Page 161 of Missile Strike

“He’s stable.”

When they got to the surgical waiting room, Lachlan offered to get her coffee from the cafeteria. When he returned, he handed her a cup and two protein bars.

“You need to eat something.”

Her stomach didn’t agree, but she thanked him and accepted the offering. Her gaze strayed to the large screen that showed the status of patients in the surgical trauma operating room, then the two recovery units.

The ID number they’d assigned Danny showed him in the OR.

There was a faint buzz, then Lachlan reached into his pocket, bringing his phone to his ear. “Senator Strickland.” His gaze flicked to Isabella. “She’s uninjured other than a cut to her cheek. Danny’s in the OR now.” He paused, listening to whatever her father was saying. “We’re in the waiting room on the second floor.”

He hung up and faced her. “Your parents are on their way.”

Her brows furrowed. “They’re in Charlotte?”

“I contacted them last night when Danny called Nathan. They flew in this morning.”

“Good.” When this was over and she had time to feel things beyond her concern for Danny, she’d want them around.

She returned her attention to the monitor. Patient 136984325.

Still in the OR.

Another twenty minutes passed. There was an old-fashioned analog clock on the wall. Isabella passed the time watching how long it took the second hand to make a full circuit. What was taking so long?

“Mayhew?” The woman seated at the desk in the waiting area called out. “Mayhew family?”

“Here.” Isabella rushed over to the desk.

“The surgeon wanted me to let you know that everything went well. Mr. Mayhew is out of surgery and in recovery.”

Isabella’s knees threatened to give way. “Oh, thank God.”

“As soon as he’s through recovery and been assigned a room, I’ll let you know.”

“Isabella.” Nathan’s eyes held a note of apology. “We’ve held off the police for as long as we can. They need to talk to you.”

She looked down at her black tennis skort and the purple scoop-neck shell she’d worn to the wine bar.

Was it just last night? It felt like ages ago.

“I’m not leaving the hospital.”

“The detective is here. Lachlan told him he had to wait until we knew about Danny.”

She followed his gaze to where Lachlan was speaking with a man in a suit, a badge clipped to his belt.

“You can wait for your father if that will make you feel better—” Nathan began.

“No. I can handle this on my own.” She gave the detective a brief nod. “Tell me as soon as Danny’s in a room.”

Because nothing was going to keep her away.

Danny awoke for the second time in a different, unfamiliar room. This one had walls, not curtains. It was quiet, without the steady hum of voices and footsteps. And while he still didn’t feel completely normal, he wasn’t as groggy as he’d been earlier.

“You’re awake.” Bella.

Relief washed through him at the sound of her voice.