chime come from inside, but no one answered. He rang a few more times, but still no one.

“That sonofabitch knew she wasn’t here and just left me hanging,” he cursed.

 

An hour earlier…

Nervous excitement was what she called it. Heart racing, stomach churning, and glee mingled together. Camila was feeling all of those at the prospect of seeing her best friend. She’d returned from New York against the wishes of the person who sent her there. For two years, she had hidden away. No more.

It seemed that fate was sending her a message. As she entered the freeway, she noticed the pile-up. Just a fifty feet meters ahead, she clearly made out an ambulance driving away with a patient. Police were directing traffic to the opposite side of the street.

“Oh no,” she groaned. “Not an accident on my first day back.”

This wasn’t a good omen, according to Camila’s religious beliefs. Her grandmother would always say that an accident on a journey was a bad sign. She always tried not to give in to such superstitions, but the tingle in her limbs was enough evidence of her anxiety.

Shaking her head, she focused on the happiness of seeing Kristen face-to-face. She had many things to tell her about the two years she’d been away. It had been lonely being in New York away from her friends. Those two years had been difficult, keeping secrets that could cause trouble, not only for her but all involved. However, Camila knew it was time to get things out in the open if she was to maintain peace of mind.

Kristen would certainly be hurt when she told her the truth about why she left, but knowing her friend, Camila knew Kristen would understand.

After about an hour, the traffic started moving once more and she steered the car toward the hotel where she would be staying. She knew Kristen would insist on her moving in with her now that Andrew was gone, but she wanted to see her first. There were things she needed to take care of before visiting Kristen.