And I pull her in, holding her so close she's part of me.
She shakes as she cries.
I smooth her hair as she lifts her head.
And in the middle of the carnage, I kiss her, a gentle, soft kiss. "Everything's okay, you're okay. You're safe now."
"I was so scared..."
I swallow. "I know. And I'm sorry. I'm so fucking sorry about everything. I should have told you the moment I discovered the truth about the affair between Lyndall's mom and your dad?—"
Lola silences me with her hand. "No. We can talk about that later. Right now, I'm just happy and relieved you got here in time. And you rescued Gretchen."
There's a dark story there, and I think I'm going to hate it.
"Always. And anything for you and Squish." I kiss her and wrap my arm around her. "But let's get the fuck out of here."
Chapter Thirty-Seven
LOLA
Oh Lord.Nothing brings a girl thumping back to reality like Enzo.
His obsessive need to micromanage and hover, to fix and fuss, pushes the nightmare of the accident, the kidnap, and watching Gretchen get raped away.
And it is welcome this time.
Though, as he herds everyone from the car and into the fancy hospital in Manhattan with its bright lights, I find a sliver of frustrated gratefulness.
I smack him lightly on the thigh as he makes me sit in a waiting wheelchair—something I don't need—and hovers.
But being Enzo, he doesn't react. Instead, when the smartly uniformed orderlies pop out, he turns to them. "Are the doctors and the rooms ready?"
The hospital attendant holding an iPad turns to him. "Of course, sir. We've been ready since Mr. Marino called."
One of the nurses looks to Silas. Then she clears her throat. "I have word you can give us some information, Dr. Simon?—"
His hand finds his neck, and he rubs it. "I'm not here, uh,working. This one is fine but needs to be checked over. So does the girl. Her wrist is hurt."
"And she's a concert violinist." I try to stand.
Enzo pushes me down with his hand on my shoulder.
I swat at him again. "I'm fine. Gretchen needs to be checked."
Then I look for her, but Gretchen is not there.
I notice Silas isn't wearing his hoodie.
He huffs. "She took off. But I'll find her. It's my favorite hoodie."
"What is wrong with you people?" I mutter as someone starts to push me inside.
They've already taken Lyndall.
She's just ahead of me. "Can you do wheelies with the wheelchair?"
Oh, to be that young and bouncy.
