“Of course.” I wanted to laugh but it hurt too much. “AmIokay?”
“You have whiplash. Broken ribs. A laceration to your scalp. Fractured cheek bone where they hit you—” His voice broke off and he looked away.
I wanted to cry but somehow the tears wouldn’t come. Maybe it was shock. Maybe it was the drugs.
“The doctor said he needed to speak to you about something when you woke up. Fucker wouldn’t tell me what. I’d access your records too to find out but I assumed you wouldn’t approve.”
“You assumed correctly. You should tell them I’m awake.”
He frowned and pressed a button that I presumed would call a nurse.
“How am I here? The last thing I remember was—” I couldn’t say it. Tears filled my eyes. I desperately didn’t want to cry.
“Thomas took out the man who knocked you unconscious before he had a chance to get you into a car. The rest of them were already leaving as the police arrived.”
“Thomas and Joe – are they okay?”
“Injuried but they’ll live.”
“Who did it?” I asked. “It was my dad’s people, wasn’t it? I heard Irish accents.”
“We can talk about it later. You need rest.” I gave him a look and he sighed. “Yes, it was them. A lot of them. Joe estimated two dozen. It’s a miracle any of you survived.” He ran a hand through his hair. “The police are involved but mostly they’re just in the way. Elliot is reaching out to the Berne family now, cutting straight to the chase.”
“They were trying to kidnap me to hold me ransom?” The words sounded insane as I said them but I knew they were true. “Weren’t the pictures enough? Why not use them to blackmail you for the money?”
“I don’t think they’re behind the photos, my love. Two separate threats. Or maybe three.” He rubbed his thumb over the back of my hand, soothing the only part of me that didn’thurt. “I’m not sure what triggered them to attack you today. Maybe your father was taking too long to get the money and they became impatient. Elliot said it was sloppy and they would have been less of a threat if there hadn’t been so many of them. Trying to kidnap you at gunpoint in broad daylight when you have security with you? That’s stupid. People like that aren’t generally stupid.”
“You’ve said before that people do stupid things for money. At least it’s over now.” I was trying to be positive and put on a strong front I didn’t feel.
He gritted his teeth, his jaw ticking. “I shouldn’t have let you out of my fucking sight. I should have kept you at Harrington. I should never have let you leave.”
“Stop…don’t do this to yourself…” I winced as another bolt of pain came from my broken ribs. Everything felt too loud. I could hear people talking, machines beeping. We had little privacy.
Before I could lecture Alfie on the dangers of self-flagellation, we were interrupted by an older woman that I presumed was a nurse, she flashed a bright smile when she saw me.
“Oh, you’re awake. I’ll let the doctor know.” She disappeared, leaving me alone with my very upset man.
“It’s my job to look after you.”
“You did. You gave me Maia and Joe and Thomas and I’m still alive. It’s not your fault my dad has brought this mess into my life.” I coughed again and hissed in pain.
“Be quiet now, Lo. No more talking.”
We had peace for only a few minutes before a man joined us. I presumed he was the doctor. He was young with rectangular glasses and a sparse attempt at a beard.
“Lola…O’Connell?” he asked, checking his notes. “How are you feeling?”
“Like I got in a car accident. Thanks for taking care of me.”
“You’re quite welcome. I’d like to speak to you in private if that's alright? It’s a bit delicate.”
I shook my head and immediately regretted it when the room started spinning. “You can say anything in front of Alfie. We’re engaged.” I held up my hand to show my ring only to see it missing. “My ring…where?” I began to panic.
“It’s alright, I have it,” Alfie said. “They had to take it off to do your scan. I have your necklace too.” I didn’t know why but I began to cry. Alfie wiped my tears away with his thumb and for just a second, I forgot the world was there.
Alfie turned to the doctor. “What’s wrong? Why do you need to talk to her?”
“Well, as I said this is delicate, Lola, I’m sorry but I have to ask you, did you know you’re pregnant?"
