Page 141 of The Assignment: Room 3

“Hidden safe in his closet.”

“Do you happen to know the combination?”

“Yeah. We know each other’s major information in case of an emergency. I always thought it was overkill, but I guess he’ll have the last laugh when he hears about this.”

“If it means he’s awake and talking to us, I’ll gladly listen to his ‘I told you so’ for the rest of our very long lives.”

“True. Okay, let’s go and check the safe.”

I’m nervous as I walk through the apartment. It’s a sinking dread—a cold glass of water shocking my soul. If this doesn’t work, I don’t know what else to do. I have to help him. I can’t be this pathetically useless, not after what he did for Gracie and me.

The bed is just as we left it, his bedside table undisturbed. I told him to use a bookmark, but he just left his current read open and turned it face down on his side of the bed. When we reach the closet, I grab an overnight bag and stuff some of his clothes in it and a few essentials for me too.

Dalton slides a panel in one section of the closet, behind Flex’s suits, and there, hidden, is a safe. Dalton quickly punches in the code and opens the heavy metal door, and I’m not prepared for the sight before me.

There’s a Harry Winston ring box sitting at the front of the top shelf. I ignore it and the fact that Dalton is staring right at it with his jaw just about hitting the floor. “Any idea why that’s in there?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Do you see an old answering machine circa the late 90s?”

I never thought to ask if Flex had a safe or about codes for anything in the penthouse. I got handed a key for the front door and the elevator code when we moved in. That’s the extent of my involvement in this place to date. When Flex comes home—ifhe comes home.

“Could this be it?” Dalton pulls out a time capsule of the worst day of Flex’s life. I can’t believe he’s never listened to the messages left on the machine. As far as I know, his grandma listened to it and kept the machine for him in the hopes that one day, he would endure the final words his parents left him with.

“Yeah. Let’s go.” I take it from him and put it safely in the overnight bag.”

“Why don’t you have a soak in the tub or a hot shower? Get some fresh clothes on. I’ll wait in the living room.”

“I want to get back to Flex as soon as possible.” He stops me in my tracks.

“Flex will be mad at all of us if you don’t take good care of yourself. Freshen up, let me take you to see Gracie for a little bit, and then I promise I will take you back to the hospital. Your mom said Gracie is really missing both of you.”

Sadness washes over me. My baby girl has been dealing with so much. “She must hate me. I’m a terrible mother. She went through something awful and hasn’t had me or Flex to comfort her.”

“She’s missing you, but honestly, it’s good that she hasn’t seen you.”

“Why?”

“You seem quick to forget your own injuries. Michael’s attack on you was brutal, and you didn’t even look like yourself the day it happened. That would’ve devastated Gracie to see you like that. Your physical wounds are healing. I know the internal ones will take years, but you, Gracie,andFlex will get through it together.”

“Do you really believe he’s going to pull through? Your honest opinion. I don’t want you bullshitting me because you think I can’t handle it.”

He scrubs his hand over the stubble on his jaw. “I need to believe it, not for you but me. He’s gotten me through the hardest moments of my life. I have to hold onto hope that he’s going to make it. The alternative is unthinkable. I can’t and won’t accept that.”

“Okay. Let me take a quick shower, then we can go see Gracie for a little while.”

“Deal.” As he turns to leave, I reach for his arm.

“Dalton.”

“Yeah?”

“Thank you. For everything.” I throw my arms around his neck, giving him a quick hug before turning on my heel and heading for the bathroom as he returns to the living room.

“Mommy, Mommy!” The moment I step foot in my mom’s apartment, Gracie comes running at me. I pick her up without thinking, my ribs screaming from the impact of my little warrior.

“I missed you so much, sweet pea.” I drop to my knees, hugging her tighter than ever before.

“I missed you, Mommy. I so happy to see you.”

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