Page 80 of Brazen Obsession

And I’ll stay here with Tom until my parents get in.

I wish I’d talked to them.

“I didn’t tell them much, pip. Just that Tom is in the hospital and they should come home.” Dante rubs my back.

I blow out a breath. What am I going to tell them when they arrive? They’re going to have so many questions.

Dante tips my chin and his light blue eyes meet mine. “Call when they get here and I’ll come help you talk to them.”

I nod. I can do that. If I don’t break down in tears the second my mother walks into the room. I didn’t know how much I’ve missed her until this moment. Yes, I had other things on my mind. The guys and then Tom and Natasha, but somewhere, behind everything was the thought that if my mom were here everything would be okay.

That’s who my mom is to me. Yes, she’s pushy about dating, but honestly, she’d take on a bear for me if she had to. And that’s the type of energy I could use right now.

I sit in the chair in Tom’s room with my phone out, alternating playing games and reading, while he sleeps. He woke for a few minutes, still obviously on the good stuff, and told Natasha he loved her. Then told each of the guys, with the exception of Drew, in the same tone of voice that he loved them. With Drew, he told him he’s an all right guy. And then he told me he loved me.

I hugged everyone before they went off on their missions. Drew promised to come back with lunch in an hour and he did. We chatted quietly while we ate, and then he headed back to work. That was a few hours ago.

The police positioned an officer outside of Tom’s room just in case.

I can’t seem to focus. Worried about where the guys are and what’s happening to them. What if Tom wasn’t the target? What if whoever shot him wanted one of my guys? I mean it’s kind of hard to miss that Tom is Tom with his red hair.

“Hey.” Tom’s voice is soft.

I set my phone down and stand to move next to his bed. “How do you feel?”

“Like someone shot me.” Tom gives me a half grin. “Is there some water?”

After helping him with the button to raise the head of the bed, I pour some from the pitcher into a cup and hold it so he can reach the straw with his lips. He takes a drink and looks around the room.

“Natasha?” His green eyes meet mine.

“With Dante looking for accounts.” I set the cup down and lean my hip against the side of his hospital bed. “Everyone else is following the plan. There’s a police officer outside the door just in case you’re still a target.”

He nods and closes his eyes. “Fuck. That shit was scary.”

I look down at my clean hands. My heart still races like we’re there in that moment. “Yeah.”

“I thought they were aiming for you.”

I lift my gaze to his. He’s looking at me like he always did when we were younger.

“I couldn’t let them take you from me.” His good hand reaches out to take mine. “You’re my family, Sara. I know I’m making a new one with Natasha, but you’ll always be my family. You mean everything to me. I wouldn’t have left you if I didn’t think you were safe. Poor decision-making on my part aside, I’m glad you have the guys, because they’ll do anything for you.”

I take a deep breath and release it. “We’re good, Tom.”

“Yeah?” He smirks. “I don’t have to continue to kiss up?”

“Well, I wouldn’t say that.” But I give him a smile.

He chuckles. “Maybe you can ask Wyatt to bring me my laptop so I can work.”

“You’re on drugs.” I shake my head. “That’s not a good idea.”

He shrugs. “I need to talk to Wyatt though. From what I remember, he was pretty shaken up.”

I swallow. I didn’t notice but I was in shock. “I’ll let him know.”

Chapter 27