Chasing Air (10 page)

“I can’t explain why, but I just can’t right now. Please understand.” He kissed her again and quickly put her back down on the ground.

After she dressed and gathered her things, she found him waiting in the den on the sofa with the TV on, drinking hard liquor. He rose up and refilled his glass without acknowledging her. She instantly wondered if he drank hard liquor a lot. The change in his demeanor rocked her to her core. His face and body very different, his seduction well planned, but the abrasive, demanding actions very familiar from her past.

She leaned her body over the sofa and kissed him on the neck softly. While snuggled into him, she thanked him for dinner and the gifts.

“You can let yourself out,” he said with dark tone.

She walked to the door, but he didn’t follow, his disappointment obvious.
What’s worse than being treated like a whore
? she asked herself as she closed the door behind her.

On the way home, the feeling of betrayal came over her. He look betrayed when she left, like she owed him something. It was the strangest departure. He was cold and dismissing for someone who went to great lengths to seduce her. Suddenly, she felt like a prostitute.

CHAPTER TEN

Makenzie tossed and turned through the night. She had dreams, more like nightmares, of Jonathan and their date, only it wasn’t Jonathan’s face she pictured, it was Drew’s. She woke up several times in a cold sweat, the last time gasping and her throat tight like someone had been choking her. She knew it was a dream, but it was so real that she jumped out of bed in need of air.

The patio door wouldn’t open, it was stuck. When she finally got it open, she felt the fall air prickle her skin and it helped her relax.
Old ghosts were going to haunt her the rest of her life. If an evening with Jonathan left her feeling that she was reliving her past, he wasn’t right for her, no matter the reason for his actions.

Could the New York trip be putting her anxiety into overdrive? She decided to go back on her anxiety meds. She didn’t like taking them, but knew she would need something to get her through the next couple of weeks.

Even though it was three o’clock in the morning, she couldn’t go back to sleep. She worked on her lecture until dawn.

The time to call Agent Bernard was coming soon. At their pre-ar
ranged time, she made the call and followed his instructions. She was pleased, and even began to relax a bit knowing that Bernard had

everything under control. It was just the apprehension in his voice every time they talked that she couldn’t get out of her mind. It made her second guess everything she did, if that was even possible.

***

Makenzie was in her office putting the finishing touches on her lecture. With it practically complete, the only items she needed for her trip were being sent by Agent Bernard by FBI special delivery. Everything seemed to be under control and she could focus on her work. The last few shifts had been quiet in the ER and even quieter on the gentlemen suitor front.

Had she pissed both of them off, she wondered?

She could understand Ryler, but she didn’t understand Jonathan. His demeanor was confusing. Was he that put off because he didn’t get laid? His behavior seemed totally out of character for him. She shook her head, unable to remove the mixed emotions that she had about him. She wanted to reach out and at least clear the air, but something was stopping her.

She didn’t have to wait long, her phone beeped with text.

Jonathan: Thinking of u,can u talk

Makenzie: yes, I’ll call

She phoned him while a crater formed in her stomach. She wasn’t sure how she wanted to proceed with him.

“I’ve missed you, I’ve just been sitting her thinking about you,” he said. His voice sounded strange, she wondered if he’d been drinking.

“Isn’t Trippe with you?”

“No, he had a birthday party to go to. I’m in this big house alone. I was hoping that you would be here with me, filling it up with your laughter.” His mood was subdued and it saddened her.
Where was his apology for his behavior
? she asked herself.

“Jonathan, I just don’t know if it’s a good idea right now. The other night...” She didn’t get to finish because he cut her off.

“It’s that other guy, isn’t it?” he asked with an angry tone.

“I’m not seeing anyone else right now.” It was true, she wasn’t actually dating Ryler.

“You’re not dating that cop?” his voice hissed. She felt his rage. Was he having her followed? She didn’t like where things were headed and she instantly angrier than he realized.

“No, I’m not seeing a cop. We’re only friends, even though he would like it to be more. But the idea that you’ve been spying on me or having me followed sickens me worse than your inexcusable behavior the other night when you acted like I owed you something and treated me like a prostitute. I thought you had more class than that. I’ve been waiting on an apology that obviously isn’t coming, so this conversation is over.” Makenzie hung up the phone, then slammed it on her desk.

The phone rang in her office, derailing her thoughts. “Mak, we’ve got a domestic assault with critical injuries on the way from metro.” David hung up without waiting for a response.

