Page 59 of Rules of Engagement

"That's very..."

"No need to say thank you. It's just the essentials," Serena cut me off. "Do you need anything else?"

"I don't think so."

"Then I will get back to the room. I have a list of things to tell Solomon and I have to get started."

"He'll be so pleased," I said dryly.

"I'll pass you back to Dad now," said Serena.

"This is your father," said Dad.

"Yes, I know, Dad."

"Have you spoken to your mother?"

"Not today," I said. "Why? What's wrong?"

"She's worried about you. We both are. Where are you anyway? Do you have anyone with you? Is Maddox still there?"

"Yes, he's with me. We're on our way back."

"Okay then. I'll pass you over to Lily."

"Hi," said Lily. "Serena is talking to Solomon. She looks very serious."

"Is he waking up?"

"No."

"Then she might be there a while. I'll get back as soon as I can."

"I'll be here."

"I don't know what to say to anyone," I told Maddox when I hung up. We went over a bump in the road and my arm shot up, knocking my water bottle up with it. A spray of water shot out the neck and went down my top. "Just great," I groaned. "I don't have anything fresh to wear at the hospital and now I'm all wet."

"We can pick something up."

"That would be great!" I said. Then I gulped when I realized what that meant. We would have to park outside the house and I'd have to step over the threshold again and push open the door. I would have to walk all over the place where Solomon was shot and try doubly hard to pry my eyes away from the blood stains, which were as fresh as the day he was attacked. "It's still a crime scene," I said. "Garrett had to accompany me here last time."

"It's been cleared," said Maddox. "If you have your keys, we can pick something up. The junction's coming up."

I couldn't sit in a wet shirt and I didn't want to waste any time going to a store and buying a new one. Plus, I would need a few more things if I planned to temporarily stay at the hospital. Solomon would need things after he woke up too. He would not be pleased about the skimpy, backless hospital gown and I hadn’t packed efficiently when Garrett previously took me to our home. Taking a deep breath, I prepared to get on with it. After all, it was my home. I had to live there. I had to go back there again at some point.

"I have my keys," I said. "Turn right."

Maddox floored it through the lights and we reached the house ten minutes later. "Want me to come in with you?" he asked.

"Yes."

"Good, because I was going to come in to clear the house anyway."

"I don't think the shooter will come back anytime soon. Solomon isn't here."

"I agree," he said, "but..."

"But you're not worried about him," I finished his sentence and he nodded. "Am I... Is Solomon going to have to look over his shoulder for the rest of his life?" I asked.

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