Page 17 of Axton
“Not until she wakes up, and that could be as early as tonight or maybe tomorrow. It all depends on her. If we would have known what we know now, we probably wouldn’t have gone to this extent. It’s strange, maybe even like she had someone watching over her. The newest scans have me a bit baffled.”
“She’s healthy, that doesn’t hurt the healing process.” Bolton said.
“Yes, I’m quite pleased.” Dr. Ford typed something into the computer.
I looked at Bolton. “I’ll go grab us some dinner and be back shortly.”
She smiled. “That sounds great, thanks.”
Bolton walked over and held the girl’s hand. I walked out and got that strange warning feeling again, like I wasn’t supposed to leave her, but just shoved it down and ignored it. It felt good to walk out of the hospital for a few minutes, but at the same time something was eating at me. I made it to a Veggie grill to pick up dinner. I felt like I gained weight just from all the snacks and food the nurses kept bringing me, and I ate fast food for over twenty four hours as well. I was just getting out of my rental truck when my phone dinged with a text from Faye.
Eggplant emoji
Splash emoji
Happy face
I chuckled.
Me:Had to cancel, business trip ended up needing my focus.
Faye: Good, you’ll be desperate when I see you next month. I love it when you’re starving for me.
Me: Already there…wish it was already next month.
I put my phone away and went to order food, but my phone rang with a number I didn’t recognize.
“This is Mike Axton.” I answered.
“It’s Crock. The brother is asking for an update and says he wants to be there when she’s woken up.”
“She’s doing very well, better than expected. The hematoma has shrank and the swelling is down. They’re going to start waking her now, but I don’t want her brother here. Keep him at that compound and keep hiding him. He’s probably in just as much danger and we can’t risk him being seen. Tell him we will be bringing her to him tomorrow.” He didn’t know that I wasn’t going to allow him near her until he told me everything he knew.
“That’s good news. All is quiet here at the clubhouse. Did Ford say when you could get her on a jet?” He asked.
“No, he will monitor her and make that decision based on how well she heals. He doesn’t want her to fly, so driving may be the only option.”
“Alright, so keep me posted. Wait, the brother is asking something.” It sounded like he removed the phone from his ear then came back on the line. “He wants to know if you’ll send a photo so he can see that she’s alright?”
“Sure, I’ll take one when she wakes up. Seeing her with tubes might upset him more than necessary.”
“Alright, but just so you know, I have to keep my bosses updated. I can’t keep buying time and they will want to know her identity. I have to update them by the end of the day.” He warned me.
“That might be a problem, but I guess we don’t have a choice. We have to do something about the brother as well. His truck looks to be totaled, so we need to get that settled so nobody else comes looking for him. Can you handle that issue?” I asked.
“I’m on it. I’ll talk to you later.”
I made it back to the hospital with food in hand. A wave of relief came over me when I stepped back into her room. She didn’t look much different. Still had tubes, but Bolton assured me they did stop the medication.
Chapter Ten
Belle
There was something warm in my hand. Something that made me feel safe, but I didn’t want to leave the darkness, where I always felt the safest. I felt a slight squeeze to my hand and tried to open my eyes, but the light was too much. My head hurt, so much worse than it ever hurt before.
“Miss Ashford, my name is Mike Axton and your brother, Koty, sent me to help you.” I heard a deep but warm toned voice, and I tried again to open my eyes. Something was hurting my throat, and my head was pounding.
“Take your time waking up. I’m not going anywhere and you’re safe.” The voice said. A voice that was of a stranger, but felt right, like somehow I knew that voice. His presence had a safe and warm feeling to it. I squeezed what was in my hand and it squeezed back. It was reassuring and didn’t scare me. “It’s okay to go back to sleep.” The voice said, and soon everything was peacefully dark again.
