Chapter 4 - Waking Up to a Lie
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The rhythmic beep of the heart monitor was the first thing that pulled Ellie from the dark.
Everything hurt. Breathing felt like dragging sandpaper across broken glass. She tried to open her eyes, but the bright, sterile lights of the recovery room forced them shut again.
“Take it easy. Don’t try to move.”
The voice was deep, rough, and entirely too close. Ellie forced her eyes open, squinting until the blurry shape beside her bed sharpened into Jack Callahan. He was sitting in a heavy leather chair, his suit replaced by a dark henley that stretched across his broad shoulders. He looked exhausted, a dark shadow of stubble lining his sharp jaw.
“Liam?” Ellie rasped, her throat incredibly dry.
Jack reached over, pouring a small cup of water and holding a straw to her lips. “Liam is safe. Not a scratch on him. Because of you.”
Ellie took a sip, the cool water soothing her burning throat. She looked around the room. This wasn't County General. This looked like a luxury hotel suite that happened to have medical equipment.
“How bad is it?” she asked.
“Three ribs broken. One bullet removed from your side, two grazed your hip. You’ve been unconscious for two days.” Jack leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “And we have a problem.”
Ellie’s heart rate spiked on the monitor. “Leo. Where is my brother?”
“He’s fine. He’s upstairs in my penthouse,” Jack said quickly, raising a hand to calm her. “He has his insulin. I moved him out of your apartment the night you were shot.”
“You moved him? Why?”
“Because the men who tried to kill my son missed,” Jack said, his storm-gray eyes locking onto hers. “And in my world, when you miss the target, you go after witnesses. You are the only person who saw the shooter’s face clearly before he put a mask on.”
Ellie felt the blood drain from her face. “They want to kill me?”
“They’re going to try,” Jack said bluntly. “Which is why you are not leaving my sight. The media thinks you are my secret wife. I told the hospital that to get you treated, and the press ran with it. We cannot correct them.”
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“You want me to pretend to be married to a mobster?” she whispered.
“I’m a businessman,” Jack corrected, though his dangerous smirk betrayed him. “And yes, Mrs. Callahan. Until I find the men who did this, you are mine to protect.”
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