“So, go back there and stop him!”
“I have my orders. Pick you up from the airport and keep you safe until everything settles. That means more to him than his life. I will honor those wishes.”
“God,” I breathe out, letting the tears stream down my face.
“I’ll see you at the airport when your flight lands.”
When I land in LA, I spot Wes by the baggage area waiting for me. I quickly bolt the opposite way. I don’t care what Ben asked him. Right now, I just need to find Ben and stop him from whatever he is going to do if he hasn’t already done it.
I start marching toward the exit when a thin, pale, black-haired girl steps in front of me. I know who she is right away. It’s impossible not to know the great Abbey Dark.
“Prue?” she says softly.
“Leave me alone.”
“I’m Abbey.” She smiles, even though she looks extremely nervous. “Ben told Wes you were difficult, so I was put in as a backup. I mean I kind of owe Ben. He helped keep Wes from murdering someone.” She wraps her arms around her stomach.
“I’m glad Ben decided to be the better friend,” I snap. “And if you think this makes you even with him, you are so wrong. He did more for Wes and you than you can ever repay.”
“Hello, Prue,” Wes says from behind me. I turn to look at him. “I understand you’re upset, but please don’t take it out on her.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry.” I roll my eyes. “I should be nice to your girlfriend that you get to be with because mine decided to keep you from going to jail for life after you just let mine…”
“Take a bullet to the chest for you.”
“What?” My voice cracks.
“At least that’s what the news is saying.” Wes shrugs. “We can find out more when we get to the hospital.”
“He’s alive?” I ask as tears slowly slip down my face.
“I don’t know.” He sighs, his eyes drifting toward Abbey. “All I know is they found him with a gunshot wound to the chest.”
“Oh God.”
Abbey doesn’t come with us to the hospital. She takes a car home. Didn’t want to take up any of the attention. Personally, I just think she hates hospitals and knows I’m not going to be easy to be around.
When we get to the hospital it’s pure chaos. The police almost didn’t let us in, but Wes seems capable of talking his way into anything. Charming bastard couldn’t convince Ben not to do it, though.
It’s a media circus outside. It’s all over the news how Ben Parker got shot in the chest inside his condo. The press are outside causing a shitshow as we sit waiting to find out if he is alive or not.
Wes sits beside me as cops stand down the hallway talking. They’re waiting for more information like us. Wes tried to get the nurse to tell him anything, but apparently, he isn’t hisemergency contact. I beg. I offer the nurse all the money in my account, but they still won’t tell us a damn thing.
I sink into a chair as Wes calls Joan to come down, hoping she might be able to find out more as his mother.
I stare at the clock. We’ve been here for an hour, and no one is telling us anything. For all we know Ben is dead right now. Wes doesn’t speak either, just stares at the wall.
When his phone buzzes, we both jump. He glances down before getting up and disappearing down the hall. I want to follow him, but I can’t move.
A hospital waiting room has become my own personal hell. I’ve never felt so hopeless, scared or alone.
When Wes returns a few minutes later, Joan is hanging onto his side, crying. Wes keeps his arm wrapped around her shoulder, comforting her.
It never dawned on me that Wes was that close to Ben. Or that Wes would be that close to Ben’s mother.
“Wes, is my son dead?” she asks, standing in front of me.
“They won’t tell me anything. We were hoping they might tell you,” he says.
