“Oh good, you’re awake.”
That cheerful voice drew her gaze to the door to see a very pregnant brunette entering . . . extremely pregnant. The woman was petite everywhere except for having an almost freakishly huge stomach bulging out in front of her. Valerie didn’t know how the woman was carrying that burden around without some kind of sling around it to aid her in bearing the weight.
“I know. I’m huge,” the woman said, rubbing her stomach with a self-conscious laugh as she approached the bed.
Realizing she was staring rudely at the protuberance, Valerie forced her eyes to the woman’s face. “Where am I?”
The question came out in a cracked, raspy voice and actually hurt her throat. It felt like someone had scoured the lining of her throat with an SOS pad while she was sleeping. Nasty.
“A safe house,” the brunette answered as she reached her side. She then leaned past her to pick up a glass of clear fluid from the bedside table. She offered the beverage to Valerie. “It’s water. Room temperature by now, I’m sure, but it will wet your whistle.”
Valerie hesitated, but then accepted the glass. She didn’t know the brunette from Eve, but she’d said this was a safe house, and the woman was pretty non-threatening. It was hard to imagine her being in league with the likes of Igor or his boss and drugging her water, so she risked it and took a tentative sip. When she didn’t taste anything amiss, Valerie relaxed and gulped down half the glass in one go. The liquid was silky and soothing in her mouth and throat, and made her realize how parched she’d been.
“Thank you,” Valerie murmured as she lowered the glass.
“You’re welcome.” The brunette smiled widely and held out her hand. “I’m Leigh Argeneau.”
“Valerie Moyer,” Val responded, placing her free hand in the woman’s to shake.
“It’s nice to meet you, Valerie,” Leigh said with a smile. “How are you feeling?”
“Sore, weak, and like I need a shower,” Val answered honestly.
“I’m not surprised you’re sore,” Leigh said with a nod. “You took a heck of a beating. You have bruises everywhere, and your back wound is probably tender as well. I’m afraid only time is going to help with that,” she added apologetically. “But we can do something about a shower. Can you walk on your own, or shall I help you?”
“I can manage,” Valerie assured her.
“Then follow me,” Leigh said, turning on her heel. She headed for a door on the other side of the bed, adding, “The weakness shouldn’t last long. You lost a lot of blood before our doctor could get you sewn up, but she gave you a couple of pints to replace it before switching you to saline in the IV. Hopefully, between that and the fact that you only sustained a flesh wound, you should quickly regain your strength and feel more yourself.”
Valerie didn’t comment, but suspected Leigh was right. She was already feeling less shaky, and suspected after a shower and some food she’d feel better still. She couldn’t wait. But she also had some questions. “This safe house—”
“Is my home,” Leigh said as she opened the door and led her into a bathroom decorated in dark shades of blue. Casting a smile over her shoulder, she added, “Well, mine and my husband’s, Lucian. He runs the Enforcement team that responded to your 911 call.” She paused and then turned to Valerie to admit, “Well, actually Mortimer is the one in charge of the men, but he answers to Lucian.” She shrugged. “Anyway, they found the other women in the basement and then searched and found you in the bushes. They took the other women to the Enforcer house, but brought you here so the doctor could tend you. It’s for the best,” she added quickly when Valerie frowned at the knowledge that she’d been separated from the other women. “There weren’t enough beds at the Enforcer house for all of you and this way you could get more individual attention.”
Valerie relaxed and nodded, but asked, “Why not a hospital?”
“Your kidnapper got away and they were afraid you wouldn’t be safe in a hospital,” Leigh said quietly.
Valerie stiffened at this news. She’d killed Igor, but his boss, the one behind all of the ills that had befallen her, had got away with it. Son of a bitch.
“You’re safe here,” Leigh said. “Lucian won’t let anything happen to you.”
Valerie didn’t comment. She was more pissed than worried about the escape of Igor’s boss. She might have been knocked out and dragged off once, but she wouldn’t allow it to happen again. And she resented the fact that the bastard had got away with it. However, there was nothing she could do about that, so she pushed the thoughts away as Leigh said, “I’ll leave you alone to take your bath.”