“BoBo sent a guard to watch over him. The pain meds are keeping him asleep for the most part. The cops and doctors all believe the story about the mugging. If you go, it’s going to start new questions.”
“Why? I’m his sister. His family.”
“Yes, but you also look like you took a beating.” I lightly grazed the bruises on her cheek. Fiona tried to hide the wince, but it didn’t work. I saw through it. “You need to stay until you heal. And I need to keep you where you are safe. Where I can protect you.”
Apparently, she saw through me too. She leaned back and held my head to her chest. I wouldn’t complain about the position, just that my t-shirt covered too much of her.
“You can’t keep me locked away forever.”
I turned and bit her through the shirt. “Watch me.” I ended up ripping the shirt off her so I could get a better bite.
Chapter 17
Fiona
I caved to Dillan and let him keep me locked up for nearly a week. If it hadn’t been for the regular rotation of ice packs and ibuprofen, it would have been a great week. I needed to see Randy though.
With the help of a boatload of concealer and a face mask, most of the dark rainbow was covered.
Dillan dropped me off at the hospital, promising to be back as soon as I sent word. I forced him to go to the club, as he hadn’t left my apartment in all that time either.
I found Randy lying in a hospital bed on the 3rd floor. I stood in the doorway and just stared at him. His guard sat near the window, but when he saw me, he stood up, nodded his head in greeting, and went out into the hall. Randy turned to look at me. He smiled, then frowned.
“It feels like just yesterday I was here with Dad. How are you feeling? Do you need a nursing home now too?”
“I probably should.” His voice got a bit raspy with emotion, and he had to clear it before he could continue. “I have a problem. I didn’t listen to you. I always thought you were overreacting with your warnings. I am so, so sorry, Fi.” I’d never seen my brother cry. I’d seen him come close, but not actually cry like this.
I walked over and sat on the bed, holding him. He cried for a minute then pulled away, his eyes on the mask. When his hand went to move it, I stopped him.
“Don’t. It won’t help.”
He nodded once and dropped his hand. “Did they… did… I could hear them talking. I was starting to come out of it. I got my eyes open enough to see you fall to the floor, and them… but then it went black again. I managed to open them again after I heard Dillan. I could see a gun close by and grabbed it. I couldn’t let them hurt you. I can’t stop seeing that man on top of you.”
“They never got the chance. Dillan came before then. He’s a little peeved you pulled the trigger first. He was really itching for it. But he also knows it was something you needed to do. You needed to feel the satisfaction of protecting me. He thinks that will help you heal faster, mentally. Not much we can do about the physical. How are you?”
“Concussion, a couple broken ribs, bruised pretty much everywhere inside. Had some internal bleeding. My leg will require surgery, but they wanted to get the rest of me stable first though. Does, uh, does Dad know?”
“No. I haven’t figured out what to tell him yet. I don’t want to stress out his heart. He’s always known about the gambling though, Randy.”
