Page 97 of Caged

“The nurse said you can see Cate after breakfast,” Dad said.

“I can’t wait that long. As soon as I’m dressed, I’m going.” A herd of wild horses couldn’t keep me away.

I made a face before glaring at Jamie after pulling out a robe. “Seriously?”

Ma put her hand on Dad’s arm and said, “I’ll go talk to the nurse and ask if we can sneak you in now.”

Dad was great when it came to intimidating people, but in a hospital that wouldn’t work. Ma would use sweet talk and empathy. I had no doubt the nurse would let me see Cate after my mom got done.

While she was gone, I dragged myself out of bed, with Jack’s help, and put on the robe. “Real clothes would have been better,” I grumbled.

“Beggars can’t be choosers,” Jamie said, a look of guilt flashing in his eyes. I had a feeling Dad put him up to it. Ifthey didn’t think I’d walk out of here in nothing but a robe, they were sadly mistaken.

Ma convinced the nurse to let me have five minutes with Cate. I wanted more, but I’d take it.

Dad pushed my wheelchair while Ma followed close behind with my IV stand. The wheelchair was humiliating, but it was the only way the nurse would let me leave my room. When I tried to argue, my father cleared his throat. That was all it took for me to stand down.I hope someday I’m half the father my dad is. Images of kids, a blend of Cate and me, flashed through my mind. Dismissing them, I willed my father to push faster.

Refusing to be wheeled into Cate’s room, I stood and took the IV stand.

I thought I was prepared for what I’d see. But I wasn’t. I gripped the door frame as the air left my lungs. The sight of Cate, who’d been so strong, so brave, so larger than life, looking pale and fragile in her hospital bed, brought tears to my eyes. Tubes and wires stuck out of her like a fucking science experiment gone wrong. They were helping her breath, feeding her, and sounding off her slow, steady heartbeat.

Relief wasn’t the only emotion coursing through my body. Fear she could still die. Anger at the assholes who did this. Guilt she’d suffered so much.

I’m so sorry, Cate.My whimper had nothing to do with my pain as I walked to the edge of her bed. Holding her hand, I sang softly, hoping she’d hear me and know she wasn’t alone.

Back in my room, Dad asked, “You ready to tell us what happened between the two of you in the cage?”

I can’t believe he brought up the cage. Did he tell my mom about it? “We had time to talk.”

Not wasting any time, Ma cut to the chase and asked, “Are you in love with her?”

I didn’t have to look at my brothers to know they had identical smirks on their faces.

“No.”

“Liar,” Jamie coughed around the word at the same time Jack coughed out, “Bullshit.”

“Don’t you have somewhere else to be?” I asked.

“No.” The said together. Jamie glanced at his phone. “Dean’s here to replace Eric, I’ll be right back.”

Why was Dean replacing Eric? Why was Eric here? Where was he?

“Is there something I need to know?” I asked, the beeping on my monitor picking up speed. Dad told me they’d killed most of the men at the house, including Roman, who’d taken a shot at Doug and paid the ultimate price for his mistake.So why do we need security?

“No, it’s just a precaution,” Dad answered.

During breakfast, I asked my father if he’d talked to Darling and apologized for not thinking of it sooner.

“I did. He’s taking it hard and blaming himself.” None of this was his fault, but I doubted he’d be able to hear that.

As soon as I finished the scrambled eggs and toast, I got dressed and checked myself out. My mom thought I should stay longer, but I didn’t care. I couldn’t stay knowing Cate was alone.

The doctor wanted to keep me another day, but I refused, signing myself out against medical advice. All I needed was rest and Grunt Candy, or ibuprofen as my mom called it. But for now, the painkillers in my system would be enough.

After hugging most of my family goodbye, I walked to Cate’s room. My parents insisted on going with me. I didn’t say it, but I was grateful they’d stayed.

Bracing myself for what I’d see, I took a deep breath before opening the door. It still wasn’t easy seeing her lying there, but at least I didn’t lose it in the doorway. I grabbed a hard plastic chair, moved it to the side of her bed, and got as comfortable as I could. Cate looked less pale than she had earlier, which I took as a good sign.

---