Releasing Me (25 page)

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Addy

The most bizarre
dream had hold of me
. I couldn’t wake up, at least not completely. It was as if I was caught between two worlds. Flashes of light and unfamiliar voices faded in and out. Then there were moments of bliss. I was pregnant with just a little bump showing. A large hand splayed across my belly, feeling an occasional little jolt of movement as I cried. It was heartbreak and relief. I was excited yet scared. The voice behind me was familiar and comforting.

More flashes of white light blinded me as I struggled to recognize the voices and decipher the words that echoed around me.

“
Addy?
”

What?

“
Can you hear me?
”

Yes.

“
Can you hear me? Do you know where you are?
”

Yes
…
and no.

My voice was lost. I struggled to speak and maybe I was, but nobody was listening. Then I heard a familiar sound … it was my own voice, but soft and slurred. As I focused on my tongue and my lips to make out the words, I realized my lips felt numb and swollen. Only a thin line of light appeared in my left eye and the pain started to radiate through my body. This was my reality. My face throbbed and I felt every beat of my heart in my face. I could move my left arm but my legs were shaking as my teeth began to chatter together. I tried to push my knees together but my feet were pressed against something, and it felt like someone was holding my legs open.

“
No––
”
I heard my own voice again. It was stronger but still barely audible.

“
Addy, you’re going to be fine. You’re safe now and we’re doing everything we can to take care of you. I know you must be confused and uncomfortable, but we’ll be done soon. Just stay with us, and try and relax your legs.
”

“
No!
”
I said much louder. Then I let out a painful whimper as pain shot up my arm.

“
Addy!
”
another familiar voice called from a distance.

“
Sir, we’re not finished. You need to wait outside and let the doctors do their job.
”

“
I’m done waiting—
”

“
Sir, please, don’t make me call security.
”

“
Addy!
”

Quinn
…
Quinn
…

“
Quinn …
”
I managed when my mouth caught up with my brain.

“
Mr. Cohen can stay,
”
a man’s voice responded.

“
Addy, I’m here … I’m so sorry, baby …
”
his voice broke close to my ear.

Inching my head toward him, I saw part of his face level with mine. My neck was too stiff to turn any farther, and I could barely open my left eye. Raw pain and anger were etched across his face. He was grinding his teeth but his eyes were soft. In the midst of all the chaos, there was only one thing that was unmistakable. I was in the hospital
––injured. Everything else, including why I was injured, was still a vast sea of uncertainty.

“
Was she?
”
Quinn’s voice had an edge to it.

Was I what?

“
There are no other signs. We’ll move her to a room and keep her overnight for observation. The police are going to need to ask her some questions when she feels up to it.
”

“
Thank you,
”
Quinn breathed out, but not so much to the man who was talking; it was more like a sentiment of gratitude to a higher power, a verbal sigh of extreme relief.

My legs were removed from what I gathered by then to be stirrups, then I was covered with warm blankets. My good eye started to feel as heavy as my bad one, so I closed them.

*

I awoke with a killer headache. In fact, everything ach
ed. It became very obvious … I’d been run over by a large truck. There was a heavy feeling over the top of my legs and the palm of my hand was pressed against something rough. My right eye managed to open, although protested the light that filtered through the partially opened shades. Quinn was sitting in a chair next to me, hunched over with his head on my bed. He had one arm draped over my legs while his other hand held mine next to his face. His eyes were shut and his lips were parted.

My fingers twitched against his cheek, and his groggy eyes opened. He turned his head and pressed his lips to my palm as he momentarily closed his eyes again. When he opened them back up, I saw the extent of my injuries reflected as pain in his eyes. He surveyed my face, and I could feel the sadness seeping from them.

“
That bad?
”
My throat was dry and my voice was gravelly.

Meeting my gaze again he forced a pained smile.
“
You’re beautiful … always beautiful.
”

“
Liar,
”
I mumbled as I moved my tongue over my swollen upper lip.
“
What happened?
”

He sat up and caressed his hand over the blanket on top of my legs. Pursing his lips while he chewed on the inside of his cheek, he wrinkled his forehead in nervous apprehension.
“
You don’t remember?
”

I turned my head side to side.

“
They’re reviewing the security camera footage from the parking lot to see if anything was captured on tape, but there was quite a bit of snow blowing so they’re not too optimistic.
”

“
I remember going to look for my gloves in the Range Rover … but that’s all I can remember.
”

Quinn nodded his head and took a deep swallow. The lingering grimace on his face was heartbreaking.
“
I found you…
”
he cleared his throat
“
…on the ground by the passenger door.
”

A nurse came in before I had a chance to question him more.

