Passionate Vengeance by Elizabeth Lapthorne Read Free Book Online

happens to the blood samples I just gave? What tests are they going to perform?” Abigail couldn’t help the vague paranoia and worry that filled her. Having been burnt, she now found it hard to trust in the general goodwill of humankind. She hoped after a bit of time that innate faith would be restored to her once again, that it hadn’t been ripped from her forever.
    “I can find out,” Lucas promised. He took her hand in his and a flutter of warmth shoot through her stomach. She wanted to trust him, to put her faith completely in his hands. Abigail found she wasn’t quite there yet, but oh how she was tempted! Lucas’ electric blue eyes bored into hers. The desperate desire to believe everything of him, to leave her cares and troubles behind overcame her.
    “I just don’t want to be poked and prodded again,” she insisted in a soft tone. “I don’t care if they find my blood full of diseases again. I feel fine. I don’t have that fever anymore. I don’t feel sick or uncomfortable. I don’t care what traditional medical science says, if I’m not showing the symptoms of being sick or feeling wretched then I don’t want to be near a doctor or hospital.”
    “That’s completely understandable.” Lucas’ warm, charming smile made her heart hammer and her stomach knot. The man was irresistible. How did he not have dozens of women draping themselves over him or casting their hearts at his feet? Surely she wasn’t the only woman around here with eyes in her head?
    “Why don’t I go and talk to Dr Morrison and see if they’re happy to release you? I bet you’re desperate for a shower and to get some rest in the comfort of your own bed.”
    Abigail clung to Lucas’ hand as he made to stand.
    He paused, turning to her with a quizzical look.
    Her actions surprised her. Not thirty seconds ago she would have loved to have been released, allowed go her own way and try to settle back into her regular life. When it came to that point, however, a new understanding settled on her. She didn’t want to sit back and let everyone around her do the work. Abby no longer wanted to rely on other people to make this right. How could she possibly sit at home, or return to her dreary insurance job, or try to lie quietly and sleep when there was still so much left unanswered?
    “I want to go with you,” she spoke firmly.
    Lucas appeared startled, and she couldn’t blame him. Up until now the man had only seen her at her very weakest and worst. How could he possibly know she usually was not some weeping, spineless little miss?
    Abigail swallowed and repeated herself in a strong tone, determined to start down the road of reclaiming her spirit right there and then. “I’m coming with you,” she said more forcefully, determined in her chosen course of action now she’d made it.
    “Um, well okay,” he replied. “Morrison should just be in his office. It’s right down the corridor. We can—”
    “No, I don’t mean that,” she replied with a small laugh. Despite herself she indulged for a moment in his understandable misinterpretation of her words. She giggled, enjoying the way the humour bubbled through her. It felt like forever since she’d laughed like this. Lucas’ answering grin seemed instinctive—the natural inclination of one person to find solace with another in a joke—not as if he actually understood why she found this funny.
    “I mean I don’t want to go home, hide behind the closed blinds and wait for this to be resolved. I’m sure you will be watching Dr Harper and will see this resolved, but I don’t want to be hanging around, waiting for you to call and tell me everything is well. I want to help you. And Tristan,” she added, almost as an afterthought, “I know you must think me the weakest, most paltry creature alive, but I don’t want to sit on my hands doing nothing. I want to help you both. And I can. If you’re truly going to search for Harper I’m sure I won’t be a