The woman gives me a polite smile. “I’ve brought you some scrambled eggs on toast.”
“Thank you.”
“Where would you like it? I can put it on the bedside table or bring the overbed table around for you.”
“Overbed table please.” I slowly sit up in bed, flinching at the pain. The nurse rolls the table around and positions it in front of me. She puts the tray down and takes the lid off.
“I’ve got orange or apple juice, tea or coffee.”
“Coffee,” I reply.
Viper gets up. “I’ll get it for her.” Viper and the woman handle my coffee while I eat.
Viper’s phone rings. He looks at me, then his phone, then back at me. “It’s okay—you can answer it.” I bring the coffee to my lips and take a sip. My whole face scrunches up. “Um… can you get a proper coffee?”
Viper nods. “I’ll get you one now,” he replies.
The woman watches his ass as he saunters away. She turns to me. “He’s gorgeous, hon.”
“I know,” I reply.
After she rolls the food cart out and leaves the room, I look around. My phone is on the bedside table. When I reach over and grab it, I see a long list of missed calls and messages. I bring up Piper’s name and call her. She answers on the first ring.
“That was fast,” I say through a chuckle.
“I’ve been waiting for your call. I’ve been so worried. I wanted to come and see you, but Alec told me you said not to.”
“It’s a few bumps and bruises. I know you’re busy with work.”
“Work’s not important,” she’s quick to reply. “My best friend is important.”
“I’m okay. There’s no need… really.”
She sighs. “What happened? Alec said you were attacked but didn’t give many details apart from that.”
I pause, biting my lip. “Promise you won’t say anything to my brother?”
“Yes.”
I take a deep breath. “A woman who was in love with Viper, her and her friends saw me waiting outside a store.” I swallow the lump in my throat and blink furiously, trying not to cry. “They stole the liquor I had with me and forced me to the ground, where they punched and kicked me.”
She gasps, but I keep going. “I’ve never felt pain like that before. The minutes felt like hours.”
“How many were there?” she asks, concern clear in her voice.
“Four.”
“No wonder you ended up in the hospital. I hope Viper got them back.”
“I think so. They were forced to leave town. I’m glad I won’t see them again.”
“When are you coming home to New York?” Piper asks sadly.
Viper walks in with a coffee in his hand. His usual swagger has been replaced with tension. His eyebrows are drawn together, and he’s staring at me. “Your dad knows.” With those words, I feel sick. It’s only going to get worse from now on.
“I’ll call you later,” I tell Piper.
I know my father, and he’ll be full of vengefulness. “You need to go!” I tell Viper.
