Page 143 of Cougar

Levi is waiting just inside the doors. He points toward the elevators. “Top floor.”

Bass, Logan, and I step into the elevator. Just before they close, Cole slips inside.

“Does anyone know what happened?” he asks.

“Some dumb motherfucker with a death wish put his hands on my princess,” Bass growls through clenched teeth, his hands balled into fists at his sides as his entire body shakes with rage.

The doors slide open and we all wait for Bass to step out first before the rest of us follow. Cole and Logan take off in different directions while I follow Bass, knowing he’ll lead me straight to Emerson.

Troy, Emerson’s security guard, calls out to Bass and waves him over to where he’s standing with Alex and another man dressed in jeans, a badge clipped to his waist. Troy’s gaze shifts to me, and he points down the hall. “She’s in the last room at the end.”

“Thanks.” I turn and jog that direction.

Stepping inside the room, I find my mom beside Mimi on the sofa, doing her best to comfort her best friend. Lisa is lying beside Emerson in the bed closest to the door, and my sister is perched on the edge, stroking Emerson’s hair.

In three long strides, I reach my mother and place a kiss on her head before dropping to a knee in front of my godmother and wrapping my arms around her. “How you holding up, Mimi?”

“Today goes down as the worst day of my life. I need someone to tell me that my baby girl is going to make it.”

I look over my shoulder at Emerson curled up in the hospital bed. She looks so tiny. “How long has she been asleep?”

“About twenty or thirty minutes.” She shakes her head. “She’s gonna be pissed at me when she wakes up, but I had no choice, Cam. She was so hysterical, and she kept getting in the way. Then she started throwing up everywhere.”

“You did the right thing, Mimi.” Standing, I move to the bed.

“Here, Cam.” Lisa stands up. “You can have my spot.”

“Thanks,” I say as I slip into the bed and pull Emerson into my arms. My sister pauses stroking her hair and stares at me.

“You really love her, don’t you?” she whispers.

“She’s the love of my life,” I reply.

She reaches over and places her hand on my arm. “Then keep fighting for her.”

Over the next forty-five minutes, more people come in and out of the room. Some cast curious glances my way, but I don’t bother to give a fuck.

“Has anyone called Liam?” I ask.

“Max did,” Jessica tells me. “He’s on the way.”

Finally two nurses push through the door, wheeling a hospital bed carrying an unconscious Jay. Mac comes in right behind them.

Mimi gasps and tries to stand, but Mac stops her. “Ella, let them get her settled. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

* * *

Emerson

“Wake up, babe.”

Cam’s voice pulls me from a deep sleep. Stirring, I peek my eyes open and take in my surroundings, then lift my gaze to meet Cam’s blue eyes filled with worry.

Suddenly, the events of the day come rushing to the forefront of my mind and my head spins as I sit upright. Turning to the side, I see Jayla lying peacefully still in the hospital bed beside mine and immediately burst into tears. Her face is swollen and bruised, white gauze is wrapped around her head, one arm is in a sling and the other is at her side with her fingers in splints.

My father is immediately at my side, wrapping his arms around me. I cry into his chest as he strokes my head and shushes me. “She’s going to be okay, Emi bear. I know she looks bad, but she’s a Mackenzie. She’s tough. She’s a fighter.” He pulls back and pushes my hair away from my face. “Do you want them to stay in here for this?” He jerks his head, gesturing to all the people standing around the room. “It’s your call.”

“They can stay,” I say through a shuddered breath. I’d rather everyone hear it now than for me to have to repeat it a dozen times.

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