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Oh, Lucian. My big, bad, mean brother, who loved to act as if he terrorized the world. He carried so much on his shoulders. He couldn’t honestly believe he was responsible for the mess that caused the fire.
But from his expression and the guilt I felt radiating off him in waves, it was exactly how he felt.
“It wasn’t your fault. You can’t blame yourself.”
“Who do I blame then? If I hadn’t agreed to the fire show, those idiots wouldn’t have thought to bring in those tanks through the kitchen. I should have made sure security watched those morons like hawks.”
“Everyone knows the shows load and unload through the bay. Someone ignoring the rules isn’t your fault.”
“Of course, it is my fault. I own the club. I’m responsible for everyone there. Hundreds of people could have died. You and Lizzy could have died.”
Leo spoke this time, “Your security did stop them when they tried to bring their tanks through the kitchen the first time. Your men warned them about open flames and the tanks.”
“Then how the fuck did they get any of the tanks in the kitchen?” Lucian gripped the back of his neck. “I don’t care. Those fuckers aren’t working in the industry again. They aren’t working anywhere again.”
Deciding I needed to bring him back from the edge of murderous rage, I said, “You’ll find out what happened in detail, deal with everything, rebuild. Please remember, this isn’t your fault.”
Elaine wrapped an arm around Lucian’s waist. “She’s right. You can’t blame yourself for things that weren’t in your control. First, we have to get the surveillance videos, and then we will see the truth of what happened.”
He nodded. The resignation was still etched all over his face.
Deciding to give him a break and a little more peace of mind, plus arguing about seeing a doctor and taking a few tests, was stupid in the grand scheme of things.
I said, “Call in your doc for a second opinion. I guess it wouldn’t hurt to ensure everything was double okay with me.”
He lifted his head, held my gaze for a few seconds, and nodded.
A few seconds later, Leo moved toward the door. “Come on, she wants to rest, and I think we’ve overstayed our welcome.”
“Yeah, we did that an hour ago,” Carter replied.
After everyone left, I read the note Lucian had placed at the bottom of my bed.
Sophia
Don’t even think about leaving that bed to see me. I forbid you to come anywhere near me until you are one hundred percent healed.
If you break the rules, you will suffer the consequences. We know your favorite way of receiving punishment is via denial, or is that my favorite way of administering it? Whatever the answer, I’ll come, and you won’t.
-D
Oh, he thought he was so funny. He was the one with the shattered foot. What could he do to me?
* * *
A little after seven in the evening, I took the staff elevator down one floor and arrived on the level where Damon’s room was.
As if Lizzy knew I planned to sneak out of my room no matter what anyone told me, an hour after she left with the family, she sent a text saying she hid a set of loungewear and a pair of slippers in a cabinet in my room so I wouldn’t have to walk around the hospital in my gown and show all the patients my naked butt.
I had to give it to her for always thinking ahead and wanting to cover my butt, literally.
Now, I had to make it down two hallways without anyone noticing a patient walking around. And since Lucian and Leo decided to throw their weight around and announced their baby sister was in residence, I would need to be extra careful.
The only reason I managed to leave my room undetected was a group visiting the lady next door decided to go, and I hid amongst them. They’d given me strange looks, but then again, we were in a hospital, and people did weird things, so they accepted it.
A food delivery cart, at least five and a half feet tall, came down the corridor. I knew this was my chance to hide along the side of it. Stepping out as it passed, I followed its path until it turned, and I was almost to the area near Damon’s room.
After another few minutes of careful maneuvering, I reached Damon’s door and froze when I heard Clark’s voice.
