Page 51 of Penalty Kill

The boys! Were they okay? I needed to find them. I groaned as I tried to sit up.

“Sydney?” a voice asked.

I fought as hard as I could to move, but the pain was too much.

“You’re awake.” Brandon appeared over me looking concerned.

“Milo? Finn?” My throat hurt, but I couldn’t relax until I knew they were okay.

Brandon reached forward and brushed my hair out of my face. “They’re both fine. Emma’s with them.”

I closed my eyes and relaxed. They were okay. They were safe.

“How are you feeling?”

I looked up at him, too tired to lie. “Hurts.”

He reached over me before leaning back. “We’ll see if we can get you more pain meds.”

An older woman in purple scrubs walked in. “Well, hello, Sydney. I’m glad to see you’re awake. How are you feeling?”

“She said she hurts.”

“Okay, I’ll check and see if we can get you some more morphine for that.” She disappeared, and I watched Brandon look everywhere but my face.

“Brandon?”

He paused and sighed.

“Brandon, what’s wrong?” He wasn’t saying something, and I needed to know. As long as the boys were safe and healthy, that was all that mattered. Was he lying about that?

“I’m so sorry, Syd. This is all my fault.” The pain on his face made me cringe.

“Please don’t do this, Brandon.” His brows pulled together. “Don’t make me say this isn’t your fault. You had nothing to do with them following me. Please, don’t make me.”

He dropped his head. “I can’t help but feel responsible.”

“Don’t.” I was too tired to have this discussion.

“I’m sorry.”

I narrowed my eyes.

“I’m sorry I wasn’t there. I’m sorry you’re here when it should be me.”

“Stop,” I said with what strength I had left. He met my eyes and finally nodded.

The nurse returned with a man. “Hi, Sydney. I’m Dr. Stone. We’re going to give you more pain meds.” He picked up my chart and scanned it.

“Is this your husband?” He asked me while making a small gesture toward Brandon.

“No.”

He turned to Brandon. “I’m sorry, but I have to ask you to leave.”

“No, please. I want him to stay.” I was scared and hurt. I didn’t want to be alone.

“Fine. We had to take you in for surgery when you got here. There were signs of internal bleeding.” He was avoiding my eyes. I could tell.