“Seth, thanks,” Kip said.
“I’ll be outside the door. I can see her monitors.” Seth left Kip alone with Harper.
“Hey, beautiful,” he grasped her hand, “where were we up to? Hmm, we covered sexy ears and nose. There are your eyes; I can get lost in them.” He toyed with his watch. “I saw the babies. Thanks to you, they’re just fine. And Zayne has taken over as babysitter and protector,” Kip talked continuously.
Harper pulled the mask away from her face. “Kip.”
He inhaled deeply through his nose. “Sweetheart, it’s good to see your beautiful eyes.” He leaned over her, placing a chaste kiss to her lips. “How’s the pain?”
The glass door opened. “Harper, my name is Seth Brady. I’m a PA. Would you mind if I asked this big guy to step back so I can examine you?”
Kip stepped out. “I’ll be right back.” He met with Julian and Matt, sending both back to his house.
Julian blew out a breath. “Kip, it’s time to pick a coaching job.” He gave him a one-armed hug before he and Matt headed to the elevator.
Kip inhaled and returned to the ICU. The first “coaching job” was a recommendation to Martin when he was too close to a woman to make the non-emotional decisions required to keep her safe. Since then, many of his fellow executives had picked their preferred sport, including Julian.
Slipping into Harper’s room, he found her resting her head, raised slightly. She smiled, her eyes glossy from the pain medication. “You look exhausted. Go to bed.”
“It will be lonely without you.” He kissed her again.
“There’s room. Come here.” Her hand bounced on the bed. “Seth, can he?”
“We can try. Kip take your belt and shoes off. I won’t let you do anything to hurt her,” Seth advised.
Kip purposely hadn’t asked Harper any questions, but the minute he lay beside her, she started to talk. Seth leaned down and whispered to Kip, “I’ll record it.”
“Serafina shot me. Gabe’s dead. Babette and Desirée, poor babies,” she sniffled.
“They’re okay. Zayne appointed himself babysitter,” Kip assured her.
“Serafina didn’t care if they died,” Harper cried.
“Shh, rest,” Kip urged.
“I didn’t realize I was shot. I stabbed her with Addy’s knitting needle. It was all a game.” She drifted to sleep.
Kip grabbed his phone.Black-haired woman—Serafina. Harper stabbed her with a knitting needle.
Mia responded,Roger. Noah picked up Brigitte Mone. Zayne is en route. She’s stewing.
* * *
Tuesday,August 28th
Greta T-1 day
When morning broke,Tim Holland arrived to relieve Seth. “Human first aid.” He smiled.
“Her vitals are stable. Temp is normal. Pain controlled,” Seth reported and went over the morning labs he sent and the antibiotic regimen. “Let him sleep another hour. He hasn’t stirred since he fell asleep a little after midnight.”
Chapter 31
Disoriented, Kip sat up. He patted the bed beside him and found Harper missing. Panic raced through him until he heard a familiar giggle.
“I’m over here, Big Security Guy. You sleep like a brick.” She was reclining in a lounger.
He wiped the crust from his eyes and laughed. “What time is it?”
