Chapter 56
Roxy
"I think for the August event we should check out that venue downtown again, the one with the rose garden," my boss says, and I nod, trying to figure out if we have any other options.
The place is gorgeous and would be perfect for this event, but reservations need to be made at least a year in advance...
"I'll see what I can do," I tell her.
My phone buzzes insistently in my pocket, and I'm ready to roll my eyes thinking it's Damien, when I see an unfamiliar number.
"Roxanne Tatcher?" a woman's voice asks on the other end.
"Kaminski now, but yes," I say, slightly puzzled.
"I'm calling from Metropolitan Hospital. Mr. Henry Sorrento was transferred here at his request, following a car accident. You were listed as his only emergency contact."
My blood runs cold, but I force myself to move. I don't remember grabbing my planner, don't remember hanging up on the hospital lady, don't remember what I told my boss, I only know I bolted out of the office.
My eyes instantly find my shadows.
"Stefan, I need to get to the hospital right now. My uncle's been admitted."
Why didn't he call me himself? What if he's in critical condition? Why didn't I ask how he was doing? When was the last time we even talked? What is he doing in Chicago? God, Roxy!
He'll be fine. It's probably something minor. She said he requested the transfer, so it can't be that bad if he was able to communicate with them. But what if he got worse?
The entire drive to the hospital, I stare at a single point, trying not to spiral.
Henry is the only family member who didn't treat me like I killed my Mom that night. The only one who listened to my nightmares. For months, I did therapy with him until he moved to Austin.
When I see the hospital, I practically throw myself out of the car.
It takes me a minute to find the reception desk, and only then do I catch my breath.
"I'm here for Henry Sorrento."
"Room one hundred four. He's stable now. The impact was to his back and one of his legs, but he'll need physical therapy," the woman tells me.
"Is it the leg that was already giving him trouble?"
I watch her study his chart, her brow furrowing.
"I don't see any previous injuries noted, but it's possible it was overlooked in the chaos of the accident."
I nod curtly and head down the hallway, with Stefan and Pavel behind me, until I find the room.
They both stop at the door without me asking.
I take a breath and push the door open.
When I walk in, Henry is propped up in the hospital bed, reading a book like nothing's wrong. He's wearing one of those terrible hospital gowns, an IV in his arm, but otherwise he looks fine. Alive. Breathing.
Relief washes over me in a wave so strong my knees nearly buckle.
"God, you scared me," I say, my voice coming out shakier than I intended.
His eyes find mine instantly, and there's so much affection in them that I can't help myself. I cross the room and lean down to hug him carefully, mindful of his injuries.
"How the hell did this happen?"
"Fate, Roxy," he answers with a smile. "I needed to be closer to you."
He says it with a laugh, but something about his tone makes me straighten. It's off somehow. Too light, too casual for someone who just survived a car accident.
"Don't joke around, Henry. This is serious. You could have died."
"Would you have suffered?" he asks, and the question hangs in the air wrong.
Alarm bells ring in my head because what is going on? I take another step back, putting distance between us.
"Of course I would have suffered. You're my uncle, Henry," I say, confusion creeping into my voice.
Why would he even ask that? Of course I'd be devastated.
His expression shifts, something dark flickering across his face before he looks down. When he speaks, his voice is quiet, almost resigned.
"It's my fault. I waited too long and only fed your confusion."
"What?" I ask, but my hand is already moving to my phone.
I haven't told Damien what happened. The way I dragged Stefan and Pavel here so urgently didn't give them time to report in either. Damien will be furious when he finds out.
Before I can unlock the screen, before my thumb even reaches the home button, a hand clamps over my mouth from behind. A cloth presses against my nose and mouth, and the chemical smell hits me instantly.
My eyes widen in panic. I try to twist away, try to scream, but the grip is iron. Stefan and Pavel are right outside. They're right outside.
My eyelids suddenly become very heavy, my limbs going numb and unresponsive. The phone slips from my fingers, clattering to the floor.
The last thing I see before darkness swallows me is Henry's face. Not concerned. Not shocked.
Satisfied.
What have I done?