Rock Star Billionaire

CHAPTER FORTY

Alex

Liz and I were checked out in the ER and kept overnight for observation despite the fact that I pointed out I hadn't been hurt and protested loudly. Mrs. Rikka had been summoned to the ER to tell me that I didn't have a choice in the matter, and her word was final. I grudgingly accepted the edict, but requested that they put Liz in the bed next to me, which they quickly did.

Liz didn't talk much as she began an intense process of detox, but it was nice to be near her while the police questioned me and got the whole sordid story before filing me in on the details of the aftermath. Victor had survived the shooting, but was down in the ICU under lock and key. They weren't sure he'd come out of the coma, but they weren't taking any chances.

"What about Cam?" I asked every person that came in the room. He'd been in surgery for most of the day and the doctors said it was touch and go. I nodded when they told me he had a slim chance of surviving, but that he was strong and healthy, so that tipped the odds in his favor. I desperately wanted to see him, but they wouldn't let me visit until they were sure he was out of the woods.

"Someone needs to check on Tesla!" I said to the nurse who came in to do my vitals.

"What are you talking about?" she asked as she wrapped the blood pressure cuff around my arm and pressed the button.

"Cam has a dog, someone needs to go check on her," I said. The nurse assured me that she'd let the fire fighters down in the waiting area know.

When they released me the next day, the first thing I did was go down to the ICU and ask to see him. They agreed to a short visit, but told me that I couldn't stay. Cam looked very pale under the fluorescent lights. I held his hand and spoke quietly telling him that everything would be all right, but that he had to wake up. When my time was up, the nurse kindly told me that I could come back the next day, but that visiting hours would be limited to short periods until he regained consciousness.

I went down to the lobby and found Newsome sitting in a chair in the corner staring at the television set mounted to the wall.

"How's he doing?" Danny asked.

"He's still out, but they said that's normal considering the amount of damage and the length of surgery," I said. Danny looked like he hadn't slept and I suggested that perhaps he go back to Cam's house and take care of Tesla.

"Already taken care of," he said as he ran a hand through his hair and then rubbed his eyes. "The chief drove over and brought her back to the station. We'll take care of her until Cam's up and about again. I gotta get back to the station."

"Thanks, Danny," I said giving him a hug and then watching him head out the door. There were a number of things I needed to take care of, not the least of which was finding out whether Liz and I had been cleared of the cheating charges.

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

Cam

It took a few days, but I finally came out of the drug-induced sleep to find Alex sitting next to my bed holding my hand.

"Hey, you're here," I smiled as she stood up and leaned over me.

"Of course, I've been waiting for you to wake up so we could talk," she smiled back.

"Where's Tesla?" I asked suddenly worried that no one had checked on her and unsure of exactly ho

w long I'd been out.

"Don't worry. Chief went and got her, she's at the station with the guys," Alex said as she brushed a stray piece of hair off of my forehead. "Everything's under control."

"What about Leo? He's probably seriously pissed at me," I said furrowing my brow.

"No, actually I'm grateful that you created a ton of positive publicity, Cam," Leo said. I turned my head and saw him standing in the doorway smiling. "There's no way we could have generated this much interest in the business had you not played the hero."

"I didn't do it to generate business," I said rolling my eyes. "And I'm not a hero."

"Of course, you are," Alex said as she took my hand and squeezed it. "You saved Liz and I, and you kept Victor from burning down that building."

"And now everyone thinks that kind of security comes standard with CSC services," Leo grinned.

"That's insane," I said shaking my head.

"Nope, that's good publicity!" Leo replied. "I was able to play it up at Metzler's announcement that he's running for office, and the phone's been ringing off the hook ever since."

"You're an opportunist, Leo," I laughed.