Dare to Touch (Dare to Love 3)

* * *

Dylan knew the minute Olivia stepped out of the room, but he couldn’t up and run after her just yet. He shook his head, hating being torn in two. “Did you call the police about Mike?” Dylan asked.

Meg shook her head. “He didn’t assault me; he was frustrated and—Don’t look at me that way! I’m not making excuses. I don’t want that bastard anywhere near me. I had to call 911 when the bleeding wouldn’t stop and was so heavy, and the paramedics saw the mess with the cabinet. They asked what happened… I had to tell them anyway, in case being shoved impacted the bleeding, so it’s all documented.”

He frowned, knowing if he saw Mike on the street, he’d knock the

other man into next year. “It’s not enough.”

“They aren’t going to arrest him for shoving me once. And considering his reaction, he won’t be back. He doesn’t want anything to do with me or the baby.” She covered her stomach with her hands. “I didn’t realize how much I wanted to keep the baby until I saw all that blood and realized I might lose it. All I care about now is holding on to him. Or her.”

As Dylan patted Meg’s hand, he remembered Olivia saying the same thing when she’d described her ordeal, and for the first time, he realized how hard this night must have been for her too. Hearing Meg’s story had to have brought up all those painful memories. The ones she was trying to get past in order to give them a future.

He swallowed a curse.

Meg leaned her head back against the pillows, obviously exhausted.

He rose to his feet. “I should let you get some rest.”

She nodded. “I’m tired.”

He leaned over and kissed her forehead. “I’ll come back and check on you soon, okay?”

“Thanks, Dylan. And thank Olivia for me. I’m sorry I interrupted your date.”

“Just think about yourself and the baby. It’s all good,” he told her, hoping he was right.

After leaving Meg, Dylan asked a nurse where he could find the nearest waiting room. He followed the directions, hoping Olivia had gone there and hadn’t left the hospital instead.

He heard voices as he approached and paused in the doorway, startled to see Olivia hugging another man, who, when he stepped back, he realized was her brother.

Jesus, he did not need any more shocks or surprises tonight. “Everything okay?” he asked, walking into the stark waiting room. Other than a few plastic chairs and a table with undoubtedly outdated magazines, the room was sparse and empty.

“Fine,” Olivia said, meeting his gaze. “I called Scott, and he was in the neighborhood after work, so he stopped by.”

Dylan raised an eyebrow. She’d called him to say hello at almost midnight or because she was upset?

Except she didn’t seem as upset now as she’d been before.

“Scott,” Dylan said, extending his hand.

“Rhodes,” Scott muttered. He accepted the handshake.

“How is Meg?” Olivia asked.

Dylan shrugged. “Exhausted. Scared. But she’s resting, which is good.”

Scott stepped forward. “Olivia filled me in. Did your friend file a police report about her assault?” the cop asked.

Dylan shook his head. “She doesn’t think one shove is an assault.” He ran a hand through his hair, frustrated by that.

Sympathy crossed the other man’s face. “Do you want me to talk to her? At the very least, she can file for a restraining order. Maybe I can explain that to her.”

Dylan gave the suggestion some thought. “I want to say no because it might upset her, but I’d rather she do something now than have the bastard try to come near her again.”

Scott gestured with one hand. “Why don’t you introduce me, and we’ll go from there?”

Dylan glanced at Olivia. “Come with us,” he said, unwilling to leave her alone or let her walk out on him again.