Freed (Bad Boy Hitman Romance) (22 page)

“Let’s get to next class.” I got up from the bench and walked over to the large black plastic garbage barrel and tossed my napkin in it, throwing the soda can in the recycle bin next to it. Vanessa followed suit.

“Yeah, I heard a rumor that Gibbons is having a quiz today?” Vanessa said as we casually strolled across the courtyard towards the entrance to the building.

I was about to answer, my mouth opened, and the words on the tip of my tongue, when something hit me with what felt like the force of a Mac truck, slamming into my shoulder. A searing pain erupted on the top of my shoulder, and I immediately felt warmth as blood began to saturate the white blouse I was wearing.

“Rebecca!” I heard Vanessa scream. Or at least I thought it was Vanessa. Everything was getting hazy. I was vaguely aware of falling backwards but was unable to prepare myself for the fall. Just as my body hit the ground, the world went black.
 

Chapter 23

Kyle

Standing on the second floor of the Harrison building, I watched Rebecca through the scope of the sniper rifle. The gun was braced on the window ledge as I waited for the perfect shot. The perfect shot came and went numerous times. I didn’t take it. My finger would begin to press on the trigger, and then I’d tense up and couldn’t do it.

I was choking up. I never choked up, so what in the hell was going on?

She looked stunning today, wearing a white off the shoulder peasant style blouse and jeans. Every so often, the wind would pick up and whip her hair into her face. She’d get a look of annoyance as she would brush it back with her hand.

Get it together, Kyle, you fucking pansy!

I gave my head a shake, wiping a bead of sweat from my brow. What if I missed? Releasing my hold on the gun, I sat back on my heels. Second guessing myself wasn’t a very good sign, and so unlike me. What in the hell was wrong with me? Maybe this was a bad idea.

Anger surged through me. What in the hell was going on? I was letting her get into my head, that’s what. Giving my head a shake, I got back into position. She was getting up and making her way to the garbage can. I waited until she cleared the tree. I had only a few moments before she’d disappear into the building below me.

Seconds before she made it to the entrance of the building, I got the perfect shot. I squeezed the trigger without thinking and without hesitation. A second later, she fell backwards, her creamy skin and white blouse rapidly becoming red.

Bullseye. It was done, and by the looks of it, I hit her dead on.

I felt a tinge of something that gave me pause. It was something I don’t think I’d ever felt in my life – Guilt.

I shook off the feeling. It had to be done. Besides, I had more pressing matters at the moment. I needed to get my ass out of here before the cops arrived, and the place was locked down.

~*~
 
TT ~*~

Rebecca

Foggy. Everything was so foggy.

“I think she’s starting to wake up.”

“Rebecca.” I felt a strong hand over mine, giving it a squeeze. “You okay, baby?”

“Kyle?”

“Yeah, it’s me honey. How are you feeling?”

“How do you think I feel?” I said, no I growled. I was pissed, opening my eyes and seeing him leaning over me. “You fucking - ” Sure, that had been the plan but still, the fucker had shot me!

He kissed me. I resisted at first, attempting to hold onto my anger, but it didn’t take me long to give into his lips and allow the kiss to happen. “I was so worried,” he said pulling back.

At that moment, I caught sight of movement and realized why he’d kissed me – to shut me up before giving him away. I turned my head to see Vanessa, and her eyes were red rimmed from crying. Vanessa was so emotional. It wasn’t like I was going to die. I was relatively fine.

“Hey Vanessa.” I gave her a smile.

“Oh Rebecca, I’ve been so worried.” She grabbed my free and hand and gave it a squeeze. “How are you feeling? How’s your shoulder?”

Her mentioning it brought my attention to the dull ache in my right shoulder. I looked down at the bandage covering the area where I’d been shot.

“The bullet went straight through. You were very lucky, babe.”

“Yeah.” I turned my gaze up to meet his. “Good thing whoever shot me had such a piss poor aim then, huh?”

A hint of a grin curled up his lips, but it disappeared just as quick. “Yes, a damned good thing.” We shared a moment, both of us staring deep into the other’s eyes, causing a little fluttering in my chest.

The moment was shattered when a knock came at the door. All three of us turned to see two policemen entering, one in uniform and one in civilian clothing with a badge on a chain around his neck.

“I’m glad you’re awake,” the officer with the civilian clothing said. “I’m Detective Chapmen.” He motioned to the officer coming into the room behind him. “And this if Officer Capianno.”

I forced a smile to my face as I greeted them.

Detective Chapman looked from me to Kyle and then to Vanessa. “If your guests wouldn’t mind, we’d like to talk to you in private about what happened to you.”

Vanessa didn’t hesitate. She gave me a smile of reassurance and exited the room. Kyle, on the other hand, was a different matter. “With all due respect Detective, I’m not leaving my girlfriend. She’s been through a lot, and she wants me here.”

