Page 33 of Creatures in the Night

Gripping the rails, I asked, “What happened?”

After a couple of seconds, she finally answered, “I don’t know.”

“You don’t remember anything?” I prompted.

“I remember walking out the doors, seeing Craig, and that’s it,” she said, and I hadn’t been able to live this long by not trusting my instincts, and something told me that Shea was lying. “I…I…” She let out a calming breath. “I think there was a brick involved or…there were bricks.”

“You got shot on the side of the hospital,” I informed her. “As you know, the exterior is brick.”

Her eyes widened a bit before asking, “What happened to Craig? Is he alright?”

Eyeing her, I answered her honestly. “He was shot twice and is in surgery.”

“Is…is he going to be okay?”

“I don’t know. I didn’t bother checking.”

Her eyes rounded again. “How could you not check on him?”

“Because it was more important for me to check on my wife, lass,” I replied evenly.

Ignoring that, she asked, “Are the police here? I…honestly, I don’t know if I’m up to talking to them right now. Especially, since I don’t know anything.”

“Declan will handle the cops if that’s how you feel,” I assured her, and she paled a little, making me wonder if I should even be questioning her myself.

“The…The O’Brien is here?”

That had my brows furrowing in thought. “Why wouldn’t he be?”

Shea shook her head, her hand lifting to wave away the question. “I’m just…I’m really tired.”

Deciding to get it over with, I said, “We’re taking you home, Shea.”

Those dark eyes of hers widened again. “Wha…what?”

“You were attacked at the hospital, and so I don’t feel comfortable with you here,” I explained. “Since Lochlan is one of the best, he can care for you at home.”

“That…that doesn’t make any sense,” she quickly rushed out, her breath a bit labored. “Why can’t you just…why can’t they just put a security guard outside my door?”

“Because anyone could come in here and finish the job dressed as a nurse or doctor,” I replied. “I’m not taking any chances.”

“Because you think it’s personal?” she asked. “That…that makes no sense. Everyone knows that you couldn’t care less about your wife.”

I took that hit on the chin because I deserved it, no matter the truth of how I felt about my wife. I hadn’t had the time or put in the effort to make sure that she knew her place in my life, and that was my fault. Despite the truth, I couldn’t blame her for how she felt.

“I’m taking you home,” I told her, ignoring what she’d said.

“I want to stay here,” she replied, her breathing picking up again. “I’ll feel better here.”

“And I’ll feel better with you at home,” I insisted.

“Why? I’ll have round-the-clock care here,” she went on. “Your brother can hardly neglect his practice to see to me.”

“You’re going home with me, and that’s final, Shea,” I said.

After a few seconds of silence, she asked, ‘When?”

“As soon as I can get them to release you,” I answered. “If the cops insist on questioning you after Declan speaks with them, then they can question you at home.”

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