Page 216 of A Second Dawn
“I’m associated with Freemont Security, and have been working with Carl Freemont and Aiden Burg on your behalf. They explained we had to remove two people from a scene. One of which they needed my help with.”
My heart is beating faster and faster by the second, and I swallow the lump trying to form in my throat.
Getting two people out… Claudette and me?
But why would we need a doctor’s help for that?
I’m too tired to process this information.
Does that mean…?
My heart leaps out of my chest, and I’m beginning to sweat.
Meanwhile Dr. Proze… whatever his name is, has been talking, and I paid no attention.
I hold up my hand, interrupting whatever he was about to say.
My voice comes out squeaky when I ask, “Does that… does that mean…”
Oh god, do I dare hope?
I’m apprehensive about letting myself go down that path. The disappointment would kill me.
But I think he means… “Tiero isn’t dead?”
“No. He’s alive, stable and improving.”
My feet give out, and I sink to the floor, holding my face in my hand, tears streaming down my face.
My heart beats out of my chest… it might explode just like the car I supposedly died in.
“He’s not dead,” I whisper.
I look at Claudette for confirmation. A huge smile spreads across Claudette’s face.
“No, he isn’t,” she says as she sinks down next to me, rubbing soothing circles over my back.
“But I saw him die. I saw you trying to revive him,” I say to Dr. Proz… Broad Back. “The heart monitors… the alarms.”
“It was all an act,” he replies.
“That was one hell of an act. Everybody believed it.” Especially me.
He smiles warmly. “That was the point.”
“I’m sorry we put you through all this anguish and pain,” Claudette says softly.
“It nearly killed Aiden and I seeing you so distraught. But we needed your reaction to be authentic. Especially Antonio needed to believe it was real to spread the word of Tiero’s demise. Him being glued to your side allowed us to get Tiero out without suspicion.”
I nod, not caring what I went through. If it means Tiero is alive, and we get to spend the rest of our lives together, I’d go through hell all over again.
Dr. Broad Back clears his throat, bringing my attention back to him.
“Everything was perfectly timed. Thankfully, your fiancé’s condition had improved overnight. He was in a stable condition at the time of his supposed death. Though unconscious, he seemed determined to get better. I’d say it was because of you. From what Claudette tells me, he is quite enamored with you.”
A blush creeps up my neck and colors my cheeks. “Well, that makes two of us.”
I rise to my feet, unzipping the jacket I’m still wearing and throwing it over a chair. Why am I still standing here?