“I agree with you. Just take some deep breaths.”
I tried, but could no longer hear myself think. “I’m going for a walk.”
“You heard what Landen told you.”
“I’m not going up the mountain, Darlene. I just need some time to myself without reporters. Without the noise. Without thinking the worst. Okay? I promise you I’ll be back in fifteen minutes.”
We’d been here for another three, maybe four hours. All track of time was shot. I was wired, incapable of thinking clearly.
“Why don’t you go talk with Shannon. She cares about you. I mean I do too, but it doesn’t seem like I’m saying the right things.” Darlene’s face fell.
“You’re doing just fine and I’m so glad you’re here with me. But I just need a little space. Okay? I promise.”
“I will hunt you down like everyone else.”
Even after everything that had occurred, she could still make me laugh. I turned away before the tears began to slide down my face, walking quickly toward a building on campus. I had no idea where I was going. I simply needed to find somewhere to sit quietly where no one knew who I was.
If that was possible any longer.
Wiping tears away, I kept my head down, praying to God I didn’t see anyone. I couldn’t continue pretending that I was alright. Not to anyone.
I managed to walk just far enough away the roar of the crowd had begun to fade. Somehow, I’d found a gorgeous little well-lit park between buildings. There were benches and a stunning fountain along with flowers and trees everywhere. With my entire body aching, I finally sat down on a bench where the running water could maybe soothe the fear coursing through my veins.
I’d already tried to prepare myself for what the news could be, but so much of me was determined not to believe the worst. He wasn’t dead. He couldn’t be. Because I hadn’t told him it was alright.
Laughing, I lowered my head, holding my arms and rocking.
The minutes ticked by. I could feel them doing so in my bones, as if the weight of everything was ticking off months if not years of my life. I was no longer surprised about the way I felt about Viper. He was a magnanimous man capable of bringing out a full dichotomy of emotions and desires.
He was simply an incredible man.
Leaning back, I allowed myself to daydream, thinking of the moment I’d met him, chuckling from memories of my reaction. I played out the days, including how I’d found him more than once snuggling with the pups. For a man who couldn’t say he was an animal lover, he was an animal lover.
And I adored him even more.
The sounds of the crowd began to filter in, destroying the fake peace I was insisting I find. With a heavy groan, I cupped both sides of my face.
Crack.
The single sound and I shot up in my seat like a rocket. What the hell had I just heard? Twisting in my seat, I scanned the area. Even in a relatively well-lit area, the darkness was oppressive.
Another teensy sound and I was on my feet, nerves adding to the lingering fear. What if the bastard who’d set the fire was here? What a perfect opportunity to do whatever he was thinking about.
And it wasn’t confessing.
I took a step away, trying to figure out which way to run that would get me back to the group of people the quickest.
A light rustle of something and I snapped my head toward the way I’d come in.
What…
My feet managed to move forward even if my vision was completely out of focus. It had to be. Because…
“Viper?”
A man was standing only a few feet away, the beam from one of the decorate lights blinding me.
“Viper. Is that you?”
