Saved by the Rancher - By Jennifer Ryan Page 0,104
something. It’s so hard to live your life looking over your shoulder and wondering if today will be the day that everything ends.”
“Don’t talk like this. You’re the strongest person I know. You’re going to get through this, and we’ll raise our babies together. We’ll be real sisters. I’ve been stuck with those two devilish twins my whole life. It’ll be nice to have a sister.”
“I would really like that.”
Tired, she closed her eyes again while Summer sat stroking her hair. The bodyguard’s deep voice warned someone they were not allowed to enter. Several voices spoke at once and the door opened.
“Miss Caldwell . . .”
“She’s Mrs. Merrick,” David interrupted.
Summer’s hand stopped and protectively covered her head. Jenna turned to see David standing in the doorway, a doe-eyed nurse looking up at his handsome face with worship. No doubt he’d paid her many a compliment, pouring on his sickeningly sweet charm to get her to bring him in here. One of his many lawyers entered behind him, Gucci briefcase in hand.
“I’d be happy to escort them out,” the guard said, blocking them from getting close to her and shooting David a glare over his massive shoulder.
“That won’t be necessary,” David turned on the charm. “Jenna will see me. Won’t you, darling.”
“Summer—”
“Summer, is it?” the bastard interrupted again, controlling the conversation. “I’m David Merrick. I heard my ex-wife had a tragic accident. I was in Denver and wanted to stop by and check on her, since I was . . . in the neighborhood, let’s say.”
David stood stunned, unable to believe she survived out in the cold woods. He shouldn’t be surprised. Damn woman was invincible, and he admired her for it. Made the challenge that much more fun. As a child, he’d always tested the limits of everything and everyone around him. He so enjoyed taunting others, making them bend to his will. Jenna’s spirit and strength added an extra thrill. She wasn’t an easy mark, and he so enjoyed playing with her.
Jenna froze. Her whole body went on alert and adrenaline pumped through her veins. She bolted upright, pulling some of the stitches free, opening one of the gashes on her side. Blood ran down her side. She grabbed Summer and pulled her close to whisper in her ear.
“Go tell Sam to cancel the press release. Hurry. It can’t go out now.”
“I’m not leaving you alone with him,” Summer protested, unconcerned that David overheard.
David’s eyes narrowed, letting her know he didn’t like people thinking he was responsible for Jenna’s injuries. It put a crimp in his public image. She was going to throw a wrench in it if it was the last thing she did.
“Jenna and I have a lot of catching up to do. I haven’t seen her in quite some time,” he said, trying to add credence to the false alibi he’d already supplied to the police. “I’m sure she’ll tell you, we’ll be just fine together.”
An order, if ever she’d heard one. If she didn’t get Summer out of there, David might decide to punish her later for not obeying his request. Teaching her a lesson was David’s favorite pastime.
“Summer, David is right. We’ll be just fine together. Perhaps you could check with the doctor about my release.”
“Jenna?”
“It’s okay. You can go. Make sure you see Sam on your way to find the doctor.”
Summer didn’t want to leave her alone. Jenna tried to make her voice strong, so Summer knew she was all right, even though she was anything but. David had a way of making things happen. If he somehow managed to get her out of the hospital, she’d be dead.
Summer left quickly. The starry-eyed nurse followed her out. More hesitant to leave her alone with David, the guard locked gazes with her, silently asking for her decision for him to stay or go. She nodded her approval for him to resume his post outside the door. Too many witnesses in the hospital for David to do anything drastic. Right?
Jack and Sam were not going to be happy with her for sending the guard out. David gave his lawyer the same type of nod she’d given the guard and he moved outside the door too. Silence settled and they both took a moment to absorb where they were and how they got here.
David moved further into the room, so his back wasn’t to the door, yet he could block her attempt at escape easily.