Officer Washington nodded.
“Okay.” Krystal lay her head against the pillow, then popped forward, away from a shooting pain at the back of her head. Too fast. Dizzy. “This is like the worst amusement park ride ever.” She was gripping Emmy’s hand, clinging to stability.
“You hit your head,” Officer Cruz explained. “Hard. Concussion. A few stitches.”
“That explains it.” Her gaze caught on Sawyer, jaw tight and nostrils flared. Seeing him this way was unsettling. “Thanks, Sawyer. For taking care of me. And him.”
“Him?” Travis jumped in. “Tig? Tig did this to you?”
Yes, Tig. She was going to have to stop freaking out every time someone said his name. “Where is he?” The question had her heart monitor climbing.
“Mr. Whitman is at the station.” The female police officer said. “Can you recount the events leading up to your altercation with Mr. Whitman?”
“Altercation? How about assault?” Travis bit out. “Have you seen her face?”
“Travis.” Krystal sighed. “You’re stressing me out with the human volcano routine. Keep it up and I will make Sawyer drag your ass out of the room.”
The two male police officers glanced back and forth between her, Sawyer, and Travis.
“Let’s try to keep things as calm as possible. Your sister is going to need both of her brothers’ support.” Officer Ramos’s low bass voice was just menacing enough to get Travis’s attention. “All things considered.”
“Sawyer isn’t our brother.” Emmy’s glanced Sawyer’s way, her lower lip quivering.
“No?” Officer Ramos didn’t look convinced. “There’s a…resemblance.”
Krystal studied Travis. Then Sawyer. Officer Ramos had a point.
“Just security.” Sawyer’s tone was hard.
“Good d
amn thing he was there, too.” Travis scowled, his lips parting. “What if—”
“Stop. I mean it.” Krystal glared at him, which made her face hurt. Which made her react and cover her tender face. “Dammit.” She shook her hands out. “Tonight?”
Officer Washington’s forehead creased. “Let’s start there.”
I can do this. I have to do this.
The door to her hospital room opened and Jace was there.
Jace.
Her heart. Oh, her heart. He was here.
No.
His face. He hesitated, just inside, doing his best not to react. But that was reaction enough. His smile was for her, strained and broken but real. His light brown eyes searched her face before falling briefly away. When he looked at her again, he’d pulled himself together. Because he was Jace. Strong and beautiful. Here. For her. He was here for her.
On this point, Tig had been right. Jace was exactly the kind of guy who would stick now—out of misguided nobility. He’d want to ride in on a white horse, make it better, with his smile and his warm gaze and gentle hands.
She sucked in a wavering breath, her heart breaking in a million pieces. There was only one option here—one she could trust was right.
“You can’t be here.” She forced the words out, brittle and raw.
You are a liar. Tig’s voice echoed in her head. She wanted Jace here, wanted his strength and support. Needed it.
“Not visiting hours?” he asked, frowning. “I needed to see you were okay.”