Tory is in my office, and I just hope she’s called Mac.
“They took care of me just fine, Theo. I’m twenty-three years old. I don’t need taking care of anymore.”
“I beg to differ. This life doesn’t just stop when you’re an adult. You’re constantly in danger. Where are your guards?” He throws his arms out wide and turns in a circle. “You haveto come with me, Riley. I’ll make sure you’re taken care of and have men watching around the clock.”
Yeah, fuck this. “Because that worked so well last time?”
“My men fought to keep you safe!” He defends my two biggest monsters.
“Your men sold me from right under your nose!” I use my last bit of strength to yell the words at him.
Just as soon as the words are out, Rowan and Declan hit the top step, fighting to get to me first. Rowan called me earlier to check in on me since Mac was gone, and I’m assuming Dec was just with him. I don’t think Theo even heard them. His eyes are wide, and his jaw drops.
“What?” He asks in a half whisper.
“You heard me. Your men sold me, and one of them was my most heinous repeat abuser. So I don’t want to hear shit about my Papa. Especially fromyou.” I spit ‘you’ out like it’s just as vile as it tastes in my mouth.
“My men would never! Matteo and Leo are my most trusted guards.” He roars like that’s going to change the facts.
“Watch it, Theo. Don’t fucking talk to my sister like that.” Rowan practically growls as he slowly takes steps to put himself in front of me.
“She’s mydaughter,Byrne.” He spits out.
“She actually isn’t. You need to get out of here, Rossi. I won’t ask again. And if you’re still here when my brother gets home, he won’t be as nice about it.”
“Fuck him. I’m taking Riley with me.” He takes a step towards me, and I’m pissed I can’t do anything but sit here with my arm hooked to a freaking machine.
“Riley isdead, Theo. Do you understand that? Shediedin captivity because your ‘most trusted men’kidnapped, raped, tortured, and did things to her that would send your worst nightmares running for the hills. My name is Lelonie Fischer, and I’m so sorry to tell you this, but your daughter is dead.” I don’t mince words. He’s clearly unhinged and unpredictable.
I don’t hear Mac and Davis come in, nevertheless climbing the stairs, but Mac hits the top step and launches himself at my biological father. They crash to the floor in a mess of limbs, and once Mac has Theo on his back and his hands secured, he sneers, “Get him the fuck out of here, and away from her.”
Rowan and Declan each grab an arm, and when Mac gets up, they scoop him up off the floor and take him out of our house. Mac’s kneeling by my side in the next second. His hand comes to my forehead, and it isn’t until he makes contact that I realize I’m sweating profusely.
“You okay, Beautiful? Did he touch you?” He’s trying hard to restrain his fury. I’m shaking my head before he even finishes. His chest heaves, trying to calm himself.
“Hey, Lee. You look pale, sweetheart. You feeling okay?” Davis asks as he squats down beside Mac.
I really don’t feel well at all. My arms are starting to hurt, and my hands are numb. Mac says something, but he sounds so far away. I hear someone call my name just before everything goes black.
30
Chapter Thirty
Mac
Pacing outside of the doors leading to the hall of operating rooms at Corey Heights Regional hospital, I’m lost in my own head. Davis and I watched in horror as her eyes rolled in the back of her head and her body went limp. We rushed her here, where they told us she has a clot in her fistula and needs a thrombectomy. We had no idea what they were talking about, but they explained that it’s a procedure where they go in and remove the clot.
Her family and mine showed up, and they’re now crowding the waiting room. I couldn’t handle that shit. I needed to be as close to her as I could be. I’ve just slid down the wall just outside of the doors when Kieran and Davis turn the corner at the end of the hall and make their way to me. They slide down on either side of me and sit with me in silence.
Neither of them says a word as we sit and wait for the doctorto come out and tell us my girl is just fine. I don’t do well with shit like this. When Kieran was stabbed after a fight years ago I did this exact same thing. For twelve hours I sat in front of the same doors of a different hospital praying to a God that I didn’t believe in to save my big brother. I did it again when he was shot over a year and a half ago, and now I do it again as Lee is back there. I’ll probably do it again when she finally comes off that transplant list. The hours feel like days, but eventually the surgeon finally walks out.
“Mr. Byrne, would you like to talk here or in the waiting room?”
“We can go to the waiting room. That’s where everyone is.”
We trail behind the doctor. My brother as well as my new best friend flank my sides. As soon as the waiting room comes into view, Declan’s eyes crash into mine and he stands. Everyone else takes note and stands. The Fischer’s take the front of the pack while the Byrnes fall to the back. Kieran makes his way to his wife while Davis and I stand to the side. I’m not sure where I’m supposed to stand, and Davis is here for me so he’ll go wherever I go.
“The Fischer family?” Her parents and siblings nod. “Lelonie’s procedure went really well. We cleared out the blood clot, and everything’s working as it should again. She’s still asleep. Due to the elevated risks of complications, we’re going to keep her for a few days. Whoever can head back to see her. However, I’d keep it to four or five at a time.”
