Forever in Love Read Online Free

everything out so all she had to do was make sure the correct order was delivered in the morning and checks would be on time for the employees.
    Vibrations shook her hip and dug her cell from her jeans pocket and checked the display on her phone as she adjusted the strap on her purse. She frowned and paused at the bottom of the stairs. Why would he call her after all this time? Curious, she slid her thumb across the screen.
    “Well it’s been a long time,” she greeted.
    “Hello sassy.”
    She halted. Had his voice always been that deep and sinful? She closed her eyes and waited for him to speak again.
    “I really need to see you.”
    The sentiment warmed her straight to her toes. “Now why would you do that? It’s been like ten years.”
    “That means you’re all grown up.”
    Her keys fell from her hand. She stooped to retrieve them. “And that means what?”
    “Bonnie.”
    At the new voice, she turned her head. Pain exploded in her skull. The phone skittered from her hand as she dropped to her knees. The next blow caught her on the shoulder, knocking her to the ground. She threw a hand up, deflecting the third, but she wasn’t in time to dodge the kick aimed at her ribs.
    “Didn’t think I’d find you, huh?” her assailant taunted.
    Tears blurred her vision while her head swam. If she could get away. Get to her car, maybe she’d have a chance. Bonnie got to her knees, crawling toward her vehicle. Her attacker cackled above her. Something cold touched her hand. She glanced down. Her keys. She snatched them up.
    “Where do you think you’re going?” Fingers tightened in her hair and yanked her to kneeling.
    She swung her fist, the metal snagged the thick jersey material, ripped through the fabric until it sliced flesh and caught the man in the groin. He released her with a howl. She scrambled to her feet, hitting the lock on her vehicle.
    A hard body crashed into her sending her flying face first into the unyielding corner of her car. Blackness raced to the edges of her mind as she was dragged away from her car and kicked. She tried to roll away, but something heavy kept her pinned in place. Hands tightened at her throat, forcing the air from her lungs. She clawed at his wrists and the backs of his hands. Every breath she gasped fought past her lips, until her body went limp from exhaustion, the brain doing its best to preserve what precious oxygen it needed.
    Shouting stilled her attacker’s movements. He leaned close to her, his breath hot and fetid against her cheek. “You tell that arrogant asshole I’m coming for what’s mine. Tonight’s your lucky night, ‘cause the next time I catch you alone, I’ll kill you.” With a final strike he moved off her.
    Even with his weight cleared from her chest, she still had trouble breathing. Stabbing pain blasted through her system. Bonnie whimpered and rolled to her side, curling into a ball.
    “Bonnie!”
    Footsteps pounded across the pavement. She must’ve blacked out. The cold from the concrete seeped into her clothes and chilled her bones. Every breath she inhaled sent a shiver of agony scurrying along nerve endings. She tried to focus on the frightened voice, but she could barely open her eyes. All she managed was cracking one lid. The face so familiar and worried swam before her vision.
    “Bonnie.”
    Who was this Bonnie? Gentle fingers brushed her hair from her face. “I’m sorry,” she murmured.
    “Stay with me, sis. Ya hear me? Stay with me.”
     
    ***
     
    The room was quiet. Bonnie managed to open her eyes and peer at the tiled ceiling. She’d been dreaming, but couldn’t remember about what. She shifted and her body erupted in aches and pains that caused her to cry out. A figure moved.
    “Hey. You’re awake. Take it easy.”
    “What happened?” Was that her voice? Why was it so scratchy?
    A gray-haired middle age woman moved into her line of vision. “Do you remember what happened?”
    Remember...Bonnie concentrated a moment.