Makenzie froze still in her tracks, unable to move, her legs as heavy as concrete. Her mind filled with flashback
s from Drew’s violent hand. She touched her face and felt the heat from the burn of his fist as if the right hook had just occurred. She knew firsthand the result of domestic violence. She inhaled a deep breath and summoned her courage to help yet another victim.

She ran to the ER desk to find the paramedics wheeling Rachel into the trauma room unconscious and intubated with a breathing bag attached. They reported her unconscious and unable to breathe on her own from the time they arrived on scene. Since a neighbor called it in, they had no way of knowing exactly how long she’d been that way. Rachel had been beaten almost to her death.

“Oh my god, get Neuro down here and get Trynn and the team alerted.” She started barking orders.

“Rachel, can you hear me? It’s Makenzie. I’m here, sweetie. I’ll take care of you,” she whispered into Rachel’s ear.

“Do you know her?” David asked, but Makenzie was in deep and didn’t answer.

“Mak, do you know her?” he shouted, jarring Makenzie from her flashback.

“Yes, we met at a Krav Maga self-defense class several months ago and have become friends. She said that she was taking the class because a friend of hers had been beaten. I sensed the friend she spoke of was actually herself. I hoped she would eventually trust me enough to tell me everything on her own.”

Makenzie put aside her memories of the violence she had suffered and performed with precision, as if nothing else mattered except saving the life of an innocent victim.

The minutes turned into hours as they worked with Rachel, getting CT Scans and X-rays. She had a skull fracture, broken ribs, broken arm, loose teeth, facial lacerations, and bruised kidneys.

There was nothing left for Makenzie to do for Rachel. The ICU staff would call her immediately if there was any change or if she regained consciousness. When Makenzie returned from transporting Rachel to the ICU, she heard, “Hey you!” behind her from a familiar voice. She stopped dead in her tracks. When she slowly turned around, Ryler was at the end of the hall with his arms out. She ran to him and wrapped her arm around his neck and broke down in tears while he held her.

“I know, sweetie. I’m sorry. How is she?” He spoke softly into her ear while running his hands down her back in comfort.

“Are you on official business? I can’t comment unless its police work.”

“Yep, I’m officially on her case. Brody called me when one of the guys got the 911 call. Her ex-boyfriend did this. He’s being held in custody, but she has to ID him before he can be charged.”

“She’s not breathing on her own, but I think that will be resolved soon. Multiple broken bones and facial injuries. How could this happen? She was taking self-defense classes with me.”

“Why were you taking Krav Maga classes, Mak? What spooked you so bad that you needed those classes?” The look on his face said he wasn’t letting up on the questions until he got the answer he was looking for.

Makenzie had to be quick on her feet. “I’m a New Yorker, where creeps hang out on every corner. I knew someone who was coming out of work late at night and wasn’t prepared. Plus, it’s great control for my curves.” She laughed at herself.

Even she almost bought what she was selling, but he didn’t. He was going to get to the bottom of what she was hiding, eventually.

He held her as she cried. He saw the sadness and turmoil in her eyes, surrounded by dark circles. The pain was deeper than she was willing to confess, but it seeped from her heart. He declared he would stay with her the rest of her shift, hanging out in her office while she saw patients. The rest of the time, he sat on the sofa while she laid her head in his lap and napped in-between.

When her shift was over, he gave her a ride home so that she could shower and change before giving her a lift back to the hospital to stay with Rachel.

“I’m going home for a bit before going to the station. I’ll be back here as quick as I can. Call me if you need me. She’s going to pull through, I’m sure of it.”

“I hope so. I don’t want her to wake up alone. You being here meant more than you’ll know, for the both of us.” She kissed him bye and he held on to her hand until she pulled away.

***

It was late in the afternoon when Rachel started to stir. Makenzie was napping on a cot beside her and the nurse was checking vitals. Rachel seemed to be dreaming. She moved about in a restless fit. Makenzie stood by her bed encouraging her to open her eyes. She finally did for a few seconds, then drifted back off. It was another hour before she finally became fully conscious. She was frightened, and the staff was grateful Makenzie was with her.

They were able to remove the respirator and assist her in getting good breaths on her own. She tried to talk, but her throat was sore. Makenzie convinced her to remain calm and wait on her throat to rest before talking. She assured her that she was safe there. Makenzie didn’t want to say anything about the ex-boyfriend, not wanting to taint her testimony.

