Branson opened his mouth to say something, but his legs wobbled and gave way. Finn’s voice cried out, and Bran felt his body sliding slowly to the floor, which seemed like a rotating merry-go-round.
“I’ll take care of him,” Carina crooned.
“You can’t handle him by yourself,” said Finn. “Me and the guys will get him upstairs.”
The noise and the voices faded into nothingness.
CHAPTER 18
With damp hair and flannel PJs, Stephanie responded to the persistent knocking at her door, expecting to find Cole. Instead, there stood Carina, rubbing her hands together in frantic fashion.
“Branson’s had a drug reaction. Finn wants you to come.”
Her heart stopped, but only for a moment. Then a cool calmness overtook her. She couldn’t afford to panic. She had to keep her head, to take care of Branson. He needed her.
“Is he at the hospital? Let me get my purse and some shoes.” She hopped on one foot toward her bedroom.
“He’s next door. We got him in bed.”
“I’m coming.” She grabbed her crutches and swung her purse over her shoulder, following Carina in bare feet. “What happened? Bran doesn’t use drugs. How did he have a reaction?”
“It was an accident.”
Steph didn’t bother to ask any more questions. She didn’t trust Carina’s answers, anyway.
Cole let them inside Branson’s room, sporting an equally anxious look that almost destroyed her calm façade. Think, Stephanie. Think. Bran is okay. If he were dying, they would have him at the emergency room.
She heard yelling and turned to see Jarrett and Finn standing on either side of the bed, trying to hold down a thrashing Branson.
“What’s wrong with him?” She tottered into the bedroom as fast as her crutches would go, trying to make sense of Branson’s shouts. “Is he having a seizure?”
“No,” Jarrett replied, gritting his teeth with effort. “He thinks you’ve been murdered.”
“Would you please tell him you’re alive?” Finn requested, out of breath. “He’s determined to call the police.”
“Branson!” Stephanie pushed as close as she could while the guys held him still. “It’s me… Stephanie. I’m alive. I’m right here.”
“You’re not Stephanie. Cole killed her!” Bran swiped at Finn’s imprisoning hands. “Listen to me. Why won’t anyone listen to me? Cole took her away and came back without her. Her voice was there, and it went away. She’s gone. She’s dead.”
Understanding dawned, and she stepped back, grappling inside her purse to flip on the transmitter. “Branson? Can you hear me? Bran? It’s Stephanie.”
Bran continued to struggle and shout.
Of course… I’m not wearing the microphone.
Steph wriggled her way next to the bed and lowered her mouth to his ear. “Branson, can you hear me?”
“Stephanie?” Bran froze. “Is it really you?”
“It’s me. It’s Stephanie.”
His head fell back against the pillow, and moisture trickled from the corner of his eye. His voice dipped to a hoarse whisper. “Are you dead?”
“I’m alive.” She put her hands on either side of his face, tears blurring her vision. “I’m right here.”
Finn and Jarrett released him and stepped away, groaning from their sustained efforts.
“Stephanie?” His hands covered hers and groped their way up to her face, cupping her cheeks. “You’re not dead?”
“Not the last time I checked.” She chuckled, dabbing a sleeve at her watery eyes as she straightened.
Bran’s hand grasped her wrist. “Please. Don’t go.”
“I’m right here. I’m not leaving.” She sat stiffly on the edge of the bed, hoping no one would read more into their relationship than the dependent boss that he was.
Jarrett collapsed in a nearby chair, wiping the sweat off his forehead. “Thanks for your help, Cole,” he hollered in a sarcastic voice, ripping off his tux coat and loosening his tie. He leaned back and closed his eyes, propping up his feet.
“I couldn’t help,” Cole objected from the outer room. “Branson would’ve killed me.”
“Cole?” Branson’s face hardened as he jerked upward. “Where is that son-of—”
Steph jumped to cover his mouth with her hand. “I’m alive, Branson. Cole didn’t do anything.”
His brows furrowed in confusion as he flopped back against the pillow again.
“Will someone explain to me what’s going on?” Steph demanded. “How did he get like this? I thought you guys were watching after him.”
