Tainted Kiss (Tainted Knights 1)

That got me a quick head shake.

“Okay, then maybe she was sent to another floor?”

The nurse twisted her lips. “There were a handful who went to other floors, most of them elderly. However, a few younger patients got hit harder than the others. They were sent directly to ICU because of the risk of cardiac arrest.” She stopped herself from saying anything more and moved behind the station. Going to a computer, she typed something, and then gave me a sharp glance. “You said Palmer, right? Santana?”

I nodded, nervousness making my hands sweat. “Yes, ma’am.”

Where would they have sent her? Was she as bad as the older folks who had gotten the very worst of it?

“Okay, you’re going to want to get back on the elevator and get off on the fifth floor. As soon as you get off the elevator, take a left and go straight to the nurses’ station. They can direct you from there.”

“Thank you,” I told her in a tight voice before doing as she had directed.

I pocketed my phone. It wasn’t like I needed it. Kin wasn’t going to pick up. I had no idea what her problem was. She was the one who had called Emmie to get me back here as soon as possible. Now that I was here, she couldn’t pick the phone up for two seconds to tell me where they were or how Santana was doing.

The elevator stopped on the fifth floor, and I turned left, which brought me right to the nurses’ station. The vibe on this floor was a lot calmer than that of the one I’d just left. The place looked practically deserted compared to the chaos of the other floor.

A nurse in her thirties lifted her head as I approached and gave me a small smile. “Can I help you?”

“I hope so.” I stuffed my hands into my pockets. “I’m looking for Santana Palmer. I was told she would be on this floor and that you would help me find her.”

Recognition filled the woman’s eyes, but they narrowed on me. “And your name …?”

“Kale Conway.”

She stood. “Give me a minute, please.”

Before I could even nod, she moved to a set of double doors, punched in a code I couldn’t see, and stepped through the now unlocked door. As she disappeared, I noticed the sign above her head. Intensive Care Unit.

The nurse was gone for two minutes, maybe less, but it was long enough for me to panic. When she returned, Kin was with her.

Relief washed through me at the sight of my friend, but the look on her face turned my blood icy. It was guarded, like she didn’t want to tell me what she needed to say. My panic was starting to choke me now as I moved forward.

“What the hell is going on, Kin?” I couldn’t keep my voice from rising or shaking, which had the nurse giving me a hard look as she stood close to Kin, like she thought I would hurt her or something. “Is Santana okay?”

Kin pushed her long red hair back from her face. “Look, Kale, I’m sorry. I probably should have just waited until Santana was feeling a little better before calling Aunt Emmie. She doesn’t want to see you.”

I would worry about her wanting to see me later.

“Why is she in ICU?”

She looked exhausted. “She had some respiratory issues. Her heart rate dropped really low, and her breathing gave the doctors a little bit of a scare, so they moved her up here. She’s doing a little better now. They’ve been able to stop the vomiting, and her stomach cramps have eased up a lot. The doctor thinks she can go home in a few days.”

Some of my panic started to ease, and I let out a relieved exhale. “That’s great. I’m glad she’s doing better.”

“I’m serious, Kale.” Kin stepped closer, putting her hand on my shoulder. “The only reason I’m back there with her is because she freaked out when they told her she would be in ICU alone. That fucked with her heart rate, so they let me, Jenna, and Angie stay with her. When I told her you were on your way, she freaked out again. She’s sick and vulnerable as hell right now. Especially after getting blindsided with that picture this morning—”

“I know she’s upset about that, but I can explain it, Kin.” I scrubbed my hands over my face.

Her brows lifted toward the ceiling. “I saw the picture, dude. It’s pretty hard to explain that kind of shit away.”

“Look, one second I was sitting on Petrova’s couch, talking to two guys from another band. Then the next, those two girls just dropped onto my lap and pulled that stunt for someone’s camera. Five seconds later, I was pushing them off me and left with Jace.”

She gave me a skeptical glare. “So, it was a setup? Someone put those chicks up to what, attacking you for a photo op that they could sell?”

“Yes!” I exclaimed, frustrated with her for not believing me. Any other time, it wouldn’t have mattered if she believed me or not. Right then, however, she was standing between me and Santana. I had to make her understand before I could see my girl. I grasped her hand. “Please, Kin. I would never hurt her. She’s my entire world. I love her.”

She couldn’t mask her surprise, but she was unrelenting. “I’m sorry—really, I am—but she begged me not to let you in. Just give her a few days, Kale. She’s not herself right now.”