A sob of relief burst from me as Lachlan jumped out of the first SUV. Running to him, I threw myself into his arms and clung to him like he could make the last thirty minutes disappear.
“You’re okay.” Lachlan held me hard. “I’ve got you, you’re okay.” Over my head, I heard him order, “Check that fucker for a pulse. And someone call an ambulance.” To me he whispered, “The police are already on their way, sweetheart. Regan told us where you were. You’re okay now. But you have to tell me if you’re hurt, Arro.”
I hurt everywhere.
But mostly my soul ached for what I’d just been forced to do to another human being.
“Arro? Talk to me, sweetheart. Arro? Arro?”
35
Mac
I hurried through the hospital corridors, ignoring the ache from my wounds as one task consumed me.
Get to Arro.
By the time I’d bullied the doctor into sending security away and discharging me, I got the call from Lachlan that Arro was safe but in shock. She was already in an ambulance on her way to Inverness, following the ambulance that carried Guy Lewis.
She’d hit him with her car.
I needed to know what else had happened.
I needed to know if she was okay.
What could have happened haunted me as I charged through the hospital. I wasn’t there to protect her. Had I failed her? Did I deserve to know if she was safe?
Don’t, an internal voice fought me. You’re wounded from protecting her.
No one saw this coming, right?
Or had I just been so relieved to enjoy the idea of a peaceful future with Arro that I’d grown lax and dropped my hold on professional paranoia?
I blew through double doors and was in the loud, controlled chaos of the emergency department. Searching the waiting area for faces I recognized, I spotted Robyn standing against the wall, glaring anxiously around her.
Hurrying toward my daughter, I drew her gaze, and her lips parted in surprise. She stormed toward me. “No, you should be in bed.”
“Where is she?” I snapped impatiently.
Robyn raised an eyebrow. “Dad, she’s fine. But you’re recovering from bullet wounds, and since I know how that feels, I also know you shouldn’t be running around like a madman.”
“I need to see Arro, Robbie, so help me or get out of my way, wee birdie.”
She sighed. “This way.”
Following her, heart racing in my chest, every second seemed like an hour before she led us to a nurse.
“Hey, we spoke earlier. You checked in my sister-in-law, Arrochar Adair. Can you tell me where she and my husband went?”
The nurse glanced behind Robyn at me. “Immediate family only. She’s with a consultant.”
I stepped forward belligerently, my usual calm and patience gone. “I’m her—” Fuck! Boyfriend sounded so juvenile and impermanent. “Hers,” I decided with a glower.
The nurse gave me an unimpressed look, and Robyn raised her hands, palm out. “Apologies for my dad. He’s actually recovering from bullet wounds and just got discharged to come find his … Arro.” She shrugged.
“Wait.” The nurse cocked her head. “Arrochar Adair is your sister-in-law, but she’s also your father’s girlfriend?”
“That better not be judgment I hear.” Robyn looked up at me. “Did you hear a tone of judgment?”