Page 103 of Homecoming

“No, wait. Digby can get the cab and I’ll drive you now.” Darius retrieves his shirt from the back of the chair and pulls it around his shoulders. Noticing the small black jewelry box, he quickly grabs it up from the bed and stuffs it into the pocket of his trousers.

“Okay, but are you sure?” Kat takes a deep breath as she checks the list of waiting messages on her phone. “Shit, I can’t believe I wasn’t there for him. Riley must be frantic with worry.”

“C’monit’ll be fine. Just try not to worry too much. You’ll be with him soon.”

AsRileypacesthecorridor, he turns to the comforting touch on his shoulder. “Kat… Oh my God… I’m so glad you came.” He embraces her in his arms, kissing her neck.

“I’m so sorry that I didn’t get here and sooner. I stupidly had my phone switched off and never mind… What happened to your dad?”

“We’re not sure, but the police told us, a witness saw a black SUV possibly with diplomatic plates run a stop light but we’re still waiting to hear back from them. Kat, he’s in a really bad way and I’m not sure he’s going to make it.”

“C’mon, don't think likethat.I’m sure he’s going to be just fine. Have you been in to see him?”

“We’re still waiting to hear the results from the scan they did on his brain. A doctor that knows my dad is taking care ofthings. He’s talking to my mom right now. I've been trying to get a hold of Quinn, but he seems to have gone AWOL.”

“I’ll call Digby. I think he may have been with them at the club last night. If not, he might know where to find him. It’s most likely he’s on his way here. Oh, hey…” Kat looks up, watching as Alana quietly closes the door to the side room across the corridor. “How is he? Have they said anything more?”

“Nothing.” Alana takes a deep breath and sighs. “He’s just lying there, not moving. They’re still waiting for the test results.” She wipes a large round tear as it rolls down her cheek. “It doesn’t look good.”

“Hey, come on, you don’t know that yet. Mom, he’s strong.”

Alana tilts her head and frowns. “Riley, I was a doctor once. I know when it’s not good.”

“Well, there must be something we can do.” Kat interrupts as his lip trembles. “We have enough medical expertise between us to do something. I’m so sorry. I really don’t know what else to say.”

“Neither do I, Kat,” Alana sniffs, “neither do I. You know, if you’ll excuse me, I need to get some fresh air and maybe a coffee—I’ve been here all night.”

“Mom, do you want me to come with you?”

“No sweetie, you stay here with your father. I need a moment alone.”

“Riley baby…” Almost unnoticed in the waiting room, Amy stands from where she’s seated in the corner. She wraps her arms around her fiancée and holds him tight. “I’m here with you. We’ll get through this.”

Kat turns from the couple and watches as Alana heads away down the corridor. “Are you sure someone shouldn’t go with her?” she sighs. “I feel so helpless and I can’t even imagine how she feels.”

“Just leave her. She’ll be fine. My mom is one of the strongest people I know—she’s a lot like you.” He brushes a gentle kiss on Kat’s cheek before he returns to the comfort of Amy’s embrace.

Darius coughs quietly as he joins them in the corridor. “How is everything?”

“Not good,” Kat sighs. “Do you think you could call Digby and see if they know where Quinn is? Riley’s been having trouble getting hold of him and my phone is not charged.”

“Sure thing.I’ll go outside and make the call—the signal should be better out there.”

Kat reaches up and kisses him. “Darius… thank you for coming with me. I know it must be hard seeing… being here.”

Alanatakesadeepbreath as she furiously kicks at the hot drinks machine. Searching the bottom of her purse, she looks for some more loose change.

“Fuck.” She curses as a strong masculine hand brushes over her shoulder and drops coins into the slot on the coffee machine.

“Make a selection. Whatever you want, it’s on me.” The authoritative sound of the deep whisper against her ear makes her shiver.

Taking a breath, Alana slowly turns around and finds herself up close with a pair of deep mauve eyes. “What the hell do you think you’re doing here?” she snarls in a low tone from the back of her throat.

“Relax. I brought Kat. We were together last night at the hotel. I drove her here after we heard what happened.”

“Oh, you’re such a hero,” she replies snarkily and as Darius continues to stare she ignores his offer of the vending machine and instead pushes him away.

“You don’t want the coffee now?”

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