The Unexpected First (The Unexpected Series Book 2)

Chapter Thirty-Three

“You two can’t be here,” Jodi says as I open the door to see Hadley and Kat standing in the ambulance bay when we arrive.

“If you think I’ve been unbearable, try keeping these two away from her.” I grunt.

Jodi rolls her eyes as her counterpart, Donnie, comes around the back of the ambulance to help get Ryan out.

Jodi and Donnie guide the gurney through the entrance to a room, the three of us following close behind. Once they have Ryan transferred to the hospital bed, they leave. Donnie says goodbye while Jodi simply walks out without a word. I don’t blame her. I was a bit of an ass in the ambulance.

“Grey.” Ryan’s voice is weak. I close the distance between us. Taking her hand in mine, I press a soft kiss against her forehead as a doctor walks in.

“Excuse me, sir. Please do not touch the patient. We will need to collect evidence,” Dr. McDouche announces as soon as he enters.

“Doctor, have you ever been viciously attacked so badly that you were afraid for your life and only had one person you wanted to cling to for comfort?” Hadley speaks up from behind me. Venom laces her voice like I’ve never heard. Sadly, she knows first hand some of the trauma that my girl endured, hers being at that fuckwit Andy’s hands.

“Um, well. No, I haven’t, but there are protocols in order to preserve evidence,” he stutters.

“I don’t give a fuck about your protocols. If my sister needs to hold onto her man after what she’s been through, you will give them a moment, understood?” she snarls.

Ryan actually chuckles at Hadley’s protective response.

“It’s ok, babes. I just want this over with.” She sighs before reluctantly releasing my hand.

I take a step back from her throwing a glare at the doctor. He ignores the daggers I’m shooting as he approaches Ryan’s bedside.

“I’m very sorry for what you’ve been through. Is it ok if I bring our sexual assault nurse examiner in to do a thorough exam and collect any forensic evidence left?” Dr. McDouche directs the question at Ryan.

“Yes.” The agreement is barely a whisper.

“Once she comes in, I will need to have everyone leave the room during the exam. You can wait right outside,” the doctor announces, leaving the room before I can argue.

“It’s ok, Tarzan. Let them get this over with so you can take me home.” Ry’s chocolate eyes pierce my soul. The usual vibrant brown is muted and dull with sadness. “Can you two give us a minute?”

Hadley and Kat both squeeze her feet, instinctively knowing she can’t handle more after what she’s been through, before declaring they will wait in the hall.

“What is it, beautiful?” I ask as I return to her side, taking her hand in mine.

“Grey, I love you so fucking much. I’m so sorry I didn’t say it sooner. I was so afraid of you not coming back. I knew once I said the words, even if I’ve felt them for years, it would kill me,” she rushes out before taking a breath. She wraps her arms around my bicep, holding me as close as she can. “But, I will leave with you tomorrow if it means we can be together.”

“I love you too, Kitten,” I smile softly at her before a light knock interrupts any additional response I can offer. The door opens and a woman dressed in scrubs enters.

“Hi, my name is Katie, I’m the SANE.” Her face softens when she sees Ryan in the bed.

Her grip on my arm tightens, something the nurse notices. “Let’s get you taken care of so you can get home.”

“I’ll be right outside, beautiful.” I keep my eyes on Ry, offering a reassuring nod. “I won’t let anything else happen to you.”

It’s been seven fucking hours since they’ve let me see her. I’ve been pacing back and forth in the hall, anxiety rippling through my veins. The exam is taking so long I’m ready to throw my fist into the wall when Jack and Bennett walk in. Jack’s face shows a rage that would frighten most people.

“Where the hell have you been?” I snarl at them both.

“I was at a goddamn crime scene,” Bennett snaps out in response.

“My keys were taken from me and I couldn’t get a hold of anyone to pick me up.” The scent of whiskey fills the air as Jack speaks, his fury coming off of him in waves.

“I’m sorry, King. There was so much happening.” Bennett tries to put his arm around Jack who pushes him away.

“In Bennett’s defense, I was there. There’s no way he could have left, not with the shit going on at my house.” I offer a sympathetic look in his direction. “Did either of them make it?”

Before Bennett can respond, the door opens and Katie walks out, looking to me.

“You may go in.” She pats me on the shoulder softly before walking away with the box of evidence in her hand.

I walk through the door first, immediately seeing Ryan’s puffy, red eyes. Hadley and Kat are right on my heels, followed by Jack and Bennett.

“Hey, Kitten.” I quickly close the distance between us, pressing a soft kiss on her forehead.

She doesn’t speak, instead simply sliding herself to the far side of the bed . She pulls me down next to her, laying her head on my chest and wrapping her arm around my torso. The room is filled with a heartbreaking silence for several moments. I can feel Ryan”s heart beating through her chest against my abdomen.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

“Ry, I’m really sorry but…” Bennett pauses looking around the room, “I have to ask you some questions.”

I try to shoot up from the bed but Ryan holds me tight.

“I’m not ready to talk about it with everyone around.” She squeezes me tighter still, clinging to me for dear life.

Hadley and Kat stand at once both donning a sad smile on their faces. “We love you, Ry. Call us when you’re home.” Kat’s gentle voice washes over the room.

Jack nods at me before following the girls into the hall. I know he’s not going anywhere, but he’s granting her wish of privacy.

“I’ll be right outside with Jack, ok?” I smile down at Ryan. No matter how much I don’t want to leave her side, I know she’s not ready for me to hear everything yet.

After Bennett finishes questioning her, he steps out of the room.

I quickly make my way back inside, my eyes meeting Ryan’s. I search them for a moment, though I don’t quite know what for. It’s at this moment Dr. McDouche makes his grand reappearance, only this time to announce Ryan is being discharged.

Once Ryan is dressed, I lead her out to the parking lot where Connor dropped my car off when he was done with the police.

“Did you bring Ellie?” Ryan’s question takes me by surprise.

“Of course I did.” I smile down at her.

“I’m sure she’s pissed she had to get on a plane again.” She sighs. “Hopefully, she will forgive us when we’re back at your condo, and you won’t have to travel like this with her anymore.”

“About that…” I pause, gripping the back of my neck and chuckling before I continue.