Page 430 of Broken Oath

Hale underwent surgery.

The doctors believed they could save his leg.

Grant required treatment for nerve damage in his hand.

Dawson had two old fractures that needed to be reset.

Jackson demanded a cheeseburger before allowing anyone to examine him.

Cobra brought him three.

On the third evening, I found Wade sitting beside a large window.

Snow fell beyond the glass.

A tray rested untouched on the table.

I sat beside him.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

“You’ve been staring at the same piece of toast for ten minutes.”

“I’m not hungry.”

That frightened me more than I wanted him to know.

“You need to eat.”

“I know.”

I looked toward the window.

“You don’t have to pretend with me.”

Wade’s jaw tightened.

For several seconds, he didn’t speak.

Then he whispered, “It’s too quiet.”

I waited.

“At the mountain, quiet meant someone had disappeared. Or the guards were planning something.”

His fingers curled against his knee.

“I keep waiting for the door to open.”

My heart broke.

“Do you want me to stay tonight?”

“You’ve stayed every night.”

“I’ll keep staying.”