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“Oh. I didn’t realize. Thanks. Both of you.”
With his free hand, Boxer grasped my elbow and gently guided me to the elevator. I lifted my right hand and wiggled a finger at Peyton and Amanda. They had been working almost around the clock, checking in on me. I was grateful for them. Not just for their friendship, but for the caliber of their characters. They were both truly special people, and the hospital was lucky to have them. They made their patients’ lives better, and they made my life better too.
The day was chilly, but the sun was bright.
“You’re cold,” Boxer noted as I shivered next to him.
“A little bit,” I admitted. “I’m not used to having a bare neck.”
“I love your bare neck.” He dragged a finger across my skin, making me shiver for an entirely different reason.
Boxer helped me into the truck and then handed me the leafy plant, which I placed in my lap.
“I hope you don’t mind,” he said as he climbed into the driver’s side, “but I had Joni and Mia go to your condo and pack you some clothes before they headed back to Waco.”
“How did they get in without a key?” I asked.
“Ramsey.”
“Ah. Well, thanks for taking care of that for me.”
“No problem.” He gripped the steering wheel so hard that I heard the squeak of the material under his fingers. “He called.”
“Who?”
“Dante. He said he had you and then he hung up. I had no idea where you were and it drove me bat shit.”
Boxer turned on the engine and got the heater cranking.
“I can’t imagine what it must’ve been like for you,” I said.
“You’re the one who had to live through it, Linden. I’ve got nothing on you.”
We drove in pensive silence as I looked out the window. There were discount signs and people in parking lots. Everything seemed so normal. The world still turned. People still went out to eat. People still laughed.
I was the one that was different.
An hour and half later, he turned down his street and then drove the car into the driveway. He cut the engine, and I unlatched my seatbelt.
“Wait. Let me help you.”
It was a slow-moving process. He took the plant from me and then helped me out of the truck.
“Don’t freak out when you see the place,” he said, dropping my elbow so he could use his keys to unlock the door.
“Why would I freak out?”
He sighed. “Just promise me.”
“Okay, I promise.” He pushed open the door and flipped on the light, and then he moved to the side so I could enter.
My breath caught.
There were holes in the walls like someone had gone berserk. The furniture had been split open, stuffing coming out of the seams. Broken picture frames were haphazardly strewn about and an old sledgehammer rested in the corner.
“What happened,” I asked, mouth agape. “Did Dante order this? Is this cartel retaliation?”
Boxer shook his head. “No. This is how I took out my anger after he called.”
