Page 14 of Declan's Hope

“Are you okay?”

While Hope had no desire to pursue Declan, she had kind of hoped Destiny would encourage Garrett’s attention. Especially since he was the first man she’d shown any kind of interest in since their senior year of high school—so more than four years. And while she wouldn’t dare admit there might possibly—ever so minutely—be some sparks where she and Declan were concerned, there had definitely been fireworks any time Garrett and Destiny were in the same vicinity of each other.

Hmm…

Now, come to think of it, Garrett hadn’t made any of the normal comments he usually did when it came to Destiny. But the longing she’d spied in his gaze—when her friend wasn’t looking of course—was unmistakable. Just like the ones Destiny covertly gave Garrett. So while she didn’t want Haven interfering in her love life, she might have to talk to her meddling friend about this new development.

“I’m fine.” Destiny tilted her head and smiled. “So take that worried look off your face. Besides, Garrett and I wouldn’t have worked out.” She straightened her sweater before picking up her leather purse. “He’s too…too…” Destiny’s eyes took on a faraway look before she let out a long breath and set her eyes on Hope. “Anyhow, if you don’t want me getting after you about Declan, who you say is also—“

“Too…too…” Hope answered on a laugh.

“Yeah,” Destiny said, joining in on the laughter. “That.” She checked her watch. “All right, I’ve got to go.”

Hope stood and took her friend up in a hug. “Good luck. Although this Mr. Shaw is crazy if he doesn’t hire you. And who knows,” she said, leaning away from her friend. “He might—“

“Hope.” Haven cleared her throat behind her then whispered, “Declan—“

She and Destiny shared a look of, What are we going to do with her? “Haven, I love you, but I’m not interested in whatever little plan you have for me and Declan.” She turned toward her friend. “I—”

“He’s been shot.”

* * *

The last thing he said was your name.

The steady beep of Declan’s heart monitor reassured Hope as Garrett’s broken words from earlier ran through her mind. Declan had been thinking of her before he could have died. She glanced around the large, dimly-lit, private room before landing her gaze back on the man lying so still in the hospital bed.

It had been five hours since Declan had been admitted to this exclusive hospital in Williamsburg. How Mr. Sheppard had managed to get him here hadn’t been something she’d questioned. Money, influence, and connections had its advantages.

She took in a deep breath and relaxed back into her seat—one of those convoluted chairs she could later convert into a bed if she needed to. At least it was quiet now. His room had been a hub of activity all afternoon with doctors and nurses checking on him.

Her gaze swept over Declan’s long form that almost didn’t fit the bed. Of course she, her friends, and the team hadn’t wanted to intrude on his parents and sister. So they’d only rotated in a couple of times each. Staying back had been the hardest thing she’d ever done. But she had no true claim on him and had no right to ask for—or even expect—more.

That had been brought home to her even more when she’d managed to take peeks in at him. Hope had needed to see him breathing and had tried to be as unobtrusive as possible. But she shouldn’t have worried. His parents’ focus had been on their son, with an older version of Declan holding an at times quietly-weeping, mature woman about Destiny’s build in his gentle grasp.

Besides, why would they take time from their obvious worry to care about her—a stranger?

But his twin sister?

An unnaturally pale and visibly distraught Mercy Carter had given her several questioning looks. A couple of times, Hope had even thought the beautiful, curvy, statuesque, black-haired, blue-eyed woman had wanted to say something to her. But Hope had managed to scoot out of the room first. Had he talked to his sister about her? And if he had, what must she think of her?

She got up and tugged on the chair to move it closer to the bed and sat back down. Everyone had reluctantly been forced to leave about twenty minutes before when the hospital staff had informed them visiting hours had ended.

Everyone but her.

So, this was the first time she’d truly been alone with him all day. And to have the first sense of peace she’d experienced since learning he’d been injured.

She took a quick peek toward the door behind her. Mr. Sheppard was probably hovering somewhere close by as well. No one dared to tell him when he could leave. Haven had said her dad would be staying until Declan was awake and giving everyone grief. Haven had also said if anyone had a problem with Hope’s presence, she just needed to tell them to see her dad.

If Declan had been anyone else, he would be recovering in Arizona after the previous day’s events and surgery.

And Hope would have been by his side there too.

Once Haven had broken the news, Hope had been all set to book the first flight to Tucson. It had been a hard sell to get her to stay in Virginia. But once Haven had explained how her dad had already begun making arrangements to have Declan transported home once he had been stabilized after the extensive surgeries he would be going through, she’d grudgingly agreed to wait.

It had been the longest thirty-one hours and forty-nine minutes of her life. Time when she’d been able to spend regretting every decision she’d made in the last seven months regarding this man.

Hope’s attention strayed back to Declan. But at least they’d gotten him home. Alive. Her worn out, bleary gaze roamed over the right side of his face, his closed eye, and then over to the heavy bandages covering the other side of his face. Her heart hurt at how much pain he must have been in. She took his limp hand lying on top of the covers and squeezed it, then blew out a shuddering breath.

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