The doc was in his third year of residency at the busiest hospital in the Los Angeles area. Place was its own warzone. But that wasn’t cause of death. Seemed they were hit head-on by an eighteen-wheeler on a sharp curve leading into the Adams Hill area, most likely where they lived. Why was the tractor trailer up in a residential area? Ah, there it was—another article of the accident. The driver got turned around and was attempting to get back to the state route. Due to low visibility, he didn’t see the car carrying the family. Were there any survivors?
And there it was: Lone survivor of the fatal crash that claimed truck driver, Roger Mills, Doctor Ryan Corbet and his nine-year-old daughter, Lucy, was Mrs. Shelby Corbet. Further reading gave Tar the rest of the story and information. Nurse Shelby was thirty-four years old and had been married for eleven years when the accident stole her entire family. A lone tear fell for this woman who had recently lost it all, yet she was still a caregiver at heart. An honest to God angel swooped in to save Keeley.
Question was, where did they go?
Better yet, why would they leave?
Tar poked around some more through Shelby’s stuff before scoping out the rest of the building. The warehouse was abandoned and housed several homeless. Not nearly as many as he thought should be there, telling him the place was recently vacated. Word wasn’t out yet—another plus for Keeley. He constantly worried for her safety, especially some asshole raping her. He knew she’d lived through that hell once before, but she didn’t need a repeat. Tar spent the night in the warehouse, but Shelby and Keeley did not return. Could he have been wrong? Just as he was about to ditch the location, Shelby appeared.
He locked eyes on the nurse who he was sure saved Keeley. “Where is she?” Unable to contain his anxiety as she eyed him warily.
“Who the hell are you? Why are you in here?”
His patience was damned near nonexistent, but he knew to tread lightly. “Tarius McNeal. I’m looking for my girlfriend who recently had surgery and was severely injured in an attack.”
“Oh my, God. She told me no one would be looking for her.” Shelby was wringing her hands, worried that this man would blame her somehow. More sinister doubts began to fill her. Did he attack her? Was he trying to finish what he started and kill her? “I don’t know who you are referring to.”
A growl rumbled deep in his chest. She was lying. He needed to gain her trust. “I’m not the sicko who hurt her if that’s what you’re nervous about.” He held his palms out. “I’d never harm her.”
The nurse in her was gaging his honesty. She knew his hands held out that way was a show of peace. “I helped a young woman the other night. Some lady was fixated on watching her choke in the alley.”
“Woman?” Tar tilted his head. “Did she seem to know Keeley?”
“Who’s Keeley?”
Smart girl. Even in distress, she didn’t give her name. “Could you describe the woman you helped?”
She sniffed indignantly. “Of course. Petite, warm brown eyes, dark blonde hair, maybe twenty-three, had recent surgery to her lady parts and was stitched up all over from knife wounds.”
Tar exhaled heavily. “That’s her. Where is she?”
Shelby leveled her gaze on his. “She needed blood. I don’t exactly have a way to give a transfusion.”
“You took her to a hospital?” His voice gave away his horror.
“No. Give me some credit,” she said with a lift to her chin.
Tar instantly respected the hell out of this Florence Nightingale. “My apologies, ma’am.”
“Shiiiiit. Law enforcement or military?” She slid her wounded leg to make a quick getaway. The fact she got around as well as she did without crutches or a cane said a lot about the willpower in this strong woman. A strength Tar knew all too well when fate stepped in and took everyone you cared for away.
“SEAL. I’m not here to turn you in. Honestly, I’m just trying to find Keeley. I need to know she’s okay.” Emotions took over as his voice warbled and his bottom lip held a tremor. His hand scrubbed his face. “Please. I love her. I only want to help her.” His eyes were downcast until he heard the slight sob.
Shelby couldn’t control the tears. The poor man meant her no harm, and Keeley was a lucky girl to have such a wonderful guy out searching for her. She made the decision despite the promise she’d given her patient. “There’s a don’t ask, don’t tell clinic I left her at.”
“Underground medical treatment?” His brow arched with the inquiry.
“Yes. Not everyone can afford it. Some won’t get help from those who follow protocol.”