Page 24 of Red Queen (Red Thorns Crew 3)

Rena laughed. “You know how your father is. The second he drained Hannah of all the information she had, he started calling every police station and hospital in the area. Searching for your name. Wondering if you had been admitted. He did it for the majority of the ten-hour drive over. And, once this hospital confirmed you had been admitted, it was ninety the rest of the way here.”

Dani sighed. “Yep. Sounds like Dad.”

Her mother patted Dani’s knee. “You know he’s just worried. And he’s got a right to be. We still don’t have any answers. We haven’t seen a doctor. All the nurses are telling us is that you were submerged underwater for too long. Which doesn’t make any sense, given the fact that you’re a great swimmer.”

“Look, Mom, I really didn’t mean to scare you guys. Things just sort of… got out of hand last night. It was no one’s fault.”

“Well, don’t take offense if I don’t believe you. Max?”

I nodded. “Yes?”

“Would you like to fill me in a bit on what happened last night? You know, since my daughter won’t?”

I looked down at Dani and saw the panic behind her eyes. I felt that same panic wafting around in my gut, too. This wouldn't go over well. And it was hard to keep that feeling off my face. I knew I bore a great deal of the weight of what happened last night. If anyone was to blame, it was me and my actions. Had it not been for me being so damn selfish, I never would’ve pulled Dani into this lifestyle in the first place. Had I been thinking with my head and not my dick, I would’ve known that she was a girl fit for more than this. More than a few one-night stands with some jerk-off who didn’t deserve her.

And if I hadn’t dragged her into any of this, she never would’ve been on my father’s radar.

Rena sighed. “I’m waiting, Max. Please don’t make me wait much longer. It’s making me concerned that the police should be involved at this point.”

My mind spun with all sorts of things. I felt myself raging out of control again. I should’ve known that coming to the hospital would’ve set off this chain reaction. But I didn’t realize her parents would get involved. I felt completely unprepared for something like this. Hell, I’d been completely unprepared for the whirlwind that was Danika Young. She had swept me off my feet in ways I’d never experienced before.

How in the world was I supposed to explain any of this to her fucking parents?

So many things ran through my mind. Like how Dani needed to be on campus right now. It was a Monday, and I knew she had morning classes she was missing right now. She had her ritual swimming in the afternoon, too. Which she would also miss. Instead of swimming those lengths and stretching those muscles and carrying on with her normal life, she was here. In the hospital.

Because she’d nearly drowned in my father’s backyard.

Rena huffed. “Well?”

Dani sighed. “Mom, you have to understand that he’s been through an ordeal, too.”

“Yeah, I can see it from the bruises on his face. That doesn’t mean we don’t require answers. We’re your parents, Dani. And while I get that you’re trying to spread your wings and be a bit more independent, you’re in the hospital. That warrants at least a bit of an explanation as to why a wonderful swimmer like you almost drowned.”

“Technically, I did drown. It was Max who saved me.”

My voice grew stern. “Dani.”

She looked up at me. “Sorry. I just--it’s true. And I think you guys are missing that point.”

Rena shook her head. “We’re not missing that point. But you have to understand that even though you feel independent right now, you just admitted to drowning, Danika. You drowned. And yes, in time I will thank Max for saving you. But now isn’t that time. Now is the time for answers.”

Dani looked up at me and I had no clue on how to guide us. Where to take us. What to say from here. I expected to be dealing with the police. Not her parents. I’d have to have a talk with that fucking roommate of hers once we got ourselves out of this mess. I drew in a deep breath, preparing to tell the entire truth. Well, most of it. The story quickly threaded itself together in my head as I stood there, trying to buy myself a bit more time.

Before the door to the room swung open.

Thank fuck.

“Sorry that took so long,” Peter said. “My boss wanted to know what was going on and it required a bit of an explanation. Though he’s still got some questions. Just like I do.”

Dani sighed. “I know, Dad.”

Rena patted her shoulder. “It’s okay. You can talk to us. I hope you know that.”

I looked over my shoulder, ignoring the pain wafting through my body. Peter gave me a hesitant look before he walked around me, giving me a wide berth. He didn’t want to be anywhere near me. That much was for certain. And honestly, with the way I looked, I couldn't blame him one bit. He walked over to where Rena was standing and exchanged places with her. He bent down, kissed Dani on the forehead, then took her hand softly within his.

“Okay, you ready?” he murmured.

Dani swallowed hard. “Ready for what?”

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