His scars are just visible on his left side beneath the ruined fabric.
“The building was on fire, and you came in anyway,” I whisper.
“You were inside,” he replies simply.
I look into his pained eyes as the hospital room door bursts open.
“Oh my god!” Sinclair rushes over and the mattress dips next to me as she sinks into it and leans down, hugging me. There are tears in her eyes as she pulls back and then grabs Sterling in a hug across me.
“We’re all right, Sweetheart,” Sterling soothes her.
“I got here as quick as I could.” Her lower lip is trembling as her eyes volley between the two of us like she’s assessing us for damage. She blinks hard and then turns to Sullivan.
“Where’s Molly?”
“Gone with Killian and Jenson to find the coffee machine.”
“Uncle Mal and Trudy?”
“On their way,” Sullivan replies.
She nods and smooths her hair back over her shoulder, taking a slow breath. “I can’t believe it.A fire,” she says the last words like a haunted whisper.
I look at her, dressed in a sparkling silk bodycon dress. Even in a crisis, she looks incredible.
“I was out last night and ended up staying with a friend,” she explains as she sees me looking at her outfit.
“Who?” The single barked syllable flies across the room like a bullet.
Sinclair turns, acknowledging Denver for the first time.
“Mind your own business.”
“Your family is my business. Give me their name and I’ll run a check,” Denver growls.
“I’m not giving you his name!” She snorts.
Denver’s chest expands and his eyes flick to Sterling’s. “It’s protocol,” he grits.
“Whatever.” Sinclair turns away from him.
“Give Denver the guy’s name, Sinclair. He’s just doing his job,” Sullivan says.
Sterling nods. “Do it please, Sweetheart.”
Sinclair purses her lips. “Fine. But I don’t know his full name. I only know where he lives.”
Sullivan mutters something with a huff, and Denver’s expression darkens like he’s about to lose it any second.
“I think there are more important things happening right now than who I was with,” she snaps at Sullivan before bringing her worried eyes back to me. Her voice drops low and soft. “Are you okay?”
“I’m okay.” I give her a small, reassuring smile, and her shoulders loosen.
“Dad?”
“I’m fine. Hallie’s the one who took in the most smoke,” Sterling says, a heaviness in his voice that makes my heart crack.
“I’m okay. Because of you,” I add, looking at him.
