Now wasn’t the time to tell me I told you so.
Lena went on, “I’ve called her house and Wade Pharmaceutical. I was stopped from getting through to her.”
My eyes closed as I lay back. “Fuck.”
“I even tried Logan.”
“I bet he was a big help. What do you know about Julia’s condition?”
“I know she is at her parents’ home in Lincoln Park. I know your man Michael has people from his old firm watching the house.”
“Good, but why?”
“Phillip hasn’t been found.”
My jaw clenched. I hadn’t been told that bit of information.
“Van,” Liv said, appearing at my side with her hand extended, “give me the phone. You’re about to drop it.”
My gaze shot to my sister as I held tight, and the phone trembled in my grasp. “Lena, tell Connie to get me my phone. Call Oscar and tell him to contact Julia. He’ll be able to get through.”
“I’ll call them tonight.”
“What takeover did you tell Liv about?”
“Nothing is set.”
Before I could reply, Liv took the phone and my hand fell to the bed at my side. It wasn’t only the exhaustion. The drink I’d consumed was sloshing in my gut. Neil said he’d given me something to lessen the nausea. Thank fuck. Because if it were any worse, I’d be getting another new hospital gown.
As Liv spoke to Lena, I drifted off.
Now, looking up at the ceiling, I wasn’t certain of how long ago the conversation occurred, only that Liv and her phone were gone. The wired phone sat mockingly at my side. Communication was possible. While I had the means, I didn’t have the numbers, or the needed information.
For the first time in my life.
No.
For the first time in Donovan Sherman’s life, I was at a disadvantage. Instead of the predator, I was the prey. My thoughts centered mostly on Julia. According to Liv, the story she’d been told was that Julia was taken to Chicago before she regained consciousness. That meant that it wasn’t her decision but instead, her parents’ choice.
Was I surprised?
No.
Would I move fucking heaven and earth to get her back?
Without a doubt.
The only problem with my plan was that I couldn’t even move my own ass from the bed.
I pushed the button on the side, lifting my head and torso.
“Fuck.”
I’d felt pain before, but what I felt now was intense. I gritted my teeth as my body moved. Agony shot through me and twisted my mostly empty stomach. Perspiration lined my flesh as I continued moving the bed. Spots formed behind my closed eyelids as I adjusted to the pain.
If eating, drinking, shitting, and walking were my ticket to leaving this place, there was no time like the present. The problem as I saw it was the multiple wires and tubes. It made sense that I shouldn’t remove the tubes.
I concentrated on the wires.