Page 80 of Day Break

“Where would you want to live?” I asked, curious.

He turned back to the window and sighed. “I used to know the answer to that.”

“Now?”

He reached over and took my hand, then lifted it and placed a kiss on my knuckles. “Now I’m not so sure.”

Just then, his phone rang. “It’s Malory,” he said before answering. “Good morning,” he said easily. Seconds later he was frowning and jerking his gaze towards me. “No, we’re in the car heading back up to the island.” He listened again, nodding several times. “Sure, let’s say…” He paused as if thinking. “Tomorrow afternoon? We need to get my grandfather out of the hospital and settled, then we’ll head back.” He was quiet again. “Okay, thanks.” He hung up.

“Well?” I asked when he remained quiet.

“They’ve got your ex in custody,” he answered and for the first time since seeing Elliott the night before, I relaxed.

“Where did they find him?” I asked.

“He was staying with that woman he was with last night and her husband. She paid for the drinks on her credit card. The police would like to talk to you.”

I tensed again and started to sweat. “Why?”

Lane took my hand again. “It’s just a formality. I’ll be right there with you. They just want to ensure that you’ve had no contact with him.”

I nodded but felt my stomach twist in knots. “Tomorrow?” I asked. Lane nodded. “You’ll come with me?” He nodded again. “I’ll act as both your lawyer and your alibi.”

Just then the ferry docked, and I remained quiet as we drove to the hospital to get George.

When we got off the elevator on the floor for George’s room, we heard shouting. Lane took off running towards his grandfather’s room.

He rushed into the room seconds before me. By the time I got there, Lane had his uncle Robert pinned up against the wall. The look in his eyes was pure hellfire.

“Want to tell me just what the hell you’re doing?” Lane growled out.

Since Robert was the only other person in the room besides George, I rushed over to stand next to the bed.

George looked terribly upset and angry, something I hadn’t seen before.

Two nurses rushed into the room shortly after we arrived. Both of them looked scared, but seeing the situation was now under Lane’s control, they moved over to check on George, so I stood back.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

“Dawn was breaking, like the light from another world.”

- Alfred Jarry

Lane

I don’t think I had ever been as angry as I was seeing my uncle standing over my grandfather’s hospital bed, yelling at him at the top of his lungs.

I wanted to bust his face in. I wanted to shout at him. Toss him through the wall instead of holding him until I felt all the fight go out of him.

“This is none of your concern, boy,” my uncle said, lacing the last word with disdain.

When my grandfather called me boy, it was with endearment. When the rest of my family used it, their intention was clearly to belittle me.

“You made it everyone’s concern when you yelled so loud we could hear you down the hallway,” I said in a low tone, shoving him a little more before releasing him. If I didn’t drop my hold and take a step back, I’d punch him.

“Later,” my uncle hissed, then he walked out without another word.

“I should call the cops on him,” I said under my breath.