"How long will it take?" she asked as we raced toward the Taconic.
"At the rate he's going, no time. Don't worry. Everything will be fine," I joked, trying to hide how terrified I was as my head began to throb all the way down to the base of my skull.
Jenson held his hand back toward Jordan. "I found this on the steps."
She took what sat in his palm and held it up to show me. "He got your phone, at least."
I laughed a little. Leave it to Jordan. "Yeah. At least he knows what's important. Did he get my bag?"
Leaning forward toward Jenson, she asked, "Did you get Nina's bag?"
"Yes, miss." He held out his hand and passed my purse back to Jordan. "I'm afraid there's nothing left in it, though."
She looked inside and saw Jenson had told the truth. Shrugging, she said, "At least he didn't get the bag. It's a gorgeous bag."
I moaned in a mixture of pain and amusement. "Yeah. But my letter is gone. Now I'll never know if the IRS was going to audit me."
"What?" she asked, confused by my inside joke.
"Never mind. I think I'm just going to close my eyes and relax until we get there."
I felt the car stop and then the door flew open and hands reached in and scooped me up from the seat. They were strong and I knew they were Tristan's. Opening my eyes, I saw his face and those brown eyes so full of concern staring down at me. I was in bad shape if his expression was any indication.
"Tristan..."
"Shhh. Don't talk. I want you to lay down while we wait for the doctor."
I rested my head against his shoulder and closed my eyes again. Just knowing he was taking care of everything put me at ease, and I couldn't imagine feeling safer than in his arms. He placed me gently into our bed and sat beside me, still wearing a look of worry.
"I'll be right back. I need to deal with Jenson," he said sternly.
Reaching out, I grabbed his shirt sleeve as he stood. "Jenson didn't do anything wrong. Please don't do anything to him. If it wasn't for him, I don't know what would have happened to me or Jordan."
Tristan studied me for a moment and then nodded his head. "He's supposed to make sure this doesn't happen, Nina."
"Please. He's not to blame. It all happened so fast. He got to me as soon as he could," I pleaded.
He leaned down and kissed me softly on the lips. "I'll send Jordan in until I get back."
Chapter Nineteen
Jordan sat with me and tried to make me feel better as Tristan reprimanded the driver right outside the door. I couldn't hear everything he said, but as Jordan raved about how beautifully the house was decorated, I heard Tristan say, "I want him taken care of. Now. Do I make myself clear?"
I truly hoped he wasn't talking to Rogers about firing Jenson. It wasn't his fault Mrs. Phillps' crazy grandson was some kind of addict and probably stole my bag for money to buy his drugs. I tuned out much of what Jordan said as I strained to hear more of what Tristan was saying, but his voice was so low I couldn't make anything more out.
When he returned, his expression was softer and he smiled when his gaze met mine. As he sat down next to me, he squeezed my hand. "How are you feeling? The doctor should be here any minute."
"How did you get here before us?" I asked, realizing he couldn't have left the city before Jenson left Sunset Park.
"I drive faster than Jenson," he said with a laugh. "Remember how fast my car is?"
"Yeah." The memory of that first night and us racing up the highway toward this house flashed through my mind, and then I heard Jordan speak.
"I think I need to go home, Nina. You look like you're in good hands here."
All I could think about was her going back to where that asshole was. Who knew what might happen if he caught her alone? I looked over at Tristan and squeezed his hand. "Jordan can't go back there. That guy might be there, Tristan."
"Honey, I have work. I have to go back to the city," Jordan protested.
I silently pleaded with Tristan, hoping he understood the look in my eyes. When he spoke, I fell in love with him all over again.
"Jordan, Nina's right. You can spend a week or two at my hotel downtown while my people find the man who did this."