Chapter 60 TELL ME THE TRUTH
I cradled Elisabeth in my arms, stroking her back as I looked around. Her ex-boyfriend seemed determined to instill fear, which revealed a lot about his character. He sought to intimidate, to show how vulnerable and accessible she was.
“Lis, I need the name of this damn guy,” I kept my tone firm.
She shivered in my arms, wiping her face on my shirt and lifting her chin towards me.
“Patrick, I need to leave,” she replied, looking fearful and sighing. She tried to pull away, but I held her in place. “Please, don't try to stop me.”
“I won't try; I will.” I stared at her coldly. “Running away is not the solution. He found you here in Seattle, based on what you said about your ex. This bastard has the resources to find you even in hell.”
I sighed, holding her hands as she sobbed amidst the tears.
“I can't put you at risk, either. Don't you understand?” Pulling her hands sharply, Lis turned her back. “He could have thrown you from up here; we might not have arrived in time... This damn guy will only give me peace after I die!”
“And then he'll find another victim to go through the same hell as you. Can't you see?” I clenched my fists angrily, approaching her and pulling her by the hip, inhaling the scent of her hair. “Your grandmother is not able to live in hiding, and you can't keep up this pace. He's a clear threat. I'm an ex-soldier and, with modesty, extremely rich, with many contacts. Let me protect you and help you!”
“Patrick, if he could be stopped, do you really think he wouldn't have been already?” She turned with a weak smile on her lips, her eyes swollen and red from crying. “I don't want you to get hurt because of me.”
“I won't. Maybe he hasn't found a worthy opponent yet.” I smiled confidently at her. “And we know how formidable I am!”
“This is not a negotiation, Mr. Morgan... It's serious; he could simply shoot you in the head!” Elisabeth shouted nervously, pacing back and forth and hitting her head with her hand.
I held her to restrain her.
“Elisabeth, look at me!” I ordered, making her freeze in place and look at me. “I've done things in the war that I'm not proud of—killed for much less. So, don't doubt my ability to protect you. It's almost offensive.”
“I didn't mean to...”
I raised my finger, touching her lips, to silence her.
“I know you didn't. Your fear speaks for you...I'll take you to my house. You'll have the protection you need without any arguments.” I pressed my fingers more against her mouth when she threatened to object. “It's not a request!”
Lis nodded, and I threw my arms over her shoulders and led her inside, stopping the door in time to see a drone passing overhead, stopping to watch us. I smiled threateningly, looking directly at the camera:
“I'll get you!”
We entered; Elisabeth's grandmother seemed better and was asleep.
“Mrs. Eva was very agitated; we had to sedate her,” Greg informed her. “Mr. Morgan, we need to go!”
My friend probably noticed the same thing I did: his whole show was being watched by his ex. Obviously, the attack on the nursing home had inside help. I swept my gaze towards the nurse, who looked nervous, gripping her uniform and clutching her cellphone.
“Are you okay?” I asked, making the professional shiver.
“Ye... Yes, Mr. Morgan,” she stuttered.
“Then why are you so nervous?” I took a few steps closer, in a threatening manner.
“It's just that I've never seen an allergic reaction like that... It was...New!” Her phone lit up several times, indicating new, insistent messages.
“Aren't you going to check who it is?” I narrowed my eyes, getting closer.
“No, I'm still on duty, sir. My priority is my patients.” She put her arms behind her, lifting her pink uniform shirt slightly, clearly agitated.
Greg and I exchanged alarmed looks. Lis seemed to have noticed, frowning and going to her grandmother's side on the gurney. I quickened my steps, taking the cellphone from her hands; screaming, the nurse pulled out a gun, pointing it at us.
“No, please, Mr. Morgan, give me back the phone... I don't want to hurt you!” She spoke in desperation.
Elisabeth's eyes widened, scared, and she leaned over her grandmother in protection.
“Please, don't do this, please...” Elisabeth pleaded.
“I... I have no choice, Mrs. Elisabeth!” Tears streamed down the nurse's face as she trembled, holding the gun. “I need you to come with me.”
“She's not going anywhere!” I positioned myself in front of her, protectively, looking challengingly at the woman who threatened us. “Don't make any mistakes you'll regret!”
“You don't understand, Mr. Morgan; I already have...” She shouted, scared. Greg moved, grabbing his gun. “No, no! Drop the gun, or I'll start shooting!”
“It's okay, it's all right.” I raised my hands, looking at Greg. “Lower your gun.”
“What? Are you kidding me?” He shouted indignantly, blinking at me. He relented and placed the gun on the ground.
“Kick the gun over here!” Ordered the nurse, cold sweat running down her face, agitated, looking around.
“Are you expecting someone?” I raised an eyebrow.
“They should have arrived by now!” She said it nervously, shaking uncontrollably.
“Please, Caroline, you don't have to do this...” Lis was still crying over her sleeping grandmother. “Don't hurt them; I promise I'll go with you without resistance!”
“You won't!” I glared at her angrily, turning back to the nurse. “Caroline, that's your name, right?”
She nodded, turning back to Elisabeth.
“Ma'am, forgive me; I really have no choice...” She cried.
“What does he have against you? Tell me, let me help you!” I assessed her posture, aware that she was being forced into this. The cellphone vibrated more times, and I glanced at the notification screen, reading quickly, as I couldn't see the entire message on the device that had locked the screen. “I understand... He's got someone important to you, hasn't he?”
“My children! That bastard pretended to care about me, about my family... I didn't know; he was so convincing.” Caroline cried desperately. “I put them in danger, I'll do anything to get them out of there.”
“What does he want?” I clenched my fists, nervous about the situation and needing to assess it carefully, as I did when I was on the battlefield. “Answer me!”