I tried to be quick, hating the thought of news coming while I was in here and they were out there alone.
When I finished cleaning up, I went back to the dreaded blue walls of the family area. Unlike me, Vicki and Gio sat in a cluster of chairs, leaving one open for me to join them. With reluctance, I sat down, dropping the bag at my feet and scrubbing my hands over my freshly washed face.
“You look much less grisly now,” Gio remarked.
“I had no idea it was that bad.”
“Are we going to pretend there isn’t an elephant standing in the corner?” Vicki said impatiently.
I looked over at her. “Yes, we are.”
Because if I acknowledged the elephant in the room, I wasn't sure I could stay strong. If I even so much as thought of her in any capacity other than my father’s surgeon, I knew I’d break. She was safe, that was all that mattered.
“Dad risked his life to help you save her.”
I narrowed my eyes, working to keep my voice down. “You think I don’t know that? Do you think I haven’t mentally flogged myself this entire time, knowing that if I’d insisted he stay at your wedding, he wouldn't be in there fighting for his life right now?”
“You both know he would never have stayed, right?” Gio interrupted. “He sees her as his daughter.”
“All I’m saying is that his sacrifice can’t be for nothing.” Vicki’s eyes welled up with tears, and I reached over to take her hand. “Whatever his outcome, you need to get her back.”
“I thought you didn't like her,” I said, purposely evading her point.
“I liked seeing you happy, and I was willing to get to know her.” Rubbing her sleeve over her face, Vicki squeezed my hand. “And we have to pray she’s in there saving his crusty old ass.”
I tried to laugh, but it came out harshly. “If anyone can, it’s her.”
As though we’d spoken her into existence, Sailor appeared far down the hallway. I tried to determine her facial expression, but it was impossible. She wore a mask of professionalism, and it fucking stabbed me in the heart to see it.
I rose slowly, and Vicki glanced behind her to see what had my attention. Standing beside me, she gripped my hand again as tears ran unchecked down her face.
Clasping her hands tightly together, Sailor stopped two feet away from us. “It was touch-and-go for a long time.”
My chest felt close to exploding when she paused to take a deep breath.
“He’ll live, but he’ll never recover fully. I’m sorry, but I did all I could. A nurse will be out shortly to bring you to him.” Turning to go, she pulled her surgical cap from her head, and her golden hair tumbled down around her shoulders.
“Dr. Wentworth,” Gio said.
We all stood motionless for an interminable minute while she faced us expectantly.
“Thank you.”
With a small smile, Sailor started walking again. Everything inside me screamed at me to stop her, but I couldn't move.
Until Vicki shoved me in the shoulder. “Go get her back,” she hissed.
I took a few steps forward, glancing back at them before catching up to her. “Sailor.”
She kept walking. “You can’t change what you are inside.”
“Nor do I want to.”
“My mistake was being flattered that a cruel mafia don was nice to me. We moved too fast, burned too hot, and learned the hard way that we aren’t meant to be.”
My throat closed up. Was that really how she felt, or was she trying to get ahead of my rejection?
“Sailor,” I said again.
