Chapter Twenty Eight
The next morning, neededat the hospital, Jace had to go back home. After he left for the airport, Reece paced the lounge in irritation when Samantha’s phone rang. Restless, he stopped and waited. The minute she disconnected the call, he pounced. “Tell me you got somethin’, Sam?”
Her smile widened. “You won’t believe this, but Aria’s safe and Jay behind bars.”
“What?” Reece heaved a sigh of relief. “How?”
“Papa’s still getting the facts, he’ll call as soon as he has more news.”
“I need to tell Prisha.”
“Um...Reece?”
He turned and caught the strange look between Samantha and his brother. Something was up. “Yeah?”
Samantha bit her lip. “Aria’s in hospital.”
Reece eyed his sister-in-law in confusion.Did I hear right?“Why?”
“She was injured.”
His body tensed. He searched Samantha’s face for some clue she lied as his chest tightened. He read nothing but honesty.God, no.His heart rate spiked. Terror of the unknown consumed him and left him breathless. “What?” he finally managed.
“Jay stabbed Aria, and she’s unconscious. Someone called the cops. Papa will call me as soon as he gets more information.”
Reece tried to swallow. Sweat broke out on his brow. The bile built, rising as nausea threatened.Jesus, please no. Suddenly lightheaded, he staggered.
“You okay?” Cody gripped his arm and Reece looked up.
The concern he read in his brother’s face gave him the courage to stand tall. He closed his eyes, swallowed against the offending dryness in his mouth, and slammed his hands into the wall.Fuck.His beautiful Aria lay in a hospital bed all alone.
“Reece? Here. Take this.”
He took several steadying breaths and opened his eyes. Samantha held a glass of cold water in her hand. Reece accepted the drink, downed its contents, and wiped his mouth on his sleeve. Anger bolstered him into action, and he resumed his pacing. “We need to go. Now. I should call Billy. Book a flight. Not sure if we’ll get a flight out of Jackson...” he talked nineteen to the dozen with no one in particular.
“Reece, calm the fuck down.” Cody gripped his arm and stalled his movement. “Get your shit together, man.”
Cody’s stern reproach wasn’t lost on Reece. It was the norm. His eldest brother became Reece’s substitute father after their father’s death. Reece was six then and Cody seventeen. He was grateful Cody had shouldered that responsibility.
Samantha stepped between him and Cody. “Dad’s arranged everything, Reece. He already sent out his private jet. By the time we pack and get into Jackson, the plane should be there. If not, another couple of hours.”
Reece drew in a deep breath. “How bad is it, Sam?”
“I’m sorry, but I don’t have a clue.”
