“Later.” I don’t look at him.
He follows me anyway. “You brought a girl who is known to have relations with your brother to the emergency room in a condition that could be considered close to death. That can’t go unanswered for. I need to tell them something.”
I stop, swing around, grabbing him by the collar, and throw him against the wall.
“She was never with my brother and she’s not dead. She’s strong. She will make it through this. As for your issue, I don’t give a fuck what you tell them. My only focus is her. Got it?”
He gives a small nod.
I let him go, watching as he stumbles over the steps. “Good. Now get out of here. If you want a formal statement, you can wait until I know my woman is okay.”
“Understood. I’ll take care of it, sir.”
I leave him in the stairwell, making my way to her.
You’ll be okay, baby.
* * *
As time passes,the more anxious I get. Standing, I pace.
What’s taking so long?
“You need to relax, man,” Nate says.
Looking down at my brother, I see him with his elbows resting on his bouncing legs.
“I can’t help it.” I sigh.
“It will all be okay,” Hailee says from her spot next to Nate.
“Let’s hope so,” I murmur.
The phone behind the desk rings and we all tense. The nurse answers it. She hangs up the phone and stands.
“Mr. Rockford?” she says softly.
Out of the corner of my eye, I watch Nate grab Hailee’s hand as I approach the desk.
“Everything okay?”
“Yes, sir. Sorry to worry you. That was Mr. Clemons, and he wanted you to know that Willow was in excellent hands. He also said that he made it clear with the staff you were her power of attorney.”
I release a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. “Thank you.”
“Of course, sir. Hopefully, it won’t be too much longer.”
I walk back over to Nate and Hailee and take a seat next to them.
“So?” Hailee asks after a few minutes of silence.
“Sometimes it pays off to have people in your pocket,” I say under my breath. “Needless to say, the hospital director was easy to sway in our favor.”
“Thank god for gambling problems,” Nate mumbles.
Hailee slaps Nate’s shoulder. “That’s rude,” she chastises.
“Come on, Comet. Be nice,” he pleads.
