Page 60 of Lost In The Dark

“Every second. I’m not going anywhere,” he agreed with a nod.

“Okay, but can…do you think I can have my sweater? I feel too vulnerable like this. I need my clothes.”

“I’ll speak to someone, but for now you can wear my jacket, okay? It’ll be huge, but it will cover you. He pulled at the lapel of his suit jacket to make it clear what he meant and I nodded.

“Thank you.”

He set me down on the bed right beside him, then shucked off his navy suit jacket. He moved to wrap it around me, but paused and I knew why.

“Addy…” he gasped. He was in the position to see the mess that my back was. No one but the staff at the hospital before had seen it, and while it was healing well, I knew the scarring was bad.

“Don’t Asher, please. I can’t…not now,” I sniffled tearfully. I dare not look at him, too scared of what I’d seen in his eyes. I let out the breath I was holding when he wrapped his jacket around me and helped me slip my arms in. The sleeves were far too long, but Asher rolled them up, then wrapped the front around me tightly, covering me up as I needed.

“I love you, little dot,” he told me softly as he wrapped his arm around me and pulled me into his side.

“Love you too, Asher.” I may have only known him for a little over two weeks, but it had been long enough for me to build a bond. He was my brother. He and Eli both were and I lovedthem. I refused to over think it. I trusted them and I was so grateful and happy to have them at my side.

Not long after, a woman in a neat skirt suit appeared in the room. She told Asher she was a member of the board, whatever that was, and that we were going to be moved to a quieter room on the top floor.

When we got to that room, which was quieter and also much larger and brighter, there was a female doctor waiting to continue the tests that had been started when I was unconscious downstairs. She was assisted by two nurses and not one of them uttered a word about the fact I refused to leave Asher’s lap throughout. They were kind and patient with me, which meant I was able to keep it together throughout. It was obvious Asher had done something to get us the superior care. I knew he had a lot of contacts and had likely called one of them. I pushed the thought aside though, just grateful to be somewhere calmer and safe with Asher holding me.

It was still hard to be touched by strangers, even though they were now female, and my anxiety was right there, riding me hard, the entire time. Every time I did start to feel a little panicky though, Asher was there, holding me tighter and telling me I was doing great. I knew I wouldn’t have gotten through it without him.

Eventually the room cleared out, the tests done, and I was exhausted. I wasn’t sure how long we’d been there, but it felt like hours.

“You did so good, sweetheart. I’m proud of you,” Asher told me, and I admitted to myself that the praise felt good. I wanted him to be proud of me. He had done so much for me since the dayhe came to that police station in Vegas, and I never wanted to disappoint him.

“I’m so tired,” I whispered. I was still sat on his lap sideways, my head resting on his chest and his arms around me, keeping me warm and making me feel protected.

“The doctor will be back soon with the results. Hopefully, we can get you back home then.”

“I hope so,” I agreed.

Just then the door opened slowly and Eli peeked around it. His hair was stuck up and I knew he’d probably been pulling at it in his worry.

“Can we come in? The nurse told us the tests were done?” he asked gently. Asher looked to me and I nodded. More than anything I wanted Eli too.

“Yeah. Addy’s exhausted, but she did great,” Asher told his brother. I looked up as he approached. His suit jacket and tie were gone and his shirt sleeves were pushed up to his elbows and rumpled. I knew how much I had worried him and I felt terrible. He bent down until his eyes met mine.

“You scared me, shortcake,” he told me as he forced a smile.

“You scared us all,” I heard Adam add and when I looked up again he and Jordan were in the room too. Adam was doing good at looking calm, but I saw the way he was tapping his fingers against his thigh. I had noticed he did that kind of thing sometimes, usually when he was thinking about something. Jordan was pale and his neatly styled hair was now wild and stuck up. He looked to me and smiled, but it fell short. I knew of them all, he had to be the most terrified, since he saw me drop.

“I’m okay,” I told them as I lifted my head and took a breath. “But I’d be better if you all gave me a hug,” I added as I shakily slid from Asher’s lap. My legs were trembling, but I didn’t have to worry, because I instantly found myself in Eli’s arms. He crushed me against him and kissed the top of my head three times.

“Please never scare me like that again. I was so worried,” he told me. I held him tight, too choked up to speak.

Adam was next, though he didn’t say anything. He just held me tightly and took in a huge, deep breath. I reassured him I really was okay when he pulled back and looked me over with worry.

Then Jordan grabbed me and he held me the tightest, lifting me clean off of my feet as he pressed my head against his shoulder. “Fuck princess, I think you aged me ten years today,” he whispered.

“I’m sorry,” I told him emotionally.

“We were supposed to be living, not dying,” he joked and I laughed through my tears.

“I’ll do better next time,” I promised him. He set me on my feet, but he seemed reluctant to let me go.

“Come and lie down with Eli for a while now, sweetheart. You’re exhausted.” Asher suggested. Eli looked to me for my approval and I held my hand out to him. He took it and guided me to the bed, Once he lifted me up and tucked me in, he climbed in beside me, on top of the blankets. I was grateful for his body heat, since I had lost Asher’s jacket when the doctor asked me to change into the flimsy gown I now wore. We were facing each other and he wrapped an arm over my waist as I snuggled a little closer.

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