Chapter 29
Twenty-Nine
“He really should’ve come in for treatment sooner,” Dr. Harris states after Dax is wheeled into his recovery room. “His kidneys were shutting down. Another day or two without medical care, and he’d be in a coma.”
I gulp for air. “Will he be okay?”
“We got to him in time,” Dr. Harris says with cautious positivity.
“His failing health is a result of his abnormal blood cell count. We will pump him full of fluids to flush his system and get him on a course of medication. Once he’s up for it, we’ll recommend an improved diet, which will help his body pull through. ”
“Can I see him?” I ask eagerly.
“Just give the nurses’ a few minutes to ensure the monitors are set up,” Dr. Harris replies. “He’ll be out, but you can sit with him.”
“Thank you, Dr. Harris.”
As I turn to move onto Dax’s room, Sheriff Lennon approaches. “Miss Ashworth, can I have a word?”
I bundle my sleeves over my hands. “Of course.”
“First, I wanted to say, I’m sorry for the ordeal you’ve gone through. It must’ve been frightening.”
“I think adrenaline got me through it.”
“Before my team arrived at The Scorpions Clubhouse, we were given information by your housekeeper.”
My heart jitters, and Dax’s pendant swings from the heave of my chest.
“Apparently, Claudia Ramas broke down after your parents were alerted to your disappearance. When I met her on the property, she said she knew it was The Scorpions that entered the manor because your boyfriend was on the scene.” Sheriff Lennon pauses for a beat. “That’s Dax Malone, correct?”
I press my lips together, unsure how to answer.
“Ms. Ramas, quite passionately, declared Dax Malone’s innocence.”
My heart swells. “She did?”
“We’re using Ms. Ramas testimony to keep Lance Malone and his associates behind bars. When Dax wakes up, we’d like to get his story to build the case.”
My gut quivers. “Dr. Harris said it might take some time.”
Sheriff Lennon nods. “I understand. In the meantime, I’d like to take your statement. The officers already took photos of your wrists, correct?”
I nod, pulling my bandaged wrists from my sleeves. “Yeah, before the nurse treated the broken skin and burn marks.”
His breath hitches. “Burns?”
“I told the other officers everything while they were documenting my injuries,” I explain. “I can’t go through it all again. Not when I haven’t seen Dax yet.”
“It’s really best if we talk while it’s all fresh in your mind.”
“Can’t I see Dax first?”
“Okay, Miss Ashworth.” Officer Lennon nods, his eyes shining with kindness. “I hope you’re aware there are professionals you can talk with about the trauma you’ve experienced.”
“Yes, thank you.”
“I look forward to getting your statement. It’ll help us keep Lance Malone locked up with unlawful restraint and attempted kidnapping charges.
And then there are the physical assault charges.
” Sheriff Lennon’s gaze drifts toward Dax’s recovery room.
“If Dax can map out everything to do with the robberies, we’ll consider dropping the accomplice charges. ”
I clutch my chest. “So Dax would be innocent in all this?”
Sheriff Lennon smiles. “I got to know his mother well. He’s a good kid who was brought into a bad situation. I’ll do all I can to help him through this.”
Just as I’m about to thank him again, I’m ambushed.
“Vanessa, thank goodness you’re safe,” my mother wails as she and Dad race down the hallway.
Sheriff Lennon excuses himself as they approach.
Mom throws her arms around me. “Come on, let’s get you out of here.”
I shove her off me and back away. “No, I’m not going anywhere.”
“Vanessa, you scared us to death,” Dad says sternly. “You’re coming home.”
Mom pulls at her hair. “How could you be so stupid and run into danger like that?”
I scowl at her. “Mom, I love him.”
She scoffs. “You don’t know the meaning of the word.”
“No, you don’t,” I argue. “Love isn’t about abandoning people.”
“Vanessa, you don’t love this boy,” Dad interjects. “He got to you when you were vulnerable.”
“You both have to stop telling me how to behave.” I pant, readying myself for the next sentence. “Or you’ll lose me.”
“What are you saying?” Dad utters.
“I’ll leave with Dax and cut you out of my life.”
“You can’t be serious,” they both snap.
“He’s the reason I’m out of that place.” I tap the space over my heart. “He saved me, and I’m not leaving him.”
“He’s the reason you were in danger in the first place,” Dad argues.
“Because I knew he wasn’t safe there. I will never turn my back on him.”
“This is crazy talk,” Mom rasps. “This boy isn’t good enough for you. You’ll ruin your life with him.”
“Or he’ll make it the best freaking life possible. I don’t care how my life plays out, as long as I get to share it with him.”
“But, Vanessa,” Dad says, reaching for me.
I back away, moving toward Dax’s room. “But nothing.”
Dax’s room used to belong to the woman I found choking. I hope this means she made a full recovery and is living a healthy life. I stop by Mr. Raymond’s door and find him sitting up.
“Vanessa,” he says cheerily.
