Page 60 of Boss Daddy

“That’s the medication,” Linda explains. “The doctor says she’ll only be awake for short bursts at a time.”

I nod, swallowing hard. My eyes dart between Tiffany and her parents. “I’m so sorry. I…”

I feel a heavy hand on my shoulder. It’s Frank. “I already told you. You’ve got nothing to be sorry for, kiddo. The ones who’ll be sorry are the pricks who did this to her. The cops are working on that right now.” There’s rage in his voice, barely contained.

I sigh.I know they don’t blame me, but I can’t stop blaming myself.

“Sleepy,” Tiffany says. “Really sleepy.”

As Tiffany’s breathing evens out again and she drifts off, I make a silent promise. I’ll do whatever it takes to fix this—for her andfor the family that doesn’t hold me responsible—even if I can’t forgive myself.

“She’ll be better when she gets home and has a chance to get some more rest,” Linda says, her eyes on her sleeping daughter.

“I’ll just be glad to get her out of that shit box apartment. She’ll be safer in Boulder with us.” Frank talks about the apartment like it’s the most horrific, disgusting thing he can think of. Then his eyes flick to me. “No offense.”

“None taken. That place isn’t exactly the Four Seasons, I know, but we did have some fun there.”

“When she’s recovered, she can move back to the city if she wants,” Frank says, though his voice doesn’t hold conviction.

“Do you want me to go to her apartment and pack her things?” I offer.

Her dad speaks up. “No need,” he says in a father-knows-best tone. “She’s got plenty of clothes and things at home. We’ll sort through her apartment later.”

I nod, my chest feeling a little tight. I hate this. I hate that Tiffany’s life might change because of some asshole trying to send me a message.

I glance at her parents, and they both look tired as hell. It’s already been a long day for them. “Why don’t you two head to your hotel?” I suggest. “Get some rest, freshen up, maybe get a quick bite to eat. I’ll stay with Tiffany.”

Linda hesitates. “Are you sure? You’ve already done so much.”

“Positive,” I say. “I’ll call you right away if anything changes, I promise.”

They exchange a look, and finally, Linda sighs and nods. “Thank you, Erin. For everything. I don’t know what we’d do without you.”

I smile. “Go. She’ll be fine. I’ve got this.”

They leave, and the room falls into silence, the only sounds the steady beeping of the monitors and Tiffany’s steady breathing. I flop into the chair next to her bed, grabbing a magazine from the side table.It’s one of those gossip rags with headlines screaming about who’s dating who and what the most popular actress wore to the latest red carpet.

Normally, I’d roll my eyes and devour the drama, but right now, the words blur together on the page. My mind’s too busy racing with a million what-ifs.

A faint sound pulls me out of my thoughts. I glance up, and my heart skips a beat when I see Tiffany’s lips moving. She’s mumbling something, her face pinched with effort.

I’m out of the chair in a flash, leaning closer. “Tiffany? Hey, I’m here.”

Her swollen eyes flutter open, barely a sliver, and she mutters, “Water.”

“Got it,” I say, grabbing the cup from the side table. I hold the straw to her lips, my hand steady. “Just sip, okay? Nice and slow.”

She takes a tiny sip, her lips trembling against the straw, and my chest tightens. Her lips are cracked and split, and she can barely hold her head up. She looks so fragile and it pisses me off. This isn’t Tiffany.This is so unfair, she didn’t deserve this.

Tiffany’s hand trembles as it reaches for mine, her grip weak but insistent. I lean in closer.

“Tiff, what is it?”

Her swollen face twists with effort as she struggles to speak. “I couldn’t… talk about this… with… Mom and Dad… here.” It’s paining her to speak, and part of me wants to tell her to save it for now. But she goes on. “You’re… in danger.”

“What?” I breathe. “Tiff, what are you talking about?”

The question sounds so dumb. I knowexactlywhat she’s talking about.

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