Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 94512 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 378(@250wpm)___ 315(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94512 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 378(@250wpm)___ 315(@300wpm)
“Umm…would you be insulted if I asked for a receipt?”
The man tipped his head back and laughed. “Tell you what? I’ll go home and count it, and if it’s all there, I’ll send it in the mail,” he said, still chuckling.
“You trust me, and I trust you. Fine.” She nodded, wondering when she’d lost her mind.
The man lifted his hand in a wave and walked out the door.
Liza’s knees shook, and she shut the door behind her, grabbed the garbage pail, and threw up.
Liza had been home for all of an hour. Her nerves were still shot, her legs still shaking, but it was over. She’d handled the payment by herself. She’d alerted Jeff that something serious was going on, and he knew to listen in case she called for help. In that way, she wasn’t alone. But the knowledge hadn’t lessened her nerves. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d gotten sick. She’d called Cara, who’d been sitting in her car around the corner, and assured her all was well. Then Liza had insisted on going home by herself.
Once there, she showered and washed her hair and came out feeling clean, fresh, and completely alone. Her life had officially returned to the status quo she’d known so well before Dare Barron had taken over.
She hated it, and she hated him for teasing her with a glimpse of what could have been. Being part of a family, being cared for, and maybe even loved.
“Suck it up,” she muttered to herself. This was her life.
Her phone rang, and she picked it up on the first ring. “Hello?”
“Hi, Liza Lou.”
“Brian!” Her heart flipped over in her chest. “Where are you?”
“Will you meet me?” he asked.
“Where?” She grabbed a pen and paper and scribbled down the address he’d given her. “How far from here is it?” She didn’t recognize the street name.
“It’s an hour away.”
She was exhausted, but she wouldn’t say no. “I’ll see you soon,” she promised him.
Needing caffeine, she stopped at Cuppa Café and picked up an extra-large coffee to take with her on the drive. She programmed the address Brian had given her into her GPS and started on her way. It was dark by the time she pulled up to a heavily wooded area on the street Brian had named.
There was only one driveway on the street beside a discreet sign: MEADOW TREATMENT CENTER. Liza pulled to a stop and stared at the sign, not comprehending what she saw.
Her cell phone rang again. “It’s me,” Brian said. “Are you close?”
“I…I’m here. I’m also confused.”
“This is the last call they’ll let me make for a while. Pull in, park, and go to the entrance. Ask for me. They’re expecting you at the desk,” Brian said.
“Treatment center?” She still couldn’t believe it.
A few minutes later, she’d reached the main desk and asked to see Brian McKnight.
A young woman led Liza down a maze of corridors and into a large waiting room with a television and a set of matching couches. “Just wait here,” the dark-haired woman instructed.
Liza knew she was trembling, but she couldn’t stop. She wouldn’t until she saw her brother. The minutes dragged by until finally, she heard his voice.
“Liza?”
“Brian!” She turned, and he stood in the doorway, looking nothing like her brother.
His normally well-combed hair was a mess, he wore a beard that hadn’t seen a razor in way too long, his eyes were bloodshot, and his skin was sallow. He was dressed in gray sweats and a faded youth league baseball T-shirt, clothing he’d never normally wear. But none of that mattered compared to the fact that he stood in front of her safe and sound—and in a treatment center of all places.
Liza ran to him and pulled him into a tight hug. “I was so worried about you.”
“I don’t know why you haven’t given up on me yet,” her brother said.
She stepped back, meeting his gaze. “I don’t want to, but I can’t go through this again. I won’t. The loan shark, the threats, people following me…” Her voice trailed off. She didn’t want to relive the day.
“I’m sorry.”
She pressed her lips together in a grim smile. “I know.” But she also knew apologies weren’t enough, not anymore. “But you’re here, in this place. I’m so proud of you.” She hugged him once more.
“Umm, I can’t take complete credit.”
She stepped back. Taking his hand, she led him to one of the sofas. “What do you mean?”
“Your boyfriend found me in a dump hotel.”
“My what?”
“Your cop boyfriend. He showed up and started giving me orders. He made me shower. He cleaned up the mess I made of the room, tossed the bottles…He even gave me clean clothes.” Brian ducked his head, obviously embarrassed.
Liza was too stunned to speak. Instead, she fingered the worn shirt her brother wore. Dare had done this? For Brian? A man he despised?