Page 53 of His End Game

“Mom, what is it? Has something happened?”

“It’s your father. He’s had a heart attack. They’re saying… they say if there’s anyone who’d like to say goodbye, they should get to the hospital as soon as they can.”

I fall down onto the front steps of the house and tighten my hold on the phone.

“A heart attack?”

After all this time, the first call I get is for me to go and say my last goodbye? I don’t know how to feel about it, but I tell her, “I’m on my way.”

I track down Cas on the far side of the land out back. I don’t know if I ran or walked, but he watches me approach with a frown between his brows.

“Can you keep Rayna till I get back?”

“Where are you going? Leo said you weren’t to leave while they’re gone.”

“My dad’s in the hospital. He’s dying. My mom just called to say I haven’t got long to get there.”

“Okay, I’ll send Grim with you. He won’t leave your side and don’t ask him to.”

I’d rather not have him with me, but I don’t argue.

“I won’t.”

The three of us walk back to the bar. By the time I unlock my car, Grim is there and holding his hand out for my keys.

“I’ll drive.”

I toss them over to him and climb in the passenger seat. He leaves me to my thoughts, and I spend the drive consumed with conflicted regret. I could’ve tried harder to get myself together and reach out to my parents, but it’s not like they tried with me either. Once they learned I had accepted to work for a Lost Soul, it was more than disappointment they felt toward me.

Grim passes the entrance to the hospital and I’m about to order him to stop when he drives into the multi-storey carpark.

“I’ll stay out of your way, but I need to keep you in my sight at all times. Please don’t make it difficult for me,” he says as we step into the elevator.

Mom sent a text on the way, letting me know where to go when I got here.

“I’m just here for my dad,” I promise him.

I tuck my hair back behind my ear and I’m reminded of my hands. My parents have no idea what happened to me but there isn’t any time to think of how to handle it if they ask. The elevator doors open, and Mom is being consoled by a nurse. All I can think is I’m too late. Numbly, I move forward and vaguely feel Grim’s hand on my back. I frown his way, and he removes his hand. I move forward. The nurse sees me and says something to my mom. She looks up at me, her eyes filled with tears and her face as pale as snow.

“Mom? Is Dad okay? Where is he?”

The nurse stands and when my mom nods, she tells me, “I’m sorry to inform you, your father passed ten minutes ago.”

My head is telling me my heart should be breaking, but as I stand watching my mom’s heart splinter into pieces, I don’t feel anything.

“I’m sorry for your loss, Holly.”

I forgot Grim was here and numbly, I nod in thanks.

“I tell you your father is dying, and you bring one of them bikers here?” are the first words out of her mouth.

I’m not going to fight with her after she’s lost her husband. I keep my mouth shut.

Heels tap against the floor, getting louder the closer they get to us. I turn to see my aunt, Abi. My mom jumps up, walks into her arms, and sobs her heart out. “Let’s get you home, sis.”

“I’ll call Cas and let him know you’re going back to your mom’s. Once you’re in the house, I’ll leave you both to grieve,” Grim says quietly.

I shake my head before I’ve even processed my thoughts.

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