Page 94 of Beautiful Deceit
Brian looks up from his phone, "Yeah, that was him. He was shot in the abdomen when he went for his weapon. They happened to catch him outside of the house."
It doesn't escape me that he didn't answer my question.
"Is he dead?" I ask while wiping my mouth with a napkin. The food hits my stomach like lead bricks.
When Brian doesn't answer I look over at him in question. He sets his phone down on the small end table beside him and gives me his full attention.
I glare at him, and he sighs, “He's not dead. He made it through surgery last night, and he's awake and recovering today." His face is screwed up in distaste at his own words.
I frown, realizing he's probably right here in the same hospital. She hasn't even woken up yet, and he's already recovering.
"Beau," Brian says, sounding cautious as I stand up. “He’s being guarded by the police. He's not going to walk away from this." Brian's up, gripping the top of my shoulder, ready to put me in a hold again, if needed. "I know you want to rip his arms off man, but wouldn't you rather be here with her, instead of in prison for killing that piece of shit?"
I rip away from his grip, “It’s not right. He shouldn’t be able to go on. Not after what he did to her.”
I am shaking again, with unspent rage. My hands fist at my sides. There’s nothing I can do. Brain is right. I need to be here with Samantha. I need to be present when she is ready to wake up.
I walk over to an empty corner of the room, needing space.
"I'm fine," I finally say when Brian plants himself in the chair right next to the door.
“You’re not,” he simply replies.
"He should have never made it out alive," I confess, not feeling guilty at wanting him dead.
"Yeah Beau. Some people don't deserve to breathe."
We sit in silence with Brian still guarding the exit.
An houror so later an older woman in a pantsuit walks in and approaches me.
"Mr. Huntington, I'm Rebecca Wright. I'm here on behalf of the hospital and its staff.”
I stand, tense and unsure why she’s here.
“We wanted to assure you that you and Miss West are receiving the utmost care. I'm also here to let you know that she'll be in a new room, a private room, once she returns from surgery”
I sag in relief that she’s not here to deliver bad news.
“Okay,” I nod, thinking that’s good.
“If there's anything I or the staff can do to help, don't hesitate to ask." Her hand clasps mine, as she nods, looking me in the eye.
"Thank you. Can you make sure that no one knows her room number unless absolutely necessary?" My thoughts start to shift, realizing I have an important job to do. "I made sure her story had a lot of media coverage. It’s important that her condition and whereabouts be kept private.”
She nods her head, accepting my request. I gear up for my last one, knowing I'll probably meet resistance.
"I want to stay with her, permanently if possible, until she walks out of this place.” I breathe shakily. “If I'd known the man was here, I never would have left her alone in that room."
Face stern, she replies, "Done. I'll make sure the right people only know. No one should be allowed admittance into her room unless treating or caring for her.”
I look back at Brian, his eyebrows raise, impressed by her willingness to comply.
She continues not missing a beat, “Now can I show you and your guest to her room? You can wait there. I'm sure you'll be much more comfortable than here." She looks around at the mess we made of the waiting room, and I half expect that it was her motivation in moving so quickly to comply.
"Thank you," I utter, meaning it.
Chapter 30
