Her hands are empty. There’s no weapon, but she doesn’t seem to be backing down, either.
Did she intend on bringing me here to sell me to the cartel, the mafia, or the bratva? My instincts warn me that she could be dangerous, and bringing me here is entirely for her benefit.
I match her stare with silence. I refuse to answer her. As far as she knows, what I’ve said is the truth. I don’t remember what happened. While I’d rather her think I still have some form of amnesia, I can’t recall the shooting. Will I eventually? I have no idea.
“Hard to give many answers when I don’t know who I am,” I say. I give a nonchalant shrug and glance her over, stalking closer. I tower above her, invading her personal space as she’s just inches from her back to the door. “If you don’t mind, I have somewhere to be.”
“And where is that?” Sadie asks. “You don’t have any money, a job, or even know your name.”
My jaw tightens at her question. “I’d like to take a walk, clear my head. Is that a problem?”
“Your head needs to be resting, along with the rest of you. Did you forget that you were shot?”
“Hard to forget,” I mutter under my breath. “But that was weeks ago. I’m fine.”
Her hands are on my chest, guiding me toward the bed. “Get in,” she commands as she pulls back the covers.
“It’s not even close to bedtime.” She can’t be serious. I’m not taking orders fromher.
“You left the hospital against the doctor’s orders. You ought to be resting until dinner.”
“How do you know it was against orders?” I ask. It wasn’t like I signed myself out of the hospital. I snuck out before anyone could notice.
She gives me a look that stares straight into my soul and makes me shift on my feet uncomfortably. “I’ll take it easy, under one condition.”
“And what’s that?” she asks.
“You play nurse, and I’ll stay in bed.” I doubt she’s interested. She’s a good Samaritan, going above and beyond. Maybe she enjoys helping people for a living because she’s a good person. I wouldn’t know much about that. I’m no saint.
“I don’t know what fantasy you have going on in your broken and bruised head, but I’m not wearing a nurse’s outfit and coddling you like a child.”
“Too bad,” I say, and grin. She would look dynamite in a short white skirt that barely covered her ass.
“Wipe that smug smile off your face. I need to head out, but I’ll be back later to check on you and bring dinner. But not because I’m your nurse. I’m not.” Sadie retreats toward the door. Her bottom lip is tugged between her teeth. “Get some rest.”
“Will do, boss,” I joke with her. She’s not the least bit intimidating.
THREE
Sadie
Before stopping for Chinese takeout, I head to my apartment to let my puppy out. Allie is back from summer camp but spending the day at her friend’s house.
Stopping at my place, I grab the leash, secure it to Kona’s purple collar, and head downstairs with her.
If the hotel weren’t strict about their no-dogs policy, I’d bring her with me when I pick up dinner.
In under twenty minutes, Kona is walked and fed. I put in an order for takeout. I don’t know what he eats, let alone his name. Am I supposed to call himJohn, as inJohn Doe? I order quite a few different dishes. He can save the leftovers and have the food for lunch and dinner the next couple of nights until things settle down.
I can’t fathom what he’s going through, not knowing who he is or where he belongs. My stomach is tangled in knots at the heaviness of the situation. I at least have Allie. If something happened to me and I went missing, she’d search for me. She’d likely call my sister, Ellie, and they’d contact every hospital, morgue, and the local news to track my whereabouts.
To have no one must be absolute loneliness.
I glance at the headset that’s charging beside the television. Allie isn’t allowed to take it with her for sleepovers. Whenever she plays multiplayer online, she has to be monitored by an adult. House rules. I get the pleasure of watching her game via my phone and hanging out with her in the living room to ensure that she’s being smart and safe about the information she gives strangers online.
I trust Allie. It’s the other creeps online whom I can’t trust.
I give Kona a few extra pets and treats before heading to the restaurant to pick up dinner. I should leave the stranger,John, alone. I’m not sure that he even wants my help, but I can’t seem to stop myself from grabbing dinner and showing up in front of his door.