“This isn’t about you, Izzy,” she said coldly. “It’s about Rylan. And right now, your presence isn’t helping.”
Izzy’s chest tightened. She glanced at Zak, hoping for support, but his expression was troubled. He looked at her, then at the others, and his lips pressed into a thin line.
“Okay, enough,” Zak said. “This isn’t the time or place.”
“Then tell her to leave,” Donovan snapped. “She already hurt him once. Hurt us all. She has no right?—”
“Van,” Zak warned, his tone sharp enough to make the other man back off slightly. But the tension didn’t dissipate. It hung in the air like a storm cloud, crackling with restless energy.
Before anyone could say more, the door opened again, and a doctor stepped inside, clipboard in hand. “Mr. Cross is stable,” he said, addressing the group. “He’s sedated and on oxygen. We’ll be monitoring him closely for the next few days, but he’s out of immediate danger.”
He’s stable.
Out of danger.
Izzy had never heard sweeter words.
Relief swept through her, leaving her lightheaded. She closed her eyes, a silent prayer of thanks tumbling through her mind.
“Can we see him?” Zak asked.
“Immediate family only for now,” the doctor replied. “But as he improves, we can revisit that.”
Pierce signed something, his movements quick, agitated.
Zak translated: “We are Rylan’s family, as good as blood. His parents are in Kentucky, and his sister is out of town for a few days.”
Pierce held up his phone, showing the doctor that he had Rhiannon on video chat.
“Okay,” the doctor relented and motioned to Zak and Pierce. “You two can go in, but just for a few minutes. The rest of you will have to wait.”
Izzy opened her mouth to protest but closed it again without making a sound. She wanted to demand to see him, too. Shewanted to take his hand and feel the reassuring warmth of his skin against hers, to see his chest rising and falling with each breath. She wanted to tell him she was sorry, that she never meant for any of this to happen. But she knew it was a privilege she hadn’t earned, and the cold stares from the rest of the team made it clear she wasn’t welcome here anymore.
Zak glanced back at her, his expression conflicted. He jerked his head toward the door, a silent suggestion. Izzy swallowed hard and nodded, gathering her jacket and her shattered composure.
She followed him out into the hallway, the fluorescent lights making her head throb. He led her to a quiet alcove, out of earshot of the others, and leaned against the wall, rubbing a hand over his face.
“Izzy,” he began, but she already knew what was coming.
“You’re not going to let me see him.”
Zak sighed, his shoulders sagging like he carried the weight of the world on them. “I know you care about him. I know you’re worried. But right now… the team’s on edge. They’re angry. At you, at themselves, at the whole damn situation. And if Rylan wakes up and sees you—” He hesitated, his gaze searching hers. “It might not be good for him. Or for you.”
Sorrow gripped her chest, squeezing around her heart like a vise. “Zak, please. I need to stay. I need to see him.”
“I know.” His voice was heavy with regret. “But having you there when he wakes up… I think it will only make things worse.”
The words cut so deeply, she was half-surprised she didn’t bleed out right there in front of him. And what hurt even worse—he was right. The tension in the waiting room had been oppressive, and she couldn’t imagine what it would be like if Rylan woke up to find her there.
She blinked back the sting of tears and nodded. “Okay. I’ll go.”
Zak’s relief was palpable, but it didn’t make her decision any easier. He placed a hand on her shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “Thank you. I’ll keep you updated, I promise.”
She nodded again, her throat too tight to speak. She pulled out her phone and dialed Mateo. He answered on the first ring.
“I need a ride,” she said, her voice trembling.
“On my way,” he replied without hesitation.