Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 58253 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 291(@200wpm)___ 233(@250wpm)___ 194(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58253 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 291(@200wpm)___ 233(@250wpm)___ 194(@300wpm)
“Okay, no jacket. Did Samantha say anything?” he asked.
Rubbing her hands against her thighs, she said, “I tried to calm her down by saying something stupid about the bullet going straight through and she chided me for watching Grey’s Anatomy again. She was so cold and shaking. But she told me to get her phone. I asked for her code and when she gave it, I told her we really needed to talk about security.”
“You kept her talking and you were there, Brandy. You did good.”
More tears filled her eyes. “She asked me to call her brother.”
“Not me?” The words slipped from his lips.
She shook her head. “She said not to call you, then something like you were busy, and the word important, before she passed out.”
Nausea washed over him along with a pain in his chest the likes of which he’d never felt before. “Nothing is more important than she is,” he said. Nothing. And from this moment on, he swore she’d know it.
“I’m sorry,” Brandy whispered.
“It’s okay. Is there anyone I can call to sit with you?” he asked.
She shook her head. “Can I be your sidekick?”
He laughed. “Sure.” He rubbed her back and together, they sat in silence.
An hour passed, then two. People came and went, waiting on loved ones. Doctors walked in, giving them news. Dex was worried sick and losing his mind, but he knew making a scene at the nearby desk wouldn’t help. When they had news, someone would come find them.
Brandy had huddled in a more comfortable chair in the corner but after a while, he couldn’t sit still. Rising to his feet, he paced the room, checking his watch nonstop. At this point it was a toss-up who he’d see first, Ian or the surgeon. He ultimately grew tired and sat back down, his head in his hands.
“The family of Samantha Dare?” A doctor stood in the entrance and Dex rose to his feet. Brandy followed.
And as if he’d had a line to the operating room, Ian, his wife, Riley, and Emma joined them, rushing in and around the man to hear what he had to say.
“I’m her mother,” Emma said, and Ian put an arm around her shoulders. Pale and shaking, Samantha’s mother waited for news.
“She made it through surgery.” He said the words and a collective breath and sigh of relief echoed around the room.
Dex felt as though he could breathe for the first time since getting Ian’s call.
“Oh, thank God.” Emma clasped her hands in front of her chest.
“What else?” Ian asked, in his no-nonsense voice.
The doctor nodded. “The bullet nicked her spleen.”
Riley gasped and Emma grabbed her hand.
“We were able to repair the damage and retrieve the bullet. She’s a lucky woman and barring any complications, she should heal and be okay.”
“Oh, thank God,” Brandy said, and Dex pulled her against him. She’d been through so much tonight. They all had. Dex had almost lost his better half and it was time he let her know how he felt.
“When can we see her?” Ian asked.
The older man cleared his throat. “She’s in recovery. Once she’s settled, we’ll let you see her, one person at a time.”
Everyone let out another sigh of relief.
Dex was so fucking relieved she’d be okay, he sat down and dipped his head, letting himself breathe.
Ian tilted his head, indicating he wanted to talk, and they stepped to a private corner of the room. “Why the fuck would Jeremy shoot her?”
Brandy, who’d been standing since the doctor left, walked over. “I heard you talking. Samantha had a meeting with her lawyer this morning. We were going to talk over dinner. She didn’t want to discuss it at the office, but I think he might know more?”
Ian nodded. “Thanks. I’ll go leave him an urgent message.”
“Thanks, Brandy. Are you okay? Can I get you something to eat or drink?” Dex offered.
She shook her head. “I think since you’re all here and going to want to see her, I’ll go home. Will you keep in touch?”
Dex touched her shoulder. “Of course. I’ll walk you out and wait with you until the car comes. You’ve had a rough evening. You don’t need to stand outside alone.”
She treated him to a smile. “Thanks, Dex. I appreciate it.”
“Let’s go.” Dex stopped by where Ian, Riley, and Emma were sitting. “I’ll be back after I get Brandy safely into a car. Did you reach the attorney?” he asked Samantha’s brother.
Ian shook his head. “Left a message.”
Dex let out a long breath. Now that they knew Samantha would be okay, he wanted to know what the hell had tipped Jeremy into insanity, where the son of a bitch had disappeared to, and when the cops would find him.
“But the minute I find out, I want a conversation with that bastard,” Ian said, his face turning red with anger.