Happy tears spring in my eyes. “You remembered?”
He sighs, smiling. “They’ve pumped me with some of the good stuff. Never felt better.”
“I’m so glad.”
“Are you here to read to me?”
“Actually, I’m visiting somebody.”
“Oh, hope they’re doing okay.”
I hang a thumb over my shoulder. “They’re just next door.”
He waves me off. “Give them my best.”
I clutch my heart. In his state, he’s still so caring of other people. “Thank you. You’re the sweetest.”
I move across to the next room and gradually make it to Dax’s bedside. He’s hooked up to an IV, a tube runs into his nose, and he’s connected to monitors. I clutch his tattooed hand and lower to the seat beside his bed. I watch his closed eyes as I press a kiss onto his hand.
I gently place his hand down and unclasp the chain around my neck. I set the St. Christopher pendant by his pillow, hoping it’ll bring him back to me.
“Ness?” a soft voice whispers from the doorway.
I turn and find Sylvie and Hope huddled together.
“Oh my gosh. What are you doing here? You said you’d never set foot in this place.”
They step into the room, clutching hands.
“We heard about all the crazy stuff that happened,” Sylvie says, wide-eyed. “Like, wow, are you okay?”
I rub my hands over Dax’s and nod heavily.
Hope steps closer and presses her hand onto my shoulder. It lingers as she searches for the right words. In the silence, I look up at her and am surprised by the welling of her eyes.
“I’m so sorry you went through all this.” Hope gulps when her voice cracks. She eyes Dax. “And you put yourself in danger for him?”
“I love him,” I murmur.
She lifts her hand off me. “I’m sorry for getting in the middle of you two. I shouldn’t have sabotaged your love life.”
I sigh. “I would’ve done the same thing under different circumstances.”
Sylvie fiddles with her necklace. “I’m prepared to put down the gossip-fueled, social-damaging weapons if you two are.”
“Why do you think I’ve been avoiding school?” I reply. “I don’t want to do that stuff anymore.”
Hope pats her eyes dry. “I only did the social media post because I thought if more people agreed with me, you’d finally see the light.” She hides her face with her hand. “But they didn’t agree with me.”
I look at her sideways. “They voted for Dax?”
“You didn’t see the results?” Sylvie questions.
“No. I blocked Hope, so I wouldn’t retaliate.”
Hope’s jaw drops. “You blocked me?”
“Believe me, I could’ve done a lot worse. You have Dax to thank for that.”
Hope nods, knowing my reputation-damaging capabilities. “Oh, okay. Thanks.”
I look Hope square in the eyes. “You should spend more time with your sister. She’s shown me so much compassion.”
Hope recoils in defense. “You know I love my sister.”
“I’m just saying to take a leaf out of her book.”
Sylvie clears her throat. “So, do you forgive us, or what?”
I bite my lip, turning to the unconscious boy I love, and then back at my so-called friends. “I repeatedly asked you two to have my back, and you didn’t come through.”
Sylvie lets out a nervous laugh. “So, is that a no?”
“It’s a not right now.”
“I don’t blame you,” Hope bites her lip. “Because there’s one more thing.”
I tense up. “What?”
Hope claws at her long chestnut hair. “Well, I was with Luke when I heard the news. And, umm, he was chatting with LJ.”
I slouch with dread. “So LJ might be on his way over?”
Hope winces. “Yep. Sorry.”
“You know, I’ll consider the slate cleared if you two stick around and run interference in the halls,” I reply. “I don’t want to deal with LJ, especially when Dax is in recovery.”
“We can do that.” Sylvie leans forward, checking out Dax. “How’s he doing?”
“I don’t know yet. Dr. Harris was quietly optimistic, but he also mentioned a potential coma and kidney damage.”
Sylvie hisses. “Yikes.”
“I can’t believe I thought you’d be so perfect with LJ.” Hope sniffles. “I’ve never seen you look at him the way you do this guy.”
I look up at her. “His name is Dax.”
She nods. “Right. Dax.”
Sylvie lightly touches my arm. “We’ll give you some space. And we’ll watch out for LJ.”
“Thank you so much.”
They both wave and leave the room.
I pat my eyes dry and watch Dax sleep. As the wetness stains my fingertips, a silly thought enters my mind. He woke up when my teardrops hit his eyelashes. Could that happen again?
Before I can put the fairytale-esque theory to the test, footsteps pound into the room and irritation pings throughout my nervous system.
“LJ, stop before you even,” I growl, turning in my seat. My annoyance diminishes at the sight of my brother. “Oh, Ash.”
Ash rushes over, wrapping his arms around me as I sit. “You’re such an idiot, but I love you so dang much.”
I hug him back. “Thanks, I guess.”
He rubs a knuckle into my hair. “Seriously. Who walks into a biker bar?”
I swat him away from my hair, smoothing it back. “I knew he wasn’t safe.”
Ash nods, looking over at Dax. “So, he was worth it, huh?”
“He is more than worth it.”