In the aftermath of her family’s murders, Dr. Randall had been her biggest supporter. Over the course of eleven years, this man had become such an important staple in her life—the only real constant presence she knew.
As time went on, he was also the one who’d given her the courage she needed to step out onto her own again. Granted, when she’d insisted on pursuing a life outside of the city that was a constant reminder of all she’d lost, Dr. Randall had done his best to convince her to stay. But still, he’d never—
Ohmygod.He hadn’t tried to get me to stay out of concern for my safety and well-being. He’d wanted me to stay so I wouldn’t leave…him.
Bile rushed to the surface, threatening to spill as the horrible, sickening realization struck. Cera stared back at the man she’d believed was her confidant as if he were as stranger.
An evil, delusional stranger with a gun.
“Y-you.” She held the bile at bay, but her tears were a different story. “But…h-how? Y-you’re my doctor. You were the one person I thought I could trust—”
“Youcantrust me, Cera,” he spoke in a hushed voice. “I’ve always only ever had your best interests at heart.”
She thought she was going to be sick.
Slapping a hand over her mouth, Cera worked her throat to keep from vomiting. Her stunned mind raced to make sense of what she’d just witnessed. Of the fact that the one person in her life she thought she could always turn to had been the one following her every move.
Watching her. Scaring her.Terrorizingher.
Cera was still standing there, staring back at the monster before her when Dr. Randall spared the hallway a quick glance. The move broke the spell this new, horrific reality had placed on her, and she realized she could still hear the water running from Ivan’s shower.
It was only then that she remembered she wasn’t alone.
Ivan! You have to get to Ivan!
She swung her head in that direction. Filling her lungs, Cera prepared to scream as loud as she physically could. But before she could make so much as a peep, the man she never really knew made it very clear what would happen if she did scream.
“Make a sound, and I put a bullet in Roxbury’s head,” Dr. Randall warned. “And then you and I will take a trip down the hall, and you can watch while I kill your new boyfriend in cold blood. Now, I get that he used to be a Navy SEAL, but I seriously doubt he keeps a gun in the shower for defense. Don’t you agree?”
I wouldn’t be so sure.
In the short time she’d known the man, she’d learned Ivan liked to be prepared for anything. Anywhere.
Probably even while in the bathroom.
Unfortunately for her, that didn’t matter. Cera knew she’d do whatever Dr. Randall asked, whether or not Ivan had a weapon within reach.
Not because she trusted him. That trust went out the window the second she thought about everything the twisted fuck had put her through. In fact, looking at him now, she realized he was nothing more to her than a psychopath with a medical degree.
Even so, her choice to follow Dr. Randall’s orders to a T was as easy as breathing. Because that was the only way she could protect Ivan.
He’ll do it. He will kill Ivan if you try to run.
Cera believed that to her very soul.
She’d brought this maniac to his doorstep. How, she still had no idea. At this point, it was neither here nor there.
The important thing, theonlything, was that this man was going to kill Ivan if she didn’t follow his instructions as he gave them. He’d already proven himself to be dangerously unstable, so yeah. The choice to do as Dr. Randall said was one of the easiest decisions she’d ever made.
“You swear you won’t hurt Ivan if I go with you?” Cera searched the crazed man’s eyes for even a hint of sanity.
Come on, Ivan. Please get out of the shower, now. I really,reallyneed you to get out of the shower!
“You walk out those doors with me right now,” Dr. Randall answered calmly, “and both men will, presumably, continue to live long, healthy lives.”
A promise from a madman was all she had to go on, but the risk to Ivan—as well as Mr. Roxbury—was simply too great. If something happened to her, so be it. Story of her life, after all. But Ivan…
I’m so sorry, Ivan. Please know our time together meant everything to me. I’ll never forget you. Not ever.