Lachlan arrives a few moments later, and I look up sharply as he claps a hand on my shoulder, blinking at him.
“What are you doing here?” I ask, my voice rough.
His brows draw together. “You texted me. Remember?”
Fuck. No. I don’t. Everything since the moment I saw Rose’s car crash has been a blur, and I can barely recall any of it.
Lachlan jerks his head toward the doors that lead deeper into the hospital. “How is she?”
“I don’t know.” I swallow, my jaw tight. “I’m not sure. She was unconscious when we got here.”
He blows out a breath, running a hand through his dark hair. “Fuck.”
Other parts of this evening start filtering back into my mind, reminding me what led to my confrontation with Rose—the one that sent her running out of the house.
“Connor still all right?” I ask.
“Yeah. I left him with Finn. None of his injuries were serious. And I added extra security to the warehouse, in case whoever hit it the first time comes back. We need to be ready in case another attack comes.”
Unable to keep still, I move agitatedly around the small waiting room. “I told Rose about her father. I thought for sure he was using her to get information from us, that that’s how he found out about the warehouse we’ve been using. But she denied it. Said she hasn’t told him anything.”
Lachlan’s gaze follows me, his expression serious. “And do you believe her?”
I stop moving suddenly, staring at the wall ahead of me. But I’m not really seeing it. Instead, I’m seeing Rose in my mind’s eye. It’s as if every moment we’ve ever shared, everything that’s happened between us over the years, flashes through my head in a single instant. And without even having to consider my answer, I nod.
“Yes. I do.”
My brother blows out a breath, contemplating my words for a moment. Then he purses his lips. “I think you’re right. If Antonio is targeting us, it’s not through her.”
I blink, surprised by his words. I almost expected him to tell me I’m blinded by love, that I’ve let my feelings override my better judgment.
As if he’s read my thoughts, Lachlan shakes his head. “I’ve seen the way she looks at you, brother,” he murmurs. “I don’t believe she would betray you. That woman loves you.”
A sharp pang shoots through my chest. I don’t feel worthy of her love at the moment, don’t feel worthy of her at all. I never thought that she was actively working against us, but I hate that I accused her of being a pawn. I hate that I told her the truth about her father in the heat of the moment, hurling it at her like a cruel barb.
Lachlan rests a hand on my shoulder. “Whatever the fuck is going on, we’ll figure it out, I promise. Our family will survive this. Connor, Rose—they’ll both be okay.”
I nod, but before I can respond, a doctor comes down the hallway toward us.
I tense as he nears, my shoulders going tight. I know the accident wasn’t as bad as it could have been, but I’m still worried. I’ve gotten used to hearing nothing but bad news in hospitals, and I can’t help the feeling that this is going to be bad too.
“How is she?” I ask immediately, not waiting for him to speak first.
“She’s fine,” he says. “She was lucky.”
Something in my chest relaxes, making a rush of air leave my lungs. “Thank fuck.”
The doctor nods, ignoring my vulgar words. “She’s got a few bruises. No major injuries. So don’t worry, she’ll be all right. And the baby should be fine as well.”
My stomach flips, my gaze snapping to his.
Baby?
CHAPTER32
Rose
My mouth feels like cotton, stuffy and dry. There’s a strange taste on my tongue.
