“Jared! Is she okay?” She throws her arms around me. I hug her back and sigh, feeling defeated.
“I don’t know anything yet,” I admit, and that scares the hell out of me.
“Who attacked her?” Shannon asks, and I know I can’t tell her I think it’s the Irish mafia that traffics women. In fact I know it was them, and this means fucking war. In that moment I lose all rational thought.
“Motherfucker!” I roar, and pick up a chair and toss it across the room. Everyone is trying to calm me down. Hospital security is rushing towards me. They pull me into a room, holding me back. My head feels like it’s spinning and I can’t stop it.
“How the fuck did they get past us?” I shout. The security guards just give me a look like they have no idea what I’m talking about.
It takes a while for me to calm the hell down, but I do eventually. The guards stand there, waiting for me to flip out again, but I assure them I’m fine. They both follow me back to the waiting room where Shannon, Sean, and my brother wait.
They stand and I hold both hands for them to stop. I just want to wallow by myself until the doctor tells me she’s all right. I may be a powerful man, but I sure as shit don’t feel very powerful right now. I would trade anything for her to be okay. I would give my fucking life for her in a heartbeat.
An hour later we are told she’s awake and doing fine. I rush to the room as fast as I can, with my heart pounding in my ears. When I make my way inside she is sitting upright. Erica stares out the window, her facial expression solemn.
Carefully I walk over to her. I’m worried about her state of mind after everything she’s been through.
“Babe?” I say softly, hoping she’s okay. Because she sure as shit doesn’t look okay. She faces me and I see the dried up tears on her cheeks and the painful look she’s giving me. She has marks on her throat and I have to hold everything back for her not to see me flip the hell out again.
“Can you leave?” Her tone is void of emotion as she turns back towards the window. “My heart starts to pound and I feel a loss like I haven’t ever felt before. She is shutting down and pushing me away.
“Why do you want me to leave?” I gruff out.
“I just do.” She doesn’t sound like my Erica right now, and it’s freaking me the fuck out.
“Babe, whatever your feeling I can help you with,” I plead.
“Help me?” She spins around and looks into my eyes, glaring at me.
“Did you fucking help me when that prick was touching me?” she shouts.
“Shit, I’m sorry. I thought you were safe on the campus grounds. I should have been there to protect you.” I admit.
“You say that a lot,” she grumbles and the look on her face says it all. Hurt.
She sighs and turns back to the window.
“I don’t know what to say. I’m hurting right now and scared. I just want you to leave.” Her voice sounds broken now, and I can’t help but want to shake some sense into her and tell her to stop being stubborn. I know she has gone through a ton of shit, but that doesn’t mean she should shut me out.
“Please don’t do this, baby. I love you and I’m sorry you’re hurting.” I clench my fists because all I want to do is hold her.
There’s a knock at the door and I see it’s Tony. Nice fucking timing, I think to myself.
“You up for a visitor?” He looks past me and to her. She is facing him and gives him a small smile that invites him to come in further. My face must turn color because Tony looks at me, confused.
“She’s upset with me and doesn’t want me here.” I can’t help the anger lacing my voice.
“Jared, he saved my life so the least I can do is let him in here to thank him.” She eyes me.
“Who are you right now?” I croak, and I can’t help the anguish I’m feeling. This woman is slicing me open to bleed out. She has no clue what she’s doing to me right now. Just when I thought it couldn’t get worse, a painful sob breaks free from her mouth and my first instinct is to grab her and crush her to me. I hold her tight as she clings to me, shaking uncontrollably. Tony must have left, because he comes back with a nurse by his side. I’m lifting her up to place her back on the bed. She’s apologizing for her reaction to me and I’m telling her to forget about it.
“I can’t,” she wails, and I notice she’s having a hard time breathing. The nurse shoos me away and pricks her with medicine that calms her down right away. Moments later her eyes drift closed. My heart slows and I take a breath. That scared the shit out of me.
What if she wakes and still wants to be rid of me? My brother gives me a look of sympathy.
“She’s understandably upset. I know you and I don’t have the best relationship, but for what it’s worth you’re great for her and I know she loves you. She’s in a world of pain right now.” I’m shocked into silence.
“She’s a beautiful woman. Take care of her.”