Spontaneous - Brenda Jackson [57]
Hogan conveyed that information to Wynona. He nodded at whatever she was saying and then replied, “Yes, ma’am, you’re right. People are not always what they seem to be.”
Kim swallowed, wondering how her mother was going to feel when she found out that Duan had been an imposter, as well.
“The police are there now?” Hogan glanced over at Reddick, who nodded to confirm. “Yes, then it’s safe to unlock the bathroom door and yes, everything is going to be all right, Ms. Cannon. You did a smart thing getting away from Villarosas.” He nodded again. “Yes, she’s right here.”
Hogan glanced over at Kim. “Your mother would like to speak with you.”
Kim quickly moved forward to take the phone. “Yes, Mom, I’m glad it’s over and that you’re all right.” She actually felt her heart ache for her mother, especially when she heard the sobs in her mother’s voice.
Her eyes began getting teary, and Duan came forward and pulled her closer to his side when she said, “Yes, Mom, we want you to come home, too.”
FOUR HOURS LATER, Wynona was back home. Kim had hoped the family would not get wind of what had happened for a while, but when Edward’s arrest made the evening news everyone began calling.
Kim thought her mother a real trouper after enduring questioning by the Vegas, Shreveport and Atlanta police departments. Edward had been transported from Vegas straight to Atlanta. Wynona said he’d asked to see her and she had agreed, although it had been hard. He hadn’t denied the charges and instead had tried to get her to see why his wives deserved to die. Basically, he’d ended up confessing his crimes to her and the Vegas detectives.
Wynona returned to Shreveport on a law enforcement plane, had been given a sedative and was now resting comfortably. Kim had managed to keep the family members away and for once appreciated that they understood her mother’s need to rest.
She sat in the chair beside the bed watching her mother sleep. She had contacted the hospital to ask for an additional week off, knowing she would need to stay with her mother to help her through this traumatic episode.
She sighed. Wynona deserved a man to love, respect and cherish her. After Edward’s actions, she wondered if her mother would finally realize that you couldn’t seek your happiness in others—it had to first come from within.
That lesson was something that she herself would have to accept in the coming days. No matter what, she couldn’t let despair take hold of her at the thought that pretty soon she and Duan would be parting ways.
Once her mother woke up and they had a chance to talk, she would tell Wynona everything, including the fact that Duan was not her fiancé and that his sole purpose in being in Shreveport was to prove or disprove Edward’s guilt.
Duan and his associates had worked hard to do just that. And now with the two cases finally closed, there was nothing to keep him in Shreveport. She wondered if he planned to fly out with Landon first thing in the morning.
Kim fought back her tears, thinking no one had asked her to fall in love with Duan. Their relationship was never meant to be long-term. She had known that, yet she had allowed her heart to get involved in what should have been nothing more than red-hot sex. She could only blame herself for the outcome.
A warm pair of lips touched the side of her face and she didn’t have to look up to know that Duan was there. And then she felt strong arms lift her up and carry her out of the room.
She knew she had to pull herself together and not think of the man she was losing, since he’d never been hers anyway.
“I know you wanted to watch over your mother, but you don’t need to sleep in that chair, Kim,” Duan whispered against her forehead.
“And just where are you taking me?” she asked, cuddling deeper into his arms, knowing this would probably be the last time she would have a chance to do so.
“To one of the guest bedrooms. Then I’m leaving to go pack up our things at the hotel. I figure you’ll want to be close to your mom for a while, especially tonight. I’ll be flying out