Page 72 of Jack of Hearts
A gentle hand cupped her knee, and she opened her eyes to see Court kneeling in front of her. “Is he ... is he ...” She couldn’t finish the question, certain that Alex was gone.
“He’s still the same. Will you come with me to see him?”
“I thought only family could go in.” Why was she questioning the offer when she needed to see him more than she’d needed anything in her life? Court smiled, and it was so much like Alex’s that tears pooled in her eyes.
“I’ll flash my badge if a nurse tries to stop you.”
“Or you could just smile at her. That should do it.” Oh God, had she just said that? It was only because there was so much about him that reminded her of Alex, plus all the brothers had lethal smiles.
He chuckled. “I think you’re giving me more credit than I deserve. Come on.” Taking her hand, he pulled her up. “Come talk to him, Madison. Bring him back to us.”
Why would he think she could do such a thing? Alex didn’t care for her. She’d only been a means to an end, a link to Ramon. After an ambulance had whisked Alex away, Taylor had taken her home so she could wash off the blood and change her clothes. In spite of her resolve not to like the woman, she had. Although she’d dreaded it, she’d broken the news to her mother that Jose had been arrested and Ramon killed, staying with Angelina to console her until Nate had called.
The biggest surprise had been Angelina. She’d shed endless tears for her twin brother’s arrest and the death of his son, but she’d placed all the blame on the two of them for the way things had gone down. As for Jose, all Madison knew was that he was in federal custody, right where he belonged.
She hadn’t the heart, though, to tell her mother that it appeared Uncle Jose had a hand in her husband’s murder. Maybe she would someday; she hadn’t decided. Ramon was dead, and if Uncle Jose got sent away for life, what would be the point in telling Angelina? It would only add to her grief.
Court kept her hand in his as they walked to Alex’s room, and it seemed a brotherly type of gesture. What would it be like to have been with Alex and have Nate and Court as her brothers? It wasn’t going to happen, and she still didn’t understand why he thought her presence would help.
“Alex ended things between us,” she said, wanting to make sure he knew. “I doubt he’ll want me here.”
He just gave her a mysterious smile, as if he knew things she didn’t. They walked into the room, and she gasped. The man on the bed was deathly pale, and she wondered if it was only the machines hooked up to his body that kept him alive.
Nate sat in a chair pulled up to the bed, his head bowed as if in prayer. Court let go of her hand, and tears fell freely down her face as she approached. Nate lifted his head, and she saw the fear and pain in his eyes, thinking it must mirror her own.
“Come sit, Madison.” He stood, motioning her to the chair he’d been sitting in.
Her throat closed, making it impossible to swallow. How could the man on that bed be her vibrant, beautiful Alex? She sat in the chair Nate had vacated, taking Alex’s hand. It was cold and lifeless, and a sob escaped her lips.
“We almost lost him three times, twice in the ambulance and once in the emergency room.” Nate put his hand on her shoulder, giving her a gentle squeeze before moving away.
There was so much pain in his voice, and she didn’t know if she could bear it. They seemed to think she was important to Alex, that she could perform some kind of miracle, and the weight of their faith was a burden she wasn’t sure she could endure. She exhaled a shuddering breath as tears flowed like a river down her face.
Court handed her a handkerchief, then moved to the foot of the bed next to his brother. The two of them stood with their shoulders touching as if drawing strength from each other, or maybe they were simply leaning on each other for support. She didn’t know, only that there was incredible love between the Gentry brothers. That they were FBI agents was still something she was trying to process.
“He was only with me to find out if I knew anything about my cousin’s activities.” She didn’t know why she needed them to understand she’d meant nothing to Alex, but they seemed to think all she had to do was talk to him and he’d wake up.
“Is that what he told you?” Nate said.
“Not in so many words, but ...” She sighed. What good would it do to let them know how much he’d hurt her?
“Talk to him, Madison. He’ll hear you.”
She didn’t know what to say to Alex. That she’d fallen in love with him? That no man had ever hurt her the way he had? Even though he had wounded her down to her soul, she didn’t want to see him like this.
“Alex, your brothers seem to think that you’ll hear me. I don’t know why they believe that, but please open your eyes.” Nothing. She shook her head. “I don’t think—”
“Just keep talking,” Court said. “He’ll hear you.” He moved back to the far wall, leaned against it, tucked his chin against his chest, and closed his eyes. Nate moved over next to him, gave her an encouraging nod, then closed his eyes, too.
She talked to Alex for hours. She told him about her father, about her favorite books, and funny stories about Hemingway. She told him she loved him even though he probably didn’t want to hear it. When her voice grew hoarse, one of the brothers handed her a glass of water.
As she talked to Alex, she kept her hands wrapped around his. Her back hurt, and she was getting a headache, but she kept talking, not even noticing that the sun was coming up until a bright beam shining through the window fell across Alex’s face. She sucked in a breath, fearing it was a sign that God was taking him away.
“Please, Alex, stay with us. Your brothers need you.” She gave a hysterical laugh. “Hell, the world needs you in it.”I need you.She squeezed his hand, and she almost fell out of the chair when he squeezed it back. “Alex?”
“Grasshopper?” He opened his eyes, looked at her, and smiled. And just as fast, closed them, his hand going slack again.
Nate and Court were next to her in an instant. Nate put his hand on her shoulder. “What did he say?”
