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They look up as a nurse hurries over, berating me for being on my feet, and we lock eyes – theirs wide with shock, mine narrowed with resolve.
“Thal, what the fuck do you think you’re doing?” Ciarán demands, his tone full of anger and concern. “Get back in bed.”
“Getting the fuck out of here,” I growl, clutching at my side as another wave of pain washes over me. “I have shit to take care of.”
“Like hell, you are,” Summer snaps, rushing over to support me as I sway unsteadily. Her touch is warm and comforting, but it only reminds me of how vulnerable I am right now, which pisses me off. “You nearly died, Cathal. You need to stay here and heal.”
“Fuck that,” I snarl. “Someonetried to kill me, and I won’t rest until I find them.”
“Look, man,” Ciarán interjects, placing a hand on my shoulder. “We get it. We want to find the bastard, too, but you’re in no condition to play detective right now. We need to lay low, play nice for the police and conduct our own search under the radar.”
“Then help me,” I implore, meeting his gaze with a desperate plea. “Help me figure out who did this before they try again and next time succeed.”
“Jesus, Cathal,” Summer whispers, tears glistening in her eyes.
“Fine,” Ciarán mutters.
“Great.” I relent, feeling the weight of the situation bearing down on me.
“You aren’t going anywhere,” the nurse pipes up. “We need to monitor your injuries; besides, the police want to talk to you.” She says that as if that’s going to make me stay.
“If I were under arrest, I’d’ve been cuffed to the bed. I’m going.”
“No. You were severely injured.”
“But I’m on my feet and just dandy.”
“You call swaying on your feet with your bare ass on show, just dandy, do you?” Her eyes narrow, and I can see she’s going to make trouble.
“You can’t keep me here.” I reach around and bunch the back of the gown closed with my fist.
“We won’t leave him,” Ciarán says. “And if anything worries us, we’ll be back.”
“This is against medical advice.”
“Yeah, whatever,” I mutter.
“We’re going, you can’t stop us.”
She grits her teeth, not prepared to die on this hill. “Fine. You need to sign an AMA form.”
“Not signing jack, just leaving.”
Taking a shaky step forward, Summer quickly grabs me, and I lean heavily on her but keep walking, ignoring the pain in my head and ribs.
Ciarán catches up after some placatory BS with the nurse and takes my weight off Summer.
Together, they guide me out of the hospital, each step bringing me closer to the truth – and to the person who tried to take everything from me.
“How long was I out.”
“A few hours.”
“What did you tell the police?”
“I’ve got my guy on it,” Ciarán mutters.
Summer hisses. “Oh, yes, the venerable PC Dunsten.”
