Page 47 of Rescuing Ryder
“She kept the sessions in her office. I didn’t join her for jogging anymore. She didn’t say why,” he admitted as he bit into the best waffle he ever ate.
“Then how do you explain her screaming on the path a few days ago?” Matthew pressed as he sipped his coffee.
“I did catch her on the running path. Claire appeared terrified and didn’t see me. She ran straight at me while she glanced behind her. I didn’t see her again until the night Kilner showed up.” Ryder watched the men glance at each other in silent communication.
Ryder continued, “I felt shitty about not consulting with her about switching. When I went to her house to apologize, Claire insisted I leave. I’m assuming David threatened me or her. I witnessed her slip a paperweight into her pocket and thought it odd. She’s unpacking and I thought she wanted to place it somewhere else. When I left, Claire called out to me. She said sometimes things happen beyond our control and none of it’s my fault.”
“I ordered you to stand down. Why didn’t you? Do you typically disobey a direct order?” Leo asked him gravely.
“Claire appeared terrified. I called Whiskey because I felt something in my gut. Why do I feel like I’m under an interrogation? Last time I checked, I don’t take orders from you, and I won’t stand by while Claire’s life remains at stake,” he spat. Ryder’s hand curled into a fist, and his nostrils flared as he gazed at the men. They closed ranks for one another, which didn’t include Claire. They wanted to blame her.
“Tex vouched for you. But we become protective of those we care about. Claire never informed us about David Kilner. Did she discuss him with you?” Leo pressed.
Ryder put his fork down and stared at the leader. “What is this? She’s your friend. Yet, you call me here to answer questions about her. Why didn’t you know she felt terrified and this guy tormented her? You’ve known her longer than I have, yet she clung to me to feel safe. I say you’re not much of a friend if she didn’t feel comfortable enough to confide in you,” he barked.
He rose from the table, no longer willing to share breakfast with these holier than thou hypocrites. Ryder thought Doc seemed different than the others. Now Chase seemed the biggest ass of all.
“Sit,” Leo ordered. He covered the baby’s ears. “Hell, we’re as confused as you are. She never mentioned anything to us. We feel like jackasses. Matthew reviewed the security footage ofthe hospital. No one enters the mountain without him knowing. When he pulled the last few weeks to see if David Kilner visited the hospital, he came across footage of Claire staying all night in her office and leaving in the morning. She works there, but not twenty-four hours a day. We don’t understand when it started and why she didn’t come to us.”
The men appeared guilty and sad by the revelation. Ryder lowered himself back into his seat.
“I don’t know why. I asked her about Matthew installing a security system when she asked if I knew how. She didn’t seem like she felt comfortable asking,” he admitted. Not wanting to make the team feel worse, he regretted telling them. Ryder wanted to know why she didn’t come to them, too.
“Claire’s getting discharged today. I’m not entirely comfortable with her staying by herself. I don’t think Claire will accept an invite from any of us to stay as our guest until she’s on her feet. We want her to know we’ve got her back. Kassie says the women have a plan. It scares me a little. What can we do to help her now?” Chase rubbed the scruff along his jaw as he thought out loud.
Matthew cleared his throat. “For starters, I’ll install a security system. We’ll send a feed here to keep an eye on her. Nothing invasive; all entry points, her office, entryway and back porch. I want a panic button in her office, bedroom, and living room. It might help her to feel safe knowing we’ll come at a moment’s notice.”
Leo nodded. “How long will it take for you to install?”
“It’ll take a few hours if I can borrow two of you,” he apprised the group.
“Taco and I will help,” Shadow offered.
“I’ll take Claire home,” Chase pitched in.
“Whiskey and I can change her locks. Who knows how many keys float out there? I’ll drop Grace off with Catherine. Whendoes Kassie plan to initiate her plan? You can bet she enlisted all the women,” Leo surmised.
The men grunted around the table.
“Tess will bring lunch for all of us once she finishes at the community kitchen,” Taco volunteered.
“I’m sure Bryanna can bring some goodies. I’ll help Tess load the car and bring everything,” Saint contributed.
“What can I help with?” Ryder asked as the men stood as one to clear the table. They grinned at him as if they knew something he didn’t.
They worked as a well-synchronized team: one man cleared the table, one scraped dishes, another put everything away, and the other loaded the dishwasher and wiped the area down. He missed the camaraderie of belonging to a team. From the way this group worked, they were more than coworkers. They were brothers, something he missed more than anything.
CHAPTER THIRTY
Claire waited impatiently for Chase to write his discharge orders. She attempted to make a grocery list, but her swollen eye made everything appear hazy and if she tried to focus for too long, it caused a migraine.
She sighed for the hundredth time as she laid down her pen. Throwing her head back against the pillow, she closed her eyes and threw her arm over her head.
“I don’t know, Kassie, she doesn’t appear in any shape to return home,” Catherine whispered.
“She insists Chase discharge her today. He’s making an appointment with the eye specialist, then letting her return home,” Kassie whispered sadly.
“You know I can hear you, right?” Claire muttered.