Page 119 of Elusion

“When do visiting hours start?” Pete asks.

My glare goes unnoticed.

The doctor checks his watch. “An hour or so, but something tells me I’ll see most of you wandering my halls before that.” He turns to leave but stops in the doorway. “She didn’t like the light shining in her eyes because someone used to make her go fishing?”

Trey smirks, putting his hands behind his head. “She was a pain in the ass to get out of bed at four in the morning. A flashlight in the eyes pissed her off but saved me time.”

The doctor smiles on his way out. I chance missing out on yet another four-dude cuddle session and follow him. He scans his badge and steps through the doors with me right behind him. The extra set of footsteps must clue him in on his shadow because he chuckles, turning a corner.

“That didn’t take long at all.”

The same peach of a nurse from earlier stares in disapproval when she sees me stride into Callie’s room. She moves a large glass of water to the side of the bed with my chair. “Encourage small sips.” She pulls the door most of the way shut behind her.

Callie shifts, uncomfortable as she turns her head toward me. The fear from earlier has dissipated, and all her injuries fade into background noise I hardly notice.

“Hey,” she whispers, her voice raspy.

One word has never meant more in my damn life. “Hey, beautiful.”

“Cate and Connor?”

I groan and drop my head onto her shoulder. “I knew we forgot something.”

A small smile greets me when I lift my head. “So frustrating.”

“You love it,” I whisper back.

Her eyes close.

“Want me to leave so you can sleep?” I ask, getting comfortable in the chair. Regardless of her answer, I have no plans on moving from this spot.

“No,” she says.

“Good. My presence is nonnegotiable.”

When she opens her eyes, her hand eases up to her neck. Her fingers trace over the claw marks. The rise and fall of her chest speeds the longer she explores the damaged skin. I am anxious watching, so I can’t imagine how she feels. I reach for her hand and kiss each of her knuckles until her breathing evens out.

“It was getting worse, but I never thought…” She swallows, pain evident on her face. “He snapped.”

“He’ll never fucking touch you again.” I press my lips to her inner wrist. “Don’t even think about him.”

The door creaks after a soft knock. She draws in a ragged breath, her eyebrows pulling together at the sight of Trey. They stare at each other for a second before he speeds across the room. He cradles her head against his chest, and her hand withdraws from mine to hold on to him.

“Never again, Cal.” His cheek rests on the top of her head. “You are never putting me through anything like this ever again.”

“And you’re never talking about roller coasters again.”

He chokes out a sad laugh, his eyes tight. “I think I can manage that.” He moves to the end of the bed, clearing his throat. “Our waiting room’s getting a little crowded. You know three guys and a redhead?”

Ah, the mystery of Benji’s “movie” solved. The merry band of misfits and Felicia must have already been on their way here. Why would I expect anything less from them?

“Those belong to me,” I say, noting the side-eye from Callie. “Well, they belong to us.”

Movement in the hallway snags my attention. Connor hovers in the hall with a torn expression. I leave my post long enough to hook my arm around his neck and pull him into the room. When Callie spots him, her face lights up as much as it can. He hurries around the bed and lays his head on her shoulder, trying to touch as little of her as possible.

“I’m so sorry.” He pulls back, his eyes glassy.

She sweeps the hair away from his forehead. “None of this is your fault. Do you hear me?”

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