Read Online Last Breath by Brandilyn Collins, Amberly Collins - Free Book Online

it,” I declared aloud. I stomped toward the door and yanked it open. If Cat was somewhere in this hospital, I was going to find him.

13
    W endell looked around as I shot through the door. “Shaley, where are you going?”
    I didn’t slow. “Just want to walk around for awhile.”
    â€œDon’t do that.”
    â€œIt won’t hurt anything.”
    He rose and caught my arm. “Stop.”
    I halted and glared up at him. His hair was back to its usual perfect form, gelled up straight. Looked like he’d gotten some sleep. Memories of last evening flooded my head. Just a little over twelve hours ago this guy had saved my life.
    My tone softened. “Wendell, I’m not leaving the hospital, okay?”
    â€œYou shouldn’t be leaving this room.”
    â€œI’ve got to go! ”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œCat’s here. I’m going to find him.”
    His head pulled back. “No you’re not.”
    â€œIf anybody can draw him out, I can.”
    He reached for the cell phone clipped to his waist. “I’ll call the police—”
    â€œI already did!” I pulled my arm from his grasp and turned to head down the hall.
    â€œShaley, stop.” He grabbed my shoulders.
    â€œLet me go, Wendell!”
    â€œNo.”
    I struggled to pull away, but he held firm. Tears clawed my eyes. Why did everybody think I was so helpless? Mom deserved justice. I couldn’t let Cat get away. My arms rose and before I knew it, I was pummeling Wendell in the chest. Frustration and anger balled up inside me, driving my punches harder. Sobs tumbled up my throat. “Let me go, Wendell!”
    â€œStop, Shaley, shhhh, stop.” He wrapped his muscular arms around me and pulled me in tight until I couldn’t move. I tried to break free, but no way; he was too strong.
    Sudden exhaustion filled me, sweeping away the anger. I went limp against him and cried.
    One of his hands came up to pat the back of my head. “Yeah, I know, kid. I know. It’s okay.”
    My cell phone went off. I choked down my tears. “That might be the police.”
    Wendell released his grip. I backed up and pulled my phone out of my pocket, checking the ID through blurry eyes. It was Ross.
    I wiped my face and took a shaky breath before answering. “Hi, Ross.”
    â€œHi. You okay?”
    I met Wendell’s eyes. He gave me a look, warning me not to try running down the hall again. “Yeah. I’m fine. Just tired.”
    He grunted. “How’s Rayne?”
    â€œIn a lot of pain. But she’s up and with a nurse in the bathroom. You coming over? I need my clothes, and Mom needs hers. And I need food.”
    â€œOkay, okay. I’ll see what I can do.”
    Ross clicked off the line. I lowered my phone and aimed an embarrassed look at Wendell. “I’m sorry.”
    He shrugged. “Don’t worry about it.”
    I brushed hair out of my face. “I just want to catch Cat so bad after what he did …”
    â€œI know.”
    Mom’s hospital door opened and the nurse stuck her head out. “Oh, there you are. Your mom was worried about you.”
    â€œI’m coming.”
    The nurse disappeared, leaving the door half open. I stepped toward it. “Wendell, thanks again for all you did last night. And I’m really sorry.”
    â€œHey, forget it. We’re all a little uptight right now.”
    No kidding.
    I pushed the door open and went inside.
    Mom was back in bed. Her foundation and blush had been washed away, but the eye shadow and mascara remained. It would take her bottled remover to get that heavy stuff off.
    As the nurse was taking Mom’s blood pressure and temperature, breakfast arrived. Scrambled eggs and bacon, toast, orange juice, and coffee. I fussed with the wheeled tray, bringing it up close to Mom, taking the paper lid off the glass of juice. Inside, I still felt so agitated. Where was Cat? Had