Chapter 8
Eyes bloodshot, face lined with exhaustion.
The second he saw me, he pulled me into his arms and held on like he’d never let go.
“You’re alive. That’s all that matters.”
“If anything had happened to you–if you had died–I wouldn’t be here either.”
His voice broke.
His body shook against mine.
I stroked his back, murmuring softly.
“It’s okay. I’m okay. You forget–I can hypnotize people.”
“No way I’d die that easily.”
Daniel pulled back just enough to meet my eyes.
His expression darkened, something lethal flickering beneath the surface.
“If you had died…” His voice was deadly quiet.
“I would’ve killed Ryan first.”
“Then I’d have followed you.”
Just hearing Ryan’s name made me feel sick.
“Let’s not talk about him.”
Daniel nodded, “Fine. We won’t bring him up again.”
While I was giving my statement to the police, I told them everything I knew, including how Olivia had orchestrated the death of her sister, Leah, over three years.
Once the statement was done, Daniel took me to the hospital for treatment.
As we walked in, an ambulance pulled up outside.
Police, doctors, and Ryan were the first ones out.
Chapter S
On the stretcher was Olivia, blood soaking her legs.
Her legs were broken beyond recognition.
I asked one of the officers what happened.
They told me when they arrived, Olivia had nearly been run over.
In a frantic state, she had jumped out of the car and was hit by a passing vehicle, breaking both of her legs.
It didn’t look like they could save them.
“Good riddance.”
Daniel wasn’t one for holding back–he said exactly what he thought.
I stayed silent.
Olivia had it coming.
Olivia was rushed into surgery while I went to get an IV.
I was supposed to be on a plane to Paris tomorrow, but with how I felt, I wasn’t sure I’d make it.
“What if we skip Paris tomorrow?”
I shook my head, “No way. I’m a top–rated hypnotherapist.”
“I can’t let my reputation go down the drain.”
Daniel just stared at me.
“Sure, whatever. At least I’ll be there to look out for you.”
“That works.”
Our conversation was interrupted by a voice.
“Mia.”
I looked up to see Ryan standing there, looking like he hadn’t slept in days.
I turned away immediately.
What had once drawn me to Ryan–the way he looked–now repulsed me.
Its was no longer attentive my eyes,
Ryan, oliivious to my orions disdaw, stapped donar
“Mix, how are you? Are you hurt?
I scoffed, “Stop playing the martyr
“You were the one the kidnapper said he was coming after to save Olta
“You wanted me dead, remember? And now you’re acting like a saine
“Ryan, you’re a piece of trash”
Ryan’s face twisted in pain.
“Mia, I saved Olivia because I owe her”
“And if you died, I wouldn’t live either. I’d go with you.”
1 slapped him hard with my IV hand.
“I’d rather die than be with you! I want to live, and your’re just a delusional, self pitying jerk. Now get GUE of my sight.”
“Mia…”
I cut him off before he could say anything else.
“Don’t call me Mia. You don’t deserve to say my name.”
“If you’ve got time to waste, go ask the cops about the case.”
“Find out how I was kidnapped, who did it, and what really happened to Leah three years ago.”
Ryan seemed like he wanted to argue, but he just nodded.
“Rest up.”
And then he left.
Chapter 3
Chapter 9
