Page 52 of Deranged
The cab took me directly to my house, and I finished tossing my belongings into bag. I almost spun out, rushing to the hospital. And when I arrived, of course visiting hours were over. I considered calling Demeter and demanding they get the paperwork done and release Kory now, but I doubted she would answer my calls anymore. Not to mention the terms of the agreement included never seeing or speaking to her again. Easy once I held Kory in my arms.
I propped myself against the side of my car and waited. If anyone I knew came out, I’d bribe, cajole, and threaten until I got one of them to bring me inside. My nerves hummed, my fingers itched, I recognized the signs of adrenaline coursing through my blood. I could already feel her against me.
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. And then another. All the while listening hard for the sound of the heavy doors to open or close. Patience was never a virtue I possessed, but for her, I could be patient. I could be whatever she needed.
Finally, the sound I’d been waiting for rang through the evening air. The cool breeze brushed my face as I opened my eyes and found luck had finally caught up with me. Nurse Styx stood with her back to the door, arms crossed, as she stared me down. I crossed the sidewalk and part of the grass lawn to get to her.
“What are you doing here? I told you letting you in here was a one-time thing. It could have cost me my job.”
I held my hands up in surrender. “I am legal this time I promise. Check the computer for my name, and while you are at it, look for her release paperwork.”
Her brow furrowed. “What did you do, pretty boy?”
“That’s Doctor Pretty Boy to you, and I did what I needed to do to get her out of here. Badge me in so I can go break the news to her myself. And then help her start packing. I’m taking her out of here tonight, right now. And she’s never coming back.”
“You sure about that?” Her demand confirmed how much she wanted this to be true as well. How much she wanted Kory safe and happy. Despite her stern exterior, I suspected her heart to be pure gold.
She waved me toward her, and I followed her into the building. We took the stairs, and I itched to edge around her and take them two at a time. I kept pace with her and crossed to the nurse’s station like she expected me to. It took a few moments to open the files and print out some paperwork.
When she handed me the forms and a pen, she looked impressed. “I don’t know how you did it or what you did, but I’m glad it was you. According to the records, you are listed as her only contact. As if her mother has completely disowned her.”
I chuckled. “One can only hope we can get rid of her that easily.”
She threw her chin toward Kory’s door. “How do you want to tell her? I can go in first or you can do it.”
The papers were filed, and she braced her hands on the desk. “I think you should do it. I’m sure she would appreciate it more coming from you. Take some tissues. I have a feeling one of you might need them before you leave the building.”
I reached out and took her hand in mine. There were no words for how grateful I was for her being here while I couldn’t. Her fingers were cold and stiff in mine.
“Get in there, Doctor Pretty Boy, before I break down and tell her myself and you miss your chance. I’m sure you two have way better things to do than stick around here for a midnight snack.”
I released her hand and walked slowly toward her room. My heart choking me from the inside. The hallway seemed to stretch, pulling her away, and I walked faster until I stood outside. Her light was off and the door was shut. I knocked once and pushed it open. The light fell on her sight frame curled up on the bed.
She didn’t roll over or make any movements. “Kory,” I whispered.
Finally, she arched her face toward me, and then her whole body leapt up off the bed. I caught her in my arms.
She quickly pushed the door closed and spun to face me. I patted along the wall until the light turned on. She slapped it off. “What are you doing? If Styx snuck you in again, no one else can see you here. I don’t want to risk her getting in trouble for us. Worse, losing her career like I cost you.”
I cradled her face in my hands and scanned her features. She looked tired, and I brushed my lips against her forehead. “Stop, it’s okay. I’ve been cleared to see you.”
She reared back. “What? How? The last I heard, my mother wanted to skin you and hang you outside the White House on a flag pole.”
“She probably still does, but I did what I told you I would do. I kept my promise. Now I need you to do me a favor. A big favor.” I spun her around in a circle, lifting her weight easily.
Her smile brightened up the entire room. “What?”
“Pack your things, because I am taking you out of here. While you do it, think about where you want to go. Preferably where I can take all your clothes off.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Kory
The only thing I took with me was the copy ofThe Count of Monte Cristoand the clothes I was wearing. Styx waved us out, and when my feet hit the sidewalk outside the hospital, I resisted the urge to run until my lungs refused to support me any longer.
He held his car door open, and I climbed inside and buckled up. I watched him walk around the hood and get in on the left side. Once he settled in and buckled his own seatbelt, I truly felt maybe we were going to get away from here. Maybe this wasn’t a dream and someone wasn’t going to jump out at any moment to drag me back into the hospital.
“Do you have a place here in the city to get some clothes or anything?”