The detective shifted all of his attention on Kyle. His eyes narrowed, and he seemed to be sizing Kyle up. “I appreciate your wanting to support your girlfriend, but we’re investigating an attempted homicide. We would like to speak to her in private.”

I looked from the detective to Kyle. “It’s okay, honey. It’ll be fine.” I forced a smile to my lips, and as I shifted in the bed, I winced. I never thought being shot would hurt so damned much.

Kyle’s stare shifted from the detective to me. Our gazes locked, and after a moment, he nodded. “Okay, I’ll be right outside.” He stood, leaned over the bed, and gave me a tender kiss on the forehead.

“Please, don’t wander off too far, we’ll be wanting to talk to you as well,” the detective said as Kyle started to exit the room. Leaving, he closed the door firmly behind him. Kyle didn’t acknowledge having heard the detective, but I knew he did.

“So Rebecca,” he pulled up a chair, along with the officer. “I can call you Rebecca, can’t I?”

I nodded. “Sure.”

“I know you’re feeling not so great right now.”

“That’s an understatement,” I replied with a laugh and then a wince.

He gave me a sympathetic smile. “I’m sorry.”

I shrugged.

“We’ll get right down to brass tacks.” Reaching into the inner pocket of his jacket, the detective pulled out a small pad and pen.
 

“Okay.”

“Do you know anyone who would want to harm you?”

I didn’t hesitate, shaking my head. “No. No one I can think of.”

“I see. What about your family? It’s my understanding your father was murdered a few years ago?”

I squirmed a little on the bed.

“Is something wrong?”

“This is a touchy topic. The wounds are still fresh.” I gave him a lopsided smile. “You know? From what I understand, he was mugged and shot. That’s what I was told.”

He looked hard at me, as if he were trying to see the truth in my words. “But you don’t believe that?”

“I know what I was told.” I shrugged and then winced as the movement sent a piercing pain through my bad shoulder. “Why would I think anything different?”

“Your father was a very public figure. Maybe he had enemies?”

“I was an eighteen-year-old daughter of a strict preacher father. I wouldn’t know about enemies or anything like that. It doesn’t make sense to come after me four years after my father died. At least it doesn’t to me. What would it accomplish?”

“That’s what I’m trying to figure out.” He tapped his pen against the pad. Suddenly, he picked his eyes up from the pad and hit me with a piercing look. “What about your boyfriend? How long have you known him?”

Hesitating a moment, I crinkled my nose up at him. “A few weeks, almost a month. Why?”

“It’s just a question.”

I didn’t think it was just a question, but I let it go. That was out of my hands. Kyle could handle himself. It had been his idea after all.

“Is your sister coming to see you? She and your mother must be worried.”

“I wouldn’t know. I just woke up. Were they even contacted?” Why would he even be asking me these questions? I’m sure he also knew this was the first time I was awake.

He ignored my inquiry. “Have you noticed any unusual activity around you? Anyone suspicious? Usually violence isn’t random.”

“Could they have been aiming for someone else and hit me instead?”

“That’s very possible.” The detective leaned back into the plastic chair and crossed his arms over his chest. “We’re checking into that as well.”

I laid my head back against the pillow and closed my eyes. “I’m tired,” I murmured. Opening my eyes, I turned my head to look at the detective and officer. “Is there any more questions? I honestly have no information that can help you.”

He sighed, standing. “Not for the moment, but we’ll be in touch.”

“I’m easy to find.”

After saying our goodbyes, I watched the two men leave the hospital room. I expected to see Kyle re-enter, but I didn’t. After a few minutes, I closed my eyes and attempted to go back to sleep. I was just beginning to feel the hands of sleep take hold of me when I heard my room door open.

“Kyle?” I asked not opening my eyes, but a little rush of excitement went through me at the thought of seeing him.

“No, it’s Vanessa.”

I frowned and slowly opened my eyes. “Did you see Kyle?”

Vanessa came up to the bed and shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other. “Yeah, umm.”

My frowned deepened. “What’s going on?”

“He left with the cops.”

Alarm raced through me, but I fought to keep my composure. It was harder than normal to fake emotions when there was a constant throbbing pain radiating from my shoulder. “Why?” The pitch of my voice was higher than I’d intended.

“Oh, don’t worry.” She sandwiched my hand which lay on her side of the bed between hers. “It’s just routine. He said he’d be right back after they’re done.”

I sighed. “I know.” Giving my head a shake, I continued, “My head is just spinning in a million different directions.”

“Of course it is. Don’t worry. I was talking to the nurse, and she said you’ll only be in here a few days, so you might be able to get back to classes by Monday or Tuesday. If you want, I can bring you some books so you can keep ahead.”

“Thank you, I’d like that.” With so much going on and the anticipated arrival of my sister, I doubted I’d get much done.

~*~
 
TT ~*~