Total pages in book: 68
Estimated words: 71312 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 357(@200wpm)___ 285(@250wpm)___ 238(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71312 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 357(@200wpm)___ 285(@250wpm)___ 238(@300wpm)
“I’ll call her a car from a service I trust.” Dad taps on his phone again.
“Falcon, listen to me.”
I turn to Savannah, who has her hands on her hips like an insolent child. “What, Vannah?”
“You don’t have to do any of that.”
“Hell, yes, I do.”
“You don’t, because I’m not leaving. I’m staying here with you. In Raven’s room.”
I drop my jaw. “No you’re not. You’ve been through trauma. You need sleep.”
“You think I’d get a wink without you there? Your guy will be there soon and he’ll take care of the dogs. But that’s not even why I’m staying.”
“Why then?”
She wraps her arm around my waist. “Because this is hard for you, Falcon. You shouldn’t be alone.”
My father turns his gaze to Savannah and then to me.
Does he see what’s between us? Does he know?
Do I care?
Not even slightly.
“There’s only that uncomfortable couch,” I say. “And those ridiculous wooden chairs.”
“I’ll get a recliner sent to Raven’s room,” Dad says.
“And I’ll sleep on the uncomfortable couch, Falcon. Or the floor. I don’t care. I’m not leaving you.”
“Savannah, the nurses interrupt nearly every hour to check Raven’s vitals. You won’t get any sleep.”
“I think I’ve already said I won’t get any sleep back at your place without you there.” She lays her head on my shoulder. “I’m serious. If you’re staying, I’m staying. If you don’t want me here, you’ll have to physically remove me.”
“What if you stay at our place, tonight?” Dad asks. “Star and I gave up our nearby hotel room when Raven was released the last time, so we’re going home.”
“Great idea, Dad, and thanks.”
“Yes, that’s so generous of you,” Savannah says, “but I only… Not to put you down or anything, but I only feel safe with Falcon.”
Dad nods as we walk back toward Raven’s room. “I understand. I’ll make arrangements for a recliner. That way you’ll both have a place to sleep. But you should ask Raven. If she doesn’t want you both here, you need to abide by her wishes.”
“Of course.” I nod.
Mom and Hawk leave Raven’s room, meeting us in the hallway.
“What’s going on out here?” Mom asks.
“Nothing,” Dad says. “Falcon and Savannah are staying here with Raven tonight, if she’s okay with it, of course.”
Raven will be fine with both of us staying. She knows what Vannah and I have both been through the past couple days.
“Let’s head out, Star,” Dad says. “Hawk?”
“I’m going to get a bite and then hang with Raven a little longer.”
Dad nods, and he and Mom walk toward the elevators.
“So?” Hawk eyes Savannah. “Just what do we have here?”
30
SAVANNAH
I need to stay with Falcon. We need each other.
But even if that weren’t the case, I wouldn’t be leaving the hospital. I have an ulterior motive.
I want to look in on Mrs. Shaw. And then Giancarlo.
I can’t tell Falcon. He’ll want to go with me, and I need to talk to Giancarlo alone.
“So?” Hawk eyes me. “Just what do we have here?”
“You know the whole story, I assume,” Falcon says. “Unless Dad didn’t tell you.”
“Dad told me.”
“Good,” Falcon says, “because I just told it to a fucking detective today and I have no desire to rehash it all.”
“Everything good?” Hawk asks.
Falcon shakes his head. “How can you even ask that, with Ray back here?”
“Trying for levity,” Hawk says. “It’s my way. She’ll be all right, Fal. She has to be.”
“Damned right she has to be.”
“I’ll let the two of you talk,” I say, peeking into the room. Raven seems to be sleeping.
Falcon grabs my arm. “You stay right here.”
“You going to answer me?” Hawk raises his eyebrows.
“About what’s going on with us?” I ask.
“This is on me, Vannah,” Falcon says.
“Falcon, we have nothing to hide.” I turn to Hawk and look into his big blue eyes. They’re laced with fear and sadness for his sister. “I’m in love with your brother.”
“You are?” A voice says from behind me. “Lucky me.”
I turn.
Wow. This one’s tall too. And hot. A little thinner than the other two but no less muscular and with a boyish look that makes him more pretty than handsome.
Wow.
“Eagle,” I say.
“That’s my name.” He holds out his hand. “I don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure.”
“Savannah Gallo,” I say.
“Hands off, Eagle.” From Falcon.
“Easy, bro.” Eagle smiles. “I don’t touch what’s not mine.” Then he gets serious. “How is she?”
“In good spirits, for what it’s worth,” Falcon replies. “The doc thinks she just caught a virus, but we won’t know until the blood panels come back.”
“How long will that be?” Eagle asks.
Falcon shakes his head. “How the fuck should I know?”
“Easy, easy,” Eagle says again.
Falcon is looking at his youngest brother in a strange way—as if he can’t decide whether he wants to hug him or slice him up and throw him to a den of hungry lions.
I must be seeing it wrong.