Page 96 of Keeping Knight

While I was waiting for the okay to see him, I tried to freshen up in the bathroom. I splashed cold water on my face to calm down the redness. I put damp paper towels over my eyes to reduce the swelling. After accepting that my hair was a lost cause, I pulled it back into a ponytail in an effort to tame it.

I still look awful. My eyes are still bloodshot and I have little red speckles around them from crying. There’s a cut on my lip from where I kept biting it. And despite the makeup I borrowed from Sofia, the bruise on my cheek is impossible to ignore.

Tugging nervously at my ponytail, I take a deep breath and let it out slowly, counting it out like my counselor showed me. It’s fine, I tell myself. The doctor said so. That, barring any complications, Micah should be released tomorrow.

The news should be reassuring. But my brain keeps sticking on the complication part.

What if the doctor missed something? What if the injury caused a deadly blood clot that won’t be discovered until it’s too late? What if Micah gets blood poisoning? What if the bullet itself was poisoned?

Logically, I know none of those things are likely. But panic seems to be winning over logic right now.

“Do people poison bullets?” I blurt. As soon as the question comes out, I clamp my mouth shut, feeling stupid for asking.

Wraith glances at me with a thoughtful expression. “Poisoned bullets were used during World War II,” he replies. “And I’ve heard of a few instances involving covert operations overseas. But the chance of a regular bullet being poisoned is very slim.”

“Not impossible, though.” I tug on my ponytail again. “Did anyone test the bullet? The one that hit Micah?”

“We’ll make sure it’s tested,” he says. “I’ll get Lawson on it. He’s one of our forensics experts, and he has a lot of connections with the local and state police.” Then he pats my shoulder. “The bullet that hit Knight wasn’t poisoned. There’d be no reason for it.”

“Why not?”

Wraith hesitates. Frowns. “There just wouldn’t be, Ruby. I don’t think it’s helpful to get into the reasons right now.”

He turns away from me to glance at the number of the room we’re passing. “Five-eighteen. Knight’s room should be just up ahead.”

My stomach lurches. My heart leaps to my throat.

I want to see Micah, of course. But I’m scared to see him, too. What if he looks even worse than I’m expecting? What if he’s hooked up to all these machines, maybe he’s on oxygen, or⁠—

“Stop it,” I mutter. “This isn’t helping.”

“Hmm?” Wraith asks as he looks over at me again. His eyebrows arch up in question.

“Nothing,” I reply quickly. “I was just talking to myself.”

Wraith stares at me, his gaze dark and assessing. “He’s fine, Ruby.” Then he jerks his chin at the doorway just ahead of us. “Here we are.” His mouth quirks slightly. “Why don’t you go see for yourself?”

His hand still on my shoulder, he guides me the last few feet to Micah’s room. My pulse races so quickly I’m lightheaded from it. My hands shake. Cold sweat prickles at the back of my neck.

“He’s fine,” Wraith says gently. “Look.”

So I do. And the instant I see Micah, all my plans for keeping calm fly right out the window.

“Micah!” I race across the room and over to the bed. I’m already crying. “Oh, Micah.”

“Ruby.” He pushes himself up into a seated position. A flicker of pain crosses his face. “Ah, Rue.”

My gaze sweeps over him, cataloging everything. A bandage peeks out from beneath his hospital gown. His left arm is in a sling. There’s a pulse oximeter on his finger, and an IV is attached to his hand. He looks tired. Tiny lines crease his brow.

I freeze beside his bed, unsure of where to touch him. A sob bubbles up. “I’m so sorry.”

Micah frowns. “Sorry? You have nothing—” His gaze moves past me to Wraith, still standing in the doorway. Then he lifts his chin. “Thanks, man.”

Wraith gives a quick nod in response. “Of course. We’ve all been watching out for her.” Then he smiles. “I’ll give you guys some time alone. But I’ll warn you, Jester’s been going on about trying to record you saying some stupid shit. With the pain medication and all.”

Micah chuckles. He winces slightly but hides it with a smile. “Of course he would. You can tell him I’m not on any of the good stuff. So he’s going to be disappointed.”

“I’ll tell him,” Wraith replies. Then he nods again. “Glad you’re okay, Micah. Don’t go getting shot again, alright?”