48 Hour Lockdown by Carla Cassidy

Author:Carla Cassidy
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2020-01-10T19:27:42+00:00

Chapter Seven

The long hot shower refreshed Annalise more than she wanted to admit under the circumstances, but it didn’t completely wash away the trauma of the entire event. Her lower lip was still slightly swollen from the slaps she’d received, and her body ached from the various bouts of physical abuse she’d endured from Gretchen.

Still, she’d take the aches and pain. At least she was alive, and she prayed that Sadie would be recovered alive and well.

She pulled on the jeans and TCD tee Rowan had provided, and then stood in front of the vanity mirror and dried her long hair, trying not to think about Evan and their past relationship. That was over and done, and there was absolutely nothing between them now but the shared desire to save a little girl.

She mentally thanked Rowan for the personal items as she brushed her teeth, and by the time she was finished with the simple task, a deep weariness filled her.

The energy she’d expended over the ordeal had been both mental and physical. She’d gotten very little sleep during the days and nights in captivity, and the continuous stream of adrenaline she’d endured while in that classroom resulted in a bone weariness she could no longer fight off.

“Anything?” she asked as she stepped out of the bathroom.

“Nothing so far,” Evan replied. He was seated at the table eating a large sandwich. “The only thing that happened while you were showering is that Rowan got me some food.”

She sat on the edge of the bed. “Rowan’s an angel.”

“She is, and she’s really smart, too. She handles all aspects of the ground game. I swear if she hadn’t gotten between me and the chief of police several times, I might have shot him.”

He explained some of the issues he’d had with the chief, and as he spoke she found her eyelids growing heavier and heavier. “Get some sleep, Annalise,” he finally said. “You’re too tired to even pretend to be listening to me.”

“I’m listening,” she protested sleepily.

He got up and turned off the light over the table, leaving only a small desk lamp illuminating the room. “I promise I’ll wake you if something breaks,” he told her.

“Okay.” She stretched out on the bed without turning down the spread. It was so amazing to rest and know she was safe. Still, she offered up a prayer for Sadie.

“Hey,” he called to her softly. “You were great in there.”

She released a half laugh and a half sob of exhaustion.

“Annalise, are you sure you’re okay?” he asked.

“I will be once Sadie is home,” she replied drowsily.

“We’ll get her,” he murmured.

Almost immediately sleep claimed her. She slept hard and without dreams. She awakened to early-morning daylight drifting in through the parted curtains, and the scent of fresh coffee.

She bolted upright and her first thought was of Sadie. Evan sat at the table, his eyes red-rimmed and lines of exhaustion cut down the sides of his handsome face. “There’s fresh coffee in the pot.”

“Thanks. I guess you haven’t heard anything?”

He shook his head, frowning.

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