Page 138 of Finders Keepers

The alarm on the heart monitor wails now, and Nurse Sam appears in the doorway, her eyes darting between me and the equipment.

“What’s happening in here?” she asks sharply.

I try to focus on Gavin’s hand in mine as the room spins with a mix of rage and fear. The heart monitor continues its frantic beeping, matching the thundering in my chest. Nurse Sam moves swiftly to my bedside, checking the monitors with practiced efficiency.

“Officer Martinez,” she says, her tone leaving no room for argument. “I need you to step out now. My patient’s blood pressure is far too high.”

“Of course.” He tucks his notepad away, his face etched with concern. “Ms. Monroe, I want you to know we’re in direct contact with the law office. They’re conducting a full investigation into how this oversight occurred. The District Attorney is taking this case very seriously—”

“Please,” Nurse Sam cuts him off, “she needs rest.”

“The DA is pushing for maximum sentencing,” Officer Martinez adds quickly as he backs toward the door. “Given the severity of the assault and the restraining order violation, we’re looking at significant prison time. I’ll return when you’re feeling better to discuss the details.”

The door clicks shut behind him, and I collapse back against the pillows, my body trembling. The pain in my neck flares with each shallow breath.

“Deep breaths, Bailey,” Nurse Sam instructs, adjusting something on my IV. “Try to match my breathing, okay?”

I focus on her exaggerated breathing pattern, but my mind keeps spinning back to that piece of paper with my address on it. One mistake. One careless moment in some office somewhere, and Matt found us. Found Sophie.

“He could have killed me,” I whisper, more to myself than anyone else. “If…”

“Hey,” Gavin’s voice is soft as he squeezes my hand. “Don’t go there. You’re safe now. Sophie’s safe.”

Nurse Sam checks my vitals again. “Your blood pressure is still too high. I’m going to give you something to help you relax.”

I shake my head, immediately regretting the movement as pain shoots down my spine. “No, I need to stay awake for Sophie.”

“Sophie is perfectly fine with Ms. Lucy,” Gavin reminds me. “And I’m not going anywhere.”

“The medication will just take the edge off,” Nurse Sam explains, already preparing a syringe. “It won’t knock you out completely, but you need to rest. Your body has been through so much in such a short time.”

I watch as she injects something into my IV line. The tension in my muscles slowly begins to ease, but my mind keeps racing. “What if the DA can’t—”

“Bailey.” Gavin’s voice anchors me. He leans closer, his amber eyes holding mine. “Matt is not getting out. Not this time. The evidence is overwhelming, and I’ve already given my statement about what I witnessed. Trust me, I made sure they understood exactly what happened.”

The medication starts to take effect, softening the sharp edges of my anxiety. “I…” I murmur. “I just… I can’t believe one stupid mistake…”

“I know.” His thumb traces circles on the back of my hand.

Nurse Sam adjusts my pillows, careful of my neck brace. “Your vitals are improving. Try to focus on the present moment. You have people who care about you right here.”

A gentle knock at the door makes me tense slightly, but it’s just Ms. Lucy peeking her head in. “Is it okay to come back? Someone’s getting mighty anxious to see her mama.”

Before anyone can answer, Sophie squeezes past Ms. Lucy’s legs and rushes to my bedside.

I feel my heart twist as Sophie looks up at me, her little face so solemn. Her normally bright eyes are clouded with worry, her small shoulders hunched. I reach for her, my arm feeling like lead, the medication making my movements sluggish.

“Come here, baby,” I whisper.

Sophie’s lower lip trembles. “Mama,” she says, her voice tiny. “Can I… can I lay down with you?”

Tears spring to my eyes as I slightly nod.

Nurse Sam steps forward. “That’s okay, sweetie, but you need to be very careful of your mama’s IV and not bump her neck, alright?”

She nods, her eyes never leaving my face.

Gavin moves to help, his strong hands lifting Sophie with such gentleness it makes my heart ache. “Up you go, little one. Easy does it.”

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