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He stilled, then met her gaze. “And you’re still drugged so I’m going to forget you noticed.”
“You always smell good.” Had she really said that out loud? Twice? She giggled.
He laughed. “I’m glad you think so.”
“Did you get some essential oils?”
“Not yet.”
“Well, you don’t need them. Whatever you use is just fine. Come closer.”
He did so, his eyes tender, filled with emotion she wanted to explore and run from all at the same time. She breathed in, thankful to be able to do so. Her eyes fluttered shut.
“You going back to sleep?” he asked.
“No.” With her eyes still closed, she shook her head and her eyes opened, her still blurry gaze met his, and her hand lifted to touch his cheek. “I like you, Vince,” she whispered.
“Ah, Raina, I like you too.” He cleared his throat and pulled back a fraction. She frowned in protest. “We will have to revisit this whole situation at a later time—for now, I’m just glad you’re okay. What’s the last thing you remember?”
“Um ... talking to you, I think. In the private room off the ER. I ... felt funny. I remember that.”
“Okay, good. Yeah, that was right before you passed out, so you’re not missing much.” He sat in the chair next to the bed and Raina wished he would come back.
Closer.
So she could get another whiff, maybe even kiss the cheek she’d caressed. “I’m losing it,” she whispered.
“Losing what?”
“My mind.” She waved a hand. “Hopefully, this will wear off soon. Did anything happen while I was unconscious?”
“Yeah. I think I know who drugged your drink. I just don’t know why. The cops are looking for him.”
He knew? “Who?”
“A private investigator out of California. His name is Freddy Harper. You ever heard of him?”
“No.” But California? A shudder rippled through her. “He’s found me, hasn’t he? Kevin’s hired a PI to find me and now he knows where I am and he’s going to finish—”
Vince was by her side, sitting on the bed and holding her hands before she could blink. “He’s not going to finish anything.”
Raina drew in a shaky breath. “Right. You’re right. He’s not. But...”
“But?”
“But why would a PI drug me or try to kill me? PIs don’t usually do that kind of thing, do they?”
“Depends on the PI, I guess—and who they’re working for. Just like anyone, there are some who can be bought.” His hands squeezed hers and she drew strength from his comfort. “Once the cops track the guy down, they’ll find out what’s going on. Attempted murder is pretty serious business.”
“Attempted murder. Wow.”
“I’ll admit I’m confused about how he found you. If it was him. I mean you’ve stayed under the radar for a long time. Years. Then all of a sudden, he’s got someone coming after you?”
She rubbed her forehead. “I called that friend in California. Trent Carter. The one I thought might be able to help find the family. Before you jumped in to help. It’s possible they were monitoring his phone and traced my number back here.”
“Why would they be monitoring his phone?”
“Because he’s a friend of my stepfather’s—a very good friend. But I thought calling his business line might be somewhat ... safe. But I’m worried about him, to be honest. I really hope he’s safe. He sounded so scared when he called.”
