Page 83 of Unhinged

She sucked in a breath. “What happened?”

“We’re not sure yet. Raúl called to let me know the alarm went off about five minutes ago. The police have been notified, so they’ll clear the building to make sure everything’s good. I just wanted to give you a heads up.”

“I’ll meet you there.” She threw the covers aside and slid from the bed, already tugging on a pair of sweats that lay discarded on the floor.

“No need. I’m already on my way, and I’d feel better if you stayed at home where I know you’re safe.”

“Luke…”

“Let me take care of it. Please.”

His words stopped her mid-motion, and she sank to the edge of her bed. “Will you call to let me know everything’s okay?”

“Of course. I’ll call as soon as I’m done.”

“Thank you.” She hesitated, gripping the phone so tightly her knuckles ached. “And, Luke?”

His voice was tentative. “Yeah?”

It took a moment for her to gather her courage, and her words came out on a whisper. “I miss you.”

There was a sharp inhale on the other end of the line. “I miss you too, honey.”

“Can we talk sometime? Maybe tomorrow after work if you’re free?”

“I have all the time in the world for you, Doc.” His voice was deep and full of promise. “Hey, I’m at the health center now, so I’ll call you in a few.”

“Be safe.”

“I will.”

She reluctantly hung up and stared at the phone in her hand, a riot of emotions swirling in her stomach. She wanted to laugh, to cry, wanted to throw her arms wide and dance for joy. Still clutching the phone, she collapsed onto the bed and stared at the ceiling.

She needed to address things with Andrew once and for all. He’d stopped by the health center to see her, but she’d turned him away. Her heart hurt at the thought of losing a good friend and confidant, but today’s discussion with Audrey and Fiona had opened her eyes.

Maybe Andrew really was more concerned about his own interests than hers. He was a good guy, successful and handsome, but she would never feel about him the way she did with Luke, who went out of his way to make sure she was safe, always placing her needs before his own. More than once he’d dropped everything without hesitation. He was strong and sturdy, trustworthy and dependable, and she⁠—

She jerked to a sitting position. She loved him. And Luke loved her, too. He’d told her days ago, but she’d refused to believe it. It didn’t seem possible that she’d come to care so deeply for him over just a few weeks’ time, but she knew what was in her heart.

For the first time, she wasn’t scared. Instead, anticipation surged through her veins. There would be ups and downs, good times and bad—but they could make this work. As soon as he called back, she would go to him, lay her heart on the line, and tell him how much he meant to her.

Unable to wait a moment longer, she scrambled from the bed. She pulled a sweater over the camisole she’d slept in and yanked off her sweatpants, replacing them instead with jeans. Shoving her phone into her back pocket, she jogged down the stairs.

Bubbling with emotion, she tapped the switch to awaken the coffee maker, then scooped grinds into the basket. The potent aroma filled the air as the percolator jolted to life and spewed the hot brew into the cup.

Her phone rang again, and she tapped the button to answer without looking at the screen.

“Dr. Whitmore speaking.”

“Hannah, thank goodness I was able to reach you.”

Her heart sank as Andrew’s voice floated through the phone and his words registered. “What’s wrong?”

“A man just called me—gave me a woman’s name and an address. I think it was Steve Iverson.”

Oh, God. “Have you called the police? Did⁠—?”

“We need to go. You don’t want him to hurt someone else, do you?”