Page 45 of Danger

He nuzzles his head against my chest and I laugh. “What are you doing?” I step back a bit.

Danger gives me that legendary smile of his. “Well, I was there.”

I laugh, and then pull him closer, no longer caring if his face is smooshed into my chest. I’m happy he’s alive.

“Danger, I was so scared.”

He rubs my back. “I’m ok. Promise.”

The doctor comes back into the room and I step away from Danger. “Good news,” the doctor says. “Just let me get you some paperwork, and you can go.”

“Thanks, Doc.”

“You don’t realize how lucky you were.” The doctor smiles before leaving the room.

My phone pings in my pocket. It’s Lilah.

“Mandarin’s not too good. Third floor, if you’re here with Danger,” her text reads.

“Mandarin’s not too good. I’m going to go and check on them.”

“If you wait just a bit I’ll go with you,” Danger says.

My father smiles at me. “Mont, why don’t you head on up there and Danger and I will meet you in a bit.”

I nod, glancing at Danger one last time before I leave the room.

I take the elevator, not really sure what will await me on the third floor. Both our team members were taken out in one crash. I can’t even imagine what my father’s feeling at this moment.

When the lift doors open, I spot Lilah immediately. I wrap my arms around her. “How is he?”

“They’re not saying much.” She pulls out of the hug, her eyes watering with sadness. “How’s Danger?”

“He’s ok. Concussion, nothing too bad.” We make our way to two waiting chairs, and she sits next to me and I grab her hands. “Mandarin’s strong. He’ll be ok.”

She smiles. “You’re right. He will be.” I give her another hug, trying to be here for her.

Her blue eyes hold sadness as I stare into them. “He’ll be ok.”

I nod at her words. “My father will be here soon. Hopefully he can get some answers.”

The waiting room swarms with the pit crew and Mandarin’s manager, Harry. Everyone waits to hear anything from the doctors.

Five minutes later, Danger and my father exit the elevator. Danger wraps an arm around me when I stand to greet them.

My father crosses the room to speak with Harry. Danger pulls me closer. “He’s strong,” he whispers into my ear.

“I’m worried about Lilah, too.”

Danger releases me so we can both head in her direction. Lilah stands and gives Danger a hug, telling him she’s happy he’s ok. Most likely hoping Mandarin has the same great news.

We take a seat, and I can tell Danger’s tired, but I know he can’t sleep with a concussion.

After a few more minutes a doctor enters the room and my father and Harry greet him. Lilah rushes forward to hear the news, but I hang back a bit with Danger, holding my breath.

“He’s in surgery now. He punctured his spleen.”

Lilah gasps, and my father and Harry ask the doctor a few questions about the surgery.

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