“Do not use that word!” I raised my head. “It was you, wasn’t it?”
“What are you talking about?”
“The news just reported that Stanley Morter is dead.”
“Good,” Scooby replied.
“Don’t do that and don’t lie,” I snapped. “We both know Stanley Morter would never commit suicide. He loved himself too much. You killed him,” I accused.
Scooby said nothing, but his eyes failed to meet mine.
“Oh my god,” I panted out, then I couldn’t seem to find any breath at all. I felt myself going down.
“Fuck. Needles!”
Suddenly a gentle arm wrapped around my shoulders. “Rowan, honey, it’s Wyatt. I need you to focus on my voice.”
Lord whined as I fought back the darkness.
“I can give her a sedative,” Needles offered.
“We won’t need that,” Wyatt said. “Will we?”
It sounded like she was in a tunnel.
“Try and take a deep breath,” she crooned. “You’re having a panic attack but you’re okay. Fight the fear. Focus on Lord and come back.”
I struggled for air. Everything hurt and I felt like there were pins stabbing at my eyes. Wyatt rubbed my back and it felt so nice, like a warm motherly hug, and I leaned into her touch as I tried to take a breath.
“That’s it, honey. One more.”
I dragged another shallow breath in, and the daggers behind my eyes began to recede.
“Good.” Wyatt continued to rub my back. “Again.”
I took another breath, then another until I was able to breathe normally, and the panic subsided completely. Lord raised his head and licked my face and I smiled sitting back wrapping my arms around his neck.
Mortified, I glanced around to find Needles, Scooby, Sundance, and Wyatt watching me closely, and I felt my face heat. “Um, wow, okay. Sorry.” I rose to my feet. “I’m going to go.”
“You’re not going anywhere,” Scooby said.
“I’m going home.”
“Goddammit, Rowan, you’re gonna stay here until I know you’re okay.”
I turned to Sundance. “Am I a prisoner?”
Sundance shook his head. “You are not.”
“I’d like to leave, and I’d appreciate it if you’d make sure no one stops me from doing so.”
Scooby scoffed. “Rowan—”
“Give me my purse,” I demanded.
Scooby scowled.
I turned to Sundance again, giving him a pleading look.