“Are you her husband?” he asks, glancing at me like he knows I’m not.
My heart pounds harder. “Not yet.”
I feel every eye on me, but mine remain on the surgeon.
“Let her parents go in first,” he says after a moment. “Two at a time.”
My heart sinks. I swallow hard. I don’t think I can handle waiting any longer, but I remain silent. I know her mother needs to see her. I know Titus and Damian are family. I know all of this, but it doesn’t make it any easier to stay put. I watch her mother and Titus go, and kick the nearest chair when I turn around. Fuck this place. My phone buzzes, and I take it out to hopefully take my mind off the fact that I’m not at Josslyn’s side right now. When I see my father’s name, I answer.
“Did you know?” I ask.
“No,” he says, his voice quiet. “I didn’t. Is … is Josslyn okay?”
“NO, SHE’S NOT OKAY! SHE WAS SHOT!” I yell, my chest rattling. Out of the corner of my eye, I see a security guard and lower my voice.
“Is she alive?”
“Yes.”
He exhales. “I don’t know why your mother would keep this from us. All this time…”
I stay quiet and try to get a grip on the anger I feel rising when I think of my mother. Josslyn called her to warn her about Mallory. Shehugged herat her birthday.
“If there’s anything you need, let me know,” he says.
“Do you donate to SPH?” I ask.
“Yes. We helped fund their new cancer center.”
I can’t believe I’m asking him for another favor. “They’re only letting two people visit at a time.”
“Did you tell them who you are?”
“No.” I let out a single laugh. “I don’t think the surgeon cares who I am.”
“He should!” my father says, his voice fierce. “I’ll make a call, but you should tell them your name is Finneas Barlow. Our last name is on the street that leads to the cancer building, for fuck’s sake!” He hangs up and I lower my phone but keep it in hand.
“What happened in the house?” Lucas asks quietly. Damian, Ella, and Olivia are right behind him waiting.
“Mallory shot Josslyn, so I shot her,” I say. “I didn’t think she’d do it. If I thought she would … and I couldn’t…” My voice breaks.
“She’s your sister,” Ella says quietly.
I look at her. “If I knew she was capable of using that gun on Josslyn, I would have killed her on sight.”
Her eyes widen.
The doors open again and a nurse appears. We’re the only ones in the waiting room, so I step forward.
“Is she okay?” I ask quickly.
The nurse smiles. “Yes. She’s been moved to the private suite and can take more visitors.”
My heart skips.
“I’ll wait here,” Lucas says before I start walking.
I turn to him. “Thanks for coming. You don’t have to stay. I won’t be leaving her room until she does.”
