Page 21 of Betrayed

“Yes. And who made sure they called her emergency contact?”

Ty shrugged with a sideways grin.

“That’s what I thought.” Logan pushed past Ty and swerved around the corner into the room.

Zara was beside him. “AJ?”

She looked up at the two of them from where she sat on the hospital bed.

Relief washed over him, but he didn’t know what to say or do.

Zara went to AJ while he hung back near the door. The women embraced. Zara asked, “What happened?”

“I took a tumble off the top of the fire truck.” She gave Zara a goofy grin then winced.

“Careful.” Zara squeezed the arm AJ was not cradling in front of herself.

AJ said, “I’ll be fine. I blacked out; that’s the only reason I’m here.”

Ty spoke around Logan. “And to get that arm and your ribs x-rayed.”

“They aren’t broken.”

Ty slapped Logan’s back. “She’s being as stubborn as ever.”

Logan chuckled. Stubborn had always been a good word for AJ.

Ty said, “I should get back to the station if you are going to stay with her.”

“I will. If she’ll let me.” Logan tentatively met AJ’s gaze.

She nodded.

Ty left, but before an awkward silence could claim the air, a nurse stepped in. “How are you doing, Alice? Anything I can get you while you wait for radiology?”

AJ slowly shook her head, and the nurse disappeared.

Zara said, “Alice? The A stands for Alice? I don’t think I can handle any more surprises today.”

Logan and AJ both laughed.

“Anyway, if I go back to work, are you two going to kill each other?”

“I promise not to kill him. Logan?”

“I promise. I’ll even be nice.” He gave AJ a rueful smile.

“Okay. Call me if either of you need anything.”

Logan nodded, and Zara left the room.

“You can come in,” AJ said softly and pointed to the chair next to the bed.

He trudged farther into the room closer to her and sat.

He didn’t know what to say. “I’ve been a jerk.”

“You aren’t the only one.”