Page 211 of The Dixon Rule

What the fuck does she mean, Percy beat her?

“What hospital?” I’m already shooting to my feet.

“St. Michael’s in Hastings.”

“I’m on my way.”

CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX

DIANA

I want a sassy bitch

THE MOMENT SHANE WALKS INTO MY HOSPITAL ROOM, HE STARTS TO cry.

“Don’t,” I beg from the bed. “Please. You’ll make me cry too, and my nose is too congested right now. I want to be able to breathe.”

But there’s no stopping him. His broad shoulders shake from his tears. I can’t even imagine how traumatic this must be for him—the last time he was in a hospital, he was clutching his father’s hand, literally watching him die. His shell-shocked expression as he stumbles toward me confirms my suspicion that he’s in the midst of a flashback.

“It’s worse than it looks,” I say wryly.

He doesn’t answer. Just blinks back his tears as his frantic gaze runs up and down my body. I know what he’s seeing. The bandage on my head, the split lip, swollen nose. It’s not broken, thank God, but it still hurts like a bitch.

The real damage, unfortunately, is internal. My kidney took a good beating. The doctor is worried about internal bleeding, so she’s keeping me here for observation for a few days. She warned me I have some bloody urine to look forward to.

Shane collapses in the chair that my dad was recently occupying. Dad went to collect Shane from the lobby when he called to say he was downstairs, and I suspect he’s in the waiting room now, giving us some privacy.

Uncertainty looms in Shane’s eyes as his hand finds mine. He’s shaking. “What happened?”

Shane’s expression starts off angry, as I describe how Percy kicked the door in, and ends homicidal when I describe myself curled up on the floor while he stomped on me.

As I relate the evening’s events, it’s difficult to control the sick feeling in my stomach and the weak, fluttery sensations that keep trembling through me. The doctor gave me something for the anxiety, but I know a pill or two isn’t going to fix what’s wrong. As embarrassing as it felt to admit weakness, I remembered what my dad had told me about asking for help, and so I asked my doctor if she could arrange for a counselor to come see me. I’ve had anxiety attacks since the summer. I can’t ignore them anymore. It’s time to face them head-on, no matter how scary that might be.

The gravity of the situation keeps slicing into me out of nowhere. How close I came to being severely injured. Maybe even dead. If Niall hadn’t called the cops the moment I screamed his name, if they hadn’t shown up within seven minutes of the call, who knows what would’ve happened? As it is, I can’t recall anything after that final kick. I just remember waking up in the ambulance, my head spinning.

“Oh, I also have a mild concussion,” I tell Shane. “So don’t turn on the big light.” We’re using the bedside lamp in the room, which offers an inoffensive pale glow that only slightly irritates my eyes.

He reaches up and touches the bandage on my temple. “What happened here?”

“I was lying in the front hall when he tried to leave. Bottom of the door clipped me and cut my head. Five stitches,” I say with resignation. “I feel bad for my dad, though, because he has to go back there tonight and clean up all the blood. Did you know head wounds bleed like a bitch?”

“Don’t make jokes. Please.” His eyes are wet again.

“Hey, it’s okay.” I grip his hand. “I’m fine.”

“I’m so sorry, baby. I should’ve been there.”

I squeeze his hand tighter. “It’s not your fault. You couldn’t have known he’d show up tonight.”

“I should’ve protected you.”

“Stop it. You can’t blame yourself.” I adjust my position and wince when pain throbs in my side. Stupid kidney. “I don’t want you feeling guilty.”

He clasps my hand in both of his. When he speaks, it’s through a fuck-ton of gravel. “Seeing you like this…it’s killing me.”

“I’m going to be okay. I promise. Might have to see a therapist for a while to help me sort through everything, but physically I’m going to bounce back soon. You’ll see.”

He leans in and places a tender kiss on my forehead. “I love you. I’m never leaving your side again. I hope you realize that.”

---