Page 82 of The Secret's Out

My head shook back and forth. No words came to me though.

Zara either stepped away or was shifted from in front of me. Caden and Eli filled her spot instead. Each took a hand of mine.

“Precious,” Caden said sadly. “You need to see him. You need to say goodbye.”

My eyes shut tight, my head bowed, and I shook it again and again.

“I-I can’t,” I sobbed.

“Sweetheart, he needs you.” I felt Eli kiss my head. “Be our strong girl just for a little longer. For your dad, baby. He wants to see his girl.”

In the background, I heard Zara wailing, no doubt, into Talon’s chest.

Dad wants me in there.

Oh, God.

He’s dying.

“Josie,” Mattie called with a pleading tone.

My balled fists went to my eyes. I rubbed them hard. My body wouldn’t stop shivering, my eyes wouldn’t stop crying and my stomach would not settle. Still, I had to ignore all of it for my dad. I had to walk in there...somewhat composed.

Straightening my shoulders, I removed my hands and reached out to my men. They both took a hand each and together, we walked into the hospital, only to pause when I hugged my brother tightly.

We’d made it to the fourth floor and out of the elevator before my composure slipped when I saw my mum striding our way. My hands were dropped just as Mum wrapped her arms around me, one hand to my waist the other to the back of my head, where she pulled it forward into her shoulder.

“I-is he in pain?” I asked.

“No, darling. They’re taking good care of him.” She pulled back and wiped my fresh tears away. She bit her bottom lip. Tears filled her own eyes and I knew what she was about to say was going to wreck me. “I-I think he’s holding out to see you, sweetie.”

I sucked my lip in and bit down. My head falling back, my watery eyes to the ceiling.

Yes. That wrecked me.

Because it meant he wasn’t going to be with us for much longer.

Oh, God. Please, please no, please don’t take him.

“Mum,” Mattie said. “Come sit down while Josie’s in there.”

Glancing down, I gave her a quick kiss on the cheek as Mattie whispered the room number in my ear. I took hold of my men’s hands again and they walked with me down the hall. We stopped outside the room and already I could hear the machines beeping away, keeping my dad alive.

“Go in, precious. We’ll be right here.”

Nodding, I squeezed both their hands and turned the corner into the room. A need to run back out was strong when I saw my strong, sweet, funny dad laying in the hospital bed looking pale, withdrawn and tired.

His head turned slowly and, oh God, he smiled a big smile at me like I had just hung the moon for him.

My bottom lip trembled, but I bit it. I wiped furiously at my eyes.

“Baby girl,” he uttered, his hand shifted on the bed and stretched out to me.

I ran to him, to his side, my hand circling his where I gently pulled it up to my cheek. “Dad,” I whispered, tears streaming down my face.

“Oh, baby girl, no crying. God must need me up there.”

Shaking my head, I said, “But I need you here.”

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