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“I left you a note. I said goodbye and gave you my address. I thought you’d be here by now.”
“The housekeeper woke me because it was past checkout, and she had already cleaned the suite. Your truck was gone, and all my calls went straight to voicemail. What else am I supposed to think?"
“Shit. I’m sorry, Andrea.”
Shaking my head, relief filling my heart even as my brain still holds tight to the belief that Daniel regrets everything, I ask, “What happened?”
"Bailey woke up."
"What?" I choke on my iced coffee. "When?"
"I got the call yesterday morning. I didn't want you making the drive to L.A. worrying about us. I wrote you a note and planned on calling you once I was on the road for a bit. But in my hasty exit, I dropped my phone somewhere. Once again, I messed up trying to protect you."
"I seem to mess things up whenever I'm not with you," I confess.
"What happened? Are you okay?"
"I think so. I'm in Las Vegas."
"Why?"
"I figured you didn’t want me to follow you to L.A. anymore, so I stopped to check two more things off my list. I drank and gambled on Fremont Street.” My words falter, so I pause and try to steady myself.
“Andrea. What’s wrong?”
With a sigh, I go with the truth. “I met a guy at the Blackjack table. I told him I wasn't interested, but we drank and hung out until… until I blacked out."
"You drink that much?" Daniel says, an edge to his voice.
"That's just the thing; I didn't. Idon’t. I felt fine until Carlos returned with one of those slushie drinks for me, and everything went fuzzy. I woke up this morning, the R.V. was torn apart, and my phone and computer were stolen."
Daniel’s quick intake of breath is audible. "Did he hurt you?" He asks cautiously.
I stop, thinking about what Daniel is asking. In all the mess and confusion, I never even thought of the possibility of being hurt. "I don't think so. I don’t feel different, physically, and I woke up in the same clothes I went out in. Whoever did this left my cash, credit cards, and jewelry. They only took my electronics."
"I want you to get on the road and get here. I need to know you're safe. I need you in my arms."
Chapter Twenty-Three
Rome
Bailey is slowly waking up, but her bouts of consciousness are short and agitated. As of right now, the doctors have suggested no visitors until she awakens on a steadier level. Fortunately, I have Susan sending me continuous progress updates via text.
Tomorrow morning, I'm scheduled to meet with the investigators to discuss the new information they've uncovered about the case. But tonight, I'm impatiently waiting for Andrea's arrival.
Checking my watch to see how much longer it is until Andrea arrives, I'm also alerted I've done over two thousand steps in the past hour. I guess nervous pacing is also decent cardio. Andrea's gentle knock at my door finally ends my workout.
"I'm double parked because there is zero parking in this crazy town." Andrea pushes out her bottom lip with a pout and hands me her keys.
"I have been so fucking worried about you." I grab her face with both hands and kiss her sexy-as-hell pouty face.
"I'm fine. It wasn't a big deal. Now, please park Cousin Eddie out there because honestly, I'm kinda sick of him." She half-heartedly laughs.
"Go put your stuff in the bedroom, pour yourself a glass of wine, and I will be back in ten minutes."
"Nope. Only water for me." She laughs.
After parking, I secure her R.V., grab a few tacos at the restaurant across from my condo, and get back to Andrea as quickly as possible.
