Narelle was sure the voice sounded like Andy’s, but it couldn’t be. He wasn’t there.
Chapter
Eleven
Andy stood at the back of Narelle’s room. Her parents were huddled on either side of her, holding her hand. They hadn’t been pleased with him when their daughter had muttered about not being alone and he’d reassured her that she wouldn’t be.
After he’d walked in in time to see the nurse raise the syringe, while she covered Narelle’s mouth, he didn’t need any more convincing that she was in danger.
From whom, he had no idea. But he wasn’t going to rest until he found them.
He’d been closing in on stopping the imposter nurse, when he’d been hit in the side by what, orwho, he didn’t know. All he remembered was that one minute he was running, the next he was flat on his back winded.
By the time he’d staggered to his feet, the nurse and whoever had helped her, were long gone. At least he had the awareness to message Wilt, asking him to hack the hospital’s security system to see if he could find out which direction they disappeared to. He was still waiting to hear back from him.
The urgency to get to Narelle had propelled him through the pain. His ribs were going to be bruised, but he was still standing, and so was Narelle.
He’d burst into her room to find her parents and a doctor at her bedside. If he hadn’t recognized the medical professional, he would’ve hauled him out of the room and demanded he show him his credentials and his staff pass. Before the doctor walked out, he’d reassured her parents, and by default him, that Narelle was unharmed, and was just sleeping due to the events she’d endured.
Andy shifted from one foot to the other, wanting to be the one sitting next to Narelle, holding her hand.
This possessiveness for a woman was so out of character for him. Fighting it was proving to be impossible, so he grasped it with both hands.
He didn’t feel comfortable with her remaining in the hospital after what had just happened. If one person could get in without suspicion, the chances of someone else doing the same was high.
Although would they risk trying to harm her again? It had been brazen of them to try it, but there was no telling if they would try again.
Unfortunately, he didn’t have a say in her medical care. Apart from her parents, no one in the room had known who he truly was to Narelle. If he was honest with himself, he didn’t know where he stood with the woman sleeping soundly, but he wanted to explore something with her. Not to mention protect her. No way was he leaving her alone again.
His stomach grumbled and he realized that with everything that had gone on, he hadn’t been able to get any food, but if he didn’t get something soon, he was going to pass out.
“Do you need to eat something, Andy?” Julie’s question surprised him. How had she known what he’d been thinking?
“Are you a mind reader?”
Julie cracked a small smile. “I could say yes, but it’s more of the fact that I heard your stomach grumbling.”
“I am, but…” He glanced at the bed. How could he leave her again when he’d told her he wouldn’t?
He’d already done that once, and something happened to her. He’d almost lost her.
His thoughts were going in circles. A sure sign he needed something in his belly. And maybe he needed a walk to clear his head.
His guilt that he’d failed Narelle was gnawing at his gut. Guilt was becoming a companion to him.
“She’s sleeping. She won’t know you left if you want to get something. We’re here, too,” Julie assured him, as though she could read his tumultuous thoughts.
“I know.” And he did. He couldn’t bring himself to leave, though.
“You won’t do Narelle any good if you pass out because you feel guilty you weren’t here when she was in danger. She wouldn’t want that either,” she finished quietly.
How could he argue with that? “You’re right. Thanks for the reminder. Can I get you both anything?”
“I’d love an iced coffee,” Mike said.
“Oh, that sounds good.” Julie touched her husband’s arm, and he smiled tenderly at her. “I’llhave one too and a cake as well. Your choice, I’m sure I can trust you pick to yummiest one.”
“I won’t be long.” Andy closed the door behind him and leaned against the wall. He was working on minimal sleep, something he’d done without issues when he was in the Army, and even when he’d been on some assignments with the AFP.
