Page 57 of Breathe Me In

“That’s right.” The doctor gave me a nod. “The first seventy-two hours are most critical in cases like hers.”

“It’s okay, Mom,” I whispered and tried to be strong for them all. “I can do it.” I felt around for the button and raised the bed to sit more comfortably. I spotted Patrick and Lainey in the corner. They both looked concerned. “I’m fine, really,” I assured them as Lainey moved to touch my hand before she eased herself onto the edge of the bed and sniffed.

“We were so worried, Bree.” Tears fell down her cheeks. “We just got you back, and then . . .” her voice trailed off. “I thought we lost you.”

“I’m still here.” Every word took so much energy. “See?” I squeezed her hand as I looked around. “Where’s Charley?” Where there was Lainey, there was Charley.

I loved my twin brother, but over the years after what happened at the river, I’d pulled away, and he’d let me. Lainey had always been on my side when I was young, but I’d never felt I could confide in her. I always knew she told Mom everything, and I wanted to live a different life from what she seemed to picture for me. When Charley came into the picture years ago, there was something about him that drew me in. I guess it was what Lainey saw in him—he was thoughtful and always made time for the family. Maybe it was because he didn’t have any siblings of his own and adopted all of us to fill the holes.

I leaned back in and tried to relax and hoped he’d walk through the front door, because I needed him at a time like this—he was my rock and always seemed to ground me.

“Oh, Bree, his mom’s sick. But as soon as he heard, he looked at booking the next flight home.”

I shook my head then. “No, Lainey, call him. I’m fine. His mom needs him more.”

She laughed and dried her cheeks with the back of her hand. “Her dementia is getting worse, and as insensitive as it sounds, I don’t think she’d even notice if he did leave.” She drew in a deep breath.

“Sweetie,” Dad said and linked arms with Mom, “the police are here.”

“Oh, Bree”—Lainey held up her phone—“Dale called like a hundred times.” Oh my god, Dale! I forgot he had called me during my attack on the road. “I hope you don’t mind, but I texted him back that you were in the hospital. I told him to stay put and that we’d update him when we know anything.”

“Thank you.” I gave her a light smile. The very last thing I needed was Dale showing up and panicking over what had happened. The man had been through enough. I looked at Dad. “All right, I’m ready.” He and Mom walked out of the room with Patrick and Lainey. Alone, I waited for Cap to come in.

To my utter disbelief, Ray was the one who came in to question me—after curtly informing me the truck had evaded capture. He was, of course, an asshole and questioned my judgment on most of my actions instead of just taking notes on the events that took place. By the time he left, I felt wrung out and pissed. As much as I wanted to report him to Cap, I knew better than to snitch. I needed to win Ray over myself, somehow.

“Nice to see you up.” Brad was suddenly in the doorway, arms at his sides, fingers rolled into fists. “Welcome back.” I felt my heart squeeze when I took in how handsome he was, and now I had to pull myself away before I let myself fall for him again. Tall, dark hair curled under his ears, dark eyes to match, lean and fit in a way that would make any woman stop and admire his features. He crossed the room, pulled up a chair, and sat next to me. “You hit your head pretty hard.”

“Yeah.” I touched the stitches that ran along my hairline. “Could have been worse.”

“Yeah, you could have died.” He coughed into his hand and gave me a pissed-off look. “I told Cap you should maybe step back.”

“You did what?”

“This is getting real, Bree. You really could have died.”

I waved a hand around as I tried to form a sentence. I was so pissed. “Who gave you the right to do that?”

His thumb swiped his nose as he fought to keep his voice down. “I’m lead detective, which gives me the right to pull people off the case. If you were anyone else, I’d still do the same.”

“I packed up my life in New York to come here.” I glared and ignored how much it hurt to talk. I took a sip of water. “I came as a favor for Cap, so if he pulls me, fine, but I don’t take orders from you.”

His fingers tapped the bed rail as he absorbed my words. “I’m only trying to protect you.”

“Not yours to protect,” I ground out. More of what Sherry had said in the ambulance seeped back in. She clearly still had feelings for him, and I realized he was trying to balance her and work—and me. It was all just too much. I turned away as his phone vibrated. He cursed when he read the message. He tucked it away and stood over me.

He leaned down close and whispered, “I will always protect you.” I felt tears prickle my eyes. “I’ll check on you later,” he said as he straightened up and walked out of the room.

Once I was alone, I thought hard about everything. If I ever let Brad in, then Sherry would always be in my life too. Not to mention the fact that I was being targeted by whoever it was who ran me off the road. I had my job and my happy life back in the city. I went over and over it, but my body felt like it had been hit by a truck. Oh wait, it basically had been. I let the pain in then and silently sobbed into a pillow.

Chapter Eleven

Brad

Seven days had passed since Bree had been run off the road—and five days since we’d spoken. I had called and left messages, but she’d never returned any of them. I knew she was pissed with me trying to pull rank, but she’d almost died, and for what?

I hopped into my car and headed toward the station. My phone buzzed. I saw it was Sherry, and I declined it, only to have her call again. I hit answer. “What!”

“Hi, honey, no need to be so short with me. I’m only calling to see how Bree is doing.”