Makenzie sent a text to Ryler letting him know Rachel was in and out of consciousness. She went over all of the injuries and expectations with Rachel. It wasn’t long before Ryler arrived back at the hospital, reinforcing Makenzie’s decision to wait on the investigation. He needed Rachel to have a clear head and strong voice.

After she was calm and fully conscious
, they left her with her dad and cleared it for him to stay in the ICU room with her.

In the waiting room, they ran into Brody who had been waiting to see Rachel.

“Is it okay for me to see her?” Brody asked, nervously.

“The nurses will take you back, it’ll take some time, but she’ll recover physically.”

“Did she ID him, Ry?”

“She’s not coherent enough for it to stand up in court yet. Need to wait a day. They’re holding him, though, but I’m sure you knew that. Don’t go near him, Brody,” Ryler’s said over his shoulder as Brody walked to the back of the ICU.

Ryler winked at Makenzie. “Yep, Brody has been smitten with her ever since she played ball with us.” They said their goodbyes as the staff escorted Brody back to see her.

“My place or yours?” Ryler asked. He wasn’t taking no for an answer. He was tired and needed sleep, but he needed her more.

“Yours.” She didn’t even bother going to her car.

Barely inside the door, he pulled her into his arms and held her tight. Neither of them spoke for the longest time, they just stood there in the comfort of each other. He was the first to break their stance. “Can I get you something, a glass of wine, or a beer perhaps?”

She mumbled, “No,” and kept her eyes locked on him.

Through her tears, she asked, “Do you have any of your mom’s pie?” with a slight laugh. How could she laugh? How could she be happy when that sweet, young girl had been so brutally beaten?

“I’m sorry to say, I don’t. When you left the last time, I wasn’t sure you’d ever be back. I told Mom to put a hiatus on the pies.” Now he was the one beginning to laugh.

“I’ll take the wine then, and you.”

He got the wine part, but he wasn’t certain what her last comment entailed.

“What do you want from me, Makenzie? I put my heart out there for you, but you clearly put up the walls. I can try to break them down, but you have to help me. I’m in deep here, I think you know that.” The look on his face said strong, committed, but his heart was exposed and raw.

“I want you to hold me. I want to feel you next to me. No pressure to make things happen, I just want to be with you. Here. Together. Okay?”

“Yup, wine coming up.” He knew she needed something. He knew what that something was. Rachel’s attack brought out something in her. That
something was fear. He wasn’t certain of all the circumstances, but he had a good idea of who.

***

Three weeks previously:

Makenzie had been acting strange. She mentioned meeting Rachel at a Krav Maga class just before their softball game. Why was Makenzie taking a Krav Maga class, Ryler wondered?  And what was Rachel’s story.

When they gathered for the softball game, everything seemed normal with Makenzie. She was warm and inviting to all of his friends and played the role of his companion comfortably. He was sure that he sweetened the deal with taking the pie to her office. He was baiting her. He knew they had chemistry, he felt her desire whenever they were close. He could remember the way she felt sitting on the bar with his body between her legs. He felt her heat while she ate his lips with greedy passion. How could she just walk away? Or better yet, why did she?

He really didn’t like the idea of having access to her personal life through his work, but at times, it was convenient. The background search revealed nothing extraordinary, but rather, didn’t reveal much at all. According to the hospital website, she had quite the pedigree, but he wasn’t finding much of a life. As he continued his search, he was left with more questions than answers. Before two years ago, Makenzie Holder really didn’t exist. Maybe she got a divorce and changed her last name? She was playing her cards close to her chest. That made his curiosity increase fourfold.

She seemed even more rattled when she told him she had to go back to New York. That didn’t make sense. Why wouldn’t she be thrilled to see her family? After all, she hadn’t seen them in almost a year. And why hadn’t she mentioned them?

He finally found something during a search that heightened his curiosity. He remembered her bio saying that she was trained in Trauma Surgery. He searched for female Trauma Surgeons in New York and within the results, he was able to view images. A photo appeared that looked like her identical twin: Judith Anne Bellonte Donati.

“What the hell?” he mumbled out loud.

Further research of Judith Donati revealed that she died in a house fire. Her husband was the number one person of interest, but had a strong alibi and was never charged. The crime was never solved. The authorities were unable to pin the murder on him. She was survived by her parents and a sister, Cessa, who lived in Manhattan.

Drew Donati was an attorney and part of the Donati crime family, a long list of family characters with an enticing criminal history.