AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I pursed my lips together, frustrated that I didn’t have answers. “Am I fucking crazy to think it was Kip who ran me off the road? We’ve talked about how he’s disappearing and shit.”
Dope winced as he rubbed the back of his neck. “No fucking way, man. Kip would never pull shit like that, even if he were pissed at you. But if you said there was another car involved, I believe you.”
His words hit me in the chest, cracking me wide open. I shook my head, my hair rubbing against the pillow, making a rustling noise. “You’re right. I’m all fucked up about him. I’m worried. We’ve been friends since middle school. I trust both of you with my life. These pain meds are making me jumpy.” My voice trailed off as I realized what I said. “Why would someone have followed me and tried to kill me?”
“Not sure, Bass. I’m sorry, man. I’m looking into it because you have no fucking idea how badly I want to figure all of this out. But god knows we’ve made enemies while working at Safe Horizon. I know we try to keep our identities concealed, but someone might have learned the truth. Maybe a wife broke protocol and her husband tracked you down or something.”
I closed my eyes against his words, not wanting to believe that someone hated me enough to be responsible for my accident. “What do you need from me to get to the bottom of this?”
“To get better. I think it would be a good idea if Ella stayed with you tonight. I’ll ask Kip to take care of the bar. That will give me some time to chat up some connections and try to learn what the hell is going on. I need to follow up on a few more ideas.”
I raised my hand, and Dope grabbed it. “We’ve got this. We’ll figure out if anyone is responsible for your accident. Hang tight. I hope to have answers soon.”
“Thanks, man. Lie low. If someone really wanted me out of the way, they might want the same for you. Especially if it’s concerning our work.”
“I’ll watch my back.”
Exhaustion tugged at me as my hand dropped to the bed. “Dope?” My head lolled to one side, still pounding.
“Yeah?” Concern laced his tone.
“Keep Ella safe …” I licked my lips. “At all costs.” My eyelids fluttered closed as I drifted off into a dreamless sleep.
Chapter 40
Ella
After five long days, Sebastian was released to go home. Dope had bought Sebastian a wheelchair, so getting him in and out of his penthouse would be easier. When Sebastian asked me to stay with him at his place while he healed, my heart screamed a thousand yeses. I phoned into work and requested some extra time off, updating them on Dad’s progress. They agreed to a few more weeks but said I should start working part time from home as soon as I could. I was okay with that since Sebastian needed company more than my help. With him still healing, he would most likely nap a lot, allowing me to dive back into some cases.
I opened the front door of Sebastian’s penthouse and set my suitcase down while Dope wheeled him in. Cami had been a lifesaver and packed a bag for me, so I didn’t have to worry about it. It was evident that Sebastian was feeling better because he grumbled all the way, insisting that he could get into the elevator and stand on his own two feet. Maybe so, but he was still weak, and I refused to let him try. If he fell when I was the only one with him, I wasn’t strong enough to pick him up.
“Here we are,” Dope said, grinning at his best friend.
I glanced around the stunning place with its open floor plan for the living and dining area, eager to spend time with Sebastian privately instead of at the hospital with the nurses and doctors constantly running in and out. During those long days, I’d learned a lot about his friendship with Kip and Dope and how the club and the Safe Horizon Society had started. These men risked everything to save innocent people, and I quickly understood how much they had truly given up of their own lives. Sebastian was selfless, and I could see why he wanted to step down. Dope and Kip were more than capable of being in the field, while Sebastian stayed back and worked behind the scenes.
“You ready, man?” Dope secured the brakes on the wheelchair, backed away, and gave Sebastian some space.
Sebastian planted both his palms on the arms and stood. “Told you I was fine.”
Dope shot me a “whatever” look, then clapped his hands together. “Never doubted you for a minute.”
Dope folded the wheelchair and placed it near the front door while Sebastian gingerly walked over to me.
“Mmm, this is so much better.” He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me to him.
I gripped his muscular biceps in case he got dizzy from the meds, but he seemed solid on his feet.
“Almost.” I grinned at him before pushing up on my tiptoes and kissing him.
Dope cleared his throat. “Remember the doctor’s orders, you two.” He snickered. “I’ll be back in a few hours with groceries and lunch.”
“Thank you, Dope. For everything,” Sebastian said.
“Keep my man out of trouble, will ya? Maybe now that you’re around, shit will settle down.”
I nearly choked on my spit. I highly doubted anything would calm down. They had no idea I had been deep diving to learn Death’s identity. If Sebastian suspected someone else was involved in the car accident, I believed him. It had crossed my mind that it could be a vengeful husband of someone in the Safe Horizon, but as hard as I tried to talk myself out of it, I knew in my gut it was Death. I also understood that Death wouldn’t storm into a hospital to hurt Sebastian. We were safe here as well. The security for the building was tight, and I had no intention of allowing grocery or fast-food deliveries either, minimizing Death’s access to Sebastian.
“Are you tired?” I asked once Dope was gone.
