Page 14 of A Billionaire Rebel

“I’m not hurt. I was in the cab in front, and the guys were behind me, and something happened. Their car flipped, and someone hit it, and the cab wouldn’t stop until I screamed at him to get over. I ran back, and it was awful…” The words poured out of her in a horrified rush, her voice hoarse and choked.

“Where are you?” I yanked on the first pair of pants I grabbed and reached for a shirt.

“Houston Methodist. Damon…please…I…”

“I’m on my way,” I promised. “I have to hang up now, but I’m coming. Hang in there. I’m coming.”

I shoved my phone in my pocket and ran. The drive to the hospital was a blur as I went as fast as I dared. My mind raced as my body moved on autopilot. I’d known that the band was getting in tonight, which probably meant they’d been coming from the airport.

She’d just said the guys, which meant more than one, but not necessarily all three. And it probably wasn’t as bad as it sounded. She’d seen the accident happen. Of course she’d be freaking out.

At least it’d happened here. If the guys needed to be hospitalized for a couple days, they were near family. They might need some help for a while after they were released. I’d take care of that.

After I got an idea of how long they’d be recovering, I’d talk to the label. Cathy too. I hoped Kalini hadn’t called her. The last thing we needed to do was put stress on her and the baby, especially since it didn’t seem like we knew much. I’d tell Kalini I’d take care of all of it. She’d need support as much as anyone else.

I couldn’t imagine what she was going through, having seen something like that. If one of the guys was with her, he could probably lend his support since he’d have an idea of what she was going through. Except if one of the guys had been there, she probably would’ve let him call instead of doing it herself, which meant she was most likely alone.

Why hadn’t I stayed with them? Cynthia would’ve understood.

My head ached by the time I pulled into the parking lot. I parked in the first space I found, locking my doors automatically as I jogged toward the doors. I hurried through the near-empty waiting area and stopped at the front desk. “I’m looking for Kalini Volek. She came in with a car accident.”

“One moment.” The receptionist typed something into her computer, and I tried not to get impatient. She wasn’t dawdling, and it’d be wrong to yell at her for something out of her control.

At least, that’s what I kept telling myself.

“Are you family?”

Dammit!

“Damon!”

I turned in time to catch Kalini as she dove into my arms. She took deep shuddering breaths, and all I could do was hold her and hope that it wasn’t as bad as the feeling in the pit of my stomach seemed to think it would be.

“Where’s Hawk?” I asked. “Otis? Are all three of them together?”

“Mr. Holden.” A man in scrubs came over to us. “If you and Miss Volek could follow me.”

I didn’t bother asking how he knew who we were. I just wanted to know what happened.

“Mr. Youngen has been asking for Miss Volek.” The doctor took us back into the main ER and into a small room where Hawk was sitting on a hospital bed.

“Hawk!” Kalini immediately went to him.

He grabbed her, the relief on his face more than the pain. “I was so worried.”

The doctor closed the door, and his expression was grim when he turned back to us. “I know this is highly unorthodox, but I thought it best to let you three be together while I gave you an update.”

Shit.

“Where are Bair and Otis?” I asked, doing my best to keep from sounding demanding.

“Mr. Kritzer is in surgery,” the doctor said. “His injuries are severe, and the next few hours will be critical.”

Kalini caught her breath, and Hawk swore. I clenched my hands into fists, bracing myself for the rest.

“I’m sorry, but Mr. Appleton was pronounced at the scene.”

Pronounced.

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