Page 100 of Hero Unbound
Dr. Annie moved closer and put her arm around Eva. “Why don’t you go stay at Becky’s house for a couple of days until you figure out what your next move is. She’s off trying not to kill Derek Bollinger somewhere, so she won’t be home.”
The thought of Becky caused more tears to fall from Eva’s eyes. “There’s stuff you don’t know. And after I tell Becky, I’m not sure she would want me to stay at her house.”
Dr. Annie shrugged. “Then we just won’t tell her. Solves that problem real quick.”
A half laugh, half sob escaped Eva. That was the last thing she’d expected the quiet and proper Dr. Annie to say.
Annie squeezed her shoulder. “Listen, I know what it is to have nothing, to be the outsider in this very town. It was a lot of years ago, but I remember it. Being an outsider is not an easy thing when you love this place.”
Eva rubbed her eyes. “I do love it here, but I have to leave. I can’t stay.”
Annie shrugged. “If you have to go, then that’s what you have to do. But don’t gobecauseof today. And also, Eva, know that if you stay, I, for one, will be here to help you. Whatever it is that’s going on, you’re not alone in it. If it weren’t for your mom, Iwouldn’tbe here today, so it’s the least I can do.”
She reached into her pocket and grabbed a set of keys, taking one off the keychain and handing it to Eva. “You know where Becky’s house is. Just leave this on the kitchen table if you decide to leave town.But I hope you won’t. Some problems you can’t run from—they’re going to follow you no matter where you go.”
With that, the doctor handed her the discharge papers and left.
Eva put on her jacket and walked out to the car Mr. Collier had left for her in the parking lot. Two acts of kindness from two people who hardly knew her.
But Eva knewherself,and what had happened today had just proved she couldn’t stay, despite any offers of help.
She had to leave.
31
Alittle after three a.m., Eva woke with a terrified start. It took her a few seconds to get her bearings.
Had she heard a sound?
She wasn’t back at home at the big house. She was in Becky’s guest bed. The dogs weren’t here. Lilah had volunteered to stay with them overnight, and Eva had been too exhausted to argue and make the trip out there.
And too scared of possibly running into Theo.
He hadn’t fired her yet, but she had no doubt it was coming. But facing him would have to wait until she had more strength.
Although she doubted she’d ever have that much.
She tried to close her eyes and go back to sleep, but after a few seconds, she heard the vague scraping noise again. That was definitely a sound.
She lay there, not moving, trying to figure out where it had come from. The kitchen? Living room, maybe? It hadn’t been very loud. Maybe it was a mouse or a branch against a window.
She relaxed slightly when she didn’t hear it again—it had been a long, painful day. She could forgive herself this one time if her mind was back to playing tricks on her.
She was almost asleep when she heard the whisper.
“Time to wake up, baby.”
Eva forced herself to stay still.Tricks. It was her mind playing tricks on her again.
Then she felt a finger trail down her cheek.
She jerked away with a sob, skittering across the bed until she fell off the other side. Immediately, she jumped to her feet and ran for the door. When Gareth’s arm wrapped around her waist and hauled her back against him, she opened her mouth to scream.
She barely got out a breath of noise before his other hand clapped over her face. She scratched and kicked to get away, but Gareth held firm. He carried her down the stairs, jerking her head back sharply against his shoulder when she almost caused them to stumble.
“Be careful, baby,” he whispered in her ear. “If I fall, you’re going down with me.”
She would take her chances.