Total pages in book: 39
Estimated words: 36673 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 147(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36673 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 147(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
“Alright, hold, please.” I move my phone away from my cheek. “Asher, Mads, Beau we’re being summoned. The good news is he’s talking without exertion. The bad news is he’s making us wait until we’re all back there to tell us everything.” They walk with me toward the reception desk, where I’m sure we’ll have to hand over identification, which I’m lacking. Apparently, when I rolled in on two wheels, the only thing I grabbed were my keys and phone. I don’t even know if my purse is in my car or still on the couch in the living room.
“Take your time, sweetheart. I’m not going anywhere.” His voice helps calm my nerves while I overanalyze everything and anything. Like how I’m usually Delilah or woman. Twice now he’s used the sentiment sweetheart, and twice it’s given me a sense of security.
“We’re here,” I tell him once all three of us are where he told us to go.
“Hand the phone to Claire. I’ll do the rest.” Fletch is always in control even from a hospital bed.
“Hi, Claire, Fletcher Wild would like to talk to you.” I hold the phone out to her. My father probably could have been out here in the same amount of time. That’s not how Fletch works. Everyone knows he’s a man who takes care of business in every way possible. I watch and listen to the one-sided conversation. She’s multi-tasking while saying yes, clicking on a few things with her mouse while glancing from me to her computer.
“Yes, sir, I’ll walk them back now. Badges are already printed. You’re welcome.” Claire hands me my phone back. Seeing the screen is void of the call, I take it from her and pocket it in my jacket. “Here you go. These are your temporary badges for you to go back and see him. We’re only supposed to let in two at a time, but we’re bending the rules for one of our own.” She has four badges, one on each finger, for us to place on our clothes.
“Thank you. I appreciate everything you’ve done for Fletch and us,” I tell her as I clip the badge on my jacket.
“You’re welcome. I’ll buzz you through. Chief Taylor will be waiting for you on the other side.” At least Dad isn’t injured, too. I’m not sure how I’d be able to handle two of the men who mean the most to me being hurt. The four of us walk together again. I’m trying to keep my pace slow and steady when what I’d really like to do is run. I’ve never been in this situation before. Dad, for the most part, never had an incident like this, at least none that I was aware of. Sure, he’d been shot at, but his bulletproof vest protected him. He’d come home after a medic would look over him, take a couple of days off, show off the bruise, and pretend like everything was okay.
The moment the doors open, Dad is standing off to the side. He must know what I need. His arms wrap around me, my head hits his chest, and I’m letting out silent tears while he holds me. “Oh, Delilah, he’s okay, you’re okay. Though, I’ve got some questions.”
“I’m sure you do,” I joke. It’s time to pull myself together. There isn’t time for tears or fears. Fletch will be okay, he has to be okay, and no matter what happens, I’m going to be with him, forever.
“Come on, let’s get you all back to Fletcher. He’s crawling out of his skin as it is.” Dad guides me until his arm is wrapped around my shoulder. I remain quiet while he says hello to Beau, Asher, and Madelyn. Thankfully, he’s doing all of this while walking down the long corridor, the noise of machines, the chatter coming from each room, the bustling of nurses and doctors. My eyes swing from left to right, looking for Fletch, when we stop outside a door. There he is, on the bed, shirt off, a bandage on his neck and on his arm, blood saturating one. I’m standing stone-cold still. I’m about to crumble. He could be in so much worse shape. Mentally, I know this, but tell that to my damn heart.
“Woman.” One word. Fletch says one word, and it means more than I’d have ever imagined.
Chapter 21
Fletch
“Idon’t know where to touch you.” Delilah comes to an abrupt halt after finally moving her ass into the room. Really, this is overkill, but it’s also how things work in an emergency department with a shit ton of reports that need to be written. Luckily, the little girl is okay. She’s back in her mom’s possession. The damn report is going to be eight inches thick by the time everything is said and done. A welfare check turned into a drug distributor case. Marshall Kennedy Senior and Junior are now behind bars. The little girl, whose name is Emory, and her mom, Cassidy, are together. Marshall, the older of the duo, was holding Emory over Cassidy’s head, holding her hostage until she did the drop he demanded. Emory’s dad, the younger of the two Marshalls, wasn’t much better. Strung out on his own product, he did and went along with everything his father wanted. It was a shit situation that only turned shittier. The last I heard, Cassidy’s mom, Jackie, is on her way to Peach Springs, and hopefully, she takes her daughter and granddaughter back home with her. They both deserve a clean break and to find some good after the hell they’ve been through.