Page 19 of Austin's Answer
Declan shook his head. “Not now, Austin. We can go after him later. He won’t get away with this.”
Austin shuddered, and the fur retreated. For a minute, it looked like he wouldn’t listen, but then he gave a quick nod, jaw clenched. His gaze met mine, a promise in his eyes, before turning to head for Mason’s shop.
The drive to the hospital flashed by as I filled Declan in. The admitting nurse’s brows raised when she saw my IV, but when I explained, she rushed me back into a room and ran for the doctor. I was still in the exam room waiting for a bed when Austin rushed in.
“I don’t think you’re supposed to be back here.” My eyes took in the nurse standing behind him, wringing her hands.
“This is exactly where I’m supposed to be.” Austin clasped my hand in his. “With my mate.”
I shot the nurse an apologetic look but just shrugged at her. I didn’t want Austin to leave, so I couldn’t bring myself to tell him to. She huffed out a breath but left.
“I’m surprised she didn’t make you go. ER nurses are no joke.”
“It’s because I’m a shifter. Sometimes it’s useful that we make humans nervous.” He kissed my hand. “Ethan and Gabriel went back to the cabin to see if Ray is still there. I knocked him out, but he may not have been unconscious for long. Mason went after Vince.”
I frowned. “Should he have gone alone?”
“Couldn’t stop him.” There was worry in his gaze. “Luke was in town looking for you, so I had Ethan call him and send him to your family’s ranch. He won’t be far behind Mason.”
I looked away and plucked at the sheet beneath me. “I’m sorry.”
“You have nothing to be sorry for.”
“I do. First, for Vince. He’s my brother, and I feel a certain responsibility for his actions. I don’t know why he did it, but if I’d come home sooner, maybe I could have stopped him.”
“His actions are his own. No one will hold it against you.” He caressed the back of my hand with his thumb. “As for why he did it, Mason might shed some light on that. We’ve never pushed him to tell us what happened while they were in the army, but that’s going to have to change.”
“I’m also sorry for not telling you I forgave you sooner. And for not telling you I still love you. I never stopped.” Tears pricked my eyes. “When I was in the cabin, the thought that I might die without you knowing…”
“Shh…” He swooped forward and brushed his lips against mine. Achingly sweet. Just a soft whisper of a touch that promised so much more. More time, more kisses, more touches. “I know now. That’s what’s important.” His forehead rested against mine. “And Em? I love you, too. Always and forever.”
TEN
Austin
The ten days Emily spent in the hospital were the longest of my life. Her symptoms were mild, thanks to her quick thinking with the antitoxin, but the doctors didn’t want to take any chances.
My brothers covered for me on the ranch, allowing me to spend my time with Emily. It gave us a chance to have the important conversations. She may have said she forgave me and loved me, but it didn’t erase the years of hurt my actions had caused. She needed to tell me about it, and I needed to listen. There were tears, and there was healing, and eventually we both found acceptance for the past, allowing us to move forward without hurt and guilt.
The nurses also grew comfortable enough with me to demand I leave after visiting hours, but I would sneak back after shift change while my favorite night nurse pretended to look the other way.
“I want to see my dad before we leave.” Emily slipped her shoes on and stood up from the hospital bed. “The doctor said he’s recovering well.”
Her dad was admitted to the hospital after Emily was. It turned out Vince had been over-medicating him. After the medication wore off, he scribbled out enough of the story to piece it together. The stroke was real, but after her dad returned home, he heard Vince and Ray talking about the sabotage outside his room when they thought he was asleep.
When Emily found out, she cried. She struggled to reconcile the image she had of her big brother with the reality of what he’d done. My heart had broken for her when she sobbed in my arms.
“I figured you’d want to visit him today. I saw him earlier and let him know to expect you.” I laced our fingers together and led her from the hospital room. Emily stopped to thank the nurses, and I gave them a nod of appreciation. “Hearing you were coming made his eyes light up.”
Her brow furrowed. “Does he know Vince is missing?”
When Mason arrived at the Miller’s house, Vince was already gone. Sheriff Danvers was searching for him, but Mason said if Vince didn’t want to be found, he wouldn’t be. We still hadn’t pressed Mason for the full story, but he told us enough to know our security measures would be useless if Vince wanted through them. Ray was in custody, but he claimed to know nothing about where his former boss was.
“I gave him a heads-up this morning. The doctor thought he was well enough to handle it.” I pressed the elevator button. “He’s talking a little now, though it’s a struggle for him.”
Emily leaned her head against my shoulder. “It’s all so surreal. I still can’t make sense of it. I wish I knew why Vince did all this.”
“Mason’s gone dark. He barely talks to anyone and spends all his time in his cabin or workshop. I think he feels guilty.”
