Page 58 of Rules of Engagement

He looked at me and smiled. "I don't have to worry about you so much."

"Were you worried before?"

"Hell, yes. From the day I first met you."

"Sorry."

"Don't be. One of your many charming and endearing qualities is your uncanny ability to scare the living daylights out of me."

I half sighed, half laughed. "What if I find out more stuff?"

"How much worse could it get?" Maddox wondered.

That was the million dollar question. One I couldn't even try to answer. My phone began to ring and a photo of Lily flashed onto the screen. "Hey," I said, "What happened? Is..."

"He's fine," she cut in. "I thought I'd just call and let you know that."

"You're still at the hospital?"

"I am. Anastasia and Damien just left to go get lunch. Your mom and dad are here. Serena is here too. Your dad wants to talk to you."

"Put him on."

"Hi, sweetheart," said Dad, his voice sounding gruff. "Any news on your end?"

"None," I said after a quick glance to Maddox, who shook his head. "False lead."

"Damn," said Dad. "If you're coming back to the hospital, we're heading to the cafeteria to get some food. Serena volunteered to stay with Solomon."

"Really?"

"Sure. We're all his family now. We're all pitching in to help and taking shifts.

"What do you mean?"

"We knew you'd want someone taking care of him twenty-four/seven so we're looking after him in hourly shifts. In a few minutes, it's Serena and Antonio's turn to stay with him, although it seems to have been Antonio's turn for a long time."

"And Serena?"

"It's okay," said Dad. "He's still unconscious, hence, the reason we voted Serena onto this shift. There is no way she can irritate him!"

My lip trembled. "Maybe she could try harder so he'll wake up," I suggested.

"I don't think she needs any instructions," said Dad. I heard someone say something before Serena came on the line.

"What do I need instructions for?" she asked.

"Nothing. Thanks for being there."

"No problem at all. Who is relieving Antonio? He's been here all night and he needs undisturbed rest. I told him he has to go home and sleep but he insists on staying. Did you tell him to stay?"

"Yes. No. Maybe I did."

"That's fine," said Serena, still just as brusque as always. "If you told him to stay, he can stay. We can both stay for as long as you need."

I blinked back surprise. "Thank you."

"There's a bag with essentials for you on the cot Antonio slept on. I brought you some magazines, some snacks and some beverages, in case you planned to stay all night again. There's also a cashmere blanket, a sleeping mask, and a very large box of tissues. I can have Alessandro's send up some food or else I can pick something up," she said, sounding like she was reading from a check list, which she probably was. Serena was one of life's natural organizers, something she excelled at.

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