“Stable,” Nikoli said. “The doc’s keeping her asleep so she can heal.”
“That’s probably for the best.” Kade nodded.
“Has Brian woken up yet?” Adam asked, his voice full of the same rage Nikoli was trying to keep under control.
“I talked to him,” Kade replied. “We thought at first he might be our serial killer, but he’s not. He doesn’t fit the profile, and his apartment confirmed his statement. His place is a shrine to her. He’s been stalking her for years, and I’m guessing she never knew?”
They both stared at him blankly.
“It’s not uncommon for a stalker to never make contact with his victim until he’s ready to strike. Or to never confess his obsession, in this case, since he claims they were friends. He saw an opportunity, and he took it. She was alone and upset, no one was around, and he grabbed her. He was taking her to small house he’d purchased with the funds from an inheritance from his grandfather. If Lily wasn’t a smart girl, there is a good chance we’d never have found her. He took her in a dead zone—no cameras, no witnesses, nothing.”
Fear gripped Nikoli’s heart so hard, he nearly bent over. He’d almost lost her, he would have lost her if that bastard had managed to get her to his house. His hands shook at the thoughts of what might have happened to her.
“What’s going to happen to him?” Adam asked, his hand clutching Lily’s in a death grip. “He’s not going to get out, is he?”
“With the charges that boy racked up tonight, there’s not a judge in Boston that’ll give him bail. He’s going away for a long, long time. Especially with the atmosphere now. Women being kidnapped, murdered, and then dumped? That boy will be lucky if he sees freedom anytime in the near future.”
“Still no luck on the serial killer?” Nikoli asked.
“I’m not supposed to discuss an active investigation,” Kade said quietly, “but given what’s happened tonight, and we think he’s going to strike at one of the college campuses soon, I’m warning you. Any female you care about, don’t let them out of your sight.”
“You told me yesterday you guys were wrapping up,” Nikoli said. “When are you leaving?”
“I’m not,” Kade said. “My supervisor asked me to stay here in Boston until we catch this psycho. I’ll be here until the case is solved.”
They talked for a few more minutes, and then Kade left, telling them to call if they needed anything. Adam settled down next to Lily, her hand still clutched in his.
All they could do now was wait.
Chapter
Twenty-One
Lily hurt, everywhere. She tried to open her eyes, but they were heavy. She did manage to crack one eye partially open and saw Nikoli asleep in the chair beside her bed. He looked tired and his clothes were worn, like he’d slept in them for days. She closed her eyes again when the harsh light started to make them burn. How long had she been out?
She heard the steady beeping of machines and realized she was in a hospital. Why was she in a hospital? Her memory was foggy, but she vaguely remembered a car crash. Had she been in an accident?
She opened both eyes this time and looked around. Definitely a hospital. She was hooked up to more machines than she could count. She looked back over to Nikoli. Why was he here? Her last memory of him was all hugged up with some blonde ditz. She’d run from the house and then…then…ohmygod. She’d been attacked and woken up in a trunk. Someone had kidnapped her. She remembered kicking out the taillight and using her bra as a distress signal.
Then what happened? She thought hard, and her heartbeat started to race when she remembered the car going crazy fast, then they’d tipped over, and something must have crashed into them, but she wasn’t sure. She’d passed out before she could register much.
She’d woken up here with Nikoli Kincaid sitting beside her bed, asleep and looking like he’d been through hell.
Her mouth was full of cotton. She needed water. The nurse’s call button wasn’t anywhere to be seen, and besides, she was so sore, she didn’t know if she’d be able to reach it. She let out a tiny sigh, but it was enough to wake up the man sitting across from her. Nikoli’s eyes sprang open, and his worried gaze found her face.
“You’re awake,” he whispered.
Lily nodded and winced. Her head hurt something awful. “W…wat…”
“Water?” he asked, and Lily nodded. He poured water into one of those little plastic hospital cups and held her head up so she could drink. “Just a few sips at first,” he warned.
The cool ice water was the best thing she’d tasted in her life. It soothed her dry, parched mouth and the burn in her throat. When Nikoli pulled it away, she tried to protest, but he shook his head. “No, Milaya, you must sip it a little at a time or you’ll get sick.”
He reached over and hit the call button. “They’ll need to check you out, dushka. Just relax and let them work.”
A few minutes later a nurse came in and smiled. “She’s awake, I see. You’ve had us worried.” She picked up Lily’s chart and nodded. “You’re in luck. Your doctor happens to be the one on call today. I’ll page him as soon as I take your vitals.”
For the next twenty minutes she was poked and prodded. She’d always hated hospitals, even when she was little. There was just something about the sterile smell that disturbed her. Cleaning fluids mixed with the stench of sickness. The only thing she really wanted to know was when she could go home. The doctor said they’d take it day by day, which caused her to scrunch her nose in disgust.
Adam came rushing in about the time the doctor left. He made a beeline for her and grabbed her into a hug. All the breath went out of her at the pain that lanced across her ribs. Before she could say a word, Nikoli had hauled him off her.
“Her ribs,” he said before Adam could open his mouth. “You were hurting her.”
“Hell, I forgot.” Adam ran a hand through his hair. “I’m sorry, Lils.”
“It’s okay,” she said, her throat still a little scratchy.
“I’d have been here sooner, but I fell asleep in the cafeteria and didn’t see Nik’s message until just a few minutes ago.” He grimaced and shot an apologetic look Nikoli’s way.
Lily frowned. They were acting like friends. Since when were Adam and Nikoli friends? They hated each other.
“How are you?” Adam turned his attention back to her, walking over and sitting down in the chair Nikoli had vacated.
“I’m sleepy,” she said truthfully. She was having issues keeping her eyes open.
“Sleepy?” Adam laughed. “You’ve been asleep for almost five days, Lils.”
“Five days?” she gasped. No way!
“Yeah, you had some pretty serious injuries, and then there was a complication.” He glanced over at Nikoli, and he nodded. “You had some bleeding in your brain and they had to relieve it almost right after your first surgery. You scared the hell out of us.”
No wonder she had such a horrible headache.
“You mom and my parents are here. Don’t be shocked when they show up later today,” Adam warned her. “I’m going to try and keep them from visiting until tomorrow, but there’s no way your mom is staying away. We had to strong-arm her to get her to go to the hotel and get some sleep.”
She gave Adam a once over and noticed his clothes were as rumpled as Nikoli’s, and he hadn’t shaved in a couple days either, by the looks of it. Had they both been here the entire time?
“She needs to sleep,” Nikoli said. “Now that she’s awake and talking, why don’t you head home and get some sleep yourself?”
“That’s not a bad idea. I need a shower too. Want me to bring you dinner back?”
Nikoli nodded, and Lily glanced between the two of them, nonplussed. Had she died and gone to some remote region of hell, perhaps?
Adam laughed at the confusion on her face. “Don’t worry, Lils, Kincaid and I came to an understanding. We’re all good.” He leaned down and kissed her forehead. “Get some rest, and I’ll be back in a few hours. I’ll call your mom too.”