"Yes, she is.She came out of surgery three hours ago.Her parents are with her," Bella clarifies.
I turn to the nurse, desperation leaking into my voice."When can I see her?"
She fixes me with a no-bullshit stare."Mr.Walker, I'm going to make a deal with you.If you behave, I'll get a physician to examine you as soon as possible.And if he thinks you're up for it, you can visit Miss McQueen."
I nod, eyes locked on the door."Fine."When she doesn't move immediately, I shrug."What are you waiting for?Get me a doctor."
The woman shakes her head, but a smile tugs at her lips."Girl, you've got one headstrong father."
Samantha giggles, the sound pure music to my ears."Yeah, I know.But he's the best."
"EASY, BRO," Brian and Nick say in unison as I slide out of bed with their support.
"You heard the doc.You need to take it easy."I shoot them both a murderous glare.
"Tell me one more time to take it easy, and you'll need your own hospital bed."
Brian chuckles."Oh, really?You think you can bulldoze us in this state?You look like you got sucker-punched by Rocky Balboa himself."
"Jeez, thanks," I exchange looks with my friends."Honestly though, how would you act if you were in my shoes, and it was Emma or Amanda lying in the hospital, and they say take it easy?"
They fall silent, understanding flooding their faces before they nod.
"Okay, let's get rolling," Nick says, gesturing toward the door.
My fingers drum against the wheelchair's armrest as Brian pushes me through the endless hospital corridors.Two bruised ribs, a broken nose, and a minor fracture in my cheekbone – but I couldn't care less about my injuries.What tears at my gut is that my woman has been fighting for her life while I was lost in dreams of my father.The doctor explained that I collapsed from emotional, mental, and physical trauma.Said I need rest and time to recover.Well, fuck that.The only thing that matters is seeing Alex.
We round a corner and my heart stops.Samantha stands with Alisha's parents, deep in conversation.Clair spots us first, touching her husband's shoulder and pointing our way.I lower my gaze, shame burning through me.
What am I going to say?How mad will they be?Their daughter is here because of me.
When Brian stops beside them, I force myself to speak."I'm sorry," The words catch in my throat."I never..."
Two arms wrap around my shoulders, pulling me into a fierce hug."Thank you for saving her, Cole," Clair's voice breaks with emotion.
"Huh?"The word escapes before I can stop it.
She pulls back, taking my hand in both of hers."Without you, my sweet girl wouldn't have survived."
I glance at Jim, who steps closer to his wife."The doctor and police told us everything.Even with your injuries, you gave her CPR, tried to stop the bleeding.If you hadn't acted so quickly..."His voice trails off."You saved her life.Thank you."
I look up at Clair, my vision blurring."If anybody should say thank you, it should be me.She and I have been through hell, but your daughter is the real hero."My fingers brush over my bruised wrists."I was tied to that chair for five days, completely helpless.Alisha is the one who risked everything to save me.I told her to save herself, but that stubborn woman refused to leave me behind."Emotion clogs my throat as I remember David trying to kill her."She fought with everything she had and killed that monster.And did it all in four-inch heels."
Clair cups my face, her thumb brushing away a tear I didn't know had fallen."That sounds like our girl.When my daughter loves somebody, she fights with her heart and soul to keep and protect them.That's exactly what she did."
"How is she?What are her injuries?"
She releases a tired breath."She'll make it.But the stab wound was severe.The bleeding came from her kidney, and they had to remove it."
"Fuck!"The word explodes from me as I slam my hands down on the armrests.
The door to Alisha's room opens, and Amanda steps out."She's waking up and asking for you, Cole."
"Okay," Clair says with a gentle smile."Let's give my daughter what she asks for."
Brian wheels me in as Amanda holds the door, and my heart nearly stops when I finally see her.My friend positions the chair next to her bed and quietly leaves the room.My eyes drink in every detail of Alex lying still beneath the white sheets, looking so small and fragile it hurts.I take her hand with trembling fingers, brushing my jaw over her knuckles.The familiar scent of her skin hits me, and something in my tortured mind finally eases.Relief floods through me when her soft, melodic voice whispers my name.
"Cole?"
