Page 53 of Love Under Protection

Raylynn

Liam delivers me to Bellevue Hospital what feels like hours later; after I’ve been checked out and released from Mount Sinai’s ER, given a statement and told the police everything that I know about the situation with Sawyer. When I questioned why they didn’t take me to the same hospital as Harley, Liam simply said that Harley was where he needed to be.

There are a few cops in the waiting room who all nod and acknowledge Liam. One officer approaches us and greets me. “You must be Raylynn?”

“I am,” I answer hesitantly.

“Raylynn, this is Captain Russek,” Liam explains.

“I’ve got one pissed off cop back there, giving everyone hell and asking where you’re at.” Captain Russek adds. “What do you say I take you back to see him?”

“Yes. Please,” I beg, my voice not wavering.

I follow Captain Russek through the maze of an ER, and as we get closer, I can hear Harley’s voice barking orders and asking questions. Captain Russek laughs and knocks on the wall beside the curtain. “Wags, are you decent? Someone here to see you.”

“Better not be fucking I.A.”

Captain Russek shakes his head and holds the curtain back for me to enter.

The minute I see Harley sitting up in bed and the huge bruise that’s already forming over his heart, I lose it.

“Hey. Come ‘ere.” He holds out his hand.

“I was so scared,” I confess, letting the tears roll down my face.

“I’m fine. That’s what bulletproof vests are for. If the dumbass really wanted me dead, he would have aimed for my head.”

“Not funny,” I sob.

“Okay, you’re right. I’m sorry, but I promise, I’m okay. Are you okay?”

“Sawyer’s dead.” I let out another sob and hiccup.

“He was holding on to you and had a damn gun pointed at me,” Harley defends.

“I know. You saved my life. You killed a man.”

This time he doesn’t beat around the bush. “And I’d make the same damn choice all over again if I had to.”

“You almost died.” Clearly, I’m an absolute mess and my emotions are all over the place.

“I didn’t die. I’ll be sore for a few days, but they said I’ll make a full recovery. I’m like Iron Man, made of steel.”

A tiny giggle escapes. “I hate you.”

“You do not.” He pulls me against him and kisses the top of my head. “Get yourself settled down. They’re going to let me out of here soon, and we’ll go back to my place and get cleaned up.”

“Call a cab or a friend, Wags, they’re not going to let you drive yourself home.” Captain Russek slips into the room after giving us some time. “Doc says you’re out for two weeks. You know the process with the investigation. Don’t go running off anywhere and keep your phone on.”

“Aww, come on Cap, you don’t want to drive us home?”

“Last time I drove you home, you puked in the backseat,” Russek says.

“Seriously, that was four years ago and after Adam’s bachelor party. You were the designated driver.”

A redheaded woman in a white lab coat joins us with a stack of papers. “You’re lucky Mr. Wagner. Things could have been a lot worse.”

“Thanks, Doctor Kerr. You going to let me leave now?”

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