Page 130 of Shattered Hearts

I can’t see what the doctors do, but I can hold Finn’s left hand in mine while they work. The operating room soundtrack—calm, professional voices, squeaky rubber footsteps, clankingmetal carts and thedingof metal tools against it, lights and switches clicking on and off—becomes white noise as the exhaustion of the last two weeks bowls over me.

At the end of the surgeries, the nurses put Finn’s casts on and dress him while I wait outside the operating area. I sink into one of the beige leather seating groups and fall asleep in seconds.

When the black-haired nurse comes to wake me, the world outside the medical unit windows has brightened, midday sunlight slanting in from above.

“Mr. Gallagher’s beginning to wake up.”

I blink at her and rub my swollen face. As I follow her down the hallway, my head pulses from dehydration.

We’re approaching the door to Finn’s room when the nurse suddenly stops on a dime with a frightened little squeak. Dazed, I walk right into the back of her before I discover why.

Someone clears their throat.

Shocked, I flinch at the sight of Shane Gallagher himself looming over us in the hallway beside Finn’s room.

He flicks his fingers. “Leave us, Esme.’

Esme, the nurse, demonstrates her intelligence by fleeing.Take me with you!I want to say, my fingers itching to grab a corner of her scrubs and hold her back.

Seconds tick by as Shane studies me, his expression giving nothing away. I try my best not to squirm.

“Do you know why no one stopped you from moving out and starting a new life after things went south with the Sullivans’ son?”

Yes. I’ve always wondered why…howI managed to exit the Gallaghers with so few repercussions.

I nod, afraid my vocal cords will fail me.

“It’s because I allowed it.” Shane’s mouth tightens. “Unlike the Italians and Russians, the Kings don’t sell their daughters off to animals.”

My mouth falls open. If Shane were the type of person to apologize, I get the sense he’d say sorry right now. “Sir?”

“Women should be protected, not harmed.” He lowers himself into a chair the way a king takes his throne. “Tell me everything you know about this Red Hill business, without leaving out a single detail.”

I start rambling to him about everything I’ve experienced the past four months.

Charlene at the shelter the day of Finn and Harper’s wedding announcement, what my father said, everything I suspected. I tell him about Troy attacking me again and Finn coming to my rescue.

By the end, I’m a little dizzy from being on the spot like this, anxiety buzzing beneath my skin.

Shane strokes his chin. “According to my nephew, if you hadn’t gone on that rescue op last night, there may not have been anyone left to save. I owe you my gratitude, for helping save my son.”

My jaw drops all the way to my toes.

Rory? Rory told him that I…?

“Tell me why you did it.”

“D-did what?” I stammer.

“Why you forced your way into Finn’s rescue operation.” Shane’s eyes narrow. “Why you’ve spent the night here.”

My heart leaps into my mouth.

Palms sweating, pulse throbbing in my ears, I swallow hard. Shane can see the panic on my face, but he’s not a man to be kept waiting.

“I…” my throat thickens, “love Finn. I’ve loved him since I was in high school.”

Meanwhile, Shane stares at me with such intensity I can almost feel his fingers picking through my memories.

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