Page 68 of Shot Through the Heart

“That’s too bad. Go ask any nurse to see him. Go.” When I don’t answer, her smirk turns into a victorious grin. “They won’t tell you anything. I’ve made sure that every record he has ensures that only family is allowed to visit.”

Her eyes sparkle as if she’s won and I just shake my head.

“Yeah, okay,” I say, letting her momentarily enjoy her glee before I cut her down. “And what are your plans for when he wakes up and calls security to have your ass escorted out and demands to see me?”

I take a step back. “Greyson has such a kind heart, he probably would have forgiven you at some point. But this right here? You interfering and trying to wedge me out of his life,again, won’t work. We’re not nineteen anymore. Your words don’t scare me, and I sure as shit am not leaving this hospital until I see Greyson.”

“You won’t be able to see him if I have you arrested!” Her threat bounces off the walls. Nurses and doctors are pausing around us, finally paying attention to the scene unfolding.

Shit.

While I don’t think she has any grounds to stand on for an arrest, the last thing I need is to be escorted out of the hospital when I haven’t even seen Greyson.

My heart pounds, my earlier confidence wavering for the first time as I try to figure out what to do next.

ChapterTwenty-Five

GREYSON

The first thingI’m aware of is the incessant beeping to my left. The second is the throbbing pain that radiates through my skull. I don’t have to open my eyes to know where I am. If the sound of the heart monitor didn’t give it away, the crisp smell of antiseptic does.

I wiggle my toes, assessing every sensation and movement up my legs and down my arms to my fingers. Aside from the pounding in my head, there’s a stiffness in my neck, and my back subtly aches. Overall, not horrible when comparing this to the last time I woke up in a hospital.

My eyes snap open at the thought, immediately searching the room, only to find I’m alone. The damn machine announces my racing heart out loud and I try to stay calm. Looking around the room, I search for any sign that Stella has been here.

Only to find nothing but hospital-regulated things.

Bile builds in my throat at the realization that Stella isn’t here. My past experiences creep up. The voices at the back of my mind taunt me with the reminder of how she never stepped foot into my last hospital room.

Why would she be here now?

Shaking my head, I remind myself that she wasn’t there back then because of my mother. She wouldn’t leave me like that for a second time.

Still, logic and insecurity do not mix.

I sit up, biting back a groan when pain zaps from my temple and down my jaw. Resting on my arm so I’m half pushed up, I’m reaching for the remote to call for a nurse when the door opens.

Disappointment almost overpowers my relief of seeing Dean. He’s at least a familiar face who wouldn’t try to pull a fast one or scheme against me while I’m stuck in a hospital bed, so I should be grateful that he’s the one here.

He’s busy looking over his shoulder while taking a tentative step into my room. Quickly, he spares me a quick glance and does a double take.

“Oh, cool, you’re awake.” Dean lingers in the doorway, eyes bouncing between me and whatever is in the hallway.

“Just woke up,” I grumble and try to calm my racing heart. “Probably need a doc.”

Dean nods, but I can tell he didn’t process the words.

“Yeah, man, listen. I know you’re probably not feeling too hot and all that. I mean, that hit was fucking brutal to watch, but uh…” He pauses, and it only makes my anxiety spike.

“What’s going on?”

“Some fancy-looking lady is out here in the hallway yelling at Stella and saying she’s gonna call the cops.”

Ignoring the pain that threatens to knock me on my ass, I force my legs to move. The wires connecting me to the monitor tug me back, so I start ripping at them. Alarms begin sounding off and Dean finally moves from the doorway.

“Shit, man, you’re gonna hurt yourself,” he says, coming to the side of the bed and holding out a hand as if he’s going to stop me.

“I need to get to Stella,” I demand, ripping the final cord off.

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