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Once I’m under the hot spray, I gently scrub all the filth from my skin until I’m sure every ounce of dirt and dried blood is gone. Exhaustion starts to set in when I step out and towel off. It’s been almost three days since I’ve slept, and my body is starting to fight me.

I ignore the hospital gown laid out, wrapping the towel around my waist and exiting the bathroom. There’s a male nurse waiting by the door, undoubtedly there in case I fall.

“Can you get me something besides a gown? I’m not wearing that shit.”

“Scrubs?”

“That’ll be fine.”

He leaves to get them, and I brace against the door frame, knowing if I sit on that bed, I’m not getting up for a while. My eyes zone in on a tray of food, and my stomach growls.

He returns quickly and helps me get the pants on, foregoing the shirt for now. As he wraps my ribs, I ask for updates on the other men and discover all of us are here on the same floor, which is overcrowded with agents from the GBI, SLED, FBI, and local law enforcement, and the Governor of South Carolina is on his way.

“You feel like company now?” He settles me back, adjusting the bed until I’m comfortable.

“Only one person I want to see right this second.”

“I hope it’s the honey blonde raising hell and putting on a show in the waiting room. I’m the only person who hasn’t pissed her off, and quite frankly, I’m a little scared of her.”

I chuckle then hiss at the vibration inside my chest. “That’s her. She’s a little lively.”

“Yeah, I can see that. Your poor captain has been trying to calm her down.”

“Impossible feat. Put him out of his misery and send her in.”

He doesn’t get a chance. My door creeps open, and Emi’s head pops through the crack. Her eyes land on mine before she sucks in a deep breath and slinks in.

“Thank God it’s your room. It could have been embarrassing if I’d snuck in on someone else.” She tries to make a joke, but it’s impossible to cover up the shine in her eyes.

“Baby, come here.” I hold out an arm, and she hurries to my side, throwing herself at me.

The nurse starts to warn her about my ribs, but I slice my eyes to him to stay quiet. The jabbing pain is worth it. I inhale deeply, letting the scent of her wash over me as she kisses my neck, jaw, cheek, and finally my lips.

“I’m fine,” I reassure her over and over.

She backs away, taking a good look at my face and sliding her hand down my arm. There’s a familiar and distinct clink right as I feel the cold metal on my wrist.

“What the hell?” I lift our now handcuffed wrists.

“Until I can get the image out of my head of you being led by a madman with a gun to your skull, you’re stuck with me.”

Her lips start to quiver, and her eyes pool with tears. “I was so scared,” she admits in a small voice.

“Baby, come back here.” She hugs me again, this time carefully.

I stroke her back and whisper into her hair that everything is okay now.

“Mr. Scott, I’m going to leave you two alone for a little bit. If you need me, press the button.”

I wave him off and clutch her a little tighter.

“Don’t you ever, ever go off and get yourself kidnapped again!” she mutters into my neck.

“Okay.”

She pushes up and uses her free hand to roam my face, flinching at the bruising. “They hit you?”

“Once or twice.”