“
Merry Christmas, Addy. My name is Christine and I’m going to take your vitals before Dr. Wilson comes in to check you over. If everything looks good you should be discharged within the hour.
”

I laughed despite the pain to my ribs.
“
If everything has to ‘look good’ for me to be discharged, then I’m quite certain I won’t be leaving anytime soon.
”

Nurse Christine’s eyes widened, then she looked at Quinn.
“
I didn’t mean …
”

“
She’s just giving you crap. Welcome to my life. Her timing with her dry sense of humor is impeccable.
”

She smiled and her gaze lingered on my Latin sex god a little too long. I couldn’t blame her. Even after a long night of sleeping in a chair, he looked deliciously sexy.

“
I have this feeling that if I weren’t laughing I’d be crying … and it is Christmas so––
”

“
Well, your vitals are good. Blood pressure is normal and your temperature is back up. Dr. Wilson will be in shortly.
”

“
Thank you,
”
we both said in unison.

“
Quinn?
”

“
Yeah, baby?
”

“
What happened with Olivia and the—
”

“
Merry Christmas. How’s our patient doing this morning?
”

“
Hey, Todd.
”
Quinn shook the doctor’s hand.

“
Good morning, Addy, I’m Dr. Wilson or Todd. Quinn and I run in the same maniac circle. It’s nice to meet you. However, I wish it were under better circumstances.
”

“
Maniac circle?
”
I questioned.

“
Todd is a bit of an adventure buff like yours truly. We see each other quite a bit, especially on the slopes,
”
Quinn replied.

“
How are you feeling this morning?
”
Dr. Wilson asked as he looked at a computer monitor.

“
I imagine not much better than I look. I ache everywhere, especially my head, left shoulder, and ribs.
”

“
That sounds about right. I’m not sure what you’ve been told yet, but you sustained a concussion, dislocated left shoulder, and your ribs are bruised, but not fractured. You have numerous cuts and contusions, but those will heal quickly. Your eye received a pretty severe blow and we’ll want to do a follow-up on it, but there doesn’t appear to be any permanent damage. However, if you still have blurred vision after it heals you should let us know. Now, the rape exam showed no signs of bruising, tearing, or sperm, so without further evidence, including your memory of the incident, we have no reason to believe you were raped. You’re lucky Quinn found you when he did. You only suffered a mild case of hypothermia, but it could have been much worse given the adverse conditions.
”

Rape exam?!

My mind reeled. I was frantic, trying to remember something from the attack, but I couldn’t remember anything. Rape? I couldn’t imagine why they would suspect rape. Dr. Wilson did a thorough exam and talked with me about wearing a sling on the shoulder that had been dislocated. I had trouble concentrating because all I could think about was the possibility of having been raped. I heard something about pain medication and making an appointment with an ophthalmologist and gynecologist within the next few weeks and even something about counseling, but it was all an echoed blur in my head.

“
Addy?
”

“
Huh?
”
I startled from my daze.

“
Todd asked you if you have any questions before he releases you,
”
Quinn said.

“
Uh … no, I’m good.
”

Not good at all!

“
Okay then, Quinn has my cell number if you need anything,
”
he said as he shook Quinn’s hand again and walked out.

“
I’m going to go pull the Rover around to the entrance. Todd is going to have the nurse get you some scrubs to wear home. I’ll be back up to help you get dressed. Okay?
”
He leaned in and kissed the top of my head.

“
Where are my clothes?
”
I whispered.

He moved to the door as if he didn’t hear me, but I know he did.

“
Be right back.
”
Then he was gone.

*

The ride home was quiet. I had so many questions and Quinn wasn’
t offering much information. As we pulled into the parking garage, he broke the silence.

“
A couple of detectives will be showing up soon to take your statement. I told them to make it quick.
”

“
What am I supposed to tell them? I don’t know anything. Hell, you know more than I do.
”
I tried to hide the frustration in my voice, but I couldn’t.

He parked and came around to my side. After he opened the door, he rested one hand on my leg and the other behind my head as he brushed his lips over mine with a gentle reverence.
“
I gave them my statement last night. You’re the victim so they need to at least say they questioned you. It won’t take long. Okay, baby?
”

He helped me out as I winced from the pain when he touched my ribs.
“
What was your statement?
”
I asked as I tottered to the elevator.

“
I’ll tell you later. Let’s just get you upstairs, showered, and in your own clothes before they show up.
”

Quinn dodged my questions quicker than I could think of them. I wasn’t sure if it was to protect me or himself. What I did know was I needed the truth. When he got me upstairs, he started the shower then helped me out of the scrubs. After removing the sling, I protectively held my left arm to my body as we walked into the bathroom. Quinn disposed of his clothes and opened the shower door, but I continued past the shower to the mirror.

“
Addy, don’t!
”
he called, trying to stop me, but it was too late.

Shock. That was all I felt. The whole left side of my face and upper lip was swollen and bruised with numerous cuts. The right side had a few small cuts with bruising, but it was nothing compared to the left. I looked like a monster. Aside from my messy hair, I barely recognized myself. Then my eyes ventured down my reflection to my torso. It was mottled with bruises and cuts as well. Turning to the side, I got a small glimpse of my back and butt. I was a mess. From the look of the bruising, it was a miracle I didn’t have multiple fractures.