Page 184 of Between Secrets and Obsession

I’m so worried. Please update us, Liam.

Hunter

Yeah, let us know how she’s doing. Also, I talked to the cops. They said a detective may meet you at the hospital.

Mason

What the fuck happened?

I read them all, already overwhelmed.

Liam

She’s stable. They just stitched the cut on her head, and they’re taking her to get a scan soon. Finding out as much as I can, but it’s gonna be a while. Don’t know what happened. I unlocked the G-Wagon and it exploded. That’s all I know.

There’s only been a handful of times in my life where I’ve felt so defeated, and this is one of them. I stare at Maddie as they continue to work on her, then wheel her off for a CT scan. She’s gone for almost an hour, and I can barely concentrate. Everyone’s in the waiting room since they’ll only allow one person in here, and I told them I’d take turns if they wanted to see her. I pace, reading all the medical signs posted on the wall, and just when I sit in the chair, she’s brought back in.

I stand over her, gently brushing my fingers against her arm, overly anxious.

With a raspy voice, she looks at me. “Liam?”

Relief and joy flood through me, and I lean down so I can be closer to her face. “Mads. Baby.”

“What happened?” Wincing, she reaches for her head, but I grab her hand and place kisses along her knuckles. “My head hurts so bad. The room’s spinning.”

“I know, baby. There was an accident. Someone planted a bomb in the G-Wagon, and when it exploded, a piece of metal flew off and struck you. It gave you a pretty big gash and bruises but they stitched it up. You probably have a concussion, but they did a CT scan to check for bleeding or fractures. They should be back with the results soon.”

“Wow. I don’t remember any of that,” she says, closing her eyes tight, and I can’t imagine how much pain she’s in. “Feels like a hammer is pounding against my skull, though.”

“I’m so sorry, Maddie. God, I’m so sorry,” I repeat over and over, choking on each word.

“You didn’t do this,” she says. Even in this state she’s sweet and won’t allow me to take the blame.

“It’s all my fault. I was targeted and you got hurt. This is my worst nightmare,” I admit, hating the discomfort that’s written all over her face.

“I’m okay. It’ll be okay.” I fucking hope so. But she’s a fighter.

“Your sisters are here. Do you want to see them? We’ll have to take turns, but I’ll force myself to leave and let them in.”

Her eyes are sad, but she nods. “Yes, please.”

I give her a soft kiss before standing.

“I love you, Liam,” she tells me before I walk out of the room.

“I love you too. Always.”

I go into the waiting room, and Sophie and Lennon both jump up when they see me.

“Well?” Sophie asks.

“Just waiting on the results of the CT scan, but she’s finally awake,” I explain.

“Oh, thank God,” Lennon breathes out and places her hand over her heart. Hunter is holding baby Aaron in his lap, but he’s listening intently to everything we say.

“She wants to see you two.” I look at Lennon and Sophie. “I told her you were here.”

The two of them argue about who’s going first, but Sophie plays the oldest sister card and wins. “I won’t be too long,” Sophie tells her, then gets a visitor's badge and is escorted to the back. Before I can sit with the others, a detective walks up. Mason stands and shakes his hand, and I’m sure they know each other because of their professions and who Mason’s father is.