Page 159 of Faultlines

All I can think about is how close I came to losing him. I lace my fingers through his. I lower my head, pressing a kiss to the back of his hand in a silent plea. “Don’t you dare leave me,” I whisper.

I settle deep into the chair beside the bed, refusing to let go of his hand. Maybe we won’t get back what we once had, but maybe I don’t want that. Maybe I want something better.

CHAPTER FIFTY-EIGHT

RESILIENT DESIGN

Ethan

My eyes fly open, and I grit my teeth forcing myself to stay still while the room comes into focus. Sunlight filters through partially opened blinds. A monitor blinks steadily in the corner. A vase of almost aggressively cheerful flowers sits on the windowsill.

Claire is asleep in the chair beside me, her head resting awkwardly against the hard plastic. Her hair, usually so carefully contained, has slipped loose. Last time I opened my eyes Reid was sitting beside me.

How long has she been here?

The thought aches with a tenderness that surprises me. I watch her before clearing my throat. The sound is weak and rough, but it’s enough. Her eyes open, snapping awake. Disoriented at first, her gaze sweeping the room, she then sees me watching her. Relief floods her face.

“Ethan,” she whispers, her voice cracking around my name.

I manage a small, lopsided smile, but the effort sends a dull throb through my shoulder. “You look terrible,” I say.

A ragged sound halfway to a sob slips out of her. “I know and I’m not the one who got stabbed.”

“Yeah.”

“You idiot.”

Before I can say anything else, she threads her fingers through mine. “You scared me.” Her voice is stripped bare.

My fingertips trace slow circles against the back of her hand, a silent apology. “I’m sorry.”

The door to the hospital room bangs open, and Ellie barrels in. Her coat is half-off and her bag is swinging. She’s already talking before she’s through the door. The nurse tries to stop her, then merely shakes her head with a sigh.

“Dad!”

I brace myself before she launches toward the bed. “Ow.”

She freezes in horror. “Oh…”

I start laughing, a wheezing, painful sound, which turns out to be another mistake. The movement sends another wave of pain through my shoulder.

“Okay,” I say, through clenched teeth. “Laughing is apparently also painful.”

Claire rolls her eyes, while Ellie begins apologizing.

I look up as someone clears their throat and see a man in a suit followed by two uniformed police officers.

“Excuse us, Mr. Bennett? I’m Detective Hale with the Juniper Ridge Police Department. I brought two officers with me to finish taking your statement. Is this a good time?” he asks, stepping farther into the room.

“Hello, Mrs. Bennett. Good to see you again. I wish it were under better circumstances,” he says when he spots Claire.

“Detective. I think Ethan’s had enough for one day. Could you come back at a different time?”

“Of course.” He dibs his chin once. “I did want to let you know that Jake Peters has been arrested. He’s been charged with assault and battery with a deadly weapon.” He glances between us before continuing. “We also executed a search warrant at his parents’ home. We found a notebook containing impressions that match the threatening letter left on your windshield, as well as the one mailed to Juniper House. The knife he used in the attack is the same one he used to slash your tires. We also believe he may be responsible for the graffiti, but at this point we don’t have enough evidence to charge him.”

Claire lets out a slow breath. “Thank you, Detective. That’s such a relief.”

“You’re welcome, ma’am. We’ll keep you updated as the investigation moves forward.” With a final nod, he and the two officers leave the room.