Lev answers, shocking me. “He’s being treated, and then they’ll take him to the hospital. Sam wasn’t on any of the lower levels, but the building is still being searched.”
I didn’t hear him approach, and with the way he made his feelings about me clear the night of the Selection ceremony, I didn’t anticipate him speaking to me at all.
“We need to find her.” I pause, choking on the memory of her time here. “She can’t be left behind.”
Lev must see the fear in my eyes. He doesn’t question my worry for someone who’s made my first few months in Edgewood hell.
“We’ll find her,” he says, opening up his phone and pushing a few buttons. Lifting his gaze, he examines me with a level of scrutiny that resembles concern. I have to be imagining it. Lev doesn’t tolerate me much less like me.
“They’re bringing her down now,” he smiles reassuringly, confusing me even more. It has to be the situation.He feels bad, nothing more.
My dad is wheeled out, and I take off. He sees my approach and pulls down the oxygen mask. “I told you she was a bad shot, Ry.” His smile is pained.
“I’m riding with you,” I state, leaving no room for argument.
“Whatever you want, Angel, but we’re all riding together,” Owen says.
“But sir,” the medic tries to object, but whatever look Owen gives shuts him up.
As I step up into the back of the transport, I see someone carrying out Sam. Her head hangs on the guy’s shoulder. It’s not one of the guys, so it must be someone they came with.
I want to check on her, but I don’t think she will want me anywhere near her. She lifts her gaze, seeing all of the guys crowding me, and the glare she sends me confirms my assessment.
She stares longingly at Wes, whose back is to her, and I feel bad for her. She’s alone, and after everything that happened, she shouldn’t be, but I’m not the one to comfort her.
“One of you should go check on her,” I say to no one in particular.
They all follow my line of sight.
“Will has her. She’ll be fine,” Wes says dismissively.
They all climb into the back and I’m tempted to ask why Wes or Lev would even bother but think better of it. They did just risk their lives to come and save mine, leading to saving my dad’s in the process.
“Our focus is you,” Lev says, his gaze trained on me, and if he notices my shock, he doesn’t acknowledge it. He’s trying to convey something, but if he thinks this clears his slate, he forgot who the hell I am.
My dad’s coughing pulls my attention from Lev’s probing stare.
I peer down at his pale face, reaching for his hand as tears fill my eyes. “I still can’t believe you’re here,” I choke out.
“Shh, shh, shhh. Don’t cry. I’m here, Ry,” he choppily soothes.
“Let’s refrain from making him do anything too strenuous until we get him proper medical treatment,” the female medic says.
A phone rings before we pull off.
“Yes, Dad, we got them both. We have a lot to update you on, but Seline got away,” Wes reports. His dad says something else, making his lips draw tight into a grim line before he responds, “She’s here, and so is her dad.”
I hear Wes’s dad’s voice rising, but his words are inaudible.
“Right away. I’ll let them know,” Wes mumbles, ending the call as he turns his gaze to the medic. “Bring us to the Edgewood estate.”
“What? My dad needs medical attention!” I shout.
He nods. “And he’ll get the best attention in our medical wing. My dad has already called in an entire team. He doesn’t want you or your dad out in the open until he has a complete update on the situation.”
“He’s right, Ry. It’s the safest way to handle this,” my dad interjects, cutting off my rising protest.
Puffing out my cheeks in resignation, I acquiesce. “Fine, but you better have the best doctors in the world because if anything happens to my dad, I’ll feed you your balls for breakfast.”
