“You’re looking better,” he said.
I doubt it. My face gave away my feelings.
“You look healthier, that sound better?” he asked with a chuckle.
“More accurate.” The stress and dehydration had taken their toll. While my cuts would heal and my bruises would fade, the new gray streak in my hair was permanent.
I reached up and touched the hair near my temple. The doctor had explained that sudden, extreme stress could cause hair to lose its pigment. His explanation was more complex than that, but that was what I remembered.
“I feel like I could sleep for a week.”
“Nah, you only need a day or two before you feel like your old self again.”
I didn’t think I’d ever feel like myself again. I wasn’t even sure who my real self was anymore. Nina Suzette Novak or Nina Marie Singer?
A nurse came in, took out my IV needle, shut off the EKG, and removed the pads from my chest.
“I’ll leave the paperwork with you to fill out after you get dressed.”
“Where are my clothes?” I asked, looking around the room.
“Mary brought you clean clothes,” Ryan said while bending down. When he stood back up, he had a bag in his hand. “I’ll be right outside.”
Do I still need protection?I thought all the bad guys were dead.
“Ryan, am I still in danger?” My voice went up two octaves.
“No, but you’ve been through a lot, and John, Mary, and I agree you shouldn’t be left alone.”
Not as much as Austin.
“Is someone with Austin?”
“Yes, his brothers, Bryce and Dalton, are taking turns staying with him.”
I nodded.I’m only meeting Austin’s brothers because he almost died.
My wince wasn’t from physical pain.
“Nina, none of this is your fault. Austin would’ve kept digging to solve the connected cases even if he’d never met you. Those guys, the ones that hurt you, they would’ve come after him, us, eventually.”
It all sounded so simple and logical, but I couldn’t let go of my guilt.
“Get dressed, Austin’s desperate to see you.”
“My grandmother’s still okay?” I asked. I should be rushing home to see her.
“Nina, she’s fine. It probably feels like a lifetime, but you’ve been gone less than thirty-six hours. And she’s having fun with Havoc.”
Right, the SEAL dog. I wouldn’t have thought a military dog would be fun company for Nana, but I had to take Ryan’s word for it.
“You must be Nina, I’m Bryce,” Austin’s brother said, sticking out his hand to shake mine.
He was lean like Austin, but taller.Their faces look nothing alike.
Finally remembering my manners, I stopped staring and said, “Hi. It’s nice to meet you.”
“Austin’s eager to see you, so once the nurse is done, I’ll bring you in.”
