“How long do I have to stay? I want to leave.”
“Neurology wants to do a quick scan to make sure everything checks out okay. If the scan looks good, you can leave,” Hendrix says.
“How long will that take?” I ask.
“They wanted to let you wake up. They’re on standby. I’ll let them know,” Hendrix explains.
He reaches the door before I speak. “Hendrix.”
He stops.
“Thanks. For everything.”
He glances at Dash who still has his head hung. Then he nods at me with a smile.
When we’re alone again I finally ask Dash, “Is that what really happened?”
He lifts his head and his gaze locks with mine. “It is. You started breathing heavily and then you went down. I caught you before you could fall. And like he said, it was almost as if—” He stops talking and shakes his head.
“As if what, Dash?”
“Like the memory was too much to handle. Maybe part of the amnesia is your mind protecting you from something no one should ever have to remember.”
I feel the tears well in my eyes blurring my vision. They fall when I blink but I can’t say anything.
He stands from the chair in the corner and walks toward the bed I’m lying in. He takes my hand in his. “I can’t watch you destroy what’s left of yourself.”
I squeeze his hand. “It’ll destroy me if I don’t remember. Don’t walk away from this…from me, please.”
“I could never walk away from you, Valkyrie. But I want you safe. And if poking around for answers is going to cause you pain or worse, I won’t let you do that.”
“You don’t have a choice. I’ve got to put the pieces back together. Otherwise, Lennon and London both died in that car,” I manage to get out.
His handsome face falls at my words. He knows I’m right.
“I’m not going anywhere. But know that I’ll be sticking closer to you than ever. Someone was after you…one of you. Or even both of you. And if they haven’t gotten what they wanted, you could still be in danger.”
Hendrix enters the room as Dash utters those last words.
“Danger? Why would she be in danger?” he asks with furrowed brows.
Two people sweep into the room and tell me they’re taking me for my scan as Dash and Hendrix stare each other down. My heart aches for them both.
As they roll me out of the room I reach out and squeeze Hendrix’s hand and glance at Dash. “Tell him what we found out. He deserves to know what we know.”
9
“The scan is clear, Miss Tyler. Unless you have other concerns, you can leave anytime you’re ready.” The neurologist glances at his watch. “Although, it might be a good idea to stay the night and rest since it’s nearly eleven. It sounds like you had quite the exciting day. Just remember to take it one day at a time.”
With that he turns to exit and gives Hendrix a cursory nod.
Once it’s the three of us alone again, I ask, “Did you explain what we learned before I collapsed?”
Dash nods as Hendrix crosses his arms.
“I can’t believe no one told me it was an intentional hit and run and not just a random thing. Especially your dad. That’s why he screamed about it being your fault.”
“Wait, what? I mean, I remember him saying it, but what did he mean, Dash?”
