“Don’t worry about him,” I say. “He’s in no shape to hurt anyone else, but he should make it home okay.”
Unfortunately.
With one last glance at Harry, I wrap my arm around Cat and guide her back toward my car.
There’s probably going to be a lawsuit. Harry knows how wealthy my family is—the second I threw a punch, I opened us up to litigation. Without cameras in the park, it’ll be our word against Harry’s.
Still, I don’t regret it. I’d deck Harry again if I had to—hell, I’d do it again even if Ididn’thave to.
That doesn’t scare me as much as it probably should.
When the elevator doors open,Cat just stands there without making a single move to leave.
“We’re here,” I say softly.
She flinches like I’ve surprised her. I grab her hand and pull her inside, guiding her to the sofa to sit.
Since we left Allan Gardens—thankfully, my car was still parked where I left it—I’ve recovered from the fear and surpriseof the evening. Cat has just gotten more and more distant. Any color she had in her face is gone.
“How are you feeling?” I ask.
She blinks, looking confused. “Huh?”
Fuck, she’s still out of it. She might even be in shock.
“That’s it. We’re taking you to the hospital.”
“No,” she says quickly. “No, Nate. I want to stay here.”
Looking at her wide eyes, I don’t have it in me to argue with her. I grab a throw pillow and hand it to her. “Hold this.”
She takes it without arguing, hugging it to her chest. If she loses her balance, at least she’ll have something to fall on.
I head to the fridge and pour her a glass of orange juice. I’m not ruling out the hospital yet, but it’s worth trying to give her some liquids and something to raise her blood sugar.
“Drink this,” I tell her, pushing the juice into her hands.
My eyes are glued to her face as she takes a few sips. I have no idea how long it’s supposed to be until I see a difference in her. I rake my fingers through my hair, suddenly full of too much energy with nowhere to put it.
“I’m sorry. That was all my fault,” I blurt out. “I got Harry fired, and made sure he was blacklisted from working in the city. I thought it would make you safer, but it completely backfired. I didn’t mean for it to…I should’ve?—”
“You never talk this much,” she interrupts, and I notice she looks brighter. Her eyes more clear. “It’s weird,” she continues, smirking.
I shrug, my lips twitching into a smile. If she’s joking with me, that has to be a good sign.
“Have I mentioned how great your smile is?” she asks me.
I wipe a palm over my mouth to cover a breathy laugh I shouldn't be having given the situation, but I’m just so relieved she seems to be okay.
“Don’t cover it up.” She reaches for my hand and tugs it gently away from my face. “I love it.”
“Good,” I reply. “Because it’s yours.”
I squeeze her hand and sigh heavily.
Fuck. This never should’ve happened.
I should never have let this happen.