Are you okay? Come see me when you get home. -Sinjin
The lead, the Jell-o, all of it seemed to disappear because within seconds, she was on his porch, knocking on his door.
Chapter Ten
After playing chaperone to a billionaire for the past few days, it had been great when the guy had finished his business dealings unexpectedly early. Once his meeting concluded,Daddy Cowchipswould be in the hands of his own security team and off to his bazillion-acre ranch an hour south of Dallas.
But beforeCowchipsleft the building, Sinjin had been hit with a feeling that something was off.
Wedged between a steel beam and concrete above it, he had immediately taken stock of his surroundings, re-examining the exit to the underground parking lot that Mac and Carter were set to escort their target through. The billionaire’s security team waited with a limo near that door, and Hunter had been in a similar position as him on the other side of the limo, covering a different vantage point.
The job had gone off without a hitch, but the feeling had never left Sinjin. On the drive back to Harland, he still had that nagging feeling in his gut, and his mind drifted to Isla.
Since nothing had gone wrong with the mission, then it had to be her.
He’d yanked his phone from his pocket, ignoring Hunter’s raised brow, and sent a text to Isla even though he knew she’d still be at the hospital. He’d tried again when he knew she normally got out of work and he’d even called, but never received a response.
By the time Mac had pulled into the ESI garage, Sinjin’s gut was twisted into a pretzel knot. Before the SUV even came to a complete stop, he’d jumped from the vehicle, calling over his shoulder that he’d take care of his gear in the morning.
In less than a minute, racing around the back of the building, through his yard, and straight to hers, he’d made it to her door, only to find she wasn’t home.
The urge to break in had been strong, but after glancing through several windows, finding nothing out of place except Loki barking at him from the other side, he’d fished a notepad and pen from one of the pockets in his black cargos to write a quick note. Once he’d finished, he stuck it through a twig on a sunflower wreath hanging on her door and walked home.
He’d tried calling her again.
That was ten minutes ago.
A knock sounded at his door.
With his chest squeezed tightly for reasons he didn’t bother to dissect, Sinjin opened the door to find Isla standing there in a long, sun-colored dress with no straps, staring up at him through watery eyes.
“Isla? Are you okay?” he asked, as relief and concern mixed to sucker punch his knotted gut.
She shook her head. “Yes,” she replied in contradiction, the tears filling her eyes and spilling freely down her face.
Aw, hell.
The tightness in his chest increased until it cracked something open deep inside.
“Come here.” He pulled her close and shut the door. “It’s okay. I’ve got you.”
She answered by dropping her purse, sliding her arms around him and squeezing him tightly.
Unsure how to help when he didn’t know what was wrong, he held her close, whispering words of encouragement and kissing the top of her head while she silently cried.
“I’m sorry. I’m being silly.” She sniffed, drawing back just enough to meet his gaze. “It’s just I was working the ICU today and we had a Code Blue. Mr. Briganti had a GSW to the stomachand surgery last night. I did what I could and what I was told, and everyone worked hard but we lost him. He clutched at me and a few minutes later…he died,” she babbled, rubbing her arm.
He kissed her head again then gently grasped her wrist so he could inspect her arm. Bruising in the shape of fingers circled her forearm. He brought it to his lips and gently kissed her skin.
“It’s not silly,” he assured gently. “I’m really sorry, Isla.”
“Yeah, it is. This is going to happen every day, multiple times. I was able to compartmentalize it until I got home.” She inhaled and met his gaze again. “Then I saw your note and I just needed to see you.”
He brushed a stray tear from her cheek. “I had this strange feeling all day. I texted you and called, but when I didn’t get a response…” He halted, refusing to give those dark thoughts any more life.
A frown creased her brow. “You did? I’m sorry. I haven’t looked at my phone since before the Code Blue announcement. I just never thought to look. Guess I was preoccupied with trying to keep busy then I met the girls at Texas Pub and we were celebrating Emily’s ranch purchase, but I just wasn’t feeling good, you know?” she asked, then continued without waiting for his reply, “But on my walk home, I was barely able to keep it together. I’m glad you’re back.”
She set her cheek against his chest and squeezed him tight again.
