Page 52 of Claimed by Him

Twenty-Four

If anyoneever wondered how people could possibly sleep in those hellishly uncomfortable hospital chairs, the answer was simple. Spend more than thirty-six hours experiencing some extremely stressful shit, and most people would sleep like babies. It was more like passing out than sleeping, but it worked.

It was Sunday afternoon, and I hadn’t left the hospital yet. I’d told Jalen to go home, but he said he’d stay with me that first night. Then we’d talk about what I needed to do so I could stay with Adare until the end. Which, according to her doctors, would be before the new week was done. With the amount of medication they were giving her, she’d sleep more and more until she stopped waking up.

“Excuse me, Miss Quick?” A woman in a gray suit came into the room. “I’m Mrs. Sheely, the head of the hospital. We’re ready to move you and Miss Burkart.”

“Move us?”

“To the private room Mr. Larsen arranged.” She frowned. “He didn’t tell you?”

“He must not have gotten around to it,” I said with a tired smile. At some point, Jalen and I would need to talk about my issues with people helping me, but anything that made Adare more comfortable, I wouldn’t turn away.

It was closing in on noon by the time we were settled into the small private room, and Jalen had left a few minutes ago to get me some real food. I fully intended to sneak some of my food to Adare if I could get her to eat it. He was also going to pick up some toiletries and clean clothes, so I wouldn’t have to leave until…it was done, as well as my laptop and some books. He was taking care of everything without me even needing to ask him, and I knew it would come back to bite me in the ass, but I couldn’t ask him to stop.

A part of me wished that he was here now though. Even the short move had been hard on Adare, and she’d been given some extra morphine. Now, she was asleep, the low, steady beeping of the heart monitor the only thing letting me know that she was still alive. Unfortunately, that beeping wasn’t enough to keep my mind from going to the bad place it’d been edging around ever since I’d seen the word ‘cancer.’ I wasn’t exactly a people person, but I would’ve liked some company right about now.

“Hey, Rona.”

I turned at the soft voice coming from the doorway.

“Jenna?” She gave me an embarrassed smile, then flushed when I hugged her. “Thank you for coming. How’d you know?”

“Jalen.” She stuck her hands in her pockets and glanced over at Adare. “He called Rylan to talk and mentioned you might want some company for a couple hours this afternoon.”

I shook my head. “He’s taking care of so much.”

“He’s taking care of you,” she said with a smile. “Take this from someone who didn’t like being taken care of…let him do it.”

I raised an eyebrow.

“I think I can safely say that you and I are a lot alike. When Rylan and I first met, we were working together, and I wasn’t interested in a relationship. Neither was he. But we needed each other.” She gave me a pointed look. “The two of you need each other.”

I sighed and flopped back into my chair. “I’ve got so much on my plate right now, Jenna.”

“I’m not saying marry the guy. Just let him take care of you.”

I decided the best way to not have this discussion was to change the subject. “I got a break in the case I was working for Jalen.”

“I heard.” Her face lit up. “You stopped some pretty nasty guys and saved a bunch of girls. Agent Matthews told me that the trafficking ring you busted wasn’t just selling sex slaves. They were also supplying slaves to sweatshops all over the south.”

My smile was tired but genuine. “That’s great.”

“We’ll have to work together soon. Take down some more dirt-bags.”

“That sounds good,” I said. “And I’ll get back to your case soon.”

She shook her head. “Don’t worry about my case. I’ve waited years to meet my siblings. You take the time you need.” She glanced toward Adare. “Being there for someone you love is more important than anything.”

Having Jenna there did more than give me a distraction. She reminded me of the importance of Burkart Investigations, of the work we did. Sure, the majority of cases weren’t life-changing, but some of them were, and that was worth consideration.

Jenna also reminded me that Adare and Jalen weren’t the only people in the city with whom I had a connection. Jenna was already a friend, but the more time I spent with her, the closer to her I felt. I had a real chance to make a home here, and Adare’s gift would go a long way to help me make it.

I looked at her again. When she next woke up, I’d tell her that I’d honor her wishes, and I’d do my best to make Burkart Investigations into everything she’d always wanted it to be. It would be a lasting legacy to the woman she was.

I just wished she’d be around for years to enjoy it. Short of a miracle, however, I knew that wouldn’t happen.

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