Page 41 of No Lies No Promises

Dammit! Now what?

Gun in hand, I sprint past the nurses’ station, reaching her bedside out of breath. “What’s wrong?”

She points to a gray-haired woman in blue scrubs carrying a sealed, flat cardboard box. “Sh-she w-wants to test me for s-sexual assault.”

Gripping the bedrail, her panicked gaze almost breaks my heart. “D-did he…? Was I…?”

The nurse purses her lips. “Sir, you need to go before I call security.”

“He stays.” Lil scowls. There she is. My bossy babe. “Sean? Answer the question.”

“Nothing happened.” But if I hadn’t insisted on being there, God knows what the asshole might’ve done, precisely why I didn’t want her anywhere near him.

“Jesus…” She closes her eyes, wincing as her head rolls on the pillow. “Why can’t I remember?”

“Pearson had a needle full of some chemical.” Pulling a chair closer, I sit, reach through the metal bars, and squeeze her hand. “But we had eyes on you the whole time.”

When the waiting nurse clicks her tongue, I scowl at her. “You can go.”

“Not your decision, son. It’s hers.” She has a difficult job, which I appreciate, but in this case, it’s not needed.

“He’s right.” Lil waves her away. “I don’t need… that.”

After the woman departs in a huff, Lil’s silent for a bit.

Then, she sighs. “The last thing I recall was getting dressed to go on a date. Was it with you?”

“No. You met with Jeff Pearson at Talon. Told him we broke up.” Even though it was all a ruse, the words get stuck in my throat.

Lips pursed, her face skews. “Right. You and I fought. You didn’t want me to go.”

“And you won.” Won’t happen again.

“Did it work?” Some of the dullness leaves her hazel eyes. “Did Jeff say something incriminating?”

“Not sure… yet. The wifi cut out.” No point in mentioning my backup plan. We don’t even know if it worked.

“Shit. Shit. Shit.” Her fists pound the cot. “I want to go home. Now.”

Leaning over the rail, my lips brush across hers. “The doctor should be here soon. We’ll ask.”

“No. Let’s go.” Her obstinacy warms my heart because she must be feeling better.

I kiss the tip of her nose, then her forehead. “Get some sleep.”

“Okay, but only for a second.” Moments later, her lashes drop to her cheeks.

Once her breath steadies, I leave her alone so I can speak to everyone in the waiting area.

“How is she?” her sister asks first. “They wouldn’t let me see her.”

“She’s sleeping. When the tox screen comes back, the doc will release her, but he’s not sure how long it’ll take. You might as well head back to the safe house.”

After some convincing, Dante herds them toward the exit.

At the automatic doors, he lags behind the rest. “Glad you opted for Plan B.”

Nodding, eyes on the rest of the team, I lower my voice. “Do we have the recorder?”