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“They found her!” Jason shouted, holding the phone away from his mouth as he yelled out to the group in his living room. “It’s someone from down at the precinct. They found her, and she’s on her way to the hospital now.”
Tyler was on his feet in an instant, sliding his cell phone into his back pocket. Pulling out his keys.
“What hospital?” he demanded. “Where is she?”
Jason spoke into the phone in a low voice, Tyler’s heart racing. Wherever she was, whatever had happened, she was okay. They’d deal with it together. As long as he got to see her again and hold her safe in his arms, right where she belonged, they’d both be okay.
Jason put down his phone and looked around the room. “They’re up near Arlington. She was kidnaped and put in the trunk of a vehicle. They drove her up there and around for a couple of hours.”
“Fucking hell,” Tyler spat out.
“She kicked out the brake lights, apparently. The police here were already searching the suspect’s home after surveillance footage showed his vehicle. They traced the plates and got his address. A local police officer saw the car driving erratically and the brake light gone. He pulled them over and found her in the trunk.”
Amy began sobbing on the sofa, and Jason sank back down beside her, wrapping her in his arms.
Tyler’s stomach churned as he thought about how frightened she must have been. She was so damn smart to kick out the brake lights. Melissa was a fighter and wouldn’t let anyone or anything get her down. “She’s at Arlington hospital?” he asked.
“Affirmative. They said only family can see her but—”
“Like fucking hell I won’t see her.”
Tyler was out the door and running to his SUV a moment later. Revving the engine and peeling out of the quiet little neighborhood that Jason and Amy lived in. At this time of night, he could be on 95 and up in Arlington in less than an hour.
Every minute away from Melissa had felt like an eternity, but she was safe. His.
He’d known something was wrong earlier instinctively.
As crazy and fast as things had happened, he knew her. He was already falling in love with her.
He wasn’t going to let her run from him.
To let her fear of being in a relationship prevent them from being together.
Nearly losing her had shown him just how much she meant to him. Just how much they were meant to be together. They’d take their time getting to know each other more, sure. To build on what they’d started.
But he already knew that he couldn’t live without her.
***
Tyler hurried down the stark white hallway of the hospital, adrenaline pumping through him. He’d had to sweet talk the nurses to let him see Melissa tonight, but flashing his military ID had helped smooth the way somewhat.
He eased open the door to her room in case she was sleeping, and his chest clenched as he saw her lying there in a hospital gown. Her red hair lay flowing around her, and with her pale skin, she looked so fragile.
Breakable.
The thin blanket that covered her looked like it wouldn’t offer her any warmth at all, and he was already shrugging out of his jacket, ready to lay it across her as she slept.
Melissa turned her head as he quietly slid into the room, and then she was crying. Calling for him.
Tyler rushed to her side, anger coursing through him as he saw the dark circles under her eyes. The red marks around her wrists as she reached for him.
“Beautiful,” he said, his voice cracking as he draped his jacket over her.
“Tyler, oh God. I didn’t think I’d see you again,” she said as he held her cold hands and then ran one of his own gently over her bare arm. “I was so scared.”
“Of course you’d see me again,” he soothed, gently brushing his fingers over her temple. “You’re a fighter. You fought and you escaped.”
“I just—I was so stupid. That guy said he was meeting another realtor—I don’t even know if he knew her! He could’ve just looked up our names on the website. And when he parked around the corner, I decided to drive separately and was getting my keys, and then he grabbed me!”
She choked out a sob as tears ran down her face, and Tyler’s chest clenched.
He hated seeing her crying. Hated seeing her helpless and scared.
“But you fought, beautiful. You were smart and strong and escaped. You found yourself in a bad situation, and you didn’t give up. You fought and helped the police find you.” He wiped her tears away, his eyes running over her body to check for any other injuries.
“Did he—were you—?” He cut himself off, not even able to say the words.
She gasped, pulling her hands free from his grip to wipe away her tears. “He didn’t hurt me. He knocked me out and put me in the trunk—tied me up. God knows what would’ve happened if the police didn’t stop him.”
Tyler cleared his throat. “Apparently they were already searching his house. Surveillance footage showed you talking with him in front of your office. The police were able to get a license plate from the car he was driving. I guess there was other footage of him driving around the parking lot.”
“What time is it anyway? It feels like days have passed. I’m so exhausted.”
“Eleven p.m.,” Tyler said. “He grabbed you earlier and apparently drove around for a damn long time. We’re not sure why. What do you remember about what happened?”
“Not much,” she said. “He grabbed me out front, and the next thing I remember is waking up bound in a trunk. I didn’t know what has happening, and when I realized?” Her voice cut off again as she choked back a sob.
“I’m so sorry, beautiful,” Tyler said. “That never should’ve happened to you. Never. Thank God that bastard is behind bars, because I would fucking end him.”
“And you came to me,” she whispered, tears smarting her eyes again. “I was scared and alone, and you came.”
“Of course I came. Where else would I be?” he asked in a low voice. “I was worried out of my mind about you.”
“I was so scared I’d never see you again. And I never texted you back yesterday—I was just overwhelmed by everything. By us. I didn’t expect to feel anything for you, and then in your SUV—”
He took her hand, hating the scared look on her face. “I’m not going anywhere, gorgeous. However long you need is fine with me. I’m in no hurry. I already told you that you’re safe with me, and I meant it. It’s crazy that it’s so fast, but I’m falling in love with you, Melissa.”
Tears streamed down her cheeks. “I’m falling in love with you, too.”
