Page 134 of Bound By Words

“Stud,” I slurred, my eyes struggling to stay open. “Call Nath…” my voice drifted off and my field of vision narrowed as I lost consciousness.

NATHAN

Chicago

“My mom said they were on the way there now, but they weren’t allowed to talk to Kelly because she was being evaluated for a concussion in the emergency room, and they needed to run some tests.”

“Fuck,” I sighed, choking back the swell of emotion that ran through me. Chase hugged me as my eyes welled with tears, causing a few to spill over.

“She’s stubborn as hell, Nathan. I have no doubt she’ll get through this. You know Kelly probably put up a fight. I’d hate to see the other guy if she’s in the hospital.”

“She better be alright,” I choked, hating that I wasn’t there for her. This would have never happened if I had just gone with her like I’d wanted to. “Because I’ll fucking kill him if she isn’t.”

“Let’s get in the car and get to the hospital instead of playing out worst-case scenarios.”

Evan secured the keys to the rental car, but I knew he shouldn’t drive. His face was pale, and he looked eerily like he did before his panic attack last year.

“Maybe we should just get an Uber instead,” I suggested, but Chase snatched the keys from her husband’s hand, nodding toward the escalator.

“Nope, I got this,” Chase assured as she pulled up the map app on her phone and calmly handed it to Evan. His hands were shaking as he entered the information for the hospital.

“Are you sure you should be driving in your condition?” I asked, and she rolled her eyes at me.

“I’m pregnant, not an invalid. Give me some credit here.”

We quickly entered the rental car lot, piling into a nondescript dark sedan. The sun had already started to set, and the sky outside was lit up with a brilliant show of oranges and purples as we left the airport and headed toward the city.

It’d been years since I’d been to Chicago, and I’d never wanted to return under these circumstances. Kelly should be with me, safe and smiling and giving me a hard time, not alone in some hospital on the other side of town.

Chase drove through traffic like she’d been racing a Formula One car and lapping the slower stragglers, but at least we weren’t fighting with rush hour as we made our way from the outskirts back into the city. I watched as we whizzed past other vehicles while I waited for my phone to turn back on. With my phone clutched in my hand, I sighed as it loaded, waiting for any news.

A text from Talia scrolled across the screen, saying our friend at the Boston Police Department had been trying to get ahold of Kelly.

Talia: Call me as soon as you get this. Trent isn’t his real name. He changed it five years ago.

When I didn’t respond, she sent a follow-up that made my pulse race and my eyes widen.

Talia: Trent Alsop was legally born Bradley Trenton Harrison III. You need to tell Kelly he’s your brother. What are the chances?

Fuck. I always knew Brad had a temper, but I didn’t know him as an adult. I knew that was my fault, but my grandfather had never disrespected women. How did Trent, Brad, or whatever name he went by…end up being such a terrible guy?

I tried texting Kelly’s phone, just in case and was surprised when I got a response within a minute.

Nathan: Please let me know you’re alright. Chase, Evan, and I are headed to the hospital to meet your parents. I love you, sunshine.

Kelly: She just went down for a CT scan. I’ll keep you updated on her progress. She’s a special young lady. I’m sorry I didn’t prevent this sooner.

Nathan: Who is this?

Kelly: Deacon, her boss. She unlocked her phone so that I could contact her parents. She slurred to call a stud and fell asleep before the nurses took her down, but I wasn’t sure who that was.

Fuck. That meant she was having trouble staying conscious. Or she was at least disoriented.

Nathan: I’m headed to the hospital with her brother. We should be there soon.

Kelly: See you soon. Her parents just arrived.

“She’s getting a CT scan,” I announced, my voice strangely hollow. The longer we waited to get to her, my concern grew. I was glad she had her parents and boss with her, but I was scared. And I felt like I’d failed to protect my sunshine. She’d been in danger, and I just let her go. I could have gone with her, but I wanted her to stand independently. That was a fucking mistake in this instance.

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