“You need to come back now.” Kingsley’s voice is so tight with worry, it makes me sit upright in a second.
“What’s wrong?”
“It’s Lee,” she gasps.
“What happened to Lee?” I somehow manage to ask past the fear gripping my throat.
“Layla ran to the office to get a spare keycard because Lee won’t open the door. She –” Kingsley pauses, and when I hear her sob, ice pours through my veins. “Oh God, she’s breaking my heart. Get back here! I don’t know what to do.”
Falcon must’ve been watching my face because he says, “Mace, as fast as you can. Fuck speed limits.”
Even though it only takes Mason ten minutes, it feels like I’ve aged years by the time he comes to a screeching halt in front of the dorm. I’m out of the car and running into the building as fast as I can. I take two stairs up at a time, and my breaths rush over my lips as I bust into the hallway on Lee’s floor.
When I hear Lee’s cry, it feels as if something reaches into my chest and rips my heart out.
I rush into her suite and come to a stumbling halt as my eyes land on her. Seeing her kneeling and clenching the phone to her chest while her entire being is torn with grief makes a physical pain spread through my chest.
Snapping out of the moment, I rush forward, and Kingsley moves away so I can drop to my knees next to Lee.
I try to frame her face with my hands, but she wildly yanks it away from me, and the cry that tears through her brings tears to my eyes.
“Andwae,” she whimpers and knowing I have to do something, I shift until I’m in front of her.
This time I use more force when I grab hold of her, and while everything in me just wants to comfort her, I snap harshly, “Look at me, Lee. You have to tell me what happened. I can’t help if I don’t know what’s wrong. Tell me what happened.”
Her eyes look feverish when they finally meet mine. “Tell me what happened,” I repeat again.
“My mom,” she gasps, and it rips a piece of my soul out when I watch another wave of grief take her under.
“What can we do?” Falcon asks.
“I need to get her home. I need the jet,” I answer, not taking my eyes away from her face.
“I’ll call Stephanie,” Mason says.
I try to wipe her tears away, but they keep falling, and I hate how powerless I feel in this moment, not being able to take her pain away.
Layla comes running into the room with the nurse right behind her, and I reluctantly move to the side so the nurse can take over.
“Miss Shepard says you got some bad news,” the nurse says in a caring voice. “I’m going to give you something to help calm you down after I’ve checked your vitals, okay?”
Kingsley shuffles closer to me and wrapping her arms around my neck, she hugs me. Knowing Mason is busy because of me, I place my arm around Kingsley and comfort her while the nurse tends to Lee.
“Come, Kingsley,” Layla whispers and taking hold of her arm, Layla pulls Kingsley away from me.
After the nurse checks Lee’s vitals, she gives her a tablet to put under her tongue. Eventually, Lee stills as if someone flipped a switch and she just blankly stares at nothing, and it’s even more heartbreaking to see than when she was crying.
The nurse doesn’t seem to be worried. “Keep a close eye on her. If she gets worse, call me or take her to the hospital.”
“Okay,” I answer. The moment the nurse leaves, I move back to Lee and wrapping my arms around her, I pull her to my chest.
Falcon crouches next to me and whispers in my ear, “Mace says we can take off in three hours. I’ll ask Layla to pack for the girls, and I’ll take care of ours.”
I nod, turning my head to Falcon and I take a couple of deep breaths while I get the strength I’ll need for the next couple of days just from looking at him.The past eighteen hours have been absolute hell, but when we walk out of the airport at Jeju, and I see the flash of relief on Lee’s face, I know I would do it again for her.
Holding Lee’s hand, I turn to the group. “Why don’t you go get us settled in the hotel. I’ll call you when I know more.”
“Okay,” Falcon answers. “Are you sure you don’t want one of us to come with you?”
“I’m sure. You’re all tired as well. I’ll call the second I find out anything.”
Falcon places a hand on my shoulder and gives it a squeeze, then whispers, “Good luck, buddy.”
“Thanks.” I give him a smile before I turn back to Lee. “Can you call us a